Mare Monte Beach in Northern Cyprus
A beach known in Alsancak and beyond, with a name unusual for both Turks and Greeks.
Beach Description
Mare Monte Beach is a well-equipped municipal beach located in the Alsancak area, 12 kilometers west of the center of Girne, in the north of Cyprus. It is known for its clean sand, surrounding greenery and oleander bushes, as well as the view of the island of the same name and the Merit Royal Premium Hotel Casino & Spa.
Mare Monte Beach is famous for its gently sloping entrance into the sea, making it especially attractive for families with children and for those who prefer swimming in calm waters. The sea is always calm here, without waves, thanks to the bay.
Beach Name
In 1967, a popular hotel named Mare Monte was opened here. The hotel was designed by the local architectural firm Takis Zempylas & Diomides Kythreotis.
In 1974, after the well-known events, the hotel temporarily became a UN area for the population exchange between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and shortly after that, it was abandoned and fell into disrepair.
This is what the hotel used to look like.
Beach Infrastructure
Mare Monte Beach has everything needed for a comfortable and pleasant time — sunbeds, umbrellas, changing rooms, toilets, a fresh water shower, and even Wi-Fi.
Additionally, the staff regularly maintains the cleanliness of the beach. A lifeguard is on duty during daylight hours when the beach is open.
In season, there is a water activities point offering options for those who enjoy active recreation.
How to Get to Mare Monte Beach
By Car
The most convenient way to get there (as with most places in Northern Cyprus) is by car. You’ll find the location on the map below the text, and here are the parking coordinates: 35.356588942842166, 33.20446432859216.
By Public Transport
From Girne, you can take a dolmuş (shared minibus) running to Lapta and Alsancak — these destinations will be written on the front windshield. Buses from Güzelyurt to Girne also travel along this route.
You should get off near the Beksa Otomotiv car dealership (at this point) and walk straight toward the sea for about one kilometer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mare Monte Beach
How much does it cost to enter Mare Monte Beach?
Entry is free, but you’ll have to pay for the sunbeds. And since there’s hardly any space other than the sunbeds, calling it a free beach is quite conditional.
Why is the beach called Mare Monte?
In the 1960s, there was a popular hotel for tourists here called Mare Monte. After the events of 1974, the hotel was abandoned.
Where can you park near the beach?
You can park right near the abandoned hotel. If there are no spots there, another larger parking area is available to the right, closer to the Merit Royal Premium Hotel Casino & Spa, and it's usually empty during the day.
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Author
Born and raised in Yekaterinburg, visited more than 40 countries, lived in the USA for some time, and in 2022, moved to Northern Cyprus. Education: Ural State University (now Ural Federal University), Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. Professional Experience: Since 2008, worked in the…
