Summary
Nicosia is the only remaining capital worldwide that remains militarily divided, and the Green Line at Ledra will captivate visitors who seek insight into the experience of crossing a city checkpoint in the modern era. There is much to explore on both sides of the border, including the Selimiye Mosque, which showcases a harmonious blend of Christian and Islamic architectural styles, or the Cyprus Museum, recognized as the premier repository of ancient artefacts on the island.
Nicosia presents an authentic, less touristy atmosphere, affording a genuine glimpse into urban life in Cyprus. The bustling old town is dotted with friendly cafes and museums, and there are numerous exciting day trip options to the north or the mountainous regions in the west. Let us explore the most compelling activities to undertake in Nicosia!
1. Selimiye Mosque
This intriguing site features a mosque repurposed from a former Gothic church. St. Sophia’s Cathedral, the original Christian edifice, was initiated during the Crusades by the Lusignans but was never completed, even though it was the island’s principal church.
Visitors familiar with Gothic architecture will recognize elements such as traceried windows and flying buttresses, while two tall minarets dominate the façade.
The transformation into a mosque occurred following the Ottoman conquest in the 1500s when much of the Christian iconography was removed.
2. Cyprus Museum
The island of Cyprus is brimming with ancient history; nearly every town has nearby excavation sites.
Many of the exquisite artefacts unearthed at these sites are displayed in the Cyprus Museum, the largest and most distinguished archaeological exhibit on the island.
This venue serves as a portal to Cyprus’ extensive history and notably features only items recovered within the country.
The exhibits span from the Stone Age through the Roman period, showcasing coins, sculptures, jewelry, everyday objects, and invaluable treasures from the Ancient Greek Tombs of Salamis.
3. Byzantine Museum
Located within the grounds of St. John’s Cathedral in Lefkosia, the Byzantine Museum presents a thorough exhibition of Byzantine art that spans nearly 1,500 years.
The earliest pieces consist of seven mosaic fragments that were illicitly removed from the northern Church of Kanakaria and subsequently returned to the south.
Also confiscated and later repatriated are 36 fragments of a 15th-century wall painting from a church in Kalogrea.
With 230 icons, many ornately decorated and dating from 800 to 1900, the collection is complemented by various vestments, books, and sacred vessels.
4. Cypriot Coffee
To experience Nicosia from the perspective of a local, one should find a seat at a street-side cafe and request a cup of traditional, strong Cypriot coffee.
This beverage is brewed in a tall copper pot with a long handle for easy handling on the stove. Sugar is mixed with the water and coffee grounds before the water is heated, allowing patrons to opt for sweet (glykis), medium (metrios), or unsweetened (sketos) options.
Upon finishing, one will find a residue at the bottom of the cup, which should be avoided!
5. Ledra Street
Historically, Ledra Street has served as Nicosia’s primary shopping artery; however, it was closed off by the militarized border between northern and southern Nicosia following the events of Bloody Christmas in 1963.
The street reopened in 2008 and has since reestablished itself as a commercial hub. This reopening marked a significant advancement in the relationship between formerly antagonistic entities.
Shacolas Tower, situated on Ledra Street, features a public observation deck on its 11th floor, where visitors can enjoy expansive views of the city and the north-south UN buffer zone as it meanders through the landscape.
6. Famagusta Gate
Prior to the Ottoman invasion of Cyprus, the Venetians fortified Nicosia’s defenses, with remnants of their work still visible today.
The Famagusta Gate stands as the most remarkable remnant of these defenses and is an exact replica of the Lazaretto Gate, constructed by Venetians for Candia in Crete.
After being utilized for storage by the British, it underwent restoration in the 1980s, revitalizing the Tahl-el-Kale neighborhood surrounding it.
The gate features a two-lane passageway, illuminated from above by a dome inspired by Rome’s Pantheon, and now serves as a cultural center with exhibitions held throughout the year.
7. Büyük Han
Following the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in the 16th century, the magnificent caravanserai known as Büyük Han was among the initial constructions erected.
A caravanserai functions as an inn for merchants and travelers, arranged around a central courtyard that features a masjid, or small mosque.
This two-storey structure has undergone thoughtful restoration over the last two decades after serving as a prison during British rule. Today, it functions as an arts center, housing galleries, studios, and workshops.
