The best beaches in and around Kyrenia
Last verified 19 October 2026
From Kyrenia (Keryneia, Girne), a beach day usually means heading out along the coast road, east or west. The coast here is a mix of small sandy bays, sand with rocky ledges and plenty of plain rock, with the Kyrenia range behind. East of town you find the longer sandy bays, including the turtle nesting beaches at Alagadi. West of town the coast gets more built up as far as Lapta, then quieter and wilder towards Cape Kormakitis. Many of the best known bays are run as paid beach clubs or belong to hotels. This guide sticks to the public beaches and the open coast.
The main season runs from May to October. Several beaches are turtle nesting sites in summer, with rules for visitors at night.
East of Kyrenia
Alagadi turtle beach. About 19 kilometres east of Kyrenia, two undeveloped sandy bays where loggerhead and green turtles nest. It is a public beach with no entry fee and no sunbeds, so bring shade, water and food. There is free parking at the village end. The Society for the Protection of Turtles (SPOT) runs a small research and conservation centre here, and in late summer it holds evening hatchling releases that the public can watch; spaces are limited and timing depends on the nests, so check with SPOT first. From May to October the beach is closed at night, from 8pm to 8am. Do not dig near marked nests, use torches or flash on the beach after dark, or drive on the sand.
Esentepe public beach. About 30 minutes east of Kyrenia, below the village of Esentepe (Agios Amvrosios). A council run beach, mostly sandy with some shingle and rock ledges in the shallows, and a gentle way into the water in most places. There are showers, toilets and changing rooms, sunbeds, umbrellas and curtained booths to rent, and a café and bar. Parking is easy.
Tatlısu municipal beach. Around 40 minutes east of Kyrenia, below Tatlısu (Akanthou), and about ten minutes beyond Esentepe. A sandy, council run beach with toilets and a café on a wooden jetty, and views east along the coast towards the Karpas.
West of Kyrenia
Kervansaray public beach. About ten minutes west of central Kyrenia, at Karaoğlanoğlu on the coast road towards Lapta. Run by Kyrenia Municipality, it is one of the few sandy public beaches close to town, with a sandy bottom and a buoyed swimming area. Facilities include sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, an artificial grass sunbathing area, showers and changing rooms, a lifeguard tower with first aid, and parking right beside it, including disabled parking with easy access to the beach. Boat trips from Kyrenia harbour stop here. The coast road dolmuş minibuses pass the entrance.
Alsancak bays. Around Alsancak (Karavas), 10 to 15 kilometres west of Kyrenia, are some of the best sandy bays on this side of town. Most are run by beach clubs that charge a day fee, usually including a sunbed and umbrella. One, about 15 kilometres out, is a small horseshoe bay of fine sand with breakwaters that keep the water calm, and in season there are water sports. They get busy at weekends.
Lapta coast. Lapta (Lapithos) runs down to a long seafront with a walkway, small sandy bays and flat rock shelves to swim from. It is a mix of organised spots with decks and loungers and open shoreline where you can just lay down a towel and walk in.
Güzelyalı. West of Lapta, a beach of sand and pebbles reached down village roads, with straightforward parking. It is organised, with sunbeds, umbrellas and showers, and has a turtle conservation project, so look out for marked nests.
Kayalar coast. Further west, the coast around Kayalar is rocky and undeveloped, with a few places to get into the water off the rocks. There are almost no facilities, and the roads down are small.
Sadrazamköy (Livera) and Cape Kormakitis. The far north western tip of the island is the wildest stretch of this coast, with very little development. Come for quiet swimming and the drive rather than a classic beach day. Take water and shade, check how you will get down to the sea before you set off, and allow plenty of daylight for the smaller roads.
Practical
Sun. From June to September the midday sun is fierce, and many of the wild beaches have no shade at all. Bring an umbrella, a hat and more water than you think you need.
Sea safety. Lifeguards are the exception on this coast: Kervansaray has one during opening hours, but most beaches here have none. Pay attention to flags where they are flown: red means do not swim. Rocky entry points can be slippery, so swim shoes help on the western coast.
Turtle beaches at night. Alagadi is closed after dark from May to October, and other sandy beaches on this coast also have nests. Keep lights off the sand, never touch a nest or a hatchling, and take your rubbish home.
Hire cars and tracks. Some of the quieter coves are reached by unsealed tracks. Check your hire agreement before taking a car off tarmac, as damage on dirt roads may not be covered. See our North Cyprus car hire guide.