Alsancak, historically Karavas, is a village on the coast just west of Kyrenia in North Cyprus, known for its lemon groves and spring water, its popular beaches and beach clubs, and a lively summer folk dance festival. It blends a traditional hillside village with resort amenities and sits only a few minutes from Kyrenia.
Alsancak, historically known as Karavas, is a coastal village a short drive west of Kyrenia, blending a traditional Cypriot village with the amenities of a popular holiday area. Set where the Beşparmak mountains meet the sea, it is known for its lemon groves and natural spring water, which keep the surrounding orchards green, and for a relaxed atmosphere that has made it a favourite with both holidaymakers and a settled expatriate community.
The older part of the village, up the hillside, keeps its Cypriot character with narrow lanes, stone houses, a village square and local shops and restaurants. Down towards the coast, the draw is the beaches. Alsancak's shore is home to some of the best-known beach clubs west of Kyrenia, chief among them Escape Beach Club, a large and lively spot also known as Sunset Beach or Five-Mile Beach for its distance from Kyrenia. Its sandy beach, watersports and evening events make it one of the busiest and most popular beaches on this stretch of coast.
Alsancak also has a strong sense of local tradition, celebrated each July with a folk dance festival that brings music and performance to the village. Several large resort hotels line the nearby coast, giving the area plenty of dining, leisure and entertainment on top of its village core.
Compact and easy-going, Alsancak suits travellers who want beaches and holiday amenities without losing the feel of a real village, and with Kyrenia only around fifteen minutes east and Lapta just along the coast, it makes a convenient and well-placed base for exploring the western side of the Kyrenia coast.
Alsancak's main draw is its coast. Escape Beach Club, also called Sunset or Five-Mile Beach, is the headline, a large sandy beach with sunbeds, watersports and lively events, and there are quieter stretches of shore nearby. Up in the village, the appeal is its traditional character: lemon groves, spring water, a village square and local cafés and restaurants, with walking routes into the mountains behind. Each July the village holds a folk dance festival celebrating local tradition. Alsancak also sits within easy reach of Lapta, Karaoğlanoğlu and Kyrenia, so it works well as a base for exploring the western coast.
See all attractions in Kyrenia (Girne)
More ideas: Things to Do in Alsancak (Karavas), North Cyprus
Alsancak has a good spread of accommodation, from large beachfront resort hotels with pools, spas and casinos along the coast to villas, apartments and holiday homes in and around the village. The coast suits those wanting beach access and resort facilities, while the older village offers a quieter, more local setting. Kyrenia's wider choice is only a short drive east. Prices range from modest to premium.
See all hotels in Kyrenia (Girne)
Planning where to stay: North Cyprus: Top All-Inclusive Luxury Hotel Experiences
Dining in Alsancak ranges from beach-club cafés and international restaurants along the coast to traditional taverns in the village serving Cypriot meze and grills. The resort hotels add further dining options, while the village square and lanes offer a more local flavour. It is an easy place to eat well whether you want a casual beach lunch or a relaxed evening meal.
See all restaurants in Kyrenia (Girne)
More on eating out: North Cyprus Cooking Classes: Learn Local Cuisine
Alsancak is best known for its beaches. Escape Beach Club, also called Sunset or Five-Mile Beach, is the standout, a sandy, well-equipped beach with sunbeds, watersports and a lively atmosphere that draws crowds in summer. Other beach clubs and quieter coves lie nearby along the coast. The water is clear and the setting scenic, with the mountains rising close behind the shore.
See all beaches in Kyrenia (Girne)
More on the coast: Alagadi Turtle Beach: Visiting Hours & Turtle Watching Guide
Alsancak lies on the coast just west of Kyrenia, around a fifteen-minute drive from the town and roughly 45 minutes from Ercan Airport. A hire car is the most convenient way to reach the beaches, village and neighbouring resorts, though taxis from Kyrenia are easy. The village and coast are compact enough to get around locally without much difficulty once you are based there.
Getting around: Getting Around North Cyprus by Bus: Your Public Transport Guide
Late spring and early autumn bring the best of Alsancak, with warm seas and comfortable temperatures for the beaches without the peak-season crowds. High summer is hot and lively, when the beach clubs are at their busiest and the July folk dance festival takes place, and the sea stays warm into autumn. Winters are mild and quiet, better suited to exploring the village and countryside than to beach days.
Timing your trip: Best Time to Visit North Cyprus: Weather by Season
Part of the Kyrenia (Girne) area
Last updated: 31 August 2026
Yes, particularly for beaches close to Kyrenia. It combines a traditional lemon-grove village with popular beach clubs and resort amenities, only a short drive from the town.
They are the same village. Alsancak is the Turkish name and Karavas is the older Greek name.
Its lemon groves and spring water, its beaches and beach clubs including the popular Escape Beach, and its July folk dance festival.
A large, popular beach club on the Alsancak coast, also known as Sunset Beach or Five-Mile Beach, with a sandy beach, watersports and lively summer events.
Around a fifteen-minute drive west along the coast, making it an easy base for exploring Kyrenia and the neighbouring villages.