In Varosha, the ghost town of Cyprus, time stood still in 1974. This exciting tour offers a real leap back in time. Perfect for pairing with Famagusta or ancient Salamis.
Famagusta Oldtown with Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque and Venetian Palace, a journey back to the Middle Ages, perfectly combined with ancient Salamis or Varosha.
The city was founded around 274 BC by Ptolemy II after Salamis had been severely damaged by an earthquake. Arsinoe was described in the first century BC by Strabon in his Geographica as a „fishing town“. It remained a small fishing village for a long time. Later, when Salamis was gradually cleared during the Arab invasion under Muawiyah I, it developed into a small port.
The turning point for Famagusta from a small village to a town came in 1192 with the onset of Lusignan rule. It was during this period that Famagusta developed into a fully fledged town. It became increasingly important in the Eastern Mediterranean because of its natural harbour and the walls that protected its inner city. Its population began to grow.
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Our private guided tour to Famagusta and Varosha takes you from the present day to the Middle Ages with mighty cathedrals, churches and a walled city, on to a time, when a vibrant tourist metropolis turned into a ghost town.
Don’t worry, we don’t go on long walks and give endless lectures. Of course, we answer all questions, provide background information and let the „pictures“ take effect.
Let’s do a time walk – book now
Tour price 349 Euro for two persons, each additional 89 Euro
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After the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in 1571, Christians were expelled from Famagusta and forced to build new homes outside the walls. After independence from Great Britain, Varosha developed into a well-known tourist resort in the 1960s and 1970s. Large hotel complexes were built near the beach.
A year before the civil war and the Turkish invasion, Varosha was generating more than 50% of the island’s total income from tourism. There were now 45 hotels with more than 10,000 beds, 60 apartment hotels, almost 100 recreation centres, 21 banks, 24 theatres and cinemas and around 3,000 large and small shops. The population was just under 32,000.
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Visit the old town of Famagusta and step back in time with its imposing buildings and churches.
And visit also with us the ancient city of Salamis with amphitheatre , columns and baths
Our tour adapts to your wishes so that you have enough time for what interests you most.
Tour group price from 349 Euro
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Northern Cyprus is much less visited than Greek Cyprus in the south, but offers just as many sights. One of these is the walled old town of Famagusta with a truly large number of very well preserved medieval buildings. Famagusta, in Turkish Gazimagusa, is located on the east coast of Cyprus, just over the border and within easy reach of us.
During our tour we will guide you live through the interesting history of Famagusta and show you some of the most important sights. We offer this tour in combination with a visit to the ancient city of Salamis.
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