48 hours in Nicosia – Weekend Edition
Nicosia In Less Than 48 Words
The ancient walled Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and its largest city. It is also the world’s last remaining divided capital – separated into north and south by the so-called Green Line. However, the barricades have been recently lifted, and so visiting the city now has an added charm.
View of the city from Ledra Museum-Observatory (Photo by ynysforgan_jack)
First 24 Hours
You can reach the ancient city of Nicosia via the Larnaca International Airport, as the Nicosia International Airport has been closed for some time. It is located about 45 minutes distance away from the city. From there, you can catch a bus that will take you directly to the city center for a fare of €5. Alternatively, you can opt for a taxi, although this may cost you upwards of €55.
Activity in Nicosia is mostly centered in its walled old town sector. The city sprawls a little messily, but you can easily find your way there by navigating via the town walls. You can learn important tourist information at its main tourist office (Leoforous Lemesou 19, Nicosia, 22 691 100, website).
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Nicosia’s hotels
You can easily find a nice place to stay during your 48 hour visit in Nicosia at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Hilton (Archbishop Makarios III Avenue, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus, 357-22-377-777, website). It is Nicosia’s only 5-star hotel, and offers an efficient staff, comfortable rooms, and a nice location, being only a few minutes distance away from the city center.
Centrum Hotel (Photo from Google images)
A nice alternative is the Almond Business Suites (25th March Street, N. 11, Nicosia 1087, Cyprus, 357 22 87 91 31, website), which has modern designs, and rooms with kitchens and large flat TVs. You can also try out the Centrum Hotel (15 Pasikratous Street | Eleftherias Square, Nicosia 1011, Cyprus, 357 – 22 456 444, website). It is a three-star hotel with superb rooms and a location near restaurants and shopping centers.
SHACOLAS TOWER: Let’s take a view
For a superb view of the city, you can take a sojourn at the Shacolas Building (Corner of Arsinois and Ledra, South Nicosia, Cyprus, +357 2267 9396). At its 11th floor, you’ll find the Ledra Museum-Observatory, which is an observatory full of astronomic delights. You can use its powerful telescopes to see the infamous “Green Line” of Nicosia and the charming cityscape. The site is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm, and admission will cost you around €0.85.
CYPRUS MUSEUM: Have a taste of history
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Nicosia is the Cyprus Museum (Leoforos Mouseiou 1, South Nicosia, Cyprus, CY, +357 2286 5888, website). It is considered to be the oldest and largest archaeological museum in Cyprus, and houses only a collection of artifacts harvested from island excavations. It was founded in 1882. You can see inside it exhibits of Cypriot artifacts dating from the 9th century BC, as well as an Egyptian Amulets hall and a Mycenean Artifacts room. Perhaps the most gripping exhibit there is the terracotta figures sourced from Agia Irini.
Cyprus Museum (Photo by Phil Photography)
The site is open from 8 am to 4 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; 8 am to 5 pm on Wednesdays; 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays; and 10 am to 1 pm on Sundays. Admission will cost you around €3.40.
SELIMIYE MOSQUE: Visit a mosque
Another noteworthy tourist attraction in Nicosia is the Selimiye Mosque (Selimiye Sokak, Nicosia, Cyprus). It is the main mosque of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and is believed to date back to 1209, when it had in fact been named the St. Sophia Cathedral. The site is known for being the coronation site of the kings of Cyprus until 1489, when the Venetians invaded the island. It is considered to be the epitome of Gothic architecture in Cyprus, and is most known for its exquisite main door and carved stone windows. The mosque is still used as a place of worship, and there are no set visiting times in the site.
Selimiye Mosque (Photo by Charles Fred)
DINNER TIME: Discover Nicosia’s restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is Erodos (Erodos Patriarhou Gregoriou 1, Old Town Lefkosia, 357 22 752250, website). It is located in Nicosia’s Old Town, and serves fine wines, good beer and delicious traditional food, and also hosts live music. Have a taste of Italy in Nicosia at Il Forno (Ledra’s Street, Nicosia, Cyprus, 22456454), which serves an authentic Italian cuisine and some of the best pizza and pasta in town.
If you’re up for some Japanese food, you can head to Seiko (26-28 Stasikratous str., 357-77777375), a Japanese restaurant serving over 132 dishes, including sushi and sashimi. Another is Zen Fusion (18 Agii Omologites Nicosia Cyprus, 357 22 755 060, website). It offers Japanese fusion food and a fantastic salad selection.
Next 24 Hours
Haydarpasha Mosque (Photo by j_ayra)
There are several other tourist attractions to engage your next 24 hours in Nicosia. One of the must-sees in the city is the Haydarpasha Mosque (Kirlizade Sokak, North Nicosia, Cyprus). It was originally built in the 14th century as St. Catherine’s Church, and is considered to be among the finest Gothic buildings in the city. Today, it functions as an art gallery, featuring exhibits of sculptures of dragons, human heads, and gargoyles. The site is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays, and from 9 am to 1 pm on weekends. Admission is free.
MAKARIOS CULTURAL FOUNDATION: Have a cultural visit
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Makarios Cultural Foundation (Plateia Arhiepiskopou Kyprianou, South Nicosia, Cyprus, +357 2243 0008), which is also known as the Art Gallery of Makarios III Foundation. It is a sprawling complex known for its three main exhibition spaces. Perhaps the most popular is the Byzantine Art Museum, which boasts the island’s second largest collection of icons. Around 220 icons can be found there, such as the Christ & Virgin Mary, the Resurrection from St John Lambadistis Monastery at Kalopanayiotis, and six Kanakaria Mosaics.
Another is the European Art Gallery, which contains more than 100 oil paintings that date back to the 16th century. Most of the art works have religious themes. Lastly, there is the Greek Independence War Gallery, which features paintings and copper engravings chronicling events from the 1821 Greek War of Independence. The complex is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm during weekdays, and 9 am to 1 pm during Saturdays.
Byzantine Museum (Photo by Glen Bowman)
CYPRUS TURKISH SHADOW THEATER: Entertain yourself
One of the most unique attractions in the city is the Cyprus Turkish Shadow Theater (Buyuk Han (Great Inn), Arasta Sokak, North Nicosia, Cyprus, +90 0542 850 3514). It is the only one of its kind in the island, and features Shadow Theater shows that were once widespread throughout Cyprus. You can contact its staff to reserve seats and choose a performance.
BUYUK HAMMAN: Relax in a Turkish bath
You can relax and unwind at the Buyuk Hammam (Irfan Bey Sokak 9, North Nicosia, Cyprus, +90 228 4462), which is one of the most popular spa centers in the island. It offers a traditional Turkish bath experience, and you can enjoy steamy saunas and massages while admiring the building’s historic architecture. The site is open daily from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm.
Buyuk Hammam (Photo from Google images)
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Nicosia’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to Nicosia’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the exciting nightlife of the city. One of the most popular is Babylon (6 Iasonos Street, 2021, 357 22 665757), a house-turned-bar with a garden, and is a refreshing place to be during hot summer nights. A nice alternative is Plato’s Bar (8-10 Platonos St, 357-22666552, website). It is located in Nicosia’s historical old town, and serves a wide range of beers and wines.
You can also try out The Toy Lounge (Pindarou St., 357-22817040), which is a bar/club that serves finger foods, offers creative cocktails, and hosts live music on some nights. Dance the night away at Scorpoios Club (3 Stassinos Street, 22351850), which is the oldest discotheque in Nicosia – dating back to the 1970s.
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