3 days ago
7
The streets are now completely empty and many buildings continue to crumble behind barbed wire.
The area was once packed with luxury hotels, sunbathers and celebrities (Image: Getty)
A once-glamorous holiday hotspot in Cyprus is now being described as one of the “world’s scariest” abandoned places. The area, known as Varosha, was once packed with luxury hotels, sunbathers and celebrities. Today, it looks completely frozen in time, with empty towers, cracked streets and a coastline that has been left to rot for nearly 50 years.
Before 1974, Varosha was one of the Mediterranean’s most famous beach resorts. Tourists flocked to its long sandy shoreline, modern high-rise hotels and busy nightlife. Stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, were known to stay there, and local businesses thrived as visitors arrived from all over Europe. Many expected the growth to continue for decades.
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 forced residents and holidaymakers to flee (Image: Getty)
But everything changed almost overnight. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 forced residents and holidaymakers to flee.
The district was immediately fenced off and placed under military control. Homes, shops and hotel rooms were left exactly as they were, with belongings still inside. Residents were never allowed to return, and Varosha remained sealed for decades.
And it is that emptiness and untouched decay that have earned it a reputation as one of the most haunting ghost towns in the world.
The streets are now completely empty and many buildings continue to crumble behind barbed wire.
Nature has slowly taken over, adding to the eerie atmosphere that shocks many visitors.
Homes, shops and hotel rooms were left exactly as they were (Image: Getty)
The streets are now completely empty and many buildings continue to crumble (Image: Getty)
Parts of Varosha have recently reopened under restricted access, allowing tourists to walk or cycle through certain areas.
Travellers often describe the visit as unsettling because everything looks frozen from the day people left.
On TripAdvisor, one visitor wrote: “The most surreal experience. It’s hard to rate because of the history, destruction and emptiness. You walk through streets that look like time just stopped.”
Another person said: “It must be the world’s scariest ghost town. To visit, you have to cross into Northern Cyprus and show your passport.
"Once inside, you can walk around for an hour or two. The buildings are crumbling and abandoned. It feels very strange to see a whole resort left like this.”
Parts of Varosha have recently reopened under restricted access, including the beach (Image: Getty)
A third reviewer described Varosha as “a must visit if you are in Cyprus. You can stroll or bike around the old streets. It’s a time capsule of what was once the most glamorous spot in the country.”
A fourth added: “Very sad to see it from the beach. You look at the empty hotels and think about the people who had to leave everything behind. It’s a powerful reminder of the conflict.”
The day's biggest headlines in UK and World news Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Today, many areas are still fenced off and guarded, and most buildings cannot be entered.
Visitors usually reach the ghost town by crossing into Northern Cyprus via a checkpoint before walking or cycling through the designated paths.
English (US) · 