Ayia Napa is in the South and you don’t need to cross the border to visit. The city of Famagusta is in the occupied territories and yes, you do need to cross the checkpoint to go there. Same thing for the Ghost Town of Varosha.
Famagusta explained
Famagusta or Ammochostos (in Greek) or Gazimağusa (in Turkish) is a district in Cyprus. And since the 1974 invasion of the island, this district is divided:
📍the city of Famagusta (Gazimağusa in Turkish)
📍 and Varosha (Maraş in Turkish) – what we know today as The Ghost Town –
👉 both are situated on the occupied territories known as Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
📍 Then we have Ayia Napa and Protaras, part of the Republic of Cyprus.
If you land in Larnaca or Paphos, you don’t have to cross any check point to go to Ayia Napa and Protaras. You just take your rental or go in your bus and you just enjoy the ride to your accommodation.
🚩 Varosha, the ghost town from Cyprus
Ayia Napa & Protaras
Both Ayia Napa and Protaras resorts are in Famagusta District. Part of Republic of Cyprus.
And before 1974 in this area you could find only fields cultivated with vegetables and fisherman’s small harbors.
All the tourism was happening in Famagusta city, in Varosha.
Only in the early 1980’s they started to build hotels and to develop a tourist area. By 1990’s the area was changing its appearance and more hotels were build on the fields used before for agriculture.
So, when you say Famagusta, you say both Ayia Napa and Varosha. But remember, only for the second one you need to cross the checking point to visit.
🚩 How to get to Varosha on your own. Practical guide
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