Skip to main content

Nicosia Old City

Nicosia Old City in Cyprus

Nicosia Old City

NICOSIA WEATHER

Direction to Old City Nicosia

Few words





Nicosia Old City, with 5000 yearlong history, walking is the ideal way to get a feel for the character, history and continual cultural development of Lefkosia (Nicosia). Despite its historical difficulties, Nicosia is still the heart of Cyprus.This can be seen through the ongoing efforts to revitalize the old city, especially through the Nicosia Master Plan, executed under the auspices auspices of the United Nations Walking through Laiki Geitonia, you will see some remarkable examples of traditional urban architecture, such as the Leventis Municipal Museum and small art workshops. Visit Trypiotis Church (1695), the Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage, and The Museum of George and Nefeli Giabra Pierides Collection of the Bank of Cyprus. Phaneromeni Church is the biggest church in the walled city, and right across is the Cross of Missirikos, a medieval church with gothic Italian elements that was converted into Araplar Mosque in 1571.

At the heart of the inner wall city is the Omerie Area with the Omerie Mosque (once a 14th century Medieval Church dedicated to St. Mary of the Augustines), and the restored Turkish Baths, which won a EUROPA NOSTRA prize. An archaeological site with finds from the Byzantine and Medieval times lies next to the Municipal Arts Centre and the old inns. The 13th century church / 16th century Latin Cathedral of Agia Sofia, and the Selimiye Mosque, can be seen from a distance between the Green line and Turkish-occupied Nicosia.

In Chrysaliniotissa neighbourhood, the renovated houses are once again inhabited after lying derelict following the Turkish invasion of 1974. The most important building is the 18th century Archontiko Odou Axiotheas, which is now used by the University of Cyprus as a Cultural Centre. The 10th century Church of Chrysaliniotssa is next, followed by the Multi-Crafts Centre, which makes and sells contemporary handicrafts. At Ermou Street, you can visit the Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) with over 1000 paintings by visitors to Cyprus in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The dead-end of Ermou Street is part of the Green Line (buffer zone), which is controlled by the UN. The religious and cultural centre of the city is Archbishop Kyprianos Square with the Cathedral of St. John, the Folk Art Museum and the Cultural Foundation of Archbishop Makarios the III with its Byzantine Museum. The Folk Art Museum, the Pan Cyprian Gymnasium Museums, and the Museum of National Struggle, offer another aspect of Cypriot culture and history.

From Famagusta Gate Cultural Centre, take a walk on top of the 16th century Venetian walls to see the moat and the modern city outside the walls. At Podocatoro Bastion you will see the Statue of Liberty, representing the Cypriot struggle against British rule (1955-1959). At the neighbourhood of Agios Antonios, visit the Mansion House of the Dragoman, Hadjigeorgakis Cornesios (18th century), which now houses the ethnological museum of the city.

An open-air market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday at Constanza Bastion, next to Bayraktar Mosque. The commercial streets of Onasagoras and Ledra offer shops, restaurants, cafeterias and ice cream kiosks, whilst the Ledra Observatory Museum on the 11th floor of the Shacolas Tower building (in Ledra Street), offers an unobstructed view of the entire city.


  • Nicosia  Tower in Cyprus

  •  parthenagogion in Cyprus

  • Nicosia Old streets in Cyprus

  •  restaurants  in Cyprus

  •  ledras in Cyprus

Continue reading

Nicosia TOP 15

15 Things to do in Cyprus

Top 15 things to SEE & DO

Nicosia

NICOSIA WEATHER

Famagusta Gate in Cyprus
Famagusta Gate in Cyprus

01

Famagusta Gate

Famagusta Gate is the most important of the three gates of the Venetian Walls of Nicosia in the eastern part of the walls in Old Nicosia. Built in the the 16th century by the Venetians in order to defend the city against the Ottoman Turks.

Direction to Famagusta Gate

Faneromeni Square & Church in Cyprus
Faneromeni Square & Church in Cyprus

02

Faneromeni
Square & Church

Faneromeni Square, is an important historical site located within the historical Venetian walls of Nicosia (Cyprus was conquered by the Venetians).

Direction to Faneromeni
Square & Church

A.G Levenis Gallery in Cyprus
A.G Levenis Gallery in Cyprus

03

A.G Levenis Gallery

The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia: The history of the city of Nicosia, from ancient times to the present, constitutes a complex of traditional buildings on Hippocrates Street no.15-17.

Direction to A.G Levenis Gallery

Laiki Geitonia (Traditional Pedestrian Quarter)
Laiki Geitonia (Traditional Pedestrian Quarter)

04

Laiki Geitonia (Traditional Pedestrian Quarter)

Laiki Geitonia is a zone in the old area of Nicosia between the east of Lidras Street and north of the D’Avila Bastion. Its narrow cobbled streets are chock-full of traditional Cyprus architecture and churches and the neibourhood contains many restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops.

Direction to  Laiki Geitonia (Traditional Pedestrian Quarter)

The Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion in Cyprus
The Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion in Cyprus in Cyprus

05

The Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion

The Archontiko (mansion) of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios is the house where the dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios and his family lived between 1793 and 1808.

Direction to The Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion

Old City Architecture in Cyprus
Old City Architecture in Cyprus

06

Old City Architecture

With its 5000 yearlong history, walking is the ideal way to get a feel for the character, history and continual cultural development of Nicosia (Lefkosia). Despite its historical difficulties, Nicosia is still the heart of Cyprus.

