Nicosia, the last divided capital in Europe, offers travelers a layered and surprising journey through centuries of cultural, religious, and political history. This itinerary ebook invites you to discover the city through its contrasts—between ancient and modern, Greek and Turkish influences, and traditions preserved in quiet courtyards or behind fortified gates.
Wandering along Ledra Street, you’ll feel the pulse of daily life. This is the city’s main commercial artery, alive with cafes, local shops, and changing rhythms. Just steps away, Eleftheria Square provides an open space where the old Venetian Walls still define the edges of the historic city center.
The Shacolas Tower offers a clear view of both sides of Nicosia—south and north—reminding visitors of the city’s complex geography and its evolving identity.
The cultural depth of Nicosia is quietly revealed through its museums and preserved buildings. The Cyprus Museum is a key introduction to the island’s long history, and nearby, the Museum of Numismatic History and the Ethnological Museum offer further perspective on daily life and artistic heritage.
Within the same area, the Byzantine Museum holds some of the finest icons and religious artworks in Cyprus, closely tied to the Archbishop’s Palace, a landmark of ecclesiastical and political authority.
In the northern part of the city, accessed via Ledra Street crossing or through the historical Kyrenia Gate, the atmosphere shifts, yet the continuity of history remains strong. The Buyuk Han, an Ottoman-era inn now home to craft shops and cafes, stands across from the striking Selimiye Mosque, once a Gothic cathedral.
These buildings reflect the layered transformations that define the city’s architecture and cultural landscape.
The Famagusta Gate and the restored Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum add further dimension, while Bellapais Monastery, just outside the city, offers a tranquil counterpoint with its elevated views and quiet stone cloisters.
