Karpaz PeninsulaDescribed as one of the most unspoiled areas in the Mediterranean, the Karpaz Peninsula in Northeastern Cyprus is a true idyllic wilderness. It stretches for some eighty-miles out to sea towards Turkey, the land tapering from the fading eastern reaches of the Kyrenia Mountain Range and Kantara Castle in the west, to Cape Andreas and the Kleides Islands chain at its eastern tip.

From Kyrenia you’ll need to hire a car to explore Karpaz – preferably a 4×4, as some of the roads along the peninsula can be challenging. Kyrenia car hire is best booked in advance of your Karpaz trip to guarantee a suitable vehicle for the terrain.

You should set off from Kyrenia early. It’ll take an hour to get onto the Peninsula and you’ll want a whole day there to fully explore all that Karpaz has to offer.

Ancient landscapes and golden beaches

The Karpaz Peninsula is the least populated area of Cyprus. Its beauty is in its desolation and simplicity of life. There are no hotels and only a handful of villages large enough to support restaurants, bars and some local accommodation.

The people are very friendly. Farming provides their main income as the ground along the Peninsula, away from the mountains, is very fertile. You’ll see many acres of crops being grown here, with farmers using donkeys rather than tractors. It is all quite different in appearance to the area around Kyrenia.

Being bounded by the sea to its north and south, the Karpaz Peninsula is blessed with dozens of fine sandy beaches. Most of them are empty, especially so out of season. You can walk for miles along windswept golden sands and not see another person for hours!

The coastal scenery is truly awesome here, and the view from Cape Andreas, looking back down the Peninsula is awe-inspiring.

While you’re on the Peninsula you might also want to spend a bit of time exploring its historic sites. There are two monasteries and several churches on the Peninsula. One of the churches – Agios Thyrsos – is cut into the rock on the northern coast. With Kantara Castle in the mix too, there sure is plenty to see and do during your visit to the Karpaz Peninsula.

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