Are There Zoos in Northern Cyprus

There is no full-size major zoo in Northern Cyprus in 2026. Animals can be seen in mini zoos, family parks, at hotels, in the Taşkent Nature Park rehabilitation center, and in the natural environment — for example, donkeys on the Karpas Peninsula and sea turtles on the beaches.

• Mini zoos and animal parks
• Animals in the wild
• How to plan a trip
• Useful links
• Frequently asked questions

Mini zoos and animal parks

In Northern Cyprus, such places usually operate as family parks, mini zoos, farms, or animal care centers. Before visiting, it is best to check opening hours and the visit format: some venues may have seasonal changes, and Taşkent Nature Park accepts visitors by prior appointment.

Merit Crystal Cove Hotel

The hotel grounds include a small mini zoo with peacocks, rabbits, and ducks. You can also ride ponies. This format is better suited to hotel guests and families with children than to a separate long excursion.

Taşkent Nature Park

Taşkent Nature Park is not a classic zoo, but a conservation and rehabilitation center. It helps injured wild animals, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Tours are conducted by prior appointment, so you need to check availability before your visit.

Kyrenia Wild Life Park

At Kyrenia Wild Life Park, you can see horses, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, and poultry. It is more of a family farm and children’s area than a zoo in the classic sense.

Lesland in Çatalköy

Lesland combines an amusement park, a restaurant, children’s play areas, and an animal area. According to the official website, the park is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00, Monday is a day off. Before visiting, it is worth checking the current schedule.

Barış Park in Kyrenia

Sevim Ebeoğlu Park, which is more often called Barış Park, has bird cages with peacocks, ducks, chickens, and roosters. It is an urban walking spot, not a separate zoo.

Mini zoo at Çiftlik Evi

Near the village of Gaziveren, on the grounds of the Çiftlik Evi restaurant, there are bird enclosures with ducks, geese, chickens, roosters, and peacocks. It is convenient to combine this place with a trip to the western part of Northern Cyprus.

Animals in the wild

If you want to see animals not in enclosures, there are several natural options in Northern Cyprus. On the Karpas Peninsula, local donkeys are often found; more details are in the guide how to find donkeys on Karpas.

You can also observe the seasonal nesting of Caretta caretta sea turtles and green turtles on some beaches of Northern Cyprus. Read more in the article where and how to find turtles in Northern Cyprus.

How to plan a trip

For a family trip, it is more convenient to choose 1–2 places in the same area. For example, Lesland, Kyrenia Wild Life Park, and Barış Park can be combined with a walk around Kyrenia and the surrounding area. For Karpas and wild donkeys, it is better to plan a separate day.

How to do it

1. Choose a format: mini zoo, family park, rehabilitation center, or nature route.
2. Check opening hours and the need for an appointment, especially for Taşkent Nature Park.
3. Plan the route based on distances: Karpas and Gaziveren are better not combined into one short trip.
4. Bring water, hats, and comfortable shoes if you plan to walk outdoors.
5. Do not feed animals without permission from the staff of the venue.

If you plan to visit several locations in one day, you can compare car rental options in advance. For an overnight trip, it is convenient to check hotels and apartments, and for internet on the road — eSIM for travel.

Useful links

• Water parks in Northern Cyprus
• Museums of Northern Cyprus
• Mini Cyprus Park miniature park
• Sights of Northern Cyprus

Frequently asked questions

Is there a large zoo in Northern Cyprus?

No. There is no large classic zoo where you can walk for several hours over a large area in Northern Cyprus. There are mini zoos, family farms, animal parks, and a rehabilitation center.

Where is the best place to go with a child to see animals?

For families with children, Lesland, Kyrenia Wild Life Park, Barış Park in Kyrenia, and the mini zoo at Merit Crystal Cove Hotel are often the best options. The format depends on the child’s age and the area where you are staying.

Can you visit Taşkent Nature Park without an appointment?

For excursions, it is better to contact the center in advance and check whether a visit is possible. This is a rehabilitation center for animals, not an ordinary park with permanent free admission.

Where in Northern Cyprus can you see animals in nature?

Donkeys can be seen on the Karpas Peninsula. Sea turtles are observed on some beaches during nesting season, usually from late spring to summer, in compliance with protection rules.

Can you feed the animals?

You can feed animals only where it is allowed by the staff of the venue. In natural areas and rehabilitation centers, feeding animals on your own may harm them.

Are there water parks and other places for children in Northern Cyprus?

Yes. In addition to mini zoos, you can choose water parks, museums, a miniature park, beaches, and family walking routes. For ideas, see Cyprus-FAQ selections on places and entertainment in Northern Cyprus.

Where can I ask a question about leisure in Northern Cyprus?

You can ask questions about walks, family leisure, and routes in the Telegram chat “Where to relax”.