8. Folk Art Museum
This exhibition of Cypriot art resides in a splendid facility, located within the city’s ancient Episcopal palace, established in the 1400s, though with sections dating back an additional 200 years.
The museum was inaugurated in the 1930s as part of an initiative to preserve handcrafted items such as embroideries, metalwork, lace, pottery, and textiles, in response to the rise of machine-produced goods.
The collection boasts 5,000 items, featuring intricate decorative arts alongside historical agricultural tools such as olive presses, water mills, and threshing boards.
9. Machairas Monastery
This charming 12th-century monastery, designed in the middle-Byzantine style, is situated 40 kilometers south of Nicosia.
The monastery is named after a revered painting of the Virgin Mary, attributed to Luke the Apostle, which folklore claims was smuggled from Asia Minor to Cyprus by a hermit.
Enclosed by a rectangular courtyard with cloisters, the central church defines the site.
Fronted by a backdrop of dark pine-covered hills, this striking architecture presents one of Cyprus’s most picturesque scenes.
The visuals are captivating alone, but the church’s lavish interior adorned with frescoes, icons, and gilded chandeliers is equally delightful.
10. Fikardou
Approximately 45 minutes southwest of Nicosia lies this small upland village, currently home to just three residents.
Fikardou remains largely unspoiled and is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status due to its exemplary representation of traditional Cypriot rural architecture.
This village has been inhabited since the 400s; however, its population began to diminish in the 1800s.
Visitors can wander through steep paths adorned with charming stone houses topped with fading red terracotta tiles, showcasing a lifestyle from the pre-electricity and automobile era.
11. Pivo Microbrewery
Nicosia is home to its only brewpub, Pivo, established by three brothers and their cousin, who refined their brewing skills in the Czech Republic, the birthplace of lager.
At Pivo, patrons can sample four distinct beer varieties (pilsner, Bavarian weiss, dark lager, and American IPA) directly from the tank, unfiltered and unpasteurized.
These signature selections are complemented by a variety of seasonal and limited-edition beers, ensuring that reputable offerings are always available for visitors!
The establishment features an appealing menu of traditional Cypriot cuisine to accompany your beverages, all set within the charming atmosphere of a century-old manor house adorned with marble archways, stone walls, and wooden furnishings.
12. Whirling Dervish Performance
On the northern side of Nicosia, one can observe a spiritual rite practiced for centuries.
At Tekkes, which serve as significant gathering places, practitioners of the Sufi Islamic tradition perform a unique form of dance in the Islamic world.
This performance spans approximately thirty minutes, characterized by Dervishes wearing long white robes and conical hats spinning in place.
For the viewer, this experience can be emotionally stirring, especially when accompanied by live musicians and vocalists. For the Dervishes, it acts as a form of moving meditation, and they often remain wholly absorbed in their practice, scarcely acknowledging the audience.
13. Kyrenia
Situated along the northern coast of Cyprus, Kyrenia is a charming little port town framed by the imposing cliffs of the Pentadaktylos Mountains.
The Venetian fortifications still protect the harbor, reinforced by robust round towers that have endured for nearly five centuries.
A tour of the narrow alleys in the old town, followed by dinner by the water, provides an excellent conclusion to a delightful day trip.
If visiting Kyrenia in June, one can experience the town’s cultural offerings, as diverse Turkish and international bands perform concerts during this time.
14. St. Hilarion Castle
Perched high above the winding road to Kyrenia, this remarkable structure merits at least an hour of exploration.
From a distance, this castle, which once guarded the historic mountain passage between Nicosia and Kyrenia, can blend in with the surrounding white stone cliffs.
Once on site, the fragmented stairways, walls, and towers offer a delightful exploration, with vistas that encompass a broad sweep of the northern coast.
Initially established as an upland hermitage, the Byzantines and later the Lusignans fortified the complex to protect against Arab coastal incursions.
15. Panagia Asinou
The Troodos Mountains, located southwest of Nicosia, conceal remarkable pieces of Byzantine heritage amidst their striking landscapes.
Notably, a collection of ten medieval churches adorned with murals has received UNESCO World Heritage status.
The most conveniently accessible church from the capital is Panagia Asinou, situated approximately 50 kilometers west of Nicosia.
The journey is worthwhile, as the interior walls of this church are entirely decorated with vibrant 12th-century frescoes, nearly as brilliant as the day they were created.
