Table of Contents
The Ghost Town on the Beach
Varosha: once the Mediterranean's most glamorous resort (Bardot, Taylor). Empty since 1974 invasion. Hotels, shops, homes behind barbed wire for 50 years. Nature reclaiming the city.
The History
39,000 residents fled August 14, 1974 – dishes on tables, laundry on lines. Turkish army sealed the area. Residents never returned. UN demanded return – still not implemented. 2020: small section controversially reopened.
This was exactly our experience: Empty since 1974 invasion. Hotels, shops, homes behind barbed wire for 50 years. Nature reclaiming the city. The History 39,000 residents fled August 14, 1974 – dishes on tables, laundry on lines. ...
– Family from Hamburg, in Nicosia since 2023
Visiting Today
Via northern Cyprus checkpoints (car insurance €20-35). Open beach strip with decaying hotels visible. Photography allowed from open area, not into military zone. Politically charged visit – be sensitive.
Famagusta Beyond Varosha
Venetian walls (walkable), Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (former Gothic cathedral), Othello Tower. Day trip: Famagusta + Varosha + ancient Salamis ruins = one of the island's most impressive excursions.
Famagusta
Topics: The Ghost Town on the Beach, The History, Visiting Today
CMC Practical Tip
Empty since 1974 invasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes – emotionally and historically one of the most impressive places in Cyprus.
Yes – open area is monitored. Stay on marked paths. Don't enter restricted zones.
Via Strovilia checkpoint (1 hour from Larnaca) or Nicosia (1.5 hours). Car insurance at checkpoint: €20-35.
Mixed. Be sensitive and respectful in conversations about it.
How CMC Supports You
At CMC Certus Management Consultants, we are here for you – not only for tax and legal questions, but also for all practical topics of everyday life in Cyprus. Our team in Larnaca and Pafos knows the local conditions first-hand.
As your local contact, we handle: company formation and management, tax advisory and Non-Dom applications, ongoing bookkeeping and tax returns, support with authorities, and referrals to estate agents, lawyers, doctors and tradespeople.