Exploring the Famagusta Ghost Town of Varosha - Northern Cyprus
Posted: May 11, 2025 | Tagged: Northern Cyprus
On a rented bicycle, I toured the Famagusta Ghost Town of Varosha.
From the walled city of Gazimagusa, as the Turks call Famagusta, you can walk to the "Varosha Visitor Entrance".
This is the point where you can enter "Varosha":
This entry point is in the northern part of Cyprus part. I used the Ledra Street Pedestrian Crossing Point in Nicosia and then took a dolmus to Famagusta.
I believe that there are a couple of other entry points, but cannot offer any advice about them.
The "I Love Magusa" sign. For once, yeah, my 3-night stay in Famagusta was the best in a long time.
I believe that there are a couple of other entry points, but cannot offer any advice about them.
The "I Love Magusa" sign. For once, yeah, my 3-night stay in Famagusta was the best in a long time.
Varosha is free to enter and is open to everyone, as per the photo:
You don't need your passport, but they will ask to look in your bag. Drones are forbidden.
Across from the entrance, there are 2 small kiosks where you can get some water and snacks (no cash card only). You can also rent a bicycle or e-scooter, which I highly recommend doing. It costs 150 TL for the bike rent, but again, no cash card only!!!
Across from the entrance, there are 2 small kiosks where you can get some water and snacks (no cash card only). You can also rent a bicycle or e-scooter, which I highly recommend doing. It costs 150 TL for the bike rent, but again, no cash card only!!!
On my Retro "Steel is Real", double top tube bicycle in Varosha:
But get there early. I was there on a Saturday in late April. The place was as busy as. Forget the notion that you will be the only one there. The Ghost Town of Varosha is well and truly on the map, for those visiting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and with good reason. The place is epic!
Varosha was once referred to as the French Riviera of Cyprus. In its heyday, celebrities such as Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Brigitte Bardot would vacation here.
So what happened?
Well, it depends on whose side you are on. In war, no one is innocent. One side is always accusing the other of some atrocity whilst trying to have the world believe they are angels.
Cyprus was home to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. There was always tension. But in 1974, the Turkish army invaded Cyprus. They advanced as far as the United Nations Buffer Zone, which had already been established, as early as 1964, to keep the peace.
As the Turkish approached Varosha, the residents, mostly Greek Cypriots and tourists, fled in a hurry and Maraş, as it's called in Turkish, came under Turkish control. It was sealed off. Abandoned.
Varosha became a Ghost Town.
Varosha was partially reopened to visitors in 2020. You can tour and explore 2 of the main streets and take photos from a distance. ALL buildings are off limits due to the danger of falling debris.
And from the damage, this is just not from 46 years of neglect. You can quite clearly see the extent of the fighting that went on here, with the rocket holes in the walls. And buildings just don't collapse on their own accord.
These are the photos from my visit to Varosha, which was most definitely the highlight of my 2025 trip to Europe:
Varosha was once referred to as the French Riviera of Cyprus. In its heyday, celebrities such as Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Brigitte Bardot would vacation here.
So what happened?
Well, it depends on whose side you are on. In war, no one is innocent. One side is always accusing the other of some atrocity whilst trying to have the world believe they are angels.
Cyprus was home to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. There was always tension. But in 1974, the Turkish army invaded Cyprus. They advanced as far as the United Nations Buffer Zone, which had already been established, as early as 1964, to keep the peace.
As the Turkish approached Varosha, the residents, mostly Greek Cypriots and tourists, fled in a hurry and Maraş, as it's called in Turkish, came under Turkish control. It was sealed off. Abandoned.
Varosha became a Ghost Town.
Varosha was partially reopened to visitors in 2020. You can tour and explore 2 of the main streets and take photos from a distance. ALL buildings are off limits due to the danger of falling debris.
And from the damage, this is just not from 46 years of neglect. You can quite clearly see the extent of the fighting that went on here, with the rocket holes in the walls. And buildings just don't collapse on their own accord.
These are the photos from my visit to Varosha, which was most definitely the highlight of my 2025 trip to Europe:
As of April 2025, there is a UN presence in the abandoned city of Varosha:
And it wasn't just a case of the Greek Cypriots and holiday makers fleeing. In this photo, you can clearly see the damage caused by mortar fire:
This street is still off limits:
If you look closely, you can see a car coming. This street is closed to tourists but provides vehicle access for security personnel:
And the future of Varosha? There is a small kiosk at the northern end of town, which is (sometimes) open for snacks and drinks. Nearer the famous Palm Beach, there is a bigger restaurant.
In the central part of the abandoned city, there is massive construction going on, all concealed with high fences, security cameras and security officers.
In the central part of the abandoned city, there is massive construction going on, all concealed with high fences, security cameras and security officers.
