Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos
Traveler rating
3.6/5
Based on 24 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos worth booking?
Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos is a 8.5-hour experience in Paphos, Cyprus, from $81 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.6/5 rating across 24 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 3.6/5 (24)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $81 per person
This full-day tour to the northern part of Cyprus takes you to three of the territory's most intriguing spots. You'll discover the ancient city of Salamis, the old town of Famagusta and the ‘ghost town' of Varosha. Your journey into the past starts all the way back in classical times at Salamis. You'll explore its ruined temples, the partially restored theatre and more. After free time for lunch, you'll visit Famagusta, whose old town is still protected by intact defensive walls built by the Venetians centuries ago. Your guide will show you sights such as the castle and the Gothic cathedral-turned-mosque. This once-popular beach resort lay abandoned for more than 50 years. It's a surreal experience to walk on overgrown streets of crumbling facades with rusted shutters and broken windows.
What you get
About this experience
This full-day tour to the northern part of Cyprus takes you to three of the territory's most intriguing spots. You'll discover the ancient city of Salamis, the old town of Famagusta and the ‘ghost town' of Varosha. Your journey into the past starts all the way back in classical times at Salamis. You'll explore its ruined temples, the partially restored theatre and more. After free time for lunch, you'll visit Famagusta, whose old town is still protected by intact defensive walls built by the Venetians centuries ago. Your guide will show you sights such as the castle and the Gothic cathedral-turned-mosque. This once-popular beach resort lay abandoned for more than 50 years. It's a surreal experience to walk on overgrown streets of crumbling facades with rusted shutters and broken windows.
What's included
Included
- Transport
- Admission fees
- English-speaking guide
- Full insurance cover in the northern area
Not included
- Lunch
- Extras
What you'll see and do
Salamis
You'll wander through the ruined temples and ancient theatre of the historic city of Salamis.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Visit Famagusta, whose old town is still protected by intact defensive walls built by the Venetians centuries ago.
120 minutes here
Walking tour in the ‘ghost town' of Varosha. This once-popular beach resort lay abandoned for more than 50 years.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Paphos
Paphos, Cyprus
Pick up is provided from selected hotels in Paphos town. Participants are required to contact the local service provider at least 48 hours before excursion date to confirm their exact pick up location and time.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Paphos · Paphos, Cyprus
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Destination Services Cyprus
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- You'll need your passport/ID card to cross the checkpoint into the northern part of Cyprus
- When we receive your booking we will contact you to confirm the exact pickup time and place so please check your email. If you haven´t heard from us at least 48 hours before the activity start time you should contact us
- Just so you know, because of local restrictions at Strovillia checkpoint, only passport holders from EU member states, the UK, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland can travel to and from the northern part of Cyprus.
- Please note, single parent families or those travelling without both parents need to provide extra documentation for anyone under the age of 18 when travelling into the northern part of Cyprus. This includes a 'letter of authorisation' from the missing parent, as well as supporting documents including birth certificate of the child, passport copy of the missing parent or a copy of a court order. Templates of these letters are readily available on search engines however we recommend you consult a lawyer prior to travelling on holiday
- Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 24 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
24 verified traveler reviews for Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Well worth the trip
Really good and the guide was very knowledgeable
via Tripadvisor
Salamis & Famagusta in Turkish controlled Northern Cyprus
This was a great trip to the ancient site of Salamis and the walled city of Famagusta and Varosha all in the Turkish controlled part of Cyprus. Eva our guide gave us a very moving account of her personal experiences of the 1974 invasion and Mario our driver drove us around with great care. This trip gives and insight of the events of 1974 and more recent times. We saw the ancient theatre and surrounding ruins of Salamis and had an excellent lunch in the walled city of Famagusta. We then walked around part of the "ghost city" of Varosha which was bombed in 1974 and has been completely left uninhabited. Eva gave us great historic information and I would thoroughly recommend this trip to what seems like a different country.