Direction to Old City Architecture

Nicosia Beautiful Villages in Cyprus
Nicosia Beautiful Villages in Cyprus

07

Nicosia
Beautiful Villages

Kakopetria – Kalopanayiotis – Pedoulas – Askas – Fikardou
Short distances and modern road networks will facilitate your trip and afford you the opportunity to experience the wild beauty of the Cypriot countryside.


Discover More

Venetian Walls in Cyprus
Venetian Walls in Cyprus

08

Venetian Walls

The first walls surrounding Nicosia were built by the Franks in the 14th century and encircled a greater area than the Venetian walls built in the 16th century that still encircle the old town.

Direction to Venetian Walls

Green Line in Cyprus
Green Line in Cyprus

09

Green Line

Nicosia is the only divided city in Europe after Turkey invaded the island in 1974 and occupied the northern part of Cyprus. There is a UN buffer zone which splits the capital walking near the green line evokes an eeriness.

Direction to Green Line

Nicosia Monasteries in Cyprus
Nicosia Monasteries in Cyprus

10

Nicosia Monasteries

Machairas – Kykkos – Agios Iraklidios – Lampadistis
The Mesaoria region, scattered with small villages and ancient monasteries, lies west of Nicosia. If you’ve got your own means of transport, it’s a great day out from the capital.


Discover More

Shacolas Tower Museum & Observatory in Cyprus
Shacolas Tower Museum & Observatory in Cyprus

11

Shacolas Tower Museum
& Observatory

The Shacolas Tower houses a museum which combines a modern museum with an unimpeded and striking panoramic view of the entire city. It can be found on the 11th floor of the tower.

Direction to Shacolas Tower Museum
& Observatory

Archbishop’s Palace & Byzantine Museum in Cyprus
Archbishop’s Palace & Byzantine Museum in Cyprus

12

Archbishop’s Palace
& Byzantine Museum

It was no ordinary Archbishop who lived here; it was Cyprus’ first ever president, the famous Archbishop Makarios III himself.

Direction to Archbishop’s Palace
& Byzantine Museum

Old City Little Cafes & Restaurants in Cyprus
Old City Little Cafes & Restaurants in Cyprus

13

Old City Little
Cafes & Restaurants

Onasagorou & Ledras Streets invite you with open arms with their great little cafes, restaurants and welcome you in for a traditional Cyprus coffee.

Direction to Old City Little
Cafes & Restaurants

Nicosia UNESCO Churches with Frescoes in Cyprus
Nicosia UNESCO Churches with Frescoes in Cyprus

14

Nicosia UNESCO Churches with Frescoes

Of the ten churches nine are situated in the District of Nicosia: Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis (St. Nicholas of the Roof.


Discover More

Shopping at Makarios Avenue, Stassicratous & Ledras Street in Cyprus
Shopping at Makarios Avenue, Stassicratous & Ledras Street in Cyprus

15

Shopping at Makarios Avenue, Stassicratous & Ledras Street

Walk along Makarios Avenue and Stassicratous Street which incorporate upmarket clothing and jewelry shops.

Direction to Shopping at Makarios Avenue, Stassicratous & Ledras Street

Continue reading

Nicosia

Nicosia in Cyprus

Nicosia

NICOSIA WEATHER

Few words





Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus; the only remaining divided capital in the world. The Nicosia district combines its cultural heritage with the contemporary way of life. The capital is steeped in history with large Venetian walls encompassing a beautiful old city .There is also a museum containing many amazing artifacts dating back to a time long ago. Its artifacts include a 1st Century A.D. statuette of Aphrodite of Soli and the original mosaic of Leda and the swan as well as another museum (Leventis Museum) containing artifacts depicting Nicosia’s history. The new city expands in to a modern European-influenced centre of buildings, offices, pavement cafes and shops. Nicosia is an ideal place for shopping especially Stassicratous Street.

In the countryside you’ll encounter olive groves and various orchards leading up in to the renowned pine forest of the Machairas Mountains on top of which lies a centuries old monastery. From the monastery which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is one of the jewels of Cyprus, you can look down on to the picturesque valley with a brilliant view in all directions. Traditional villages with cobbled streets are spread throughout the rural areas of the Nicosia district. The village of Fikardou, declared a national monument, was awarded the Europa Nostra award in 1987 and is a must-see if you are in the vicinity and want a strong taste of the Cyprus rural life.


Top 15 things to SEE & DO in Nicosia in Cyprus

Top 15 things to SEE & DO in Nicosia

Nicosia is a great vacation destination with a beautiful Old City, fascinating museums, bustling pedestrian streets and great restaurants.

Take Me There

Old City in Cyprus

Old City

With its 5000 yearlong history, walking is the ideal way to get a feel for the character,history and continual cultural development of Lefkosia (Nicosia)

Take Me There

Nicosia Villages ( Agrotourism ) in Cyprus

Nicosia Villages ( Agrotourism )

Short distances and modern road networks will facilitate your trip and afford you the opportunity to experience the wild beauty of the Cypriot countryside.

Take Me There

Museums in Cyprus

Museums

Nicosia’s museums are dedicated to the lengthy history of the small island and contain fairly specialized collections. As a capital city, the museums are numerous.

Take Me There

Athalassa National Forest Park in Cyprus

Athalassa National Forest Park

Athalassa National Forest Park has a total area of 840 hectares and is an oasis of greenery with many endemic, indigenous trees, shrubs and herbs.

Take Me There

Continue reading