Karmi, officially Karaman, is a restored hillside village in the Beşparmak mountains west of Kyrenia in North Cyprus. Known as one of the prettiest villages in the north, it is a place of whitewashed stone cottages, bougainvillea and narrow winding lanes, with views over the coast and towards St Hilarion Castle. It is a quiet, scenic spot to wander and enjoy the views.
Karmi, officially named Karaman but still known to almost everyone as Karmi, is a small hillside village set high on the slopes of the Beşparmak mountains, a short drive west and inland of Kyrenia. It is widely considered one of the prettiest villages in North Cyprus, a cluster of traditional stone villas and whitewashed cottages with red-tiled roofs, bougainvillea spilling over walls, and narrow lanes winding up the hillside.
Karmi looks noticeably more polished than many Cypriot villages, and there is a reason. Having fallen derelict, the village was revived from the late 1970s and 1980s through a Ministry of Tourism scheme that leased the crumbling houses to foreign owners on long leases, on condition that they restored them under strict building codes designed to preserve the village's character. Traditional features were kept, from wooden rafters to the practice of naming each house at its entrance, and today around 150 restored homes make up a village that is a pleasure simply to wander.
The appeal of Karmi is its atmosphere and setting rather than any single sight. The winding streets are highly photogenic, full of flowers and framed by views over the coast below and up to the dramatic silhouette of St Hilarion Castle. At the village car park you can start an easy stroll through the lanes, and on Sunday mornings the former village church, now a small museum, is usually open.
Karmi suits travellers after a quiet, scenic escape and a slower pace, with Kyrenia only about fifteen minutes away for its harbour and amenities, and St Hilarion Castle and Bellapais both an easy drive from the village.
Karmi is a village to wander and enjoy rather than a place of big attractions. Park at the village car park and stroll the winding, flower-filled lanes, taking in the restored stone cottages, the bougainvillea and the views over the coast and towards St Hilarion Castle. On Sunday mornings the former church, now a small museum, is usually open. The setting is a fine starting point for walks in the surrounding mountains, and it pairs naturally with a visit to St Hilarion Castle and Bellapais, both a short drive away.
See all attractions in Kyrenia (Girne)
More ideas: Rainy Day Activities in North Cyprus
Karmi's accommodation is mostly restored village houses and villas, many available as holiday rentals, in keeping with its character as a village of renovated homes. Staying here means quiet, scenic surroundings and cooler mountain air, with Kyrenia about fifteen minutes downhill for a wider choice of hotels and amenities. Prices reflect the village's sought-after, picturesque setting.
See all hotels in Kyrenia (Girne)
Planning where to stay: North Cyprus: Top All-Inclusive Luxury Hotel Experiences
Dining in Karmi is low-key, with a few local restaurants and cafés among the lanes serving Cypriot dishes in a scenic village setting. The pleasure here is a relaxed meal with views rather than a wide choice, and Kyrenia's harbour restaurants are only a short drive away for more variety. Expect a quiet, unhurried atmosphere.
See all restaurants in Kyrenia (Girne)
More on eating out: North Cyprus Cooking Classes: Learn Local Cuisine
Karmi lies in the mountains west and inland of Kyrenia, about a fifteen-minute drive from the town and roughly 40 minutes from Ercan Airport. A car is the practical way to reach it, as public transport is limited and the roads climb into the hills, and it makes combining Karmi with St Hilarion Castle and Kyrenia straightforward. Once there, the village is best explored on foot.
Getting around: Getting Around North Cyprus by Bus: Your Public Transport Guide
Spring and autumn are ideal for Karmi, when the weather is mild, the bougainvillea and flowers are at their best and the lanes are pleasant to walk. Its mountain setting keeps it cooler than the coast in summer, though midday heat is still best avoided. Winters are quiet and can be cool, but the village stays picturesque year-round, and the clear light makes it especially rewarding for photography.
Timing your trip: Best Time to Visit North Cyprus: Weather by Season
Part of the Kyrenia (Girne) area
Last updated: 31 August 2026
Yes, for its scenery and atmosphere. Karmi is often called the prettiest village in North Cyprus, with restored stone cottages, bougainvillea, winding lanes and views to the coast and St Hilarion Castle.
They are the same village. Karaman is the official Turkish name, but it is still widely known as Karmi.
The village was revived from the late 1970s and 1980s through a scheme leasing its derelict houses to owners who restored them under strict building codes to preserve its traditional character.
Wander the flower-filled lanes and admire the restored cottages and views, visit the small museum in the former church (usually open Sunday mornings), and combine it with nearby St Hilarion Castle.
About a fifteen-minute drive west and uphill from Kyrenia, making it an easy and scenic half-day trip or a quiet mountain base.