Things to Do in Nicosia

Nicosia Unmissables

Nicosia, the world's last divided capital, is defined by its 16th-century Venetian walls enclosing a circular old town. The city’s landscape features the Gothic Selimiye Mosque, once a medieval cathedral, and the Ottoman-era Büyük Han caravanserai. Archaeological history is preserved in the Cyprus Museum, while the Shacolas Tower provides views across the UN Buffer Zone. From the Byzantine frescoes of St. John’s Cathedral to traditional Turkish baths and the restored quarters of Laiki Geitonia, the city showcases centuries of intersecting cultures.

Selimiye Mosque (St Sophia Cathedral)

Selimiye Mosque, historically known as Cathedral of Saint Sophia or Ayasofya Mosque, is a former Christian cathedral converted into a…

The Great Inn

Büyük Han is the largest caravansarai on the island of Cyprus and is considered to be one of the finest buildings on the island.

Cyprus Museum

Oldest and largest archaeological museum on the island, housing the world's most extensive collection of Cypriot antiquities. It showcases the development of civilization from the Neolithic Age to the Early Byzantine period through artifacts found exclusively on the island.

Venetian Walls

The Walls of Nicosia, also known as the Venetian Walls, are a series of defensive walls which surround Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus.

Ledra Street

Ledra Street is a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia, Cyprus, which links North Nicosia, the part of the city under the control…

Shacolas Tower Museum & Observatory

Located on the 11th floor, this observatory provides 360-degree panoramic views of Nicosia, including the Green Line and the northern part of the city. Interactive displays and photographs detail the capital's urban development and history.

Archbishop's Palace

Archbishop's Palace is the official residence and office of the archbishop of Cyprus located in Nicosia.

Famagusta Gate

The Famagusta Gate is a gate in the Nicosia walls, Cyprus. It is the chief gate of the city: the Porta Giuliana, or "di sotto" of Fra…

Laiki Geitonia District

A renewed area that is now the tourist centre of Nicosia. Here, you can find the typical houses, shops and tavernas.

Kyrenia Gate

One of the three original entrances through the Venetian walls, built in 1567. Originally known as Porta del Proveditore, the structure was later modified by the Ottomans in 1821 and now stands as a standalone historical monument.

Büyük Hamam

A traditional Turkish bath built on the foundations of the 14th-century Gothic church of St. George of the Latins. The structure is notable for its carved stone entrance, which sits below the current street level, and its classic Ottoman dome.

Ayios Ioannis Church

Built in 1662 on the site of a 14th-century Benedictine abbey, this cathedral serves as the seat of the Church of Cyprus. It features a remarkably preserved interior covered in 18th-century frescoes depicting biblical scenes.

Faneroumeni Church

Constructed in 1872, this is one of the largest churches within the old city walls. The marble mausoleum in its courtyard commemorates the bishops and clerics executed by the Ottomans during the 1821 Greek War of Independence.