Fodor's Expert Review St. Hilarion Kalesi

The fantastic ruins of the St. Hilarion Kalesi (Castle of St. Hilarion) stand on a hilltop some 10 km (6 miles) southwest of Girne. Originally a monastery named after the hermit monk Hilarion, its strategic position and repeated Arab raids saw the monastery being converted into a castle sometime in the 8th century AD. It's a strenuous walk to the site, so take a taxi from Girne and then allow about 20 minutes to hike from the car park uphill to the ruins (wear comfortable shoes); the views are breathtaking. You'll need at least two hours to fully explore the castle.