The Varosha ghost town of Famagusta is completely unique in the world and for the first time in 50 years, you can visit. Following the opening up of Varosha - the ghost town of Famagusta, this tour is the best way to see inside the abandoned holiday resort which has been deserted since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
Available at least twice a week from 09 May to October. Please book at least 2 days in advance.
Highlights:
This tour runs from 09 May until 25 October.
This tour runs on Tuesdays and Fridays. At busy times additional days will also run as needed.
The Varosha Experience tour is designed to allow you the maximum time to explore this deserted holiday resort.
In the 1970's Famagusta was one of the most glamourous holiday resorts in the Mediterranean. Visited by film stars, royalty and the rich and famous of the world, there were chic hotels, disco's, designer shops and all the modern and upmarket entertainments you might find in a large holiday resort. After the Turkish invasion of 1974 this area became a no-mans land, sealed off from the world with only a few Turkish soldiers and UN peacekeepers allowed in.
The 5 star hotels sit abandoned, luxury cars still sit in showrooms and nature has reclaimed the resort that was bereft of people, cars and life for so long. In 2020 the Northern Cyprus administration decided to open up selected parts of Varosha and for the first time tourists could enter and walk down the palm lined streets and peer into the dusty shop windows.
This tour picks up from selected points all over Ayia Napa and Protaras areas (including Pernera, Kapparis and Paralimni)
Your nearest pick up point may be a short walk from your hotel.
Your exact pick up time and location will be noted on your confirmation.
Pick up times from Ayia Napa and Protaras are between 08.30 and 10.00, depending on your pick up location. Returns around 2pm.
Please be waiting at the pick up point 10 minutes before the time stated in case the bus is running early.
This tour is restricted to passport holders from the following countries -
All 27 EU countries, the UK, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.
Other passport holders cannot go on this tour unfortunately.
Your passport / EU ID card must be with you on the day of the trip.
Book this tour with a deposit to secure your places.
The balance can be paid on the bus on the day of the trip in cash.
Please book at least 48 hours in advance. For last minute bookings, please contact us and we will do our best to book you on this tour.
At times of high demand we may need to offer you an alternative date if the tour is fully booked. We ask that you give us a second choice of date in case your first choice is already fully booked.
If you are booking for more than 4 people, we will need to collect the rest of the balance before the trip. In this case we will give you a payment link or arrange for the balance to be collected from you in resort.
Includes a guided sightseeing tour by open top bus
Includes free time in Varosha
Includes live commentary in English on the bus
Includes pick up from your hotel in the Ayia Napa / Protaras areas.
Lunch and drinks are not included.
The tour takes place on an open top, double decker red bus. Upstairs seating is first come, first served. Please book in advance to secure upstairs seating.
Seating is also available downstairs.
Passports / EU ID cards are required to cross into the North. Only passport holders from the EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland can go on this tour.
The tour bus is not wheelchair accessible.
Upstairs seating is first come, first served. Please book in advance to secure upstairs seating.
Children are welcome on this tour. Ages 3-12 receive 50% discount. Children aged 2 and under go free.
Pick up times are between 08.30 and 10.00 depending on your location.
Book with a deposit and pay the rest on the bus.
Groups of more than 4 people will need to pay the balance before the day of the trip. We will give you details of how to do this on your confirmation.
Cash is not accepted in Varosha, any drinks/snacks purchased must be paid by credit or debit card only.