Famagusta Old Town, Ghost Town and Beach Day Trip from Ayia Napa

The Red Villages

The day begins with a scenic drive through the Red Villages, known in Greek as Kokkinochoria, a group of farming villages in the Famagusta district between Ayia Napa and the border. They take their name from the deep red soil that colours the fields, famous across Cyprus for growing potatoes and vegetables, and dotted with old windmills once used to pump water for irrigation.

Riding on the upper deck of the open-top bus gives you wide views over the fields, churches and village squares as your guide explains the agricultural life of the region. On the return journey the route follows the buffer zone, the line that has divided the island since 1974, and the guide adds historical background that brings the day to a thoughtful close.

Famagusta Old Town and the Venetian walls

Famagusta's Old Town is enclosed by some of the most impressive Venetian fortifications in the Mediterranean: thick stone walls with bastions and a deep moat, strengthened by the Venetians in the late fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In 1570 and 1571 they withstood a long Ottoman siege before the city finally fell, a story you can still read in the scarred stones.

By the old harbour stands the Citadel, known as Othello's Tower, built in the fourteenth century and remodelled by the Venetians, who placed the winged lion of Saint Mark above its gate. You have about an hour and a half of free time here; entrance fees to the archaeological sites are not included. Wander the stone streets, browse local shops and cafés, and enjoy Turkish Cypriot food, with halal options easy to find.

Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque and the Venetian Palace

At the heart of the walled city rises the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, originally the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, built in the early fourteenth century in a French Gothic style. The Lusignan kings of Cyprus were once crowned here as kings of Jerusalem. After 1571 it became a mosque, and a slender minaret was added beside its great west front with its tall pointed windows.

Opposite the mosque are the ruins of the Venetian Palace, the former residence of the city's governors, with a few arches and columns still standing around a quiet courtyard. Together they form the main square of Famagusta, shaded by an old tree and lined with cafés. To enter the mosque, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered and remove your shoes.

Varosha, the ghost town

Just south of the walled city lies Varosha, in the early 1970s one of the most glamorous holiday resorts in the Mediterranean, with high-rise hotels, busy shopping streets and a long sandy beach. In 1974 its residents left and the district was fenced off, remaining empty and untouched for decades; since 2020 part of it has been open to visitors.

On this guided visit you walk or ride through streets of deserted hotels, shops and houses, with cars and signs left as they were, while your guide explains the area's unique and emotional history. It is a powerful place to photograph and reflect. Many travellers searching for a Varosha ghost town tour say it is the most memorable part of a Famagusta day trip.

Famagusta beach

After the guided visit you choose how to spend about two hours of free time: go back for a closer look at the ghost town, or relax on the beautiful golden beach of Famagusta, which stretches beside Varosha with soft sand and calm, clear water. It is a perfect spot to swim, have lunch and enjoy a coffee in the sun.

For a different view, you can choose an optional speedboat trip along the Varosha coastline, seeing the empty hotels from the sea. Bring swimwear and a towel for the beach. Lunch is not included, but meal vouchers are available at extra cost. The best time for this trip is from late spring to autumn, when the sea is warm.