🏛️ What to see in Famagusta and how to get into Varosha

In the center of Famagusta, hotels have stood empty for more than half a century. The Varosha district was closed off in 1974 and only partially opened to tourists in 2020 (as of 09/2026, official portal of Northern Cyprus). You walk along streets without a single resident, while ruined hotel buildings stand behind the fence.

The old town itself, however, is very much alive. A mosque operates inside a former Gothic cathedral, Turkish coffee is brewed next to Venetian cannons, and shops sell souvenirs. Below, we'll look at what to see in Famagusta, how to get into Varosha, and how much time to set aside for ancient Salamis.

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Old town and fortress walls

💡 In short:

You can walk around the old town in three to four hours; you don't need a car inside.
Access to the streets is free; you only pay for Othello's Tower.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official tourism portal of Northern Cyprus.

The stone ring of bastions was built by the Lusignans, and in the 15th century the Venetians rebuilt it (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia, history of Famagusta). The walls encircle the entire old town, so they make it easy to understand the layout: the port on one side, residential quarters on the other.

Moat between the Venetian sandstone walls of Famagusta

In the square by the bastion, you'll find cannons of various sizes and pyramids of stone cannonballs. Stone lions sit nearby. Between them, Turkish coffee is served on empty powder barrels, and it's the cheapest way to take a break in the heat.

The narrow streets with low houses are almost untouched by restoration, so walk slowly, stopping at every archway. Enter through the gate on the port side: that's where the densest part of the route begins. The catch: at midday there is no shade in the open squares, so plan your walk for the morning.

Othello's Tower and the Venetian fort

Othello's Tower (Othello Castle) was built as a port citadel, and the Venetians turned it into an artillery fort. A relief of the winged Lion of Saint Mark has hung above the main entrance since 1492 (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia, Othello's Tower). After a lengthy restoration, the site reopened to visitors in 2015.

Round tower and gate with the Lion of Saint Mark

The name stuck to the tower because of Shakespeare. According to one version, the plot of the tragedy "Othello" grew out of the story of the Venetian governor Cristoforo Moro, who killed his wife out of jealousy. Another version simply links the play to the port city in Cyprus, and there is little evidence for either.

In summer the tower is open until early evening; in winter it closes as early as midday, and the schedule changes by season (as of 09/2026, Cyprus FAQ, practical guide). The ticket costs a few euros, with the ticket office at the gate. From the walls you can see the port and the rooftops of Varosha. The catch: parking in the old town is small and often full, so arrive before opening.

Cathedral of Saint Nicholas: now the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque

The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas was built under the Lusignans, and after the Ottoman capture of the city in 1571 it was converted into the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (as of 09/2026, Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque). The Gothic facade with its tall portal survived almost entirely intact, while the minaret was added later.

Gothic rose window of St. Nicholas Cathedral

Shoes are removed inside, and modest dress is expected: cover your shoulders and knees. Tourists are not allowed in during prayer times; at other hours entry is free. Approach the facade from the south to see how much taller the church is than the neighboring houses. The Church of Peter and Paul next door met the same fate: it was also converted into a Muslim place of worship.

Church of St. George of the Latins

The Church of St. George of the Latins was built in the mid-13th century as the city's first Catholic parish church. During the bombardment of 1571 it was almost completely destroyed (as of 09/2026, city chronicle in Cyprus). Only one wall of the building remains, and it still conveys the scale of the original structure.

Ruins of a Gothic church with palm trees at sunset

A little further on stood the governor's palace. In the mid-16th century it was rebuilt by the architect Michele Sanmicheli: the building has been heavily altered since then, but the texture of that era is still visible. The catch: there are almost no explanatory plaques, so read up on the history beforehand.

Ganchvor Monastery and the military zone

Ganchvor Monastery was built in the mid-14th century according to the canons of Armenian architecture. It stands on the grounds of a military base, so you can only enter with permission and accompanied. Tours here only began in the early 2000s, and Ganchvor remains the most restricted site in the area (as of 09/2026, official tourism portal).

Ganchvor Armenian Church near the Famagusta city walls

The outer courtyard is sometimes open, but you should not count on it. The church has been restored several times after damage. If your itinerary is two days, put Ganchvor last: access depends not on you, but on the base's schedule.

Ancient city of Salamis

The ruins of Salamis lie 8 km north of Famagusta (as of 09/2026, official guide to Salamis). It is a large Greco-Roman city, founded, according to legend, by Teucer, a hero of the Trojan War.

