Karpaz Peninsula
★★ Karpaz — The End of the World
The Karpaz Peninsula (Karpasia) is the long, narrow "finger" in the northeast of Cyprus — 80 km long, almost uninhabited, wild and romantic. Here, there are no resorts, no cocktail bars, no Instagram hotspots. Instead: endless sandy beaches, wild donkeys trotting across the road, abandoned Greek village churches, and the silence of nature.
Golden Beach (Altın Kum Plajı)
The most beautiful beach in Northern Cyprus — 3 km of golden sand, almost deserted, at the northeastern tip of the peninsula. No loungers, no bars (sometimes a mobile snack van). Just sand, sea, and the silhouette of the Turkish coast on the horizon. Turtles nest here from June to August.
Apostolos Andreas Monastery
At the very tip of Karpaz stands the Monastery of Apostle Andreas — a Greek Orthodox pilgrimage shrine revered by both communities despite the division. Recently lavishly restored. The place at the end of the world has a mystical aura.
Wild Donkeys
The peninsula is home to hundreds of wild donkeys — descendants of the working donkeys left behind after the expulsion of the Greek population in 1974. They stand everywhere by the roadside and can be fed (fruit, no bread!).
From Famagusta to the tip of Karpaz: about 2.5 hours drive (100 km). Gas station: in Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso), the last settlement. Little infrastructure — bring water and snacks. Accommodation options: Karpaz Gate Marina Hotel (luxury), Oasis Hotel (budget). Best as a 2-day excursion.
