This rural village on Cyprus's Karpaz Peninsula has wild donkeys roaming its streets and untouched Mediterranean beaches near ancient Byzantine churches.
Dipkarpaz, a town on Cyprus’ northeastern Karpaz Peninsula, sits between golden sand beaches and rugged hills dotted with wild donkeys. Known for its Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities living side by side, the area preserves ancient churches like Ayios Synesios, Ottoman-era architecture, and the ruins of Karpasia, an ancient Phoenician city. Visitors explore the 4-kilometer Golden Beach, watch loggerhead turtles hatch at Ayfilon Beach, or hike through Karpaz National Park, where protected landscapes stretch to the Apostolos Andreas Monastery at the peninsula’s tip.
Golden Beach and Coastal Landscapes
Golden Beach, a 4-kilometer stretch of sand south of Dipkarpaz, is a nesting site for loggerhead and green sea turtles. No permanent buildings line the shore, so you can walk freely along the water’s edge without crowds or noise. Between May and August, conservation teams track turtle nests and invite travelers to watch hatchlings crawl toward the sea after dusk. East of here, Ayfilon Beach has shallow waters perfect for swimming, with broken walls of Ayios Philon Church rising on a hilltop behind the sand. Both beaches face north, letting you watch the sun dip below the Mediterranean horizon.
Apostolos Andreas Monastery and Karpaz National Park
The Apostolos Andreas Monastery stands at the peninsula’s eastern tip, its whitewashed walls and domed roof contrasting with the deep blue sea. Workers completed major repairs in 2015, stabilizing arches and uncovering faded frescoes near a spring locals consider holy. Around the monastery, Karpaz National Park protects herds of wild donkeys originally left behind during Cyprus’ 1974 division. As you drive the park’s dirt roads, you’ll spot these animals grazing near Bronze Age stone tombs or trails leading to small beaches. Climb Mount Kantara, the park’s highest peak, to see the entire peninsula from rocky slopes dotted with wild orchids.
Ancient Ruins and Historical Churches
Three crumbling basilicas from the 5th century mark the site of Aphendrika, a coastal settlement north of Dipkarpaz with a collapsed Roman harbor. Two kilometers inland, the stone walls of Ayios Philon Church rise above foundations of Karpasia, a Phoenician trading city abandoned over 1,000 years ago. In town, Ayios Synesios Church retains peeling frescoes of saints and a bell tower built during Venetian control of Cyprus. Across the square, Yeni Cami Mosque’s minaret towers over citrus groves, reflecting the Turkish Cypriot population’s influence. Both buildings share a plaza shaded by carob trees planted centuries ago.
Community Life and Local Traditions
About 300 Greek Cypriots still live in Dipkarpaz, sharing the town with Turkish Cypriot families and farmers from mainland Turkey. Each community has its own cafes—Greek residents meet at Rum Kahvesi near the church, while Turkish locals gather at spots closer to the mosque. In August, crowds fill Ayfilon Beach for a festival with Cypriot folk dances, live guitar music, and talks about protecting sea turtles. Family-run restaurants prepare meze platters with olives from nearby groves and grilled fish caught that morning. Tractors rumble past wheat fields and citrus orchards on the outskirts, where farming remains the primary livelihood.
Practical Information for Visitors
Reach Dipkarpaz by car in two hours from Nicosia via the coastal route through Bogaz and Yeni Erenkoy. Stay in restored stone cottages with kitchenettes and private gardens, available for short-term rentals. Rent a 4x4 vehicle to drive dirt roads leading to Aphendrika’s ruins or the donkey herds near the monastery. Plan visits between April and June for mild temperatures and hills covered in poppies and chamomile. Arrive at Apostolos Andreas Monastery before 5 PM, as gates close at sunset, and prepare for a bumpy ride on the final 15 kilometers of unpaved road.
