Nicosia - Experience the best places & activities

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and one of the oldest cities in the world. With its rich history and culture, the city is a wonderful place to explore and discover. The city is known for its beautiful architecture, which has been influenced by various cultures, including Greek, Turkish, and Venetian influences.

The old town of Nicosia, also known as Laiki Geitonia, is a perfect example of this cultural diversity and offers a fascinating blend of historic buildings and narrow streets flanked by colorful houses and lively markets. The city also has a vibrant arts and culture scene, reflected in its many museums and galleries. A highlight is the Leventis Museum, which offers insights into the history and culture of Nicosia.

Apart from its rich history and culture, Nicosia also has a lively modern side. The city has a thriving cafe culture and an exciting nightlife scene, offering a wide range of bars and clubs that stay open late into the night. The city is also a great place for shopping, offering everything from traditional handicrafts to designer boutiques.

Quick Facts about Nicosia

Location of Nicosia in Cyprus
LocationCentral (At the border)
Population320.000
Websitenicosia.org.cy
Area111 km²
ClimateSteppe climate

Sights & Attractions in Nicosia

Interior of the Archaeological Museum of Nicosia

The Cyprus Museum

In 14 rooms, you will receive a chronological overview of the development and culture of Cyprus, from the Neolithic era to the Byzantine period. On display are sculptures, everyday objects, coins, jewelry, and burial finds, with a particular focus on the ivory inlays of decorated furniture.
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Walls of Nicosia

Walls of Nicosia

The Renaissance-era city walls have a length of 5 km and are circular in design. After Nicosia was conquered by the Ottomans, they dug up the graves and strengthened the wall. Today, the moat of the fortress contains sports facilities, public gardens, and an open-air sculpture park, as well as parking areas.
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Fountain in the city park of Nicosia

Nicosia City Park

In the city park, there are palm trees, blooming bushes, and plenty of space for a picnic or family gathering. Every Sunday, immigrants from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India meet here. Cosmetic services are offered here, and you can take a culinary journey through the homemade food that you can sample here. Admission is free.
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Ledra Street border crossing in the pedestrian zone of Nicosia

Ledra Street

Ledra Street is a shopping street with restaurants, cafes, and shops. What makes this street unique is that it is divided into a southern and a northern part by a border crossing. To switch to the other part of the city, you need a valid passport or ID card.
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Activities & Things to Do in Nicosia

Entrance area of the Omeriye Hamam.

Hamam Omeriye

Located in the heart of Nicosia, the Omeriye Hamam offers a glimpse into Turkish tradition. Take a journey through time and enjoy tea, lokum (Turkish delight), sweets, or a hookah.
Visit the Organiser ↗️
Museum in Nicosia

Museum Tour through Nicosia

On a 2-hour tour of Nicosia's museums, you'll discover the Leventis Museum, the Leventis Gallery, and treasures of Christian and Islamic architecture.
Traditional Cypriot doors in an old house.

Guided Tour through Nicosia

Discover more about the city and how it has changed over the centuries.
UN buffer zone between Southern Cyprus and Northern Cyprus

Tour through the Bufferzone

Discover paths, landmarks, and secrets off the beaten path on a 2-3 hour tour.

Our favorite places to stay in Nicosia 🏡

Apartments & Vacation Homes

Apartment in the old town of Nicosia

Gem in the old town

Perfect for couples
The apartment is colorful, designed for 2 guests, and located in a protected historic building. Long-term rentals are also possible.
Visit on Airbnb ↗️
Balcony of the University Palace in Nicosia

University Palace

Very calm
Away from the hustle and bustle, you'll live in a bright, modern apartment with a queen-size bed. Parking is available.
Visit on Airbnb ↗️

Hotels & Resorts

Apartment in Mini Art House in Nicosia

Mini Art House

Perfect for couples
This hotel with 6 apartments welcomes travelers in the heart of Nicosia and is only a 25-minute walk from the Venetian Column Monument.
Homepage ↗️
Lobby of the Hilton Hotel Nicosia

Hilton Hotel

Family friendly
The Hilton Hotel in Nicosia lives up to its promises. Enjoy a rich breakfast buffet to start your day off right.
Homepage ↗️

Popular Restaurants in Nicosia

DOT Tavern in Nicosia

D.O.T. Restaurant

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Greek & Cypriot specialties
If you want to brunch here, you should make a reservation. Dinner is also a good alternative to the usual taverna food.
Location auf Google Maps ↗️
To Anamma Restaurant Garten mit Esstischen

To Anamma Traditional Restaurant

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Allrounder
A traditional taverna in the heart of the old town, on Ledra Street. This popular restaurant has a beautiful courtyard and also offers a good selection of vegetarian dishes.
Location auf Google Maps ↗️
Pyxida Fischtaverne in Nikosia

Pyxida Fish Tavern

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Fisch & More
Those who enjoy eating fish should stop by here and spend the evening or afternoon in a well-maintained atmosphere.
Location auf Google Maps ↗️

Nicosia (Greek: Lefkosia) is the capital of the Republic of Cyprus and is located in the center of the island. Nicosia is a lively and modern commercial and business metropolis. The city center is formed by the historic old town, which is enclosed all around by fortress walls with moats and heart-shaped bastions. Stroll through the narrow streets and along the restored, turbulent pedestrian zone with its cafes and taverns. Mosques and palm trees give the old town an oriental flair.

Visit St. John's Cathedral with its interesting frescoes and the Museum of Byzantine Icons. Concerts are held in the evenings, especially in front of the ramparts, and the Famagusta Gate is the site of spectacular exhibitions. The nearby Machairas Monastery is also worth a visit.