Start with the theater and the marble colonnade of the gymnasium. Further on are mosaic floors, Roman baths, a market, and public latrines. Some of the mosaics were walled up during the Christianization period so as not to disturb the faithful, which is exactly why they have survived in good condition.

Ruins of the ancient theater at Salamis with a sea view

The city was destroyed by earthquakes, and Arab raids finished the job: the inhabitants moved to Famagusta, and the harbor was silted up with sand. Allow half a day for the visit including travel, and bring water and a cap. The catch: there is almost no shade on the site, and the ticket office and parking are only at the main entrance.

Why Famagusta is called a ghost city

The name "ghost city" was not invented by a tourism office. Swedish journalist Jan Olof Bengtsson visited Varosha in September 1977 and described the empty houses and abandoned streets (as of 09/2026, history of Varosha).

Back in August 1974, residents were given a few hours to pack. They were allowed to take two bags each. That is why dishes, furniture, and documents were left in the apartments, and food remained on the tables.

Empty Varosha beach with high-rise hotels

Bengtsson wrote about set tables, stocked shop counters, and lights left on in abandoned rooms. Photographs of faded Pepsi bottles and dusty wardrobe doors circulated in publications around the world. Today they are easier to find in the photo archives of major agencies than in guidebooks.

Varosha district today

Before 1974, Varosha was the most fashionable quarter on the island: high-rise hotels, nightclubs, concert halls, and a golden sand beach. Businessmen, politicians, and entertainers vacationed here.

Derelict building with a Toyota sign in Varosha

After the closure, the area was fenced off and no one was allowed inside for almost fifty years. The open zone appeared only in 2020, and entry is free (as of 09/2026, how to visit Varosha). You go inside on foot or by bike, leaving cars at the parking lot by the entrance.

The route is marked, and entering buildings and closed zones is not allowed. A regular walk takes one and a half to two hours. Come at opening time or after four: at midday the open streets get scorching hot, and there is almost no shade.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, proclaimed in 1983, is recognized only by Turkey (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia, Famagusta). The borders are open, though: between the south and north of the island you go through customs with your passport and continue on.

Tickets, hours and how to get there

Paid entry applies only to Othello Castle and Salamis, and prices in Northern Cyprus change often. Keep cash on you. Below are rough figures as of 09/2026.

Site	Entry	Hours
Old town and walls	free	24/7
Othello Castle	paid, a few euros	until evening in summer, until midday in winter
Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque	free	outside prayer times
Salamis	paid, ticket office at the entrance	from morning to evening
Varosha, open section	free	seasonal schedule

General reference: 09/2026, official Northern Cyprus tourism portal.

From Larnaca Airport you drive to the Deryneia crossing, and from there it is about half an hour to Famagusta (as of 09/2026, route via the crossing). Inside the old town a car gets in the way: parking is scarce and the streets are narrow. Leave it by the walls and walk.

City and Salamis tours are easiest to book in advance: browse tours on GetYourGuide.

Tours and tickets in Famagusta

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much time do you need for Famagusta?

Three to four hours is enough for the old town, and allow another one and a half to two hours for the open section of Varosha. For Salamis, set aside another half day. If you are visiting for one day, choose the old town and Varosha, and leave the ruins for your next visit.

How much does entry to Salamis cost?

The exact amount is only given at the ticket office; prices in Northern Cyprus are adjusted several times a year (as of 09/2026, Salamis guide). Expect a few euros per person, children are usually cheaper. Bring cash, cards are not always accepted.

Can you enter Varosha freely?

Yes, the open section of the district is free for tourists, but only along the marked streets. Entering buildings and closed zones is prohibited, and cars are left in the parking lot at the entrance. The schedule is seasonal, with the longest opening hours in summer.

What should you see first in the old town?

Start with Othello Castle and Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque: they stand close together and give you a sense of the Venetian and Ottoman periods. Then walk along the walls to the port, and at the end go down to the ruins of the Church of St. George of the Latins.

How do you get to Famagusta from Larnaca?

From Larnaca Airport the road leads to the Deryneia crossing, then it is about half an hour to the city. With your own car you need insurance valid in the north and a passport for customs. Public transport between the south and north of the island is poorly connected, so most people rent a car or take a transfer.

In short: what is worth booking

If you have one day: the old town, Othello Castle and a walk through open Varosha. If you have a second day: give it to Salamis, you need half a day there. If you are traveling as a family and want to combine history with the sea, stay closer to the beaches south of Varosha.

For an overnight stay, compare options in Famagusta itself and near the beaches: see hotels in Famagusta on Trip.com.

Famagusta: the empty quarter of Varosha, old city walls and Salamis