Varosha Welcomes Over 2 Million Tourists

The closed city of Varosha has seen a surge in visitors, surpassing the two-million mark. The milestone was reached last Friday, August 2.

The two millionth visitors were a Turkish family of three – Mihrican, Aycan, and Tuna Özcan. They were greeted at the entrance by TRNC President Ersin Tatar, Security Forces Commander Osman Aytaç, and Famagusta Mayor Süleyman Uluçay.

Before the tour began, President Tatar explained the significance of Varosha, a ghost town abandoned since 1974 and reopened to visitors in October 2020 with support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

President Tatar highlighted the 453-year presence of Turkish Cypriots on the island and pointed out the historical artifacts from the Ottoman Empire found in Varosha.

“Eighty thousand martyrs died during the conquest of Cyprus. This is truly our homeland, our ancestral land. Varosha is an ancient and significant territory belonging to the Turkish Cypriots,” he stated.

President Tatar congratulated the two millionth family and welcomed them warmly.

Here’s how to visit Varosha.