Before 1974, Famagusta (Magusa for the Turks, Ammochostos for the Greeks), was the best known name in Cyprus, thanks to its deep-water harbour, its well-sheltered marina and the hotels lining the beach. Since then Famagusta is part of Turkish Cyprus and the new town has slowly fallen into ruin...

Before 1974, Famagusta (Magusa for the Turks, Ammochostos for the Greeks), was the best known name in Cyprus, thanks to its deep-water harbour, its well-sheltered marina and the hotels lining the beach. Since then Famagusta is part of Turkish Cyprus and the new town has slowly fallen into ruin with the city growing towards north. Its major touristic facilities pre-1974 remain in the cordoned off new town with its hotels fell into disrepair. Post 1974, Famagusta developed itself as as a university city with some 15,000 students making it a very youthful and outward looking place.

Famagusta has a very rich history, maybe the richest in all of Cyprus. It began as a small fishermen's harbour, but during the de Lusignan period it became the island's main port-of-call, with hundreds of ships anchoring there on their way to Europe or to the Holy Land.

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