Esentepe is more than 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.
About 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.
Esentepe Beach
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 realized their dream of the perfect place in the sun by setting up home in Esentepe.