Bafra is a purpose-built beach resort area on the east coast of North Cyprus, north of İskele on the way to the Karpaz Peninsula. It is known for its cluster of large 5-star hotels with casinos, water parks and spas, set along a long sandy beach. It suits an all-inclusive, self-contained beach and resort holiday.
Bafra, whose older name is Vokolida, is a beach resort area on the east coast of North Cyprus, set apart as a dedicated tourism zone by the government and developed over recent years into one of the island's main resort strips. Where there was once a small village, there is now a run of large hotels along a sandy beach, north of İskele and on the road towards the Karpaz Peninsula.
The character of Bafra is quite different from the traditional villages and harbour towns nearby. This is a purpose-built resort destination, defined by its cluster of large 5-star hotels, several with casinos, water parks, spas, convention centres and multiple restaurants, in the self-contained, all-inclusive style. The area covers around 1.5km of sandy beach with clean, clear water, and much of the activity happens within the resorts themselves rather than in any town centre.
That makes Bafra best suited to travellers who want a straightforward beach-and-resort holiday with facilities on site, casinos and entertainment on the doorstep, and little need to travel far day to day. Families are well catered for by the water parks and pools, and the beach is broad and sandy.
Bafra's position also makes it a convenient gateway to the east. The fishing harbour of Boğaz and its seafood restaurants lie just to the south, İskele and Long Beach a little further, and the wild Karpaz Peninsula, with its monasteries, wild donkeys and Golden Beach, begins to the north, all within easy reach by car for those wanting to explore beyond the resort.
Bafra is built around its resorts and beach. The large hotels offer casinos, water parks, spas, pools and multiple restaurants, much of it open to visitors as well as guests, and the long sandy beach is the main draw for swimming and relaxing. Beyond the resorts, Bafra works as a base for the east coast: the fishing harbour of Boğaz and its seafood restaurants are just south, İskele and Long Beach a short drive away, and the Karpaz Peninsula, with Golden Beach and the Apostolos Andreas Monastery, begins to the north.
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Accommodation in Bafra is dominated by large 5-star resort hotels, several with casinos, water parks and spas, mostly run on an all-inclusive basis. This is the area's defining offer: self-contained beach resorts with facilities on site. There is little in the way of smaller or independent stays. Prices span mid-range to premium depending on the resort and season.
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Dining in Bafra is largely within the resort hotels, which offer a range of restaurants from buffets to à la carte, often included on all-inclusive stays. For something beyond the resorts, the fishing harbour of Boğaz just to the south is well known for its fresh seafood restaurants, an easy drive for a change of scene and a taste of local flavour.
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Bafra's beach is its centrepiece: around 1.5km of sandy shore with clean, clear water, fronting the resort strip. It is broad and well suited to swimming and family beach days, with facilities provided by the hotels. The setting is open coast rather than a lively public beach scene. For a quieter, more traditional shore, the beaches around Boğaz lie a short drive south.
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Bafra sits on the east coast north of İskele, roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Ercan Airport by road. Most visitors arrive by transfer or hire car, and having a car helps if you want to explore beyond the resorts. The fishing harbour of Boğaz is just south, and the Karpaz Peninsula begins to the north, so Bafra makes a practical base for the east coast as well as a self-contained resort stay.
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High summer is Bafra's main season, when the beach, water parks and pools are the focus and the sea is warm, though it is also the hottest and busiest time. Late spring and early autumn offer warm seas with fewer crowds and more comfortable temperatures, ideal for a beach holiday. Winters are mild and much quieter, with the large hotels and casinos open year-round but the beach season paused.
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Part of the İskele area
Last updated: 31 August 2026
Yes, if you want a self-contained beach-resort holiday. Bafra is a purpose-built resort area with large 5-star hotels, casinos, water parks and a long sandy beach on the east coast.
Its cluster of large 5-star resort hotels with casinos, water parks and spas, set along around 1.5km of sandy beach, in an all-inclusive resort style.
They refer to the same place. Bafra is the current name and Vokolida is the older name of the area.
Yes. Bafra has around 1.5km of sandy beach with clean, clear water, fronting the resort strip, well suited to swimming and family beach days.
Bafra sits on the road north towards Karpaz, with the peninsula beginning a short drive further on, making it a convenient base for exploring the east.