Alagadı Beach

Top choice in Cyprus

LoginSave

Alagadı (Turtle) Beach, approximately 19km east of Kyrenia, is where the Society for the Protection of Turtles (SPOT) has its small sea-turtle conservation and research centre (open 9am to 8.30pm May to September), where you can find out about turtle conservation. This is not really used as a swimming beach, but visitors can enjoy the scenery. Alagadı's twin sandy beaches are intentionally undeveloped, as they are considered turtle territory, and the beach is closed from 8pm to 8am from May to October.

If you get hungry, family-run St Kathleen’s Restaurant is nearby. The grilled fish and meat dishes, served with a mountain of meze, are excellent and good value.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • St. Hilarion Castle in Kyrenia, North Cyprus.

    St Hilarion Castle

    12.02 MILES

    The full fairy-tale outline of St Hilarion Castle only becomes apparent once you’re directly beneath it. The stone walls and half-ruined buildings blend…

  • The stone city walls of Famagusta in Cyprus.

    Venetian Walls

    29.69 MILES

    Defining the Old Town, these imposing ramparts were constructed by the Venetians in the early 16th century. Although over 15m high and up to 8m thick, and…

  • Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia, Northern Cyprus.

    Selimiye Mosque

    12.63 MILES

    North Nicosia’s most prominent landmark (also clearly visible from the southern half of the city), the Selimiye Mosque is a beautiful mongrel of a…

  • Ancient theater of Salamis, Famagusta aeria, North Cyprus

    Ancient Salamis

    25.8 MILES

    According to legend, Salamis was founded around 1180 BC by Teucer (Teukros), son of Telamon, king of Salamina, on the Greek mainland. Brother to the hero…

  • North Cyprus, Kyrenia, Kyrenia Castle and Harbour

    Kyrenia Castle

    9.06 MILES

    If the grand fortifications of Kyrenia Castle could talk, they could sure tell some tales. The castle was first built by the Byzantines – possibly over…

  • 16th century Venetian walls of Nicosia, Cyprus; Shutterstock ID 132634124; Your name (First / Last): Brana V; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Nicosia destination page

    Venetian Walls

    12.6 MILES

    The Venetian walls form a border around the Old City and are so unusual that, once seen on a map, you’ll never forget the odd snowflake-like shape.

  • Church of Apostolos Varnavas

    Church of Apostolos Varnavas

    24.98 MILES

    This beautiful Orthodox church is dedicated to St Paul’s good friend Varnavas (Barnabas), who was born in Cyprus and carried out his missionary work here…

  • Buyuk Han (The Great Inn) Nicosia, North Cyprus; Shutterstock ID 54096925; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Büyük Han

    12.69 MILES

    The Büyük Han is Cyprus' best-preserved example of Ottoman caravanserai architecture. Built in 1572 by the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus, Lala Mustafa…

View more attractions

Nearby Cyprus attractions

1. Vrysi (Acapulco) Beach

3.53 MILES

Now commonly called Acapulco Beach, thanks to the megaresort of Acapulco Holiday Village which manages it, Vrysi caters mainly to package tourists. Day…

2. Buffavento Castle

4.27 MILES

Buffavento perches precariously at 940m, overlooking the Mesaoria plain. The constant pummelling it endures from high winds is how it derived its Italian…

3. Alevkaya Herbarium

4.34 MILES

One for the botany fans, the herbarium here is home to a vast pressed-plant collection of endemic Cypriot flora, including some 1250 native plant species…

4. Shayna Beach

4.85 MILES

This sheltered cove is home to a nice, narrow strip of sand, run by the Shayna Beach Club. For an easygoing and family-friendly day at the beach with full…

5. Antifonitis Church

5.59 MILES

This beautiful secluded church is well worth the drive up a twisty mountain road to get to it. Dating from the 12th century (though substantially added on…

6. Panagia Absinthiotissa Monastery

5.94 MILES

Located on the flank of the Beşparmak Range, this monastery sits idyllically among juniper trees, taking in the views over the Mesaoria plain.

7. Bellapais Abbey

7.39 MILES

The exquisite ruins of this Augustinian monastery are reason enough to drive up the mountain to Bellapais. It was built in the 12th century by monks…

8. Home of Lawrence Durrell

7.4 MILES

A yellow plaque above the door marks the house where British writer Lawrence Durrell lived in the early 1950s, marking Bellapais on the literary map with…