Places of interest & sightseeing in the surroundings of Nicosia

Ledra Street Lookout Tower

From the observation deck on the 11th floor of the Shacolas Tower you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city of Lefkosia.

View on Nicosia from Ledra Street Lookout Tower

Royal tombs of Tamassos

In the village of In Politiko, about 17 km southwest of Nicosia lies the ancient city-kingdom of Tamassos. Archaeological excavations brought to light the royal tombs, copper workshops and an Astarte/Aphrodite sanctuary. Impressive finds include larger-than-life statues of 6th-century B.C. macaque stone, now on display at the Cyprus Museum.

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Idálion

20 km south of Nicosia you can find the archaeological remains from all eras. In the district town of Dáli is the excavation site of ancient Idálion, one of the city-kingdoms of the island and part of the cultural route of Aphrodite. The strategic location, the abundance of water and the fertile soil were the three factors that helped the city to flourish between the 8th and 5th century BC. According to tradition, Adonis, Aphrodite's lover, died in Dali, killed by Aphrodite's lover, the god of war Ares.
In Pera Chorio there is the Byzantine church of Agioi Apostoloi. It contains wall paintings from the second half of the 12th century, which are among the most beautiful from that period. The Agios Dimitrios church from the 12th-13th century is also worth a visit.
Near the village of Potamia you will find the medieval ruins, the remains of the summer residence of the Frankish kings of Cyprus and a Gothic church.

Museum village Fikardou

The village of Fikardou, abandoned in the 19th century, on the road to Machaira, about 1 km east of the village of Gourri, has been declared a historical monument in order to protect the traditional architecture of the dwellings with their remarkable 18th century wood carvings. The "House of Katsinioros" and the "House of Achilleas Dimítris" from the 16th century have been restored and now form a living example of rural architecture in Cyprus. In 1987 the village was awarded the Europa Nostra prize.

National Forest Park Athalassa

Athalassa Forest Park is home to the Center for Environmental Studies, where you can get information about the ecological characteristics of the forest park. Learn about the ecosystem, vegetation, birds, mammals and reptiles through a three-dimensional model. Geological findings are displayed in a separate room.

Panagia Chrysospiliotissa Church

The church is located about 11 km southwest of Nicosia near the village of Deftera and was originally built as a cave catacomb, which dates back to early Christian times. This type of church is common in the Middle East but not in Cyprus. Unfortunately, most of the wall paintings have been destroyed. On August 15, there is a big church consecration festival for the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

Center for Cypriot arts and crafts

Located outside the city walls, the center has workshops and a sales store where you can find Cypriot traditional handicrafts such as clay pots, baskets, wood carvings, copperware and embroidery.

Igios Ioannis Cathedral

The church was built by Archbishop Nikiforos in 1662 on the site of a 14th century Benedictine monastery dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. The Orthodox church, dedicated to Agios Ioannis Theologos, was a monastery until the 18th century, when Archbishop Sylvester elevated it to the status of a cathedral and the seat of the Cypriot Orthodox Archbishop. The church is one of the few in which the complete pictorial program is still preserved. The four large icons were painted in 1795 and 1797 by Ioánnis Kornáros, a native of Crete. The 18th century wall paintings depict Bible scenes and the finding of the tomb of Apostle Barnabas in Salamis.

Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum houses the richest and most representative collection of Byzantine art in Cyprus. More than 200 icons, from the 9th to the 19th century, sacred utensils, vestments and books are displayed here. The highlight of the exhibition is the 6th century mosaics from the Panagia Kanakaria Church in Lythragkomi. The mosaics, illegally exported from the occupied northern part, were recovered for the Byzantine Museum.

The new and the old Archbishop's Palace

The new Archbishop's Palace is the seat of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus. It was built in 1960 in neo-Byzantine style. The old palace was built in 1730 and is located next to the new palace. Today, there is an Ethnographic Museum on the first floor.

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Famagusta Gate

The Famagusta Gate was one of the three city gates of the Venetian fortification walls of the Old City. The eastern gate, Porta Giuliana, later known as Famagusta Gate, has been restored and since then serves as a cultural center. The gate leading inside the city is particularly impressive, while the outer gate opens onto the moat.

famagusta gate in nicosia

The four halls of the Makarios Cultural Foundation display a unique collection of representative works of Western art, from the Renaissance to contemporary art, as well as works by Greek and Cypriot artists.
Room 1 shows works by European artists and Room 2 displays paintings, engravings and maps from the 18th and 19th centuries on the theme of the Greek Revolt of 1821. In Room 3 you will find works by Greek artists of the 19th and 20th centuries and Room 4 is dedicated to representative works by Cypriot artists of the 20th century.

Cyprus Museum

The Cyprus Museum in Nicosia is the largest and most important museum on the island. The building dates back to 1908 and 1924 when Cyprus was still a British colony. The exhibition shows the cultural development of Cyprus from the Neolithic period to the early Byzantine period in the 7th century A.D. The exhibits include ceramics, jewelry, sculptures, coins and bronze objects.
Highlight of the exhibition are finds of considerable archaeological and historical importance and characteristic of Cyprus culture, such as the cruciform statuettes of the Copper Age, the Early Bronze Age ceramic vessels from Vounous, the gold jewelry from Egkomi dated to the Late Bronze Age and the Aphrodite of Soli from the first century BC. The Cyprus Museum is part of Aphrodite's Cultural Route.

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