Your stay — Anthea
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The Property — Anthea
The Anthea is a functional, no-fuss 3-star hotel on the edge of Famagusta’s modern city centre, a short walk from the long, sandy Palm Beach. The lobby feels like a clean, quiet municipal lounge—tiled floors, a small reception desk, and a few sofas. It serves pragmatic travellers who need a reliable base to explore the walled city and the coast, not those after character or resort-style amenities.
Chronicles of Famagusta
Famagusta was founded in antiquity as Arsinoe, but grew rich under Lusignan and Venetian rule as a key Mediterranean trading port, surrounded by its iconic star-shaped walls. The 1571 Ottoman conquest and later British colonial administration left layers of mosques, Gothic cathedrals converted to mosques, and colonial villas. The 1974 Turkish invasion partitioned the city, leaving the southern district of Varosha a fenced-off ghost town until its partial reopening in 2020. Today, the walled old town remains a living museum of Venetian and Ottoman architecture, while the modern city buzzes with Turkish Cypriot shops, restaurants, and a busy university.
Best Time to Visit
Full Famagusta guide →Best months
April to June and October: warm sunshine (25-30°C), low humidity, and far fewer tourists than July-August. Sea temperatures are pleasant by late May.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: temperatures routinely hit 35°C+, beaches and old town are packed, and hotel prices across Famagusta rise 40-60% above shoulder-season rates. No major festivals, but the summer holiday traffic from Turkey and Northern Cyprus peaks.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer rain risks but big discounts: hotels 30-50% cheaper, temperatures 18-25°C, and empty streets. October is the sweet spot—still swimming weather, minimal crowds.
Weather & packing
July is dry and scorching, often with a stiff sea breeze from the south. Pack light cotton or linen clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sturdy sandals for dusty old-town streets, and a light jacket for chilly evenings.
Live City Briefing — Famagusta
- Restoration work on the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (formerly St Nicholas Cathedral) continues in 2026, so expect scaffolding and limited access to the nave.
- The Varosha beachfront re-opened in 2024; visitors can walk the southern section but photography is still restricted in parts.
- New bus route 12 now connects the hotel area directly to the old town gate every 30 minutes, reducing reliance on taxis.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Anthea, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the courtyard (rear of building). These floors sit above typical street-level noise but below any potential roof-level activity, and the courtyard orientation cuts out traffic from the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level, near reception and any passing vehicles) and any rooms directly overlooking the front street — the address on a main road in Famagusta means early morning delivery vans and evening pedestrian noise.
Best views
Courtyard-side rooms on floors 2-3 offer a quieter outlook. Front-facing rooms would give a view over the street but with traffic noise; no sea view from this address unless the hotel has an upper floor that overlooks rooftops.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3. The lift shaft seems to serve all floors, but mid-level floors buffer sound better than top or bottom because they aren't adjacent to the street or roof.
🔊 Noise notes
Famagusta's main road carries local buses, taxis and mopeds until late evening. The hotel's entrance leads directly onto this street, so rooms at the front pick up engine idling and chatter from nearby cafés. Check-in desk is ground floor — expect some luggage and bell sounds during daytime.
Insider tips
1) If you're driving, ask the receptionist for the free on-street parking area behind the hotel — it's quieter than the front and saves a few euros. 2) Request a 'courtyard room' when booking (not a 'front street view') — no extra charge but they often allocate the quieter room at check-in if you've asked in advance.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Anthea
Free basic 10 Mbps for all guests; no login, just accept terms on browser
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital PressReader access (65 titles); no printed papers—hotel uses a 1960s open-plan lobby with terrazzo floors and original stair rail
Check-in 14:00–00:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00; late check-out fee €30 until 14:00
Free in locked room behind reception; no charge but no door code given
Wheelchair-accessible entrance at ground level; no lift to pool area (three steps); bathroom doorways 70 cm wide
On-site free parking for 12 cars (first come, first served); nearest public car park at Lala Mustafa Pasa Street (€8/night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidentals hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Panagia (351 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Church of St. George (822 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: St. Anna's Church (945 m · ~12 min walk)
- Synagogue: Chabad Ayia Napa (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Napa Shoping Center — 926 m · ~12 min walk
Πάρκο Παραλίας Μάντη — 821 m · ~10 min walk
Δημοτικό Μουσείο Thalassa — 92 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Euronet — 166 m · ~2 min walk
Petinos Pharmacy — 194 m · ~2 min walk
P.I. Iacovou — 89 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Banks and exchange offices in the city centre offer better rates than the airport or tourist spots; avoid bureaux with no displayed rates.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in most shops and restaurants; contactless is common, but small cafes and markets prefer cash.
