It is the smallest of Cyprus's districts, and is the only one controlled in its entirety by the unrecognised de facto state of Northern Cyprus, where the same territory is administered as the de facto Girne District, a distinct entity.

It includes much of the north coast, with the towns of Kyrenia, Lapethos and Karavas.

Also the Kyrenia Mountains, which overlook the coast, with the prominent castles of St. Hilarion and Buffavento.

Under Lusignan and Venetian rule, Kyrenia District was known as the contrée (French) or contrade (Italian ) of Cérines, which was one of the eleven provinces of the Kingdom of Cyprus.

At that time, the province of Nicosia, known as the Vicomté, extended closer to the sea, encroaching upon the Pentadaktylos foothills in the present Kyrenia District.