Not all luxury in Northern Cyprus takes the form of a pool area or a casino lobby.
Sometimes it lies hidden behind an unassuming wall, a few kilometers west of Kyrenia, in a town called Lapta.
A Garden Without Pesticides
The Gardens of Babel—known in Turkish as Babil Bahçeleri—are not a hotel garden in the traditional sense. They are the life’s work of an award-winning landscape architect who, over the years, has created a 13,000-square-meter, completely pesticide-free oasis here.
A unique microclimate has developed in this green retreat—cooler, more humid, and quieter than the surrounding area. Anyone who steps through the gate feels the difference even before they can see it.
600 plant species in the heart of Cyprus
What makes this garden so unusual is its botanical diversity: over 600 plant species grow here, including camellias and chestnut trees—trees you wouldn’t really expect to find in Cyprus.
A lily pond lies peacefully between the paths, alongside a small flower shop where visitors can put together their own bouquets. It’s not a meticulously styled show garden, but a place that has evolved over the years—with all the chaos that comes with real nature.
A breakfast that becomes a ritual
The place is best known for its breakfast—a leisurely, classic Turkish Cypriot ritual: fried eggs or menemen, fresh fruit straight from the garden, a cheese platter, homemade jams, honey, and tahini-pekmez, accompanied by tea or coffee, all served under shady trees.
On some Sundays, live flute music provides the backdrop for the morning. The café and restaurant are open only during the day—a deliberate choice to ensure that evenings remain quiet for the few overnight guests.
Four rooms, a place of retreat
For those who wish to stay longer, the on-site guesthouse offers just four rooms—spacious, with private balconies, and designed in a style that blends British and Ottoman elements.
This isn't the place for large groups or tightly scheduled stays. It's for anyone who wants to truly unwind for a night—or several—surrounded by greenery instead of concrete.
Why This Place Is Special
Northern Cyprus is usually best known for its coastline: beach clubs, resorts, yachts. The Gardens of Babel tell a different story—that of a place that has consciously turned its back on that fast-paced lifestyle.
No ocean view, no infinity pool. Instead: a garden nurtured with patience, a breakfast where no one is in a rush, and the quiet certainty that true luxury sometimes simply means not having to do anything for a few hours.