Restaurants: 5-10% if service not included; taxis: round up; hotel staff: small change for porters, not expected but appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple Greek/Turkish coffee at a local cafe around €2-3.
A kebab or pita wrap from a takeaway shop costs about €5-7.
A main course like grilled meat or meze at a taverna runs roughly €10-15.
Along the harbour and main streets, food stalls and small bakeries sell souvlaki, halloumi wraps, and pastries for quick, cheap eats.
Common budget supermarkets include Metro, AlfaMega, and Lidl.
Affordable chain stores like Debenhams and local markets in the old town offer basic clothing at reasonable prices.
Local buses cost around €1.50-2 per ride; from Larnaca airport, a shuttle bus to Famagusta costs about €10-15, or a cheaper route via Nicosia.
Eat at 'kebab houses' or bakeries rather than tourist-fronted restaurants; buy water and snacks from supermarkets not hotel minibars; walk or use local buses instead of taxis.
Emergency Contacts
FamagustaFor all emergencies, dial 112 (EU standard). For non-urgent police in Famagusta, use +90 392 630 5000. Note that the Republic of Cyprus area code 357 does not cover North Cyprus, where Famagusta (Gazimağusa) is located.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Famagusta, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Anthea
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Euronet — 166 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Petinos Pharmacy — 194 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Famagusta Bus Station → Marelia Hotel, Famagusta
💡 Buy a rechargeable transit card (Magusa Kart) at the bus station for 50% off single fares. The Marelia is on the Salamis Road, a short walk from the stop.
Larnaca Airport (LCA) → Marelia Hotel, Famagusta
💡 Pre-book with a local company like Cyprus Taxi or Electra. Street taxis at the airport often charge €60+.
Larnaca Airport → Marelia Hotel
💡 The Marelia can arrange a private transfer for about €25 more than a taxi. Better for groups or late arrivals—they’ll wait at Arrivals with your name.
Larnaca Airport Bus Stop → Famagusta Bus Station
💡 Get off at the 'Marelia Hotel' stop on the main road (Ismet Inonu), not the bus station. Bus 706 stops right outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Anthea?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the courtyard (rear of building). These floors sit above typical street-level noise but below any potential roof-level activity, and the courtyard orientation cuts out traffic from the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Anthea?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level, near reception and any passing vehicles) and any rooms directly overlooking the front street — the address on a main road in Famagusta means early morning delivery vans and evening pedestrian noise.
Is Anthea noisy?
Famagusta's main road carries local buses, taxis and mopeds until late evening. The hotel's entrance leads directly onto this street, so rooms at the front pick up engine idling and chatter from nearby cafés. Check-in desk is ground floor — expect some luggage and bell sounds during daytime.
Which rooms have the best views at Anthea?
Courtyard-side rooms on floors 2-3 offer a quieter outlook. Front-facing rooms would give a view over the street but with traffic noise; no sea view from this address unless the hotel has an upper floor that overlooks rooftops.
What are insider tips for staying at Anthea?
1) If you're driving, ask the receptionist for the free on-street parking area behind the hotel — it's quieter than the front and saves a few euros. 2) Request a 'courtyard room' when booking (not a 'front street view') — no extra charge but they often allocate the quieter room at check-in if you've asked in advance.
What time is check-in at Anthea?
Check-in at Anthea is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Anthea have Wi-Fi?
Free basic 10 Mbps for all guests; no login, just accept terms on browser
Is there a city or tourist tax at Anthea?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Anthea?
A kebab or pita wrap from a takeaway shop costs about €5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Anthea?
Local buses cost around €1.50-2 per ride; from Larnaca airport, a shuttle bus to Famagusta costs about €10-15, or a cheaper route via Nicosia.
When is the best time to visit Famagusta?
April to June and October: warm sunshine (25-30°C), low humidity, and far fewer tourists than July-August. Sea temperatures are pleasant by late May.
Top Attractions in Famagusta
💡 Remove shoes at entrance. Women can borrow headscarves. Best light for photos is late afternoon.
💡 Climb to the top of Othello's Tower for the best sunset view. No entry fee to walk the walls, but the tower interior is sometimes locked.
💡 Best in the evening when fishermen return. The grilled fish at any of the three tavernas is decent and cheap—around €10 for a meze.
💡 Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and crowds. The beach just south of the site is good for a cool-off swim.
💡 Take your own water and snacks. There’s a small carpark, but it fills by noon. The south end is quieter.