Karpas Peninsula
The Karpas Peninsula, also called Karpass, Karpaz or Karpasia, is a long, finger‑shaped region in northeastern Cyprus. Its tip reaches Cape Apostolos Andreas, and the main town is Rizokarpaso (Dipkarpaz). It is currently controlled by Northern Cyprus. The peninsula covers about 898 square kilometers, about 27% of Northern Cyprus, and has a low population density.
Trikomo (Iskele) and the nearby village of Bogaz form the gateway to the peninsula. Other important towns are Yialousa, Galateia, Rizokarpaso, Komi Kebir and Akanthou. There are many historical sites, including Kantara Castle and Apostolos Andreas Monastery, as well as ruins of Agia Trias Basilica and the ancient cities of Karpasia and Aphendrika.
The coast has more than 46 sandy beaches and is a key nesting area for loggerhead and green sea turtles. Golden Beach, about 15 kilometers from Rizokarpaso, is one of the island’s finest and most remote beaches. The Karpas Peninsula is also known for the Karpas donkey, a symbol of Cyprus, with joint conservation efforts by Turkish and Greek Cypriots.
Most activity here is farming, fishing, hunting and some small‑scale tourism. Farmers grow fruit and vegetables mainly for local use, and the area is famous for watermelons. In Rizokarpaso you’ll find restaurants serving traditional Turkish‑Cypriot cuisine and meze.
Because of its location, the peninsula remains relatively untouched and rich in wildlife. In hunting season, forests attract partridges, and the coast hosts fish such as dusky grouper. Fishing declined in the past due to dynamite, and Zafer Burunu (the tip) is now a protected area where marine life is slowly recovering.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:27 (CET).