Famagusta - city in Northern Cyprus

Famagusta (Turkish: Gazimağusa or Mağusa, Greek: Αμμόχωστος Ammochostos) is a city in Northern Cyprus.

Get in

Famagusta is connected through shared taxis and regular bus services to Nicosia and Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus. Bus services are operated by Itimat and leave every half hour.

Ferries operated by Akgünler run from Mersin in Turkey, a few times weekly.

The nearest crossing point from the southern part of Cyprus is Strovilia, near Agios Nikolaos, which is located inside the British sovereign military base area. Alternatively, one can use Pergamos/Beyarmudu or one of the crossing points in Nicosia.

Get around

Self-drive is the most common way of visiting Famagusta, whether in your own vehicle or a rental car. Bicycle rentals are not available. It's possible to travel on foot, as the town is small. If on foot, be very careful not to accidentally cross into areas quarantined by the Turkish army and/or the UN, as doing so risks arrest (they are all clearly signed). Taxis are a better (and safer) option for the independent traveller without a car. These are widely available and generally inexpensive for either point-to-point trips or local tours.

See

• The old city is surrounded by one of the best preserved Venetian fortifications in the Eastern Mediterranean. There are plenty of medieval/renaissance buildings that can be visited. Unfortunately most of them were severely damaged during the Turkish siege of the city in 1571. Many cannonballs can still be seen in the fortification walls as well as in the walls of these buildings. Especially noteworthy are the Cathedral of St. Nicholas (converted to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest and renamed Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque) and St. George of the Greeks church with its frescoes. There is plenty more to see if you stroll around the old town, where there is something of interest in almost every corner.

• The southern part of the modern city (internationally known as Varosha, Turkish: Maraş, Greek: Varosia), closed to the public by the Turkish military in 1974, was partially reopened in October 2020. You can see the now ruined area from the beach at Palm Beach Hotel or from a number of streets crisscrossing the area, eventually linking to a reopened stretch of the beach. However, be careful not to cross into the fenced zone, which includes anything beyond the sidewalks of the opened streets. If, however, you decide to tempt fate, the cordoned-off area is a surprisingly well-preserved city with libraries full of books, pots still left on stoves, and other reminders of a speedy evacuation. There is a public minibus line running across the reopened section, otherwise access is allowed on foot or by bicycle only, daily 08:00-20:00.
• There are also classical remains at the site of Salamis, to the north of Famagusta as you travel towards İskele (Gr. Trikomo).
• The Late Bronze Age city of Enkomi (Tr. Tuzla) is also worth seeing.

Do

Buy

Clothing and souvenirs

Famagusta offers a variety of shops from clothing and gifts to home stores. Most of the shops can be found along Salamis Road. Alternatively, the Old Town (inside the walls) has a number of specialised souvenir shops for those looking for handicrafts such as Cypriot lacework (namely Lefkara).

Although bargaining is not common, shoppers can get away with trying their luck with counter-offers at the smaller souvenir shops. Cypriot hospitality means that they might even give you freebies.

Food and grocery

Similar to rest of Cyprus, there are supermarkets and grocery shops selling fresh produce, vegetables, and fruit. In the city centre there are two supermarket chains offering wider selection of products to shoppers.

Eat

There is a wide variety of restaurants both in the old city as well as in the modern city. Those in the old city are mostly located around the Namık Kemal Square.

• D&B Cafe offers decent pizzas and kebabs.
• Aspava — visit if you are a kebab fan; located across the street.
• Ginko — a restaurant (in the now restored Medrese, or Ottoman religious school), offers a more varied menu.
• Monk's Inn Bistro & Bar is delightful and offer a limited but well-prepared menu including hot and cold sandwiches if you just want something lighter.

In the modern town, most restaurants and bars are located on the "Salamis Road", heading from the monument at the entrance to the city towards Salamis.

Drink

There are many bars are on Salamis Road. These bars on the main road are busy on summer nights with local people. Students take over the main bars and pubs during university term times.

In the Old Town of Famagusta, many people prefer Monk's Inn Bistro and Bar, which gets very busy especially on the weekends. On the other side of the Namık Kemal Square are Hamam Inn, which has a good view of the medieval cathedral and Es Café where you can enjoy nice chat with friends over refreshing Cypriot lemonade.

Famagusta Quayside (locally known as Palm Beach) has become very popular over the years since the restoration of the area. There are a number of cafés and restaurants to choose from offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Sleep

• Bogaz Hotel. 3-star hotel.
• La Regina Veneziana Guesthouse, Kurucesme Sok No10, 35.12376°, 33.93859°, +90 5488518218, e.ulucatumer@gmail.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Features a garden and views of the city. The guest house features family rooms. An American breakfast is available daily. 2021-12-21
• Salamis Bay Conti Resort Hotel. 5-star beachfront hotel.

Go next

• Salamis an ancient Greek town.
• St. Barnabas monastery. One of the holiest in the entire island. It exhibits a museum of icons.