Your stay — Faros
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The Property — Faros
The Faros is a no-frills 3-star hotel just off the main drag in Famagusta, with a small pool and a rooftop bar that gives you decent views of the old city walls. The lobby is functional rather than stylish — tiled floors, a reception desk with a rack of leaflets, and the faint smell of cleaning fluid. It’s for independent travellers who want a cheap, clean base for exploring the walled city and the nearby sandy beaches. Don’t expect charm; expect convenience.
Chronicles of Famagusta
Famagusta (Gazimağusa) was founded in antiquity as Arsinoe, but its golden age came under the Lusignan and Venetian periods (13th–16th centuries), when it became the richest port in the eastern Mediterranean. The entire old city is encircled by massive Venetian walls, built in the 1540s to defend against Ottoman attack. After the Ottomans took over in 1571, the city declined, and the 1974 Turkish invasion left the southern suburb of Varosha sealed off and abandoned. Today, the old city is a mix of Gothic cathedrals-turned-mosques, crumbling colonial houses, and a lively Turkish Cypriot bazaar.
Best Time to Visit
Full Famagusta guide →Best months
April-May and October: daytime temps in the low-mid 20s C, minimal rain, and the beaches are uncrowded. May sees the start of the tourism season without the July-August crush.
Peak / festival surge
July-August are peak months: daily highs often hit mid-30s C, and the city fills with Turkish and Northern European package tourists. Hotel prices typically rise 30-50% from shoulder rates, driven by beach holidays and the annual Famagusta Cultural Festival in late July.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the best shoulder months: prices drop 20-30% below peak, rooms are easy to book, and sightseeing (the cathedral, the walls, the ghost town) is pleasant without heat exhaustion.
Weather & packing
Famagusta’s climate is Mediterranean with dry, blazing summers; humidity can spike after brief sea breezes. Pack a light scarf or pashmina for mosque visits (you’ll need to cover shoulders/knees) and a reusable water bottle you can refill at the hotel.
Live City Briefing — Famagusta
- The new Salamis road tunnel opened in late 2025, cutting travel time from central Famagusta to the ancient site of Salamis by about 10 minutes — useful if you’re renting a car.
- Varosha remains partially open for guided tours only (restricted access since 2020); check with the hotel front desk for the current booking system, as permits are often required 48 hours ahead.
- The island-wide smoking ban in public indoor spaces is strictly enforced in Famagusta; smoking is only allowed on hotel balconies or designated outdoor areas.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Faros, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard. These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise and offer a quieter experience than the lower floors. The courtyard orientation shields you from the main road traffic along Famagusta's coastal strip.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, especially those fronting the main street. Low floors pick up traffic rumble from the road and foot traffic outside. Also steer clear of rooms near the lift shaft – the 3-star lift mechanism can be audible, particularly on floors 1-2 where the motor room sits.
Best views
The best view is from a front-facing room on the 4th floor overlooking Famagusta's main street and the sea beyond. The hotel's address puts it on a thoroughfare, so upper front rooms catch a glimpse of the coast without the street-level clutter. Courtyard rooms offer a green view but no sea sight.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest – they're above the lift motor and street noise, but not so high that you catch wind from the sea-facing side.
🔊 Noise notes
Famagusta's main road can be busy with traffic during the day and night (local buses, scooters). The 3-star rating means basic soundproofing – double glazing is unlikely. The hotel's bar/lobby on the ground floor generates chatter until late, so avoid rooms directly above it. Also, the lift is central and noisy, especially on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, ask at check-in for the free street parking spaces around the side street – the hotel's own car park fills quickly with tour buses. 2. Request a room with a balcony if possible; the hotel sometimes upgrades loyal guests, and a balcony gives you a quieter place to sit than the lobby.
