Akrotiri and Dhekelia - British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus
Akrotiri and Dhekelia is a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus.
Understand
The two military bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia were important bases of the British Empire throughout its reign over the island, and were retained as a compromise upon independence, because the United Kingdom had been reluctant to grant independence to Cyprus if it meant giving up these bases.
Although Akrotiri and Dhekelia are primarily military bases, the area is generally accessible from the Republic of Cyprus and has a few interesting places within its territory.
Get in
Visa requirements
The visa policy is the same as for Cyprus, which follows the visa policy of the Schengen Area. However, stays longer than 28 days per 12-month period require a permit. The territory has open borders with Cyprus, but maintains border checks with Northern Cyprus.
Get around
See
Akrotiri
- Kourion, 34.6642°, 32.8877°. world heritage site with acropolis ruins
- St Nicholas' Monastery of the Cats. In the 4th century, while on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Helena the mother of Constantine the Great found out that the monastery was heavily infested with snakes. To hunt the serpents down to manageable numbers, she sent a couple of shiploads of cats from Egypt or Palestine, and they formed the foundation stock of the Cyprus cat breed. The monastery was abandoned in about the 17th century, and its feline population vanished; but there has been a revival since the late 20th century, with parts of the monastery getting rebuilt, and the cat population increasing.
- The Sanctuary Of Apollo.
Dhekelia
- Xylophagou Tower, 34.95072°, 33.85578°. 2019-08-17
Do
Akrotiri
- Lady's Mile Beach
Dhekelia
Buy
Despite being British possessions, the euro is the official currency in the base area.