Famagusta & Salamis: Lost Cities Day Trip from Paphos

Walking through a city frozen since 1974: Famagusta's hidden layers

You cross the border into Northern Cyprus, explore the ancient Roman theatre and baths of Salamis, walk through medieval Famagusta with its Gothic-Ottoman cathedral and Venetian walls, then tour the abandoned Ghost City of Varosha. Hotel pickup from Paphos, a licensed guide, and all entrance fees are included; lunch is optional. The full day takes around 10–11 hours, and you'll need a valid passport or EU ID.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Coffee break at Choirokitia
• Pass Strovilia checkpoint to North Cyprus
• Visit Salamis ancient city ruins
• Walking tour of Famagusta Old Town
• Enjoy traditional Cypriot-Turkish lunch
• Guided walking tour of Varosha Ghost City

The Experience

You're stepping through streets where time stopped, past hotel balconies still holding the shapes of abandoned furniture, under signs in languages nobody reads there anymore. That's Varosha, the Ghost City, and it's the last stop on this full-day tour from Paphos—but the morning starts earlier, with a coffee break at Choirokitia on the drive north, then the border checkpoint where your passport gets checked before you cross into Northern Cyprus. The guide walks you through what to expect; it's straightforward if your documents are in order (EU ID or passport required; a few nationalities can't cross, so check before booking).

Once you're through, the day opens up into ancient Salamis, one of Cyprus's most important cities from 1100 BC onward. The theatre alone seated 15,000 people—you can still see the stone tiers, the orchestra floor, the scale of it. Then there are the Roman baths with their intricate mosaics still visible in places, and the gymnasium with its marble columns and bathhouses spread across what feels like a small neighborhood of ruins. The licensed guide connects the layers: Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, each one leaving something behind. Entry fees are included, so you're not stopping at a ticket booth; you walk straight in.

Famagusta's old town comes next, and the contrast hits you immediately. St. Nikolaos Cathedral—now the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque—mixes Gothic and Ottoman architecture in a way that feels less like compromise and more like two histories occupying the same stone. There's a 700-year-old fig tree in the courtyard. You walk the medieval streets, past the Venetian walls that still circle the old town, the Othello Tower (yes, the Shakespeare connection is real), and the remains of the Venetian Palace. It's a walking tour, so pace yourself; the guide stops to explain, but you're moving through narrow streets and open squares, not sitting on a coach.

Lunch is optional and not included, but eating in one of the local taverns in Famagusta—trying the traditional Cypriot-Turkish dishes—is the kind of thing you'll think about later. After that, the final stretch is Varosha: the eerie resort town abandoned in 1974, now partially reopened for guided walks. Deserted hotels, crumbling buildings, streets that feel like a photograph of themselves. It's not cheerful, but it's unforgettable in a way that matters. The air-conditioned coach brings you back to your Paphos hotel by evening, and you've crossed a border, walked through three different historical periods, and stood in a place most people never see.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Paphos city centre, a licensed guide, air-conditioned coach transport, a coffee break at Choirokitia, border crossing assistance, entrance fees to Salamis ruins and Famagusta sites, and a guided walking tour of Varosha. Lunch at a local tavern in Famagusta is optional and paid separately.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by QUALIDAY

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see three distinct historical periods—ancient Roman, medieval Venetian, and modern abandonment—in one day without arranging transport, border logistics, or entry tickets yourself. The fixed itinerary handles the checkpoint crossing, which is what makes a full inland trip possible from Paphos.

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Top questions

Do I need a passport to cross into Northern Cyprus?

Yes, a valid passport or EU ID is required. Some nationalities (Armenia, Syria, Nigeria, Turkmenistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and others) cannot cross the checkpoint. Photocopies are not accepted—only original documents work.

Is lunch included in the tour?

No, lunch is optional. Traditional Cypriot-Turkish meals are available in local taverns in Famagusta, but you pay separately.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs approximately 10–11 hours, including the border crossing, coffee break, and all stops.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Paphos, a licensed guide, air-conditioned coach transport, and entrance fees to Salamis ruins and Famagusta sites. Lunch and drinks are not included.

Can I bring children?

Yes, infants and small children can travel; prams and specialized infant seats are available. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it involves walking through ruins and old town streets.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup times vary by hotel. If you don't receive a message with your exact pickup time and location, call at least one day before the tour.

Is Varosha safe to visit?

Yes, Varosha is open for guided walks. You'll see abandoned buildings and eerie streets, but you're with a licensed guide the entire time.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or EU ID, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and water. The tour involves significant walking through ruins and streets.