35 Mysterious Abandoned Places Around the World You Can Still Visit

16. Varosha, Cyprus: A Seaside Resort Frozen in Time

Once the glittering jewel of the eastern Mediterranean, Varosha was a booming resort district in Famagusta, Cyprus. In the 1960s and early ’70s, it attracted global celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot, drawn to its golden beaches, luxury hotels, and buzzing nightlife. However, this paradise came to an abrupt halt during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The residents fled, leaving behind homes, shops, and unfinished meals, as the entire neighborhood was fenced off and placed under Turkish military control. For nearly five decades, Varosha became a ghost city trapped in time, its once-vibrant streets slowly crumbling under the weight of abandonment. Hotels stand gutted, trees grow through cracked floors, and rusting cars remain parked where they were left in a hurry. In 2020, parts of Varosha were controversially reopened to the public, igniting political tensions but also renewed curiosity. Visiting Varosha is like stepping into a time capsule—an eerie, poignant reminder of conflict, displacement, and the fragile nature of paradise.