The best preserved of North Cyprus' three castles, this fairytale castle (said by some to have inspired the one in Disneyland) is perched on a steep hilltop with commanding views over Kyrenia and the coast.
The castle is named not after St. Hilarion the Great, the founder of monasticism in Palestine who died near Paphos about A.D. 371, but after a later saint, of whom little is known. He is counted among the three hundred saints who according to local tradition, sought refuge in Cyprus when the Arabs overran the Holy Land. His relics were preserved in the castle and "kept right worshipfully" according to an English visitor in the 14th century. It may be presumed that he retired to this hill-top to live the life of a hermit and that as the hermitage of St. Neophytos near Paphos, a monastery was established to shelter those who should follow his example, as well pilgrims to his tomb. The first certain reference to the castle dates from 1191, when Richard the Lionheart successfully besieged it after conquering Kyrenia.
St. Hilarion is well signposted and just off the main highway connecting Kyrenia and Nicosia. There is no public transport, so car hire or chartering a taxi/dolmus is recommended.
The car park lies at the foot of the castle, and from here the only way to get around (and up) is on foot. It's a bit of a steep climb all the way to the top, but the castle is quite large and there's plenty to see along the way. The Access road from the main road between Kyrenia (Girne) & Nicosia (Lefkosa)passes through a Military Area. You should not try to walk or cycle to the castle.
The castle has three parts draped over the mountain.
There is a '''refreshment room''' (basically a cafe) selling mildly overpriced drinks and snacks in a restored gate house right next to the entrance.
There is no accommodation in St. Hilarion and most visitors daytrip from Nicosia or Kyrenia.