The 9 Best North Cyprus Day Trips

1.Ghost-Town Famagusta Mini Bus Tour from Protaras and Ayia Napa

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 298 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60Our pick

Travel from Protaras or Ayia Napa with a guide such as George, Athos, or Olga to see Famagusta from Derynia, cross the border, walk Varosha’s deserted streets, and explore the walled old city. The 4.5-hour trip includes hotel pickup, binoculars, transport, and free time, but you must bring your passport.

“An extremely interesting and informative tour, brought to life by our excellent guide Atos. His in-depth knowledge gave us a perfect insight into and understanding of the history of the area.”

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2.Full-day Famagusta: Lost Cities & Coastal Secrets from Paphos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 274 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $82

Spend about 11 hours crossing from Paphos into North Cyprus with a licensed guide. Visit ancient Salamis, walk Famagusta’s medieval center, and see Varosha, the resort abandoned in 1974. Pickup, transport, guide services, and entrance fees are included. Bring your passport or eligible European ID, water, and patience for a long day.

“A long day but very interesting. Could have been longer at the ghost town didn't manage to see all of it”

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3.Green Line and Buffer Zone Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $83Top rated

Join Eleni Ellinas for a small-group walk through Nicosia’s divided old city. See Famagusta Gate, the Venetian walls, Ledra Palace, abandoned buildings, military barriers, and the Green Line. The walk usually includes a coffee or tea stop and may cross into northern Nicosia, depending on the group and arrangements.

“Great insight to a complicated situation and we left with much greater understanding of this divided capital. Eleni was excellent, informative, charming and considerate of heat with stops for her visitors. We really enjoyed it.”

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4.NORTHERN CYPRUS ALL-IN-ONE Private Day Trip from Nicosia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 9 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $216

Spend 9 to 10 hours crossing from Nicosia into Northern Cyprus with a private guide such as Sedat, Sebnem, Cemal, or Ozgur. You’ll visit ancient Salamis, Famagusta, Varosha, Kyrenia, Bellapais, and North Nicosia, with transport, lunch, drinks, and entrance fees included.

“This trip was a great time, very hot! Chemal was very nice! I would recommend booking this trip if you are in Cyprus.”

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5.Red Bus Varosha experience in English from Ayia Napa, Protaras

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 88 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $45Best value

Travel from Ayia Napa or Protaras to Varosha in Famagusta on an English-language red bus tour. Guide Hayley has led many departures, with drivers including Clive, John, Paul, and Gary. You get about two hours to walk the abandoned streets, hire a bike or scooter, and take a swim break before returning.

“Great time on the top deck of this bus, it’s very windy! Our guide Hayley was so knowledgeable & kept informing us about the areas we drove through. It did take an hour & half to drive from Ayia Napa to Varosha picking people up on the way. Once there we had nearly 2hrs to look around which you need. There is a lot of walking but you can hire bikes, scooters etc. There are plenty of toilets & your given a map which explains everything. Big thanks to John too our driver for such an enjoyable & informative day. Well worth the visit.”

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6.Lefkara & Nicosia’s Divided Past & Present from Paphos

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 80 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72

Travel from Paphos to Lefkara and Nicosia by air-conditioned coach. Visit lace workshops, see St John’s Cathedral and Old Town landmarks, then cross the Ledra Street checkpoint into Northern Nicosia for Büyük Han. Guides such as Sophia and Maria provide live commentary. Bring your passport and comfortable walking shoes.

“It was a long journey but one not to be missed. To see the city and culture, both on the Greek Cypriot side and the Turkish Cypriot side, was amazing, and on top of that able to see the mountains on the Turkish side from a high point was good. And, visiting the Venetian walls and church was an added bonus. Once again, thanks to Sophia and Adam.”

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7.Day Tour to Famagusta, Ghost Town & Ancient Salamis

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $66

Travel from Paphos to ancient Salamis, Famagusta, and Varosha on an 11 to 12-hour guided day trip. Guide Eva brings Cyprus history to life with personal memories of the 1974 conflict. Expect passport checks, a long coach ride, a short coffee stop, free time for lunch, and a moving walk near the abandoned resort of Varosha.

“Our guide Eva was very informative and knowledgeable, whilst also giving us her own personal account of what happened when the Turkish invaded. Thank you Eva for making this trip so memorable.”

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8.Divided Capital NICOSIA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Spend about three hours walking through divided Nicosia with a private English-speaking guide, often including Sirin. See Ottoman, Venetian, Gothic, Greek Cypriot, and Turkish Cypriot landmarks, cross between north and south at Ledra Street, and pause for Cypriot coffee or borek. The price covers up to four people.

“While I was sadly unable to attend due to a (very) last minute work conflict, I’m posting a 5 star review here because I really think the staff has earned one, given how accommodating and understanding they were. Even though my guide lost a significant amount of time while she waited for me to find out whether or not I could attend, she was incredibly gracious and we’ve arranged to take this overdue tour whenever I return to Cyprus! I was really impressed by the professionalism and kindness of my guide and I’m confident anyone who books through this company will have a great experience—even if, like me, it the…”

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9.From Paphos to Divided Nicosia (North Cyprus walk in) and Larnaca

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 10 reviews · from $74

Leave Paphos by air-conditioned vehicle for Hala Sultan Tekke, Larnaca Salt Lake, and the Church of St. Lazarus. In Nicosia, walk through the old city, cross the Green Line, and enjoy free time in Northern Cyprus. Hotel pickup and an experienced guide are included, but vehicle space can vary.

“Absolute terrible experience , packed into a small long wheel base Ford transit mini bus , needing to be updated 14 people , packed no room to move or sit comfortable throughout the whole experience . Back end of the bus you felt everRead more”

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