Famagusta has had a long, colorful and sometimes troubled history, and even to this day some parts of the city remain in dispute. Nevertheless, many sections of town have managed to cultivate an air of vibrancy and optimism, possibly owed in large part to the presence of the university there. Life goes on in Famagusta, and today the city offers many warm and accommodating attractions, whether you are merely after a place to unwind in or if you want to take in the many impressive historic sights of the city. Numerous cafés, restaurants, bars, clubs and casinos adorn Famagusta, making it an ideal destination for any type of visitor.
Residential Places in Famagusta
There a great many options for residences in Famagusta as well as in the nearby areas. You can have your pick of houses, apartments, villas or even a lot on which you can build your house. You can also check into any of the several vacation rentals available, if you are planning to stay for more than a few weeks but not long enough to warrant a house purchase or long-term rental. With the state of the Famagusta real estate market the way it currently is, you can expect realize a healthy appreciation in the value of your property in the event that you do buy a house. Some of the areas in and around Famagusta that are worth a closer look are: Paralimni, which is a quiet residential area, the quaint and accommodating village of Dherynia and the coastal district of Kapparis, which has a wide array of restaurants and shops in close proximity.
Hospitals and Universities of Famagusta
Health care is readily available in Famagusta and throughout the rest of the island through a number of government-run and privately owned hospitals and health care facilities. The quality of service is generally very good even in the government hospitals, and it is improving all the time. These hospitals provide services for free to eligible residents, and the range of services is quite comprehensive, including general physicians, specialist consultations, inpatient stays, and specialized medical care. Foreign nationals and local residents who wish to avail of private health care facilities will find that although they have to pay for these services, the rates are still quite inexpensive. For any medical needs that you may have while in Famagusta, you may call the Paralimni Hospital at 00357–23821211. There are also doctors on call whom you can reach at 90901423, and there are after-hours pharmacies that you can call at 90901403. As of the time of this writing, plans are underway for a new hospital to be built in Famagusta. Some of the universities and schools that can be found in Famagusta are Lenia College, InterNapa College, the Xenion High School–Institute and Computer International.
Commercial Places in Famagusta
Being in Cyprus, you of course will have to sample the many local culinary treasures of Famagusta. The ideal way to cap a sumptuous Mediterranean meal however is with a steaming cup of Turkish coffee. You cannot say that you have been to Famagusta unless you try this experience out for yourself! There are certainly many fashionable Indian, Chinese and French restaurants all over the city that you can go to, but for an authentic taste of the local flavor you owe it to yourself to try out one of the many Çorbaci or Soup Houses. Some of the restaurants worth checking out are the Il Cavaliere Italian, which offers a range of superb Italian dishes that are surprisingly quite affordable, and Rocks, where the food is grilled to perfection right in front of you, providing a feast for the eyes that makes the meal all the more appetizing. For dessert, check out Petek, which is something like a large teahouse that offers a huge range of cakes, puddings and even non-sweet snacks.
Service Establishments of Famagusta
Electrical services in Famagusta as well as the rest of Cyprus are provided by the Cyprus Government Electricity Authority or E.A.C. The electric bill is payable every quarter, and TV charges are included in the bill, as there is no separate TV license charge in Cyprus. You will be pleasantly surprised to discover that electric charges in Cyprus are much lower than they are in the UK. Water in Famagusta is provided by the Government Water Authority, by way of the local municipal government. It is quite safe to drink, although if you prefer, you can purchase “Pure Mountain Water” from numerous dispensers all over the city at Cyp 0.50 for a 20 liter bottle. There is no mains gas in Cyprus at the time of this writing, so you will have to buy Liquefied Petroleum Gas, which comes in 10 to 12 kilogram bottles, at about Cyp 5.20 each.
Embassies in Famagusta
For any diplomatic concerns that you may have while in Famagusta, you can contact the offices of the British High Commission at Alexander Pallis Street, PO Box 21978, Nicosia. You can reach them by telephone at +357 22 861100 and fax them at the following numbers: (357) (22) 861125 for general information, (357) (22) 861175 for management related concerns, (357) (22) 861200 for consular services, (357) (22) 861150 for commercial inquiries, and (357) (22) 861315 for chancery. You can also email them at brithc.2@cytanet.com.cy or visit their web site at http://www.britain.org.cy. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 0730 to 1430 local time. Alternately, you can also contact the British East Mediterranean Relay Station at Zygi, although they will not be able to help you with Visa and passport related concerns; that is the sole responsibility of the British High Commission in Nicosia. In any case, the offices of the British East Mediterranean Relay Station can be reached at PO Box 54912 in Limassol and their telephone numbers are (357) (24) 332511 and (357) (24) 332341. You can also fax them at (357) (24) 332595 and (357) (24) 332180. Their office hours are Monday to Friday, 0750 to1440 local time.
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