Buffavento Castle
Buffavento Kalesi
The highest Crusader castle in the Kyrenia Mountains (about 950 m). Few ruins remain, but from the summit you can see both the north and south coastlines.
Buffavento means “castle that defies the wind.” Together with St Hilarion and Kantara castles, it formed a mountain defense line in the Byzantine and Lusignan periods, passing messages between its fortresses by beacon fire. The castle stands on a peak about 950 m high. From the car park, a stone path climbs for about 30–45 minutes past steep rock faces. The ruins are modest, but the view is the main reward: the Mediterranean coast to the north and the Nicosia Plain to the south. Admission is free. The mountain road is narrow, so drivers should take care. Go early in the morning in summer.
Opening hours
All day (unattended)
Nearby sights
- Hazreti Ömer Tomb
- Bellapais Abbey
- Alagadi Turtle Beach
- Kyrenia Castle & Shipwreck Museum
- Kyrenia Harbour
- Archangel Michael Icon Museum
- Sourp Magar Monastery
- St. Hilarion Castle