Car Rental in İskele, Long Beach and Esentepe: The East Coast by Road
The east coast resorts are the fastest-growing part of North Cyprus — and the part where public transport helps you least. Here is how car rental in İskele and Esentepe works.
Ten years ago the east coast of North Cyprus was farmland and empty sand. Today İskele, Long Beach and Esentepe are where most of the island's new resorts and villas are, and where a huge share of our customers actually stay. It is also the region where car rental in North Cyprus shifts from convenient to essential — the developments are spread along the coast with almost nothing walkable between them.
İskele and Long Beach
Long Beach is the best continuous stretch of sand in North Cyprus, and the strip behind it has filled with apartment resorts. Supermarkets, restaurants and the old town of İskele are all a short drive rather than a walk. We deliver rental cars free of charge to every resort along the strip — give us the block and the reception will point us to you.
Ercan Airport to İskele is roughly 55 km and 45–50 minutes, so most guests take the car at the airport and drive straight in.
Esentepe and the golf coast
Esentepe sits east of Kyrenia beneath the Beşparmak range — golf, hillside villas and quiet beaches. The coast road is fast and well surfaced, but the lanes climbing up to the villas are steep and narrow in places. An SUV or crossover rental is a comfortable choice here; an automatic is a very good idea on the hill starts.
Ercan Airport to Esentepe is around 55 km and about 50 minutes. Kyrenia is 40 minutes west along the coast.
Which vehicle suits the east coast
- Economy — fine if you are staying on the main strip and driving mostly to supermarkets and restaurants.
- Standard / family — the right call for four people, luggage and beach gear.
- SUV — best for Esentepe's hill roads and for continuing into the Karpaz Peninsula, where surfaces deteriorate.
Worth the drive from the east coast
- Salamis Ancient City — 20 minutes south of İskele.
- Famagusta walled city — 25 minutes.
- Karpaz Golden Beach — around 1 hour 20 minutes from İskele, and the single best day out on the island.
- Alagadi Turtle Beach — 45 minutes from Esentepe, going west.
- Kantara Castle — 45 minutes, the eastern-most of the three mountain castles.
Long stays
Many east-coast property owners rent monthly rather than buying a car they use twice a year. Monthly car rental in North Cyprus includes insurance and servicing, and can be paused and restarted around your travel dates.
Frequently asked questions
Do you deliver rental cars to Long Beach resorts?
Yes, free of charge. Tell us your resort and block at booking and we will meet you there, or collect the car at Ercan Airport and drive in — it is about 45 to 50 minutes.
What car should I rent for Esentepe?
An SUV or crossover is the most comfortable choice because the villa access roads climb steeply. An automatic gearbox makes the hill starts much easier, especially if you are new to driving on the left.
How long is the drive from İskele to Karpaz Golden Beach?
Around one hour and twenty minutes. Fuel up before the peninsula — stations become sparse once you pass Yenierenköy.
Rent a car in North Cyprus with CypRentacar
Free delivery to Ercan Airport, Kyrenia, Nicosia, Famagusta, İskele and Esentepe. Comprehensive insurance included, free cancellation, and 24/7 support in English, Turkish, Russian and German.