Excursion to Famagusta – the Walled City and the Ghost Town – 10 January

Salonica View organizes an excursion to Famagusta, including the walled city and the ghost town.

A few words about our excursion:

Our excursion will start from Nicosia, with a boarding stop at Pascal in Larnaca, and then we will head towards the Pergamos checkpoint via Pyla.
We will pass through our occupied villages, Prastio Pyrga, Styloi and Enkomi, until we reach the medieval, enclosed city of Famagusta.

We will walk through the “ghost town”. Inside the walled city, we will have the opportunity to see the Church of Saint Nicholas, the Venetian walls and palaces, and the Othello Tower, known from Shakespeare’s play of the same name.
Afterwards, there will be free time for rest. From Famagusta, we will take the road leading back to Nicosia and the free areas.

A few words about Famagusta:

Famagusta is located in the eastern part of Cyprus, on the bay that bears its name. Ancient Famagusta was known as Salamis. It was later renamed Arsinoe and Constantia.
The Greek Cypriot inhabitants were displaced in 1974 by the Turkish army and today live in cities and villages in the free areas of Cyprus.

The city has been known by the name Famagusta, which literally means “the city buried in sand”, since the 4th century AD. Indeed, Famagusta was a world-famous tourist resort between 1960 and 1974, due to its golden sandy beach.
Before the Turkish invasion, the city of Famagusta had approximately 40,000 inhabitants and was the third largest city on the island. Until 14 August 1974, the port of Famagusta was the main port of Cyprus, and tourism was the sector in which the city stood out. It is characteristic that out of approximately 100 hotels operating on the island at the time, 45 were located in Famagusta.

Points of Historical Interest:

Cathedral of Saint Nicholas:
A cathedral that impresses with its grandeur. It was built according to French architectural standards, and it was here that the Kings of Jerusalem and the Frankish Kings of Cyprus were crowned. Originally, it featured frescoes and sculptural decoration, which were destroyed by the Ottomans when, after the conquest of Cyprus in 1571, it was converted into a mosque.

Othello Tower:
Part of the fortifications of the Castle of Famagusta. It is a square structure with four towers at its corners and a separate moat from the rest of the castle. During the Frankish period, one end of the chain that closed the entrance to the city’s inner harbor was fastened there.
Its name comes from Shakespeare’s play Othello, which is believed to be set there, although the author himself simply refers to a city in Cyprus. According to the play, Othello was the Venetian governor of Famagusta.

Venetian Walls
Lusignan Palace
Lyceum of Greek Women of Famagusta

Participation Cost (per person):

€25 per person

*** Payment will be made on the bus

The price includes:

Escort and organization

Transportation by bus

You must bring with you:

1. Valid ID card or passport (required for crossing the checkpoint)***
   
2. Personal belongings
3. Snacks
4. Water

Note 1:When making your booking, please state in the message where you will board the bus.

Note 2:For the smooth operation of the event and for safety reasons, participants must comply with the instructions of the escorts.

Note 3:In case of cancellation of the event due to adverse weather conditions, the excursion will be transferred to another date. Participants who cannot attend on the new date will receive a refund. If weather conditions still do not allow the event to take place, the event will be permanently cancelled and all participants will receive a full refund.

Note 4:Photographic material is shared on our page and on social media after each event. By participating in a Salonica View event, you accept the sharing of photos. Otherwise, please inform us accordingly.

Note 5 – Cancellation Policy:In case of cancellation less than 48 hours before the event or non-attendance at the activity/excursion, participants will be required to cover the full participation cost. This policy applies to cover operational expenses and reservations already made.

Note 6:The escorts reserve the right to adjust the stops of the excursion and the program according to the available time, without omitting important points of interest.

BOOKING:

ΕΔΩ/ΗΕRE

After completing your booking, 6–7 days before the excursion, we will contact you to confirm your details and participation.

INFORMATION REGARDING ALL OUR EXCURSIONS:

Four days before the excursion, usually on Wednesday, an official update will be sent to all participants regarding whether the excursion will take place.

Confirmation depends on:

1. completion of the required minimum number of participants,
2. weather conditions,
3. and other organizational factors.