Travelling to Cyprus, have concerns... need info!?

Question

I'm travelling to Cyprus very soon. I'm travelling through NY and IStanbul. I'm beginning to have concerns though. I'm travelling alone as a young single female meeting a turkish friend. How safe is it in Nicosia? and what is the general treatment of foreign young women? My friend keeps on telling me all pleasnat things.. but he's native and i've gotten several "Be very careful"'s when i tell people i'm travelling.
please share any past experiences.. good and bad but most importantly honest!

Especially interested in the dangers of crossing the "green line"

PS.. I don't speak turkish.

Answer 1

First if you travel to Cyprus through Constantinople and then visit the free areas of the island you may get arrested because you enetered Cyprus illegaly from a closed airport. I visited the occupied areas of Cyprus several times. The old city of Nicosia is full of turkish soldiers and setllers fresh from anatolia living in filthy conditions. I was with a young female and the turkish soldiers were looking at her intensily. Turkish Cypriots friends complained that the Turks from Turkey commit crimes especially within the walls of old Nicosia. The Turkish Cypriots I know are very pleasant and friendly people,

Answer 2

Hi,
I was in Cyprus in June and we visited Nicosia. We were staying on the Greek side but did not visit the Turkish side so can't really help there much I'm afraid. There is one place where you can cross and it is allowed although a little frowned upon. I know if you go from Greek to Turkish side you have to be 'signed out' by police at the border although i'm not sure if you are travelling the other way, I'd assume it's the same though. Make sure you are very careful if you are hiring a car as with most companies you are not insured if you take the car into the other side. Also, if you are going near the border in Nicosia be sure to keep any camera you have hidden. It is not like there is any fighting there now, the people just seem to keep themselves to themselves and get on with it on their own side. Very eerie city though I thought, some of it is deserted and there are bullet holes in buildings which reminds you of whats gone on there. As I say afraid I cannot comment on the Turkish side in terms of safety, but although I was travelling with my boyfriend I would have felt safe here on my own. Also all the Greek Cypriot men were most pleasant. Not sure if it helps you but nearly all the Greek Cypriots speak English. Hope you enjoy your trip and this helps a little!

Answer 3

North Cyprus isn't dangerous. It's pretty laid back. Nicosia isn't a dangerous town, but there's not much to se there. There are some interesting things to see in other cities such as Girne, which has wonderful harbor scenery and an old fortress, and Famagusta, which is near the ancient city of Salamis.

When I was there a few years ago, it was not possible to cross over to the south from the north, but that may have changed.

Answer 4

if you will go to the side that's occupied by the turks, stay there, don't cross the green line, you are not wellcome in the free part of cyprus

your turkish friend is lying, north cyprus is not so nice, no place with more than 2 turks is nice.

Answer 5

Try the U.S. State Department travel advisory site. travel.state.gov

P.S., try to only use the advice that you find from reputable sources, not those that give it to you on Y! answers.

Answer 6

problem??? have you thought the fact out that you might soon be falling into this man's trap?

He is after you for his Visa? Don't you read about the hundreds of women that are cheated every year into marrying Turkish guys and then they just bugger off???

Answer 7

WELL YOU SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE YOUR MIND MADE UP BUT YOUR LOOK ING FOR THE BAD, JUST BE VERY CAREFULL AN KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AN SPEAK WHAT YOU KNOW...