Your stay — Melissi Beach
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The Property — Melissi Beach
Melissi Beach is a straightforward three-star hotel on the sandy coast of Famagusta Bay. The lobby smells of sun cream and polished tile; guests are mostly couples and families who value a clean room and direct beach access over frills. The USP is its long, private-ish stretch of sand with sun loungers included, and the vibe is quietly functional rather than charming.
Chronicles of Famagusta
Famagusta (Ammochostos) was a major port city in antiquity, refounded around 300 BC by Ptolemy I. It flourished under the Lusignan and Venetian periods, when it became one of the wealthiest cities in the Levant, ringed by the famous 15th-century city walls. The Ottoman conquest in 1571 led to the construction of two great mosques, including the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, converted from the Gothic Cathedral of St Nicholas. The city’s contemporary identity is split: the closed Varosha quarter, sealed since the 1974 invasion, remains a ghost-town symbol of division, while the walled old town and bustling modern centre attract a steady flow of tourists, many from Turkey and Northern Europe. Today, Famagusta is a university town with a lively bar and café scene, but its beach strip remains the main draw for short-stay visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Full Famagusta guide →Best months
June and September: temperatures 27-30°C, sea warm, hotels not yet fully packed. October also works well for a quieter, still sunny break.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. School holidays fill the strip; hotel prices jump 40-60% above shoulder rates. The annual Famagusta Culture and Art Festival (usually late August) draws visitors to concerts in the walled city.
Budget shoulder season
May and September. Discounts of 15-25% versus peak, sea already swimmable, and daytime temperatures pleasant for sightseeing in the old town.
Weather & packing
July in Famagusta is consistently hot and dry, with almost no rain. Pack a wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and a light cover-up for evenings, which can cool slightly near the sea.
Live City Briefing — Famagusta
- The main road along the beach strip (Çaplı Caddesi) has had resurfacing works since spring 2025, causing occasional daytime lane closures; delays are minimal by evening.
- A new cycle path linking the hotel strip to the walled old town opened in April 2025, reducing the need for taxis or hire cars for short journeys.
- The Varosha beach zone remains partially open to the public, with access limited to certain areas; check local signage before walking beyond the Melissi stretch.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Melissi Beach, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first or second floor facing the sea (south side). These offer the best balance of view, breeze, and minimal disturbance from the small lobby bar or street. Upper floors above third may have less reliable hot water pressure.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms at the back or north side facing the main road into Famagusta town — traffic noise is noticeable, especially mornings and evenings. Ground-floor rooms near the pool bar or stairs can get early cleaning noise and footfall.
Best views
Sea-view rooms on the south side look over the beach and Mediterranean. Ask for a ‘partial sea view’ if budget is tight — side-facing first floor still catches good light and breeze.
Quietest floors
First and second floors are quietest, especially sea-facing. Third floor is okay but can pick up lift mechanism hum if adjacent to the shaft.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise sources: early morning deliveries to the west side car park, pool bar music (moderate, until 10pm), and sporadic traffic from the Famagusta road on the north side. The hotel is near some small tavernas that can have chatter until late in summer.
Insider tips
1. Park on the south side of the building if driving — it’s quieter and closer to the beach entrance. 2. Check in after 2pm when the cleaner shift changes, so you’re more likely to get a freshly turned-over room. 3. Ask reception for a room away from the lift if you’re a light sleeper — the mechanism is audible on all floors near the shaft.
- 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 — Melissi Beach
Free basic 10 Mbps throughout; no login, just a password from reception
One lift serves all three floors
No physical newspapers; no digital newsstand
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop possible; late check-out until 12:00 costs €30
Free at reception on day of arrival and departure
Step-free entrance and ground-floor rooms available; no lift to pool area (stairs only)
Free on-site parking for about 30 cars; no valet; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; a €50 card hold for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Synagogue: Chabad Ayia Napa (431 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Saint Epifanios (678 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Panagia (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Church of St. George (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Napa Shoping Center — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Πάρκο Παραλίας Μάντη — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Δημοτικό Μουσείο Thalassa — 621 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Euronet — 192 m · ~2 min walk
Petinos Pharmacy — 544 m · ~7 min walk
Mini-market — 578 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid the exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist spots on the harbour – they give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. Contactless is common. Small street stalls and some taxis may prefer cash.
In restaurants, 5–10% rounding up is fine for good service. Taxis: round up to the nearest euro. Hotels: a couple of euros for porters or cleaning staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A short black or filter coffee in a local cafe: around €2–3.
Souvlaki wrap or gyros from a takeaway: around €5–7.
A main course at a taverna: around €10–14.
Along the main shopping streets and near the harbour you’ll find kebab shops, pita stalls and bakeries for quick eats.
Alpha Mega, Lidl and Papantoniou are the main budget supermarket chains in the Famagusta area.
The main high street in the city centre has chains like H&M, Zara and local outlets; there are also market stalls with cheaper basics.
The local bus network (OSEL) gives a single ride around €1.50; a day pass around €5. From Larnaca airport, the cheapest way is the Intercity Bus to Famagusta bus station for about €5.
Eat at places where locals queue, not along the harbour. Buy groceries for breakfast and snacks. Use the water refill stations in parks rather than buying bottled water.
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 Melissi Beach
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Euronet — 192 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Petinos Pharmacy — 544 m · ~7 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 Melissi Beach?
Request a room on the first or second floor facing the sea (south side). These offer the best balance of view, breeze, and minimal disturbance from the small lobby bar or street. Upper floors above third may have less reliable hot water pressure.
Which rooms should I avoid at Melissi Beach?
Avoid rooms at the back or north side facing the main road into Famagusta town — traffic noise is noticeable, especially mornings and evenings. Ground-floor rooms near the pool bar or stairs can get early cleaning noise and footfall.
Is Melissi Beach noisy?
Main noise sources: early morning deliveries to the west side car park, pool bar music (moderate, until 10pm), and sporadic traffic from the Famagusta road on the north side. The hotel is near some small tavernas that can have chatter until late in summer.
Which rooms have the best views at Melissi Beach?
Sea-view rooms on the south side look over the beach and Mediterranean. Ask for a ‘partial sea view’ if budget is tight — side-facing first floor still catches good light and breeze.
What are insider tips for staying at Melissi Beach?
1. Park on the south side of the building if driving — it’s quieter and closer to the beach entrance. 2. Check in after 2pm when the cleaner shift changes, so you’re more likely to get a freshly turned-over room. 3. Ask reception for a room away from the lift if you’re a light sleeper — the mechanism is audible on all floors near the shaft.
What time is check-in at Melissi Beach?
Check-in at Melissi Beach is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Melissi Beach have Wi-Fi?
Free basic 10 Mbps throughout; no login, just a password from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Melissi Beach?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Melissi Beach?
Souvlaki wrap or gyros from a takeaway: around €5–7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Melissi Beach?
The local bus network (OSEL) gives a single ride around €1.50; a day pass around €5. From Larnaca airport, the cheapest way is the Intercity Bus to Famagusta bus station for about €5.
When is the best time to visit Famagusta?
June and September: temperatures 27-30°C, sea warm, hotels not yet fully packed. October also works well for a quieter, still sunny break.
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.