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Can you imagine if Cancun turned out the lights for 50 years?!
That’s what happened to a popular Mediterranean resort in its heyday. It’s true.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past century, you’re probably aware of some destinations that you can’t easily visit.
Think of North Korea, among others, but did you know that there is a former thriving holiday destination that is completely closed to the public?
In 1974, Varosha of Northern Cyprus was invaded by Turkish forces, causing both locals and beachgoers to flee.
No one could have predicted that the once bustling seaside resort with pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife and chic resorts would be off-limits for half a century.
That’s why it’s big news to report Varosha opens again after a decades-long hiatus, because situations like this simply don’t happen.
Not your average ghost town
Popular vacation destinations making a comeback are not unheard of. Just look at iconic Acapulco.
That said, 50 years of inaction raises a lot of questions that we’ll get answers to – don’t worry.
But first and foremost, Cyprus has put itself high on travelers’ radar in recent years, but some may not know that there are two sides to this beautiful island.
Cyprus itself is open with welcoming arms to the public.
However, there is another side to the beautiful resorts of Paphos. The northeastern side is recognized by Turkey as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
However, the UN considers it a territory of the Republic of Cyprus under Turkish occupation.
This is where things have gotten tricky, and it looks like they will continue to do so in the future, even after the reopening.
The United Nations has been involved to that extent and you know the saying: “three is a crowd”.
The capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, is the last European capital to be walled. That speaks volumes about the whole situation and it doesn’t seem like it will change.
No soft opening
Northern Cyprus is running at full speed.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Unal Ustel stated: “They told us not to reopen Varosha. [but] we opened it… After the elections we will continue to reopen the whole city.“
Ummm… is there a magic switch that just skips 50 years to the present? No, there certainly isn’t.
You would think that certain parts would be opened incrementally. You know, like a restaurateur opening a restaurant for the first time to knock out the relatives before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
But this is a much larger scale and raises the question of the safety of such an undertaking.
Asbestos anyone?
Although apples and oranges in comparison, Chernobyl might come closest. Yes, I know – completely different reasons for being disconnected.
But like Chernobyl, Varosha is a ‘dark tourism‘ hotspot for tours of dilapidated buildings reclaimed by nature and neglected infrastructure languishing in a city abruptly abandoned.
Is Varosha ready for tourists?
At the moment, a majority of tourists are Turkish. This makes sense considering that Northern Cyprus hasn’t exactly laid out a welcome mat for the outside world in fifty years.
Stepping into a spooky yet beautiful ghost town comes with a lot of questions.
Safety first and making sure it’s ready for tourists.
Well, the whole city is definitely not ready. However, reports point to it $10 billion There is money available for a huge makeover of the city.
That’s a start, right? With hopes of becoming the ‘Las Vegas of the Mediterranean’, there is still a long way to go.
You might even find it more like the ‘Cuba of the Mediterranean’. Classic cars from the 1970s are still offered for sale as if time has stood still.
If you were to visit now you would see 4,649 houses, 3,000 shops, 105 hotels, 3,000 shops, 99 entertainment venues, 24 theaters and 21 banks, which sounds great.
The problem is, they are all empty! Varosha may be in the early stages of an epic comeback, but it’s still far from ready for the dreamy Mediterranean we all envision.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a Chernobyl-like experience, you’re not alone.
Varosha saw it more than 1.8 million visitors since 2020 exclusively for guided tours, which can be booked here for $38 from Famagusta.
So, would you visit Varosha now? It’s a complex question with no simple answer. If you are looking for a traditional beach holiday then this is not the place for you.
But if you’re intrigued by history, abandoned places and the complexities of political conflict, Varosha offers a unique and thought-provoking experience.
Just be prepared for a glimpse of a city frozen in time and slowly awakening from its slumber.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