via Tripadvisor
Dirty Scammers
We booked through Viator many months before our trip and entered all of our information properly. I also thoroughly reviewed the booking information. No where did it say that Canadian passports would not be able to cross the checkpoint (I have since looked and seen that on other booking sites it does state that information). We got on the bus and the tour operator did not ask to see our passport and had all of our booking information properly printed (again, I clearly filled out all information with Viator at the time of booking). The tour then started driving, picking up more passengers. About 5 mins after picking up the last passengers, the tour operator came to collect passports so I handed ours to them. A few minutes later she walked back asking about nationalities and I said “Canadian”. She then made the bus turn around and drop us off at a bus stop near the last hotel. We had to pay our own way on a bus on a 10 min ride back to near our hotel. And then I tried to get a refund via Viator and they denied the refund because “the tour operator did not authorize”. So, even though all of my residency information (home address, my credit card info) would all show my residency, no one bothered to mention this to us before the tour started. The tour operator even messaged me many weeks ago to advise of our pick up time and spot, but did not mention anything. No one checked this before we got on the bus. I thoroughly read all of the Viator information and all it told me was that we had to have valid passports. I also even researched to make sure we didn’t need a Visa or something to get in to Turkey and we did not. The tour provider said, on TripAdvisor’s booking site (which I did not book through and only looked at after we got kicked off the bus) that the particular checkpoint they use only allowed certain types of EU passports through. THIS WAS NOT SHOWN ON THE VIATOR TOUR DESCRIPTION AT THE TIME I BOOKED, so I will continue to hound these scammers until my refund is fully issued. I don’t care if this comes from Viator or the tour operator. I did not screw up - one of them did.
via Viator
Eye opening tour
We were picked up from our hotel and driven in a comfortable coach . It’s a long day but well worth it. The tour guide Katerina was very knowledgeable and passionate about the places we went. For us the tour to Famagusta was an eye opener and quite emotional actually.
Response from the operator: Dear Pamela, Thank you for your very positive feedback. Your comments are very important for us to improve our services and we are glad you had a lovely experience with us and we met your travelling expectations. We appreciate your kind words for our guide and we are happy you enjoyed every part of the tour. We hope to be your choice for your future holiday destinations. Kind regards, Customer Service team
via Viator
Never book it
They did not show up. This is the first time when the company did not show up. They clams that I was on a different hotel, but my pick up is set in-front of another hotel, which is not through because they sent me a confirmation mail. Never book this company. My initial mistake was that I disregarded similar experiences described by another tourists. This is a shame if a company. Totally untrustful.
Response from the operator: Dear Krassim, Thank you for your feedback and the time you dedicated to write it. We are really sorry to hear that this service did not meet your expectations and needs. Nevertheless, your comments really matter to our local team to improve the quality's standard service by applying the appropriate corrective actions. Kind regards, Customer Service Team
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Thu, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Destination Services Cyprus, who run 21 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 50.8.
See everything Destination Services Cyprus runsWhy this scores 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Paphos.
How much does Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos cost?
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Prices start at $81 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Paphos usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos take?
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Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Paphos is not rushed.
Is Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.6/5 across 24 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Paphos, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos?
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Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Paphos can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Paphos and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Paphos within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Paphos?
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On Outty we rank every Paphos experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Blue Lagoon Cruise with Sightseeing from Latchi Harbour, Troodos Mountains Villages: All Inclusive Food & Wine Day Tour, Wave Dancer Half Day BBQ Cruise - All Inclusive. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Paphos?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Paphos?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos?
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Included: Transport; Admission fees; English-speaking guide; and Full insurance cover in the northern area. Not included: Lunch; and Extras. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 82 listed pickup locations in and around Paphos.
What languages is Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Paphos. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Famagusta City Tour with Salamis & 'Ghost Town' from Paphos?
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Across 24 reviews averaging 3.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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