Karpaz

Just 1hr 30 minutes drive from Kyrenia and you are in the northeastern region of Cyprus known as “The Panhandle”, or The Karpaz. A visit to this magical part of the country is a must; on the southern side miles of golden beaches stretch before you and there is hardly a soul in sight. The whole area is an open area museum with so many Byzantine churches, ancient cities, Bronze Age settlements and even Neolithic remains to see. The wildlife appreciates the lack of human interference; the sea is clear and blue.

The Karpaz Peninsula or “panhandle” as the British called the north-east part of Cyprus is a land where time stands still. There are miles of sandy Karpaz beaches with not a person in site. Ancient towns, basilicas, ruins and tombs scatter the area waiting to be explored. To get a taste of Cyprus 20 years ago, the traveler must visit the Karpaz. There are rural traditional Cypriot villages where the land is agricultural and the majority of the villages live off the land.

The Karpaz peninsula was densely populated in Roman times; it was one of the largest baronies under the Lusignans.

The Karpaz Peninsula has miles and miles of wonderful Karpaz beaches. It is quite normal to share the sea shore with donkeys rather than other tourists.

The area is rich in subterranean water reservoirs and thus crops such as tobacco are grown in abundance. Another main source of income in the region is fishing. Bogaz and Kumyali are the fishing centers in the Karpaz. As well as numerous Byzantine churches, the most notably the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas, the area boasts some of the finest countryside in the country.

The Karpaz peninsula has been called the nature reserve of Cyprus for birds, wild flowers, and sea fossils are to be found everywhere.

Karpaz peninsula is also almost totally free from heavy concentration of industry and people, and is one of the least polluted regions in the European periphery. Escaping the last ice age, the island of Cyprus has managed to retain a substantial amount of biological diversity with a significant amount of endemic species -plant species number about 1,600 (22 endemic); bird species about 350 (7 endemic); and there are 26 reptile and amphibian species for most of which the Karpaz is the natural home.

Being also on one of the main migration routes of birds between Eastern Europe and Africa, each year approximately 300 species amounting to millions of birds use this route in early spring and late summer.

Moreover, about 46 sandy beaches in the Karpaz comprise the main nestling ground for the endangered Chelonia Mydas and Caretta Caretta sea turtles in the Eastern Mediterranean. In 1992, about 1,500 rare female turtles laid eggs on the shores of North Cyprus.

The last colony of European Audouin seagulls nest on the small Klidhes isles at the tip of the Karpaz Peninsula in North Cyprus.

The newly constructed road from the Ercan Airport junction makes easy driving, very little traffic and lovely views of the old villages as you pass by. Within 1 hour from Kyrenia you will be approaching Bogaz, a pretty little village with a natural fishing harbour and sea side atmosphere. Along the sea front the local restaurants serve meze and freshly prepared fish, the colorful umbrellas provide a welcome shade as you sip a cool drink and look out across the ocean. Continue along the new road and you will see miles of good farming land and the farmers working away, tending their crops. The main road goes though Yenierenkoy, do stop here and visit The Tourism Information Center. Suat, who is responsible for this well organized and beautifully presented information center, will be able to point out all the places of interest to suit your needs. He has produced a fine, well-illustrated map and is always so pleased to help the visitors whenever he can. In spring he will tell you about the orchids and wild flowers, in summer it is the time for the Green and the Loggerhead turtles to nest and hatch. Autumn is great for exploring the walking traits, visiting the many ancient monuments. At every time of year you will see the wild donkeys and wonderful birds.

June and July are perfect months for swimming in the many bays, the sea is so clear; do take your snorkel and mask. The chances are that you will be the only people on the deserted beach. At “Golden Beach” there are miles and miles of the most beautiful golden sand, as far as the eye can see. It is on these beaches that the Turtles come ashore to nest at his time of year, The Ministry of Environment has organized the Turtle protection project at “Golden Beach” and invites visitors to join the Students from Germany and Ankara to watch the Turtles come ashore to nest and lay their eggs. 40 to 60 days later the hatchlings can be observed emerging and racing for the sea. In the Karpas area there are about 12 beaches used by Turtles for nesting and hatching.