Esentepe is just one of the many charming Mediterranean villages of Northern Cyprus. It has grown over the past few years to become a village of some note because many visitors to the area have sought to establish their own homes in Esentepe.
This does not detract from the idyllic coastal retreat that nestles at the foot of the Kyrenia mountain range; rather the development that has come to Esentepe has raised its profile and desirability instead of taking away its rural charm.
Literally translated Esentepe means windy hill! But the town is not so much windy as cooled by the breeze that rises from the Mediterranean that is spread out before it. This breeze comes as the heat of the summer sun intensifies and ensures the residents of the village are protected from the searing heat naturally.
The village has a primary and secondary school, a doctor’s surgery and police station and it is also home to a small selection of shops selling all the essential items...but apart from these amenities the village is mainly home to an eclectic mix of friendly and welcoming Turkish Cypriots and European settlers who have realised their dream of the perfect place in the sun by setting up home in Esentepe.
As you drive up the winding road into the village you will be struck by the stunning views the residents enjoy. Before them is the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea, fringed by the lovely sandy Esentepe beach, and behind them are the pine covered foothills of the Kyrenia mountain range.
With Esentepe as your base you can swim in the sea, laze on the beach, enjoy lunch at one of the village restaurants before wandering up the meandering paths into the forests and up the hills behind the village. Alternatively you could head a little further along the road to the famous medieval domed Antiphonitis Church. The church dates back to the 12th century and is famous for its shape and style, the architecture and also the ancient frescoes that adorn the pillars, walls and dome. The church is a very rare structure and well worth a visit.
If you’re looking to leave the hustle and bustle of Kyrenia behind and you want to venture out further into the real North Cyprus then head east along the coastal road and you’ll come to pretty Esentepe, your gateway to the Karpas region, the coast and the foothills of the Kyrenia range.
When translated into English the name Esentepe means "The Breezy Hill". Esentepe is one of the most beautiful villages of Northern Cyprus, located just 16 kilometers away from the eastern shores of Kyrenia. It is famous to have an unspoiled nature with panoramic mountain and sea views.
Esentepe is located on a hill next to the peaks of the Kyrenia, Five Finger Mountain Range, overlooking a coastline made up of natural sandy beaches of the Mediterranean. Esentepe is an old settlement with a broad view of the sea specially chosen to be also close to fresh water sources and a plentiful supply of firewood.
Esentepe is only 35 minutes driving distance from the ' Ercan Airport' and it can be reached through two main highways. One highway comes from the west and passes through Kyrenia. This road runs parallel to the sea and offers fantastic scenery of the entire East Coast. The surrounding land is concealed with the evergreen shrub, Cyprus Shinia and Oregano giving a fantastic smell to the area. Here you may also find old cisterns, catacombs and track ways of horse carriages.
The second highway emerges from the Nicosia - Famagusta highway and runs through the Five Finger Mountain pass of Alevkayasi. This is a very picturesque route, which passes through a densely forested area, lush green, with trees of all sorts, wild flowers and orchids. Here you can stop and do some "trekking", or else you may find a good spot for a relaxing picnic. There is also a Herbarium in Alevkayasi, Established by the Forestry Department, where you can study the endemic plants of Cyprus and find out more about the botanical history of the island.
Distance of Esentepe to main locations:
- Ercan Airport: 35 minutes drive
- Kyrenia (Girne): 20 minutes drive
- Nicosia (Lefkosa): 35 minutes drive
- Famagusta: 50 minutes drive
- Nearby Beach: 2 minutes walk
- Esentepe Beach: 2 minutes drive
- Alagadi Turtle Beach: 5 minutes drive
- Acapulco Beach: 8 minutes drive