Visiting Varosha in 2026: opening hours, entry, bike hire and the rules
Short answer
Part of Varosha, the abandoned resort district of Famagusta, has been open to visitors since October 2020. Entry is free. Hours follow the season, roughly 08:00 to 17:00 in winter and until 19:30 in summer. You can walk, or hire a bike or electric scooter at the entrance (paid by card). Stay on the marked routes, do not enter buildings, and do not fly drones or photograph soldiers. Bring your passport.
Varosha (Maraş in Turkish, Ammochostos in Greek) was Famagusta’s beach resort until 1974, when its residents left and the area was fenced off by the Turkish army. For 46 years it was closed to the public. Since 8 October 2020 a small part of it has been open to visitors, and it has become one of the most visited places in Cyprus.
When is Varosha open?
The opening hours follow the season. These are the hours published for 2026:
| Season | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| 1 April to 31 August | 08:00 to 19:30 |
| 1 September to 31 October | 08:00 to 18:00 |
| 1 November to 31 March | 08:00 to 17:00 |
Sources do not always agree, and the hours have changed before, so treat closing time as approximate and arrive with at least two hours to spare. In summer, go early: the streets have little shade and the asphalt gets very hot by midday.
How much does it cost to get in?
Entry is free. You pass a checkpoint at the visitor entrance, where your ID may be checked, so bring your passport or EU ID card.
You can walk, or hire a bike or electric scooter from the municipal hire points at the entrance. Hire is paid by card; in mid-2026 a rental cost about 850 Turkish lira. There are kiosks for water and snacks inside.
What are the rules inside Varosha?
- Stay on the open roads, cycle lanes and paths. Side streets behind barriers are closed.
- Do not enter or climb buildings. Many are unsafe, and entering them is forbidden.
- No drones.
- Do not photograph soldiers, guard posts or anything with a no-photography sign. Photos of the streets, hotels and beach are fine.
- Follow instructions from staff and soldiers. The area is under military control and patrolled.
What can you see?
The open area takes in some of the old resort’s main streets, lined with shuttered hotels, shops and houses left as they were in 1974, and the beach below the abandoned high-rise hotels, where many visitors swim in summer. Most people cycle a loop of the open streets and finish at the beach.
Varosha is politically sensitive. The Republic of Cyprus and the United Nations object to its reopening, and its future is part of the Cyprus negotiations. You can visit as a tourist, but be respectful: this was people’s home.
How do I get to Varosha?
- From Famagusta: the visitor entrance is about 1.6 km south-east of the walled Old Town. You cannot drive inside, so park at the entrance or take a taxi to the gate.
- From İskele, Long Beach or Bafra: about 25 to 40 minutes by car along the coast road through Famagusta.
- With a driver: Ali Taksi’s Famagusta tours pick you up at your hotel or home, drop you at Varosha, wait while you explore, then continue to Salamis and the Old Town if you want.
A good half-day plan
- Arrive at the Varosha entrance by 09:00.
- Varosha by bike or on foot, 2 to 3 hours, finishing with a swim in summer.
- Lunch inside the walls of Famagusta Old Town, then Othello Castle and the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque.
- Add the Salamis ruins, 15 minutes north of Famagusta, if you have the afternoon.
Questions riders ask
What are Varosha’s opening hours?
They change with the season. Published 2026 hours are 08:00 to 19:30 from April to August, 08:00 to 18:00 in September and October, and 08:00 to 17:00 from November to March. Last entry is earlier, so arrive at least two hours before closing.
Is there an entry fee for Varosha?
No. Entry to the open part of Varosha is free. Bike and scooter hire at the entrance is paid, by card.
Can you go inside the buildings in Varosha?
No. Visitors must stay on the marked roads and paths. Buildings, barriers and side streets are off limits, and the area is watched by soldiers and cameras.
How long do you need for Varosha?
Most people spend 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on whether they walk or cycle and whether they stop at the beach.
How far is Varosha from İskele and Long Beach?
About 25 to 30 minutes by car. The visitor entrance is about 1.6 km south-east of Famagusta’s walled Old Town.
Sources
Facts checked against these sources on the date shown above. Rules and timetables change; check before you travel.
- Cyprus FAQ: how to visit Varosha (hours and bike hire, updated October 2026)
- Varosha, Famagusta, Wikipedia (history and 2020 reopening)
- GOV.UK: Cyprus safety and security (photography near military areas)
How this guide was made: written for Ali Taksi with AI-assisted research from the sources listed. Spot something out of date? Tell Robot and Ali gets the guide fixed.