Çatalköy is a coastal village just east of Kyrenia in North Cyprus, blending a traditional village centre with some of the island's largest hotels. It is known for its 5-star resorts and casinos, its beach clubs, and its position close to Alagadi turtle beach and the Beşparmak mountains. It suits a beach and resort holiday within easy reach of Kyrenia.
Çatalköy is a coastal village a short drive east of Kyrenia, where a traditional Cypriot village centre of whitewashed houses and quiet streets sits alongside some of the biggest hotels in North Cyprus. That mix, an old village core with large modern resorts nearby, gives Çatalköy an unusual range for its size and has made it a popular base along this stretch of coast.
The village is home to two of the country's largest 5-star hotels, the Cratos and the Malpas, both with casinos, pools, spas and restaurants, and it has a good choice of beach clubs. Among them are the small, locally popular sandy bay at Shayna Beach and the Cornaro beach club attached to the Malpas Hotel, known for its seafront setting and dining. Along with these, the village has a large number of restaurants, many with sea views.
Çatalköy's other advantage is its position. Just to the east lies Alagadi, one of the finest beaches in Cyprus and a protected nesting site for loggerhead and green turtles, a long sandy stretch backed by open country rather than resorts. The Beşparmak mountains rise close behind the village, with St Hilarion Castle and Bellapais both a short drive away, and Kyrenia's harbour and old town only about ten minutes to the west.
Çatalköy suits travellers who want beach and resort facilities with the option of a quieter village base, all close to Kyrenia. It works well for families and for anyone wanting large-hotel comforts on one side and a protected natural beach on the other, within a compact and convenient area.
Çatalköy combines resort leisure with nature. Its beach clubs, including the local Shayna Beach bay and the Cornaro club at the Malpas Hotel, offer swimming, sunbeds and watersports in season, while the large hotels add pools, spas and casinos open to visitors. Just east lies Alagadi turtle beach, a long protected sandy stretch and a nesting site for sea turtles, best treated with care in the nesting months. The Beşparmak mountains behind the village offer walking and views, with St Hilarion Castle and Bellapais Abbey close by, and Kyrenia's harbour and sights are only a short drive west.
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Çatalköy has some of the largest hotels in North Cyprus, including the 5-star Cratos and Malpas resorts with casinos and spas, alongside boutique hotels, villas and holiday homes in and around the village. It suits those wanting big-resort facilities or a self-catering base near the coast. Kyrenia's wider choice is only about ten minutes west. Prices range from mid-range to premium.
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Dining in Çatalköy is plentiful, from seafront restaurants and beach-club dining such as the Cornaro club to traditional eateries in the village serving Cypriot meze and grills. Many places make the most of the coastal setting, with sea views and, in summer, occasional live music. Expect a broad spread of options and price bands, from casual lunches to resort dining.
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Çatalköy's coast mixes beach clubs and natural shore. The small sandy bay at Shayna Beach and the Cornaro club at the Malpas Hotel offer equipped swimming close to the village, while just east lies Alagadi, a long protected sandy beach and important turtle nesting site, quieter and undeveloped. Together they give the area both easy resort-style beaches and a natural stretch of coast, all within a short drive.
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Çatalköy lies on the coast just east of Kyrenia, about a ten-minute drive from the town and roughly 40 minutes from Ercan Airport. A hire car is the easiest way to reach the beaches, hotels and nearby sights such as Alagadi and Bellapais, though taxis from Kyrenia are straightforward. The village and its beach clubs are close together, and Kyrenia's harbour and old town are only a short drive west.
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Late spring and early autumn are ideal in Çatalköy, with warm seas and comfortable temperatures for the beaches and hotels without peak-season crowds. High summer is hot and the busiest time, with the sea warm into autumn, though the turtles nest along the nearby coast in the warmer months, so Alagadi should be treated with care then. Winters are mild and quieter, with the large hotels and casinos open year-round.
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Part of the Kyrenia (Girne) area
Last updated: 31 August 2026
Yes, for a beach and resort base close to Kyrenia. It has large 5-star hotels, beach clubs, and the protected Alagadi turtle beach nearby, with Kyrenia only about ten minutes away.
Its two large 5-star hotels, the Cratos and Malpas, its beach clubs, its many restaurants, and its position near Alagadi turtle beach and the Beşparmak mountains.
Yes. It has beach clubs including the Shayna Beach bay and the Cornaro club, and the long protected Alagadi turtle beach lies just to the east.
Yes. Alagadi, a protected sea-turtle nesting beach, is just east of the village, a short drive away, and is one of the best-known natural beaches in North Cyprus.
About a ten-minute drive east along the coast, making it an easy base for exploring Kyrenia and the surrounding area.