- NOTE: Only able to pick up from Ayia Napa, Protaras, Kapparis and surrounding areas for this excursion
- Most days we do a morning and an afternoon trip. When making your booking, please check the start time section on the dropdown on the 'check availability' screen for the times.
Short History of Famagusta: During the medieval period (especially under the maritime republics of Genoa and Venice), Famagusta was the island's most important port city and a gateway to trade with the ports of the Levant, from where the Silk Road merchants carried their goods to Western Europe. This commercial activity turned Famagusta into a place where merchants and ship owners led lives of luxury. The belief that people's wealth could be measured by the churches they built inspired these merchants to have churches built in varying styles. These churches, which still exist, were the reason Famagusta came to be known as "the district of churches". The development of the town focused on the social lives of the wealthy and was centred upon the Lusignan palace, the Cathedral, the Square and the harbour. The old town is nicknamed "the city of 365 churches" owing to a legend that at its peak, Famagusta boasted one church for each day of the year.
Our Trip begins with a visit to the Famagusta Cultural Centre where we can view the abandoned city from just a short distance away.
A short video is then shown of the Famagusta history before the 1974 invasion and its evacuation. We then proceed by Jeep, cross to the Northern Cyprus Territory (EU ID cards or Passports must be shown at the check point) We drive along the fence which surrounds this once glamorous city, before arriving at an area of Famagusta known as the “Ghost City” where you will witness the empty hotels along the coast line. We then drive to the 'once' famed Palm Beach, which was, before the invasion, frequented by the rich and famous. Here you have a chance to walk barefoot along its beautiful golden-sandy beach in the crystal clear waters.
We then continue to the walled city of Famagusta where there will be a guided tour within the Venetian walls of Famagusta and some free time giving you the chance to maybe see the remains of the Latin Church of St George, the Greek Church of St George, Arsenal (Martinengo Bastion), Othello Castle (Venetian governor of Cyprus), St Peter and St Paul Church, St Nicolas Cathedral originally (now known as Lala Mustafa Pasa Mosque), Nestorian Church (of St George the Exiler), remains of St Francis church and the remains of the Venetian Palace before we start heading back home.
