Enter the border through Strovilia (Vrysoulles) checkpoint. Passports required.

Visit the beautiful coastal town of Famagusta and other important sites such as ancient city kingdom of Salamis and St Barnabas which are nearby.  Also passby part of Varosha, known as the “Ghost Town” and will have a chance for an optional swim in the crystal-clear blue waters of the beautiful golden sand beach of Famagusta.

The first stop is the Monastery of Saint Barnabas, founder of the Cypriot Orthodox Church. There you can also visit the Icon Museum of the monastery and the tomb of Saint Barnabas who martyred in the area in 52AD. Our trip continues with a visit to the ancient Greek city-kingdom of Salamis, founded around 1100 BC. Time will be given for a guided tour around the archaeological site of Salamis, which includes a beautiful ancient Greek theatre and marble columns, Roman Baths and a Gymnasium. Then continue to Famagusta Old Town Center, where free time will be given for lunch (optional extra) and sightseeing. During your free time there, we highly recommend a walk around the Venetian Walls that surround the old part of the town and a view the Gothic Church of Saint Nicolas, now a mosque (currently closed for restoration) may view from outside, and see Othello tower, which is mentioned by William Shakespeare in his play “Othello” (optional extra).

Free time at the “Golden Beach” of Famagusta for optional swimming and short drive to Varosha Ghost town to view from the bus taking in the eerie sight of the abandoned buildings which have been desolate since the Turkish invasion in 1974.  The coach will drive-through the abandoned “Ghost Town” that opened for the public for the first time in 2020. Once one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, this area now remains abandoned and trapped in a time-lock.

Notes:

The visits of Salamis and St Barnabas have entrance fees. May decide on the day of the excursion if you want to visit these sights. For those that do not wish to visit these two places, will be dropped of in Famagusta Old Town Center for approximately 2 hours free time.

Guiding at the archaeological site of Salamis (approx. 40 mins) and guiding at Saint Barnabas church and tomb (approx. 30 mins). The entrance fees for both places (€6 total for adults / free for children up to 12 years old) are not included in the excursion price.  The entrance fees are payable on the day of the excursion. The entrance fees can be paid only in cash in euro on the day – no credit cards!

 Free time in Famagusta Old Town Center for sightseeing and lunch (lunch is an optional extra not included in the price)

If visiting Salamis and Saint Barnabas, there will be approx. 2 hours free time in Famagusta Old Town Center.
If not visiting Salamis and Saint Barnabas, will have approx. 4 hours free time in Famagusta Old Town Center.

Exit the checkpoint through Derynia. 

Estimated return in Larnaca around 16.30

May bring swimwear and towels if deciding to swim at the “Golden Beach”!

Important Note: 

Must have passports or EU National Identity (ID) Cards with you on this tour! Only the citizens of European Union Countries are allowed to use their National Identity (ID) Cards to cross the checkpoint. All other nationalities must use their Passports for crossing. Only original documents can be used for crossing. Photocopies of the original documents, or other forms of identification (e.g., driving licenses, temporary residence permits, etc.) cannot be used for crossing.

Nationals unable to cross the checkpoint:
 Indian, Armenian, Syrian, Nigerian, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lankan and Philippine citizens cannot join this excursion, unless a special visa is pre-arranged.

For this excursion, clients staying in Larnaca area are transferred to the excursion bus near Ayia Napa with a mini bus or with the local bus service, free of charge. Same for return.

Every Wednesday & Sunday

From €38 per person. Child €18. Seat in a coach tour with other English-speaking guests.

Cost includes:

– pick up from your hotel in Larnaca, Protaras or Ayia Napa

– guide (English speaking)

– professional driver

– air conditioned coach or minibus

– infants under 2 years free

Not Included:

– Entrance fees to sights

– lunches or drinks

– Tips to driver

Notes:

Monastery and Church visits require modest dress, no shorts or sleeveless shirts. You must bring your Passport with you on this tour

To Book:

If you would like to proceed with a booking, please go to the home page and click on “payments” to complete the details on the form and make payment via the secure site. Booking reference for this tour is LETFS. You will then be notified by email of your pick-up time according to your location in Larnaca, Protaras or Ayia Napa

Note: 

Above tour is shared Cyprus tour with other English speakers. 

There are also Cyprus private tours which are guided either for individuals or Cyprus small group tours