Famagusta ~ Varosha, Cyprus
Famagusta was once the island’s most popular tourist destination and is the capital of the district of the same name.
This town (Varosha in Greek), is now in the Turkish side of the Green Line and inaccessible since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
After the invasion the town was fenced off and now resembles a ghost town.
Before the invasion the town was compared to Miami beach with its beautiful golden sandy beaches and stunning scenery.
- The lovely Othello Tower still guards the harbor but the beautiful St Nicolas gothic cathedral has been changed to a mosque.
- The Greek Nobel poet laureate George Seferis loved the landscape of the island so much that he wrote a book of poems entitled Imerologio Katastromatos III.
- Seferis also used his diplomatic position to try to help solve the terrible suffering of the island.
Byzantine Churches, Rustic Villages & Beautiful Beaches
This beautiful area is full of Byzantine churches, rustic villages and hundreds of windmills making this a truly enchanting area of the island.
The beaches are still beautiful and known for being the best on the island.
- Today many tourists stay in the nearby popular resorts of Protaras and enjoy the lovely beaches.
- Not far away is Agia Napa which is famous for its lively nightlife and beautiful beaches.
Kokkinochoria (Red Villages)
If you’ve ever tasted Cyprus potatoes then you’ll know they’re the most delicious in the world and taste especially good when made as chips, roast or in salads.
The fertile red earth where they’re grown is in the area of Ammochostos and the villages of this area are called Kokkinochoria – red villages.
Salamis, Cyprus
The ancient city of Salamis, once the capital of Cyprus in 1100BC, extends along the sea shore. For many years the ancient Roman city was buried in sand and this helped preserve it from being looted and destroyed.
Full-Day Famagusta Tour from the West Coast
You will have the opportunity to explore one of Famagusta’s hidden treasures – Salamis. It’s an ancient city one square mile spread along the shore with an amazing amphitheatre and gymnasium.
Your guide will tell you all the interesting facts and tales of this area.
After visiting the Salamis ruins continue to Famagusta (once the island’s most important port city), where you will visit the Othello’s Tower (the medieval fortress or citadel guarding both the harbor and the town of Famagusta) and the Ayios Nicholaos cathedral (which, since the invasion, has been converted into a mosque).
Accommodation in Cyprus / Cyprus Airport Transfers
