Top Beaches in Northern Cyprus: From Public Shores to Exclusive Beach Clubs
North Cyprus has one of the least crowded coastlines in the Mediterranean. Within an hour’s drive you can move from lively beach clubs near Kyrenia to wide public beaches in Famagusta and Iskele, and on to the wild dunes of the Karpaz Peninsula. This guide covers the best-known beaches region by region, explains which ones are free and which charge for sunbeds or entry, and sets out the rules that protect the island’s nesting turtles. It is written for residents, students and anyone thinking about buying a home near the sea.
Before you go: the rules and the season
Is beach access free in North Cyprus?
Yes. The constitution and the Beaches Use and Control Law (No. 26/1993) treat the shoreline as public, so everyone has the right to reach the sea. Beach operators charge only for extra services such as sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, parking and food, and many beach clubs offer a convenient entry ticket that already includes a sunbed. The simple rule for visitors: public beaches are free, and beach clubs add extra comfort for a fee.
When is the swimming season?
The sea is comfortable for most people from June to October, when water temperatures near Kyrenia reach about 26–29°C in high summer. May and November are cooler but still swimmable for many. The coast enjoys long, dry summers with well over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, which is why so many buyers choose a home within walking distance of the sea.
Kyrenia (Girne): beach clubs and mountain views
The Kyrenia coast combines the Beşparmak mountains with small bays and a string of well-equipped beach clubs, especially in the Alsancak area west of town.
Escape Beach (Alsancak): paid
One of the best-known beaches on the Kyrenia coast, about 10 km west of the town centre. It is run as a beach club with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, a restaurant and water sports, and it usually charges an entry fee that includes a sunbed. Ask about the current price on arrival, as it changes with the season.
Camelot Beach (Alsancak): paid
A horseshoe-shaped sandy bay protected by breakwaters, which keep the water calm. That makes it a popular choice for families with young children. Entry is paid and normally includes a sunbed and umbrella.
Kervansaray Public Beach: free
Kyrenia Municipality’s public beach is free to enter. You only pay if you want to rent a sunbed or umbrella. The municipality has recently extended the beach westwards, with a lifeguard tower and parking. It is the easiest free beach to reach from the centre of Kyrenia.
Alagadi Turtle Beach: free, with strict rules
East of Kyrenia, Alagadi is one of the most important nesting beaches in the Mediterranean for loggerhead and green turtles. It has no beach clubs, and it is protected. During the nesting and hatching season, roughly from late May to September, the beach is closed from 20:00 to 08:00. At night you can visit only on a guided turtle watch with the volunteers of SPOT (the Society for the Protection of Turtles). By day, respect the marked nests, take your rubbish home, and do not put umbrellas or cars on the sand. A car is the practical way to get there.
Famagusta (Gazimağusa): student life and history
Famagusta is a university city, home to Eastern Mediterranean University, and its beaches have a relaxed, youthful atmosphere.
Glapsides Beach: free
About 5 km north of the old town, Glapsides is a municipal beach with free entry, free toilets and showers, and shallow water that stays at a gentle depth far from the shore. Sunbeds are available for a small fee, and there is a restaurant, bar and parking. It is very popular with students.
Palm Beach and Maraş (Varosha): free
Palm Beach sits right next to Maraş (Varosha), the former resort district that was closed for decades. Swimming here with the empty hotels of Varosha on the horizon is an unusual experience. Since October 2020 parts of Maraş have been opened to visitors, and a municipal beach inside the area, with umbrellas and a snack bar, opened in 2021. Visiting hours are seasonal, so check them before you go.
Iskele: long sandy beaches and new homes
Iskele has become one of the busiest areas for new homes in North Cyprus, and its beaches are a big part of the reason. If you are looking to buy property in North Cyprus near a sandy beach, this is an area to see.
Long Beach: free
A long, wide stretch of sand, mostly public and free to use. Iskele Municipality has built a seafront promenade with walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, sports areas and lighting, so the beach is used all year, not only in summer. Many apartments in the area are within a few minutes’ walk of the sea.
Bafra: public beach and hotel beaches
Bafra is the island’s five-star hotel zone. Most of the shoreline sits in front of large resort hotels, which operate their own beach areas for guests. There is also a public beach run by the local municipality, with a snack bar and restaurant. Do not assume the whole coastline here works like a public beach.
Karpaz Peninsula: untouched nature
Golden Beach (Altınkum): free
Golden Beach, near the tip of the Karpaz Peninsula, is often called the most beautiful beach on the island. It lies inside the Karpaz National Park and specially protected area, with high sand dunes, clear water and no beach clubs. There are a few simple bungalows and small restaurants nearby, and the atmosphere is wonderfully peaceful. Turtles nest here too, and you may meet the peninsula’s famous semi-wild donkeys on the way. A car is essential, and the drive from Famagusta or Iskele takes around 1.5 hours.
Quick overview
| Beach | Region | Entry | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escape Beach | Kyrenia | Paid | Water sports and a lively atmosphere |
| Camelot Beach | Kyrenia | Paid | Families and calm water |
| Kervansaray Public Beach | Kyrenia | Free | A quick swim close to town |
| Alagadi Turtle Beach | Kyrenia | Free | Nature and turtle watching |
| Glapsides Beach | Famagusta | Free | Students and shallow water |
| Palm Beach | Famagusta | Free | Views of Maraş (Varosha) |
| Long Beach | Iskele | Free | Walking, cycling and seaside living |
| Bafra public beach | Iskele | Free | A quiet day near the hotel zone |
| Golden Beach | Karpaz | Free | Untouched dunes and wildlife |
“Paid” means an entry ticket is normally sold, usually including a sunbed. Prices change every season, so check before you go.
Living near the beach: what buyers should know
Being close to the sea is one of the main reasons people buy in North Cyprus. A few practical points help you choose well:
- Walking distance matters more than a sea view. A home a short walk from a public beach such as Long Beach or Kervansaray is usually easier to rent out and enjoy all year.
- Enjoy the long season. Winters are mild, so walks along the promenade and sunny days by the sea continue well beyond the summer months.
- Protected nature adds value. Around Alagadi and in the Karpaz, the landscape is protected, which keeps these areas green, peaceful and unspoiled for years to come.
- Think about your daily routine. Schools, hospitals, shops and the airport matter as much as the beach. Our area-by-area guide to North Cyprus compares the main regions.
Conclusion
North Cyprus offers a beach for every taste: equipped beach clubs around Kyrenia, easy-going public beaches in Famagusta, promenade living in Iskele and wild, protected shores in the Karpaz. Public beaches are free to use, beach clubs charge for comfort, and the turtle beaches deserve special respect. If you would like to live close to the sea, browse our current properties or contact our team. We are happy to show you the beaches and neighbourhoods in person.
Thinking about buying property in North Cyprus? Our team is happy to guide you, from the first viewing to the title deed.
Sources
- Beaches Use and Control Law (No. 26/1993), full text (Turkish)
- Yenidüzen — The right to free beaches in Kyrenia (Turkish)
- SPOT, Society for the Protection of Turtles — Where to watch turtles
- Yenidüzen — Western section of Kervansaray Public Beach opens (Turkish)
- Kıbrıs Postası — Beach opens inside Maraş (Turkish)
- Golden Beach, Cyprus — Wikipedia
- Climate-Data.org — Kyrenia climate and sunshine hours
- SeaTemperature.info — Kyrenia water temperature by month
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