In the 1960s and early 1970s, a trip to Famagusta would have been quite fashionable, particularly in the Varosha area, one of the most glamorous and trendy beach resorts in the Mediterranean.
Before the division of Northern Cyprus, this area was a popular luxury destination for celebrities, celebrities and wealthy tourists.
Actors of the caliber of Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Brigitte Bardot frequented Famagusta in the city’s golden years attracted by the beautiful beaches and nightlife. Varosha was the perfect destination for these celebrities because of its luxury hotels, such as the King George Hotel and the Argo Hotel, and its prime location facing a crystal clear sea.
Unfortunately, after the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the abandonment of the city, its golden age came to an abrupt end, leaving behind only ruins of what was once Famagusta, one of the most fashionable resorts in the Mediterranean.
In this article we will tell about the excitement of a trip to Famagusta and how to visit the ghost town Varosha, between beauty and contradictions.
The political situation in Famagusta, and Northern Cyprus more generally, is still unresolved, rooted in a history of ethnic conflict, occupation and international disputes.
After the 1974 invasion, Varosha was evacuated and sealed off, becoming a ghost town for nearly 50 years. Since then, following the Turkish invasion of the island, Cyprus has remained divided in two between South Cyprus and self-proclaimed North Cyprus. The invasion was in response to a Greek-backed coup aimed at uniting Cyprus with Greece (Enosis).
Turkey intervened militarily, occupying about 37 percent of the island, including the northern part, where Famagusta is located. Since 1974, Cyprus has been divided into two.
- Southern Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus, internationally recognized and a member of the European Union, ruled predominantly by Greek Cypriots.
- Northern Cyprus. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (RTCN), self-proclaimed and recognized only by Turkey.
Famagusta is located in this part of the island.
Famagusta is the traveling city of North Cyprus’ past and present
The golden light of the Cypriot sun illuminates the imposing walls of Famagusta, a city that still seems to breathe the air of a bygone era.
Walking through its ancient streets, one feels as if poised between two worlds: the glorious one of crusades, empires and legends, and the modern one of contrasts and unsolved mysteries. Visiting Varosha.
It is only when you approach Varosha, the legendary ghost town of Northern Cyprus, that the soul of Famagusta is revealed in all its enigmatic complexity.
Once a renowned seaside resort for celebrities in the 1960s, with its beaches lapped by a crystal clear sea, Varosha was suddenly abandoned in 1974, when the Turkish invasion sealed the town in a time bubble.
Today, its deserted streets, decrepit buildings and broken windows tell a story of interrupted splendor that leaves visitors with more questions than answers. Glapsides and Silver Beach North Cyprus.
However, Famagusta is not just a city of shadows and memories.
Beyond the Varosha area exists a vibrant destination with breathtaking beaches and a daily life that continues to thrive.
Glapsides and Silver Beach are among the best beaches in the Famagusta area, favored by visitors for their clear waters and golden sand.
The town’s cafes and restaurants are full of life, and the local cuisine, with its Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, is a pleasure that invites discovery.
History of Famagusta from glory to division
To cross the walls of Famagusta is to enter a medieval world, where every corner seems to carry with it a memory of battles, conquests and alliances.
The mighty walls built by the Venetians still stand, almost like a guardian of the past.
In the center of the city stands the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, now transformed into the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, a magnificent example of Gothic architecture adapted to Muslim culture.
Walking among these buildings, some in ruins, transports visitors to a time when Famagusta was a crossroads of cultures and trade, a jewel contested by rival empires. But what is most fascinating about this city is its duality: a place that retains the memory of its past glories, but at the same time lives in a new era, where ancient monuments coexist with signs of modern life..
Varosha trip to the ghost town of Famagusta
One cannot talk about Famagusta without evoking the ghostly aura of Varosha, its most famous and controversial neighborhood.
A city that once glowed with life now seems crystallized in a strange stillness.
Skyscrapers and once-luxurious hotels overlook deserted beaches, and the streets, once traversed by tourists and residents, are now overgrown with vegetation.
In this suspended landscape, every step evokes a story of escape and loss, but also of hope and expectation.
In this surreal silence, nature has begun to take back what man has abandoned.
Plants and trees grow between the cracks in sidewalks and buildings, and wildlife moves freely among the deserted streets.
This slow process of natural rebirth is perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Varosha.
While man has left this place, nature has continued its course, inexorable and indifferent to human drama.
In recent years, some areas of Varosha have been reopened, allowing visitors to explore a place that until recently was only a whispered name among guidebooks.
Walking among its abandoned buildings is an experience that provokes mixed emotions.
Frozen in time, Famagusta evokes a sense of curiosity and melancholy.
How to get to Famagusta and enter Varosha, North Cyprus entrances
Most tourists arrive in northern Cyprus via Turkey, landing at Ercan Airport.
Alternatively, you can arrive in southern Cyprus (Larnaca Airport) and then cross the border.
It should be remembered that Northern Cyprus is not internationally recognized except by Turkey, so there are some political issues to consider, such as the fact that airports and ports of entry are not recognized by the European Union.
It is also important to check visa rules and travel conditions if you cross the Green Line separating Northern and Southern Cyprus. In 2020, the government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with support from Turkey, began partially reopening parts of Varosha to the public, allowing visitors access to certain areas.
This move has been strongly criticized by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the international community, as it contradicts United Nations resolutions to return Varosha to its rightful Greek Cypriot inhabitants.
The reopening of Varosha is seen by many as an attempt by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot government to consolidate control over the northern part of the island.
Diplomatic initiatives
Over the years there have been various attempts to resolve the Cyprus conflict, including negotiations for the reunification of the island under a federal government.
However, the talks have often failed because of differences between the two communities and outside influences, especially from Turkey and Greece.
The last major diplomatic initiative, the Annan Plan, promoted by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, was put to a referendum in 2004.
While the majority of Turkish Cypriots voted in favor of the plan, the majority of Greek Cypriots rejected it.
This failure further complicated the issue of reunification.
What to expect from a trip to Famagusta
Famagusta, Gazimağusa in Turkish, is a city rich in history, preserving numerous archaeological and architectural sites.
- Old City of Famagusta. Surrounded by mighty Venetian walls, this part of the city is home to many historic buildings.
Among the most notable are St. Nicholas Cathedral, which has been transformed into the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, and the many Gothic churches and ruined palaces that tell of the city’s glorious past. - Varosha Maraş. A part of Famagusta known as “the ghost town,” abandoned after the Turkish invasion in 1974.
For the past few years, parts of Varosha have been reopened to visitors, offering a fascinating (and somewhat eerie) glimpse of still time.
Conclusions after a trip to Famagusta to visit the ghost town of Varosha
Plants growing between the cracks of buildings and wild animals roaming undisturbed. At the end of this journey through ancient ruins, quiet beaches and ghost towns, one realizes that Famagusta is much more than just a tourist destination.
It is a place where time seems to stand still, but where, at the same time, life continues to flow in new and surprising ways.
The question that remains unanswered is how much of this past will return to light?
And what will remain forever shrouded in mystery?
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