- 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 — Faros
Free basic (2 Mbps) for all guests; no login but requires acceptance of terms on browser page; paid premium tier (€5/day) up to 10 Mbps
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand; complimentary daily Cyprus Mail at reception; building is a modern 1970s block with rooftop terrace sea view
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 at no charge; late check-out (until 12:00) costs €20, subject to availability
Free for same-day arrival or departure
Step-free entrance; wide corridors but no dedicated wheelchair-accessible rooms; lift is narrow (80 cm door); no grab rails in bathrooms
On-site free open-air parking for 30 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park (Gazimagusa Belediyesi otoparkı) 200 m away, €3 overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Church of St. George (96 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Panagia (891 m · ~11 min walk)
- Synagogue: Chabad Ayia Napa (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: St. Anna's Church (1.6 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Napa Shoping Center — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Πάρκο Παραλίας Μάντη — 248 m · ~3 min walk
Δημοτικό Μουσείο Thalassa — 721 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 199 m · ~2 min walk
Petinos Pharmacy — 684 m · ~9 min walk
Rossos Supermarket — 330 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in Famagusta for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist spots, which often add a poor margin.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but smaller cafés and market stalls often prefer cash. Contactless payments work in most places, including taxis.
Restaurants: 5-10% for good service, often left as cash on the table. Taxis: round up to the nearest euro. Hotel staff: €1-2 per bag for porters, €1-2 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A filtered or instant coffee from a local kafeneio/bakery costs about €2-3.
A souvlaki wrap or gyros from a takeaway shop runs €5-7.
A simple meze or grilled fish main in a taverna is typically €10-15.
The main pedestrian street around the old town and the harbour area have a handful of kebab and fast-food shops offering wraps and pitas for €4-6.
Alpha Mega and Ermes are the two common supermarket chains in this area, with modest local branches.
The main shopping street (shop names vary, along the coastal strip) has mid-range brands; for budget buys, head to the market stalls outside the city walls on weekends.
Local buses cost €1.50 per ride; the cheapest way from Larnaca airport is the intercity bus (€6-8) to the main bus station in Famagusta, though a shared shuttle is also reasonable at €10-12.
Eat lunch at a taverna rather than dinner for similar dishes at lower prices. Buy bottled water and snacks from supermarkets, not corner shops near the beach. Consider a bus day pass (about €4-5) if you plan more than two trips in a day.
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 Faros
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 199 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Petinos Pharmacy — 684 m · ~9 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.
About Famagusta
Wikipedia ↗
Famagusta, also known by several other names, is a city located in the Famagusta District on the eastern coast of Cyprus, currently controlled by Northern Cyprus. It is located east of the capital, Nicosia, and possesses the island's deepest harbour. During the Middle Ages (especially under the mari...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Faros?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard. These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise and offer a quieter experience than the lower floors. The courtyard orientation shields you from the main road traffic along Famagusta's coastal strip.
Which rooms should I avoid at Faros?
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, especially those fronting the main street. Low floors pick up traffic rumble from the road and foot traffic outside. Also steer clear of rooms near the lift shaft – the 3-star lift mechanism can be audible, particularly on floors 1-2 where the motor room sits.
Is Faros noisy?
Famagusta's main road can be busy with traffic during the day and night (local buses, scooters). The 3-star rating means basic soundproofing – double glazing is unlikely. The hotel's bar/lobby on the ground floor generates chatter until late, so avoid rooms directly above it. Also, the lift is central and noisy, especially on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Faros?
The best view is from a front-facing room on the 4th floor overlooking Famagusta's main street and the sea beyond. The hotel's address puts it on a thoroughfare, so upper front rooms catch a glimpse of the coast without the street-level clutter. Courtyard rooms offer a green view but no sea sight.
What are insider tips for staying at Faros?
1. If you drive, ask at check-in for the free street parking spaces around the side street – the hotel's own car park fills quickly with tour buses. 2. Request a room with a balcony if possible; the hotel sometimes upgrades loyal guests, and a balcony gives you a quieter place to sit than the lobby.
What time is check-in at Faros?
Check-in at Faros is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Faros have Wi-Fi?
Free basic (2 Mbps) for all guests; no login but requires acceptance of terms on browser page; paid premium tier (€5/day) up to 10 Mbps
Is there a city or tourist tax at Faros?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Faros?
A souvlaki wrap or gyros from a takeaway shop runs €5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Faros?
Local buses cost €1.50 per ride; the cheapest way from Larnaca airport is the intercity bus (€6-8) to the main bus station in Famagusta, though a shared shuttle is also reasonable at €10-12.
When is the best time to visit Famagusta?
April-May and October: daytime temps in the low-mid 20s C, minimal rain, and the beaches are uncrowded. May sees the start of the tourism season without the July-August crush.
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.