Karpaz Peninsula

The Karpaz Peninsula is the long thin finger of land reaching northeast toward Syria and the emptiest, least developed corner of Cyprus. A single road runs its length past open pasture, carob trees and villages where the herds of half-wild donkeys that have become the region's emblem wander onto the tarmac. Golden Beach at the far end is several kilometres of undeveloped dune-backed sand where green and loggerhead turtles nest. The monastery of Apostolos Andreas at the very tip remains an important pilgrimage site for Cypriots from both sides of the island. Simple guesthouses and beach huts are the only accommodation for the whole stretch.