Varosha Ghost Town, Cyprus – Visiting the Abandoned City of Famagusta
Visiting Varosha in Northern Cyprus
Visiting Varosha Ghost Town in Cyprus — the long-abandoned district of Famagusta, Northern Cyprus, cut off from the world for decades — was at the very top of our Cyprus travel guide bucket list. When part of the restricted zone was opened to tourists in 2021, Varosha sightseeing quickly became one of the most popular things to do in Cyprus. Nearly 500,000 visitors explored Varosha within the first year, curious to see this famous abandoned city frozen in time.
Famagusta and Varosha – history of the abandoned city
Cyprus has a long and complex past, but for Varosha, Famagusta, Cyprus, everything changed in 1974. Before that, this seaside resort was one of the most glamorous holiday destinations in the Mediterranean. Western tourists, especially from the US and the UK, filled the luxury hotels along the coast. Casinos, international crowds and beautiful beaches made Varosha a true hotspot for celebrities and political elites.
At its peak, Varosha had around 20,000 hotel beds, more than the whole of Turkey at that time — an incredible fact that shows how important Famagusta once was on the Mediterranean tourism map.
After Cyprus gained independence from the UK in 1960, tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots continued to rise. In 1974, a coup attempt led to the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus. Tourists were evacuated from hotels within hours, and residents were forced to leave their homes. Soon after, the entire district was sealed off, turning Varosha into what is now known as the Ghost Town of Cyprus.
In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared, recognized internationally only by Turkey. To this day, the island remains divided by the Green Line in Cyprus, a UN-controlled buffer zone monitored by peacekeeping forces.
How to visit Varosha today – practical travel tips
Today, visiting Varosha in Northern Cyprus is possible thanks to the partial reopening of the area in July 2021. A year earlier, even the famous Varosha beach in Famagusta was reopened, allowing tourists to swim next to abandoned hotels and empty promenades.
We chose to explore Varosha as part of an organized tour in Northern Cyprus. Crossing the Green Line buffer zone, our passports were checked, especially on the Turkish Cypriot side, where visitor stays are carefully recorded. Although it doesn’t feel like a typical international border, it is still an important checkpoint when traveling between South and North Cyprus.
Once inside, the contrast is striking. Collapsing balconies, rusted signs, shattered windows — this abandoned city in Cyprus feels like a real-life movie set. We walked toward the former resort area near the old Anorthosis Famagusta stadium, another silent witness of the city’s sudden evacuation.
Rules for Varosha sightseeing and first impressions
Before starting our walk, our guide explained the basic Varosha sightseeing rules:
no photographing military buildings, no entering restricted structures, and no leaving the marked walking paths. Police officers are stationed along the route, keeping tourists within the safe zones of the former resort.
Authorities have added new asphalt roads, solar-powered streetlights and trimmed greenery. Still, even with these improvements, Varosha remains deeply haunting. It is impossible to forget that this was once a lively holiday paradise, now transformed into a ghost city in Northern Cyprus.
At the entrance, visitors can rent scooters or take short electric cart tours, but walking allows you to truly experience the atmosphere of this abandoned district of Famagusta.
What happened to the former residents of Varosha?
When Varosha was closed, around 40,000 residents of Famagusta were displaced. They did not receive compensation for their lost homes and businesses, as that would have required payment from Turkey. Instead, they were relocated to South Cyprus, where they received government assistance for housing and land.
Legally, the original residents are still the property owners in Varosha, according to international resolutions. However, they are still not allowed to return, which remains one of the biggest political disputes connected to the future of the Varosha Ghost Town.
New residents in Northern Cyprus
While Varosha itself remained sealed, surrounding areas in Northern Cyprus were repopulated. People were brought from Turkey, including prisoners with minor sentences and homeless individuals. They were given homes, but little employment and almost no farming experience.
Food shortages, unemployment and crime quickly followed. Over time, stronger political control was introduced, leading to the formal establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This political isolation still affects daily life, including sports competitions, international travel and recognition of university diplomas.
Celebrities and famous visitors of Varosha
It may be hard to imagine today, but Varosha was once full of celebrities. Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Richard Burton and Paul Newman all visited this glamorous resort in Famagusta. Paul Newman even owned property here, which, like the others, was abandoned after 1974.
Music fans may be surprised to learn that ABBA performed their first informal concert in Varosha, playing for UN peacekeepers before becoming global superstars. And yes — there is even a local legend that Elvis Presley is secretly living in one of the abandoned hotels. Sadly, we didn’t meet him during our visit 😉
What is the future of Varosha, Cyprus?
Today, redevelopment plans for Varosha in Northern Cyprus are highly controversial. Turkey supports reopening and rebuilding the area, while the government of South Cyprus insists that only the original owners have the legal right to return first. With UN involvement and growing international attention, the future of Varosha remains uncertain.
It is about 50 years since Varosha became an abandoned city, locked behind fences and political conflict. Recent political developments suggest that this famous ghost town in Cyprus may soon return to global headlines.
If you are looking for unique and meaningful things to do in Cyprus, visiting Varosha in Famagusta is a powerful experience — a place that tells the story of conflict, loss and unresolved history, just a few steps away from beautiful Mediterranean beaches.
