Salamis

Salamis was the main city of Cyprus for well over a thousand years, from around the eleventh century BC until earthquakes and silting finished it in the seventh century AD. What is exposed covers a large area near the shore: a gymnasium with its courtyard re-erected in colonnades and headless statues set between them, a theatre seating several thousand, extensive baths with fragments of mosaic, a basilica and a forum. Much of the rest is still under sand and scrub, which is part of the atmosphere.

What you actually see

• The gymnasium - a colonnaded courtyard with re-erected columns and statues.
• The theatre - a Roman theatre restored to seat several thousand.
• The baths - large bath complexes with surviving mosaic and hypocaust.
• The unexcavated ground - scrub and dunes covering most of the ancient city.

When to go

March to May and October to November are the best; the site is open, sandy and severely hot in summer. Early morning is the only comfortable summer hour. The beach beside the site is usable in season.

Honest expectations

The site is large and walking it takes hours with very little shade. Signage is limited. Carry water; the kiosk is not always open, and bring ID for the crossing points.

Nearby

St Barnabas monastery is inland nearby, and Famagusta is south.