Famagusta, Salamis & Kyrenia: Private Tour with Checkpoints

Summary

Medieval streets, Roman ruins and the silent ghost town of Varosha

You’ll wander Famagusta’s medieval walls with a local guide, explore ancient Salamis ruins under Cyprus sun, and stand quietly before Varosha’s abandoned hotels—a ghost town frozen in time. With hotel pickup and border crossings handled for you, all that’s left is to let these places linger in your memory.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment when you’re standing in the old city of Famagusta, and someone—our guide, Mehmet—points at a stone archway. He tells you how it once welcomed traders from Venice, and you can almost hear the echo of carts on cobbles under your feet. The air smells faintly salty, like the sea is always close by. I tried to repeat the name “Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque” after him—probably mangled it—and he just grinned. It’s weirdly comforting being shown around by someone who grew up here; he even waved at a shopkeeper who handed us sesame bread while we waited for our passports to be checked at the border crossing.

The drive out to Salamis is short but feels like crossing into another time. You step through broken columns and suddenly there’s this amphitheater where Mehmet jokes about ancient gladiators (“no lions today, don’t worry”). The sun bakes everything pale gold. I ran my hand along a marble bench—cooler than I expected—and tried to picture crowds cheering centuries ago. There’s something about ruins that makes you whisper without meaning to.

We got forty-five minutes in the medieval walled city—enough to get lost if you want to, not enough to see every corner. The streets twist and turn past faded churches and cafes where locals sip coffee slowly, as if time doesn’t matter here. Lunch wasn’t included but we grabbed something quick—cheese pie?—before heading towards Varosha. That place… it’s hard to explain. Hotels frozen since 1974, balconies tangled with weeds, silence except for wind rattling an old sign. I didn’t expect it to feel so heavy.

On the way back toward Protaras, passports came out again at the checkpoint (don’t forget yours). There was this quiet in the car as we crossed back south—a mix of tiredness and maybe just trying to process all those layers of history in one day. I still think about that empty beach in Varosha sometimes; it sticks with you longer than you’d guess.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Famagusta and Salamis ruins

• Visit Salamis monastery and icon museum
• Tour Salamis bath, latrines, gymnasium, theatre
• Drive to Medieval Wall City of Famagusta
• Explore Medieval Wall City of Famagusta
• Visit St Nicholas Cathedral
• See the Ghost Town of Varosha

Top questions

How long does the Famagusta & Salamis private tour last?

The tour lasts around 5–6 hours including driving time.

Is hotel pickup included from Protaras?

Yes, round-trip transportation from selected Protaras hotels is included.

Do I need my passport for this tour?

Yes, a valid passport is required for crossing checkpoints between North and South Cyprus.

What sites are visited on this day trip?

You’ll visit Salamis ruins, Bellapais Monastery, Kyrenia harbor, St Nicholas Cathedral in Famagusta, and Varosha ghost town.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is included but there are opportunities to buy food during free time in Famagusta.

Are infants or children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants can ride in a pram or stroller or sit on an adult's lap; suitable for all fitness levels.

How much driving is involved?

Total driving time is about 60 minutes each way between Protaras and Famagusta region.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from selected Protaras hotels, private transportation throughout North Cyprus with fuel covered, entry fees where needed, plus a knowledgeable local guide who brings each stop—from Salamis ruins to Famagusta’s medieval walls—to life before returning across the checkpoint at sunset.