In 1426–27, Barsbay invaded and reconquered Cyprus, captured its king Janus of Cyprus (from the House of Lusignan) and forced him to pay tribute.

The revenues from this military victory and trade policies may have helped Barsbay finance his construction projects, and he is known for at least three extant and notable monuments. He built a madrasa-mosque complex in the heart of Cairo on al-Muizz street in 1424. His mausoleum complex, which also included a madrasa and khanqah, was built in Cairo's Northern Cemetery in 1432. He also built a mosque in the town of al-Khanqa, north of Cairo, in 1437.