St Hilarion Castle

St Hilarion began as a monastery around a hermit's cave and was fortified by the Byzantines against Arab raids, then extended by the Lusignan kings into a summer residence. It climbs a limestone crag in three wards: stables and garrison quarters at the bottom, a church and hall in the middle, and at the top, above seven hundred metres, the royal apartments with a Gothic window known as the Queen's Window looking out over the coast. The comparison with a fairytale castle is unavoidable and is said to have influenced Disney.

What you actually see

• The three wards - garrison, church and royal quarters stacked up the crag.
• The Queen's Window - a Gothic tracery window in the upper ward with a coast view.
• The Byzantine church - the tenth-century chapel in the middle ward.
• The view - the north coast and, on clear days, the Turkish mainland.

When to go

March to May and October to November are the best for the climb. Summer heat on the exposed rock is punishing. Cloud sits on the upper ward in winter and cuts the view entirely.

Honest expectations

Reaching the top ward is several hundred steps, steep and uneven, and many visitors stop at the middle. There are no railings on much of the route. Bring water and ID for the crossing points.

Nearby

Kyrenia is on the coast below, and Buffavento is east along the ridge.