All citiesNicosia Things to do and walking itinerary
Cyprus Nicosia travel guide
29 things to do in Nicosia, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Nicosia
- Selimiye Mosque (former St. Sophia Cathedral) — Gothic former cathedral in North Nicosia, in use today as a mosque (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Cyprus Museum — Archaeological museum in Cyprus (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Venetian walls of Nicosia — series of walls surrounding the old city of Nicosia, Cyprus (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Haydar Pasha Mosque — Gothic former church and mosque in North Nicosia, now an art gallery (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Arabahmet Mosque — mosque in Northern Cyprus (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kyrenia Gate — gate in the Nicosia walls, in North Nicosia, Northern Cyprus (visit ≈ 60 min)
- St. John Theologian's Cathedral in Nicosia — main church of the Church of Cyprus (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sarayönü Mosque — mosque in Northern Cyprus (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Famagusta Gate — gate in the Nicosia walls, Cyprus (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Notre Dame de Tyre — church in North Nicosia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Omeriye Mosque — mosque in Cyprus, former church of Augustinian Monastery (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Leventio Museum — museum in Ledra Street, Cyprus (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Holy Mother of God Cathedral — Mother Cathedral of Armenian prelacy of Nicosia (Holy See of Cilicia) (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Turunçlu Mosque — mosque in North Nicosia, Northern Cyprus (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Akkavuk Masjid — mosque in Nicosia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Dervish Pasha Mansion — Ottoman house and ethnographic museum in North Nicosia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sourp Amenapergitch — jesus as Saviour a latin dedication of chapel (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Presidential Palace, Nicosia — Presidential residence in southern Nicosia (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Church of the Holy Cross, Nicosia — church in Nicosia, Cyprus (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Dükkanlar Önü Mosque — mosque in North Nicosia, Cyprus (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Eleftheria square — main square in central Nicosia, Cyprus (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Sourp Haroutiun Chapel, Nicosia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- New Mosque — mosque in Nicosia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Laleli Mosque, Nicosia — mosque in North Nicosia, Northern Cyprus (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bayraktar Mosque — mosque in Nicosia, Cyprus (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Leventis Gallery — art gallery in Nicosia, Cyprus (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Paphos Gate — city gate in Nicosia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- İplik Pazarı Mosque — mosque in Northern Cyprus (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Mevlevi Tekke Museum — Kuzey Kıbrıs'ın Lefkoşa kentinde müze (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Nicosia walking itinerary
Starting point: Ledra Street. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.9 km · 6,580 steps · 1 h 4 min on the way): Cyprus Museum → Arabahmet Mosque → Sarayönü Mosque → Kyrenia Gate → Haydar Pasha Mosque → Selimiye Mosque (former St. Sophia Cathedral) → St. John Theologian's Cathedral in Nicosia
- Day 2 (≈ 2.2 km · 2,910 steps · 28 min on the way): Venetian walls of Nicosia
Where to stay in Nicosia
- Ledra Street: Main street of the walled old town; near the crossing point.
- Laiki Geitonia: A restored old quarter; tavernas and narrow lanes.
- Phaneromeni: A bohemian area full of bars and cafés.
- Around Büyük Han: The northern old town; near the Selimiye Mosque and the inns.
Getting from the airport to Nicosia
- Larnaca (LCA): Airport shuttle bus ≈ 50 min
- Ercan (ECN): Airport bus ≈ 30 min
Getting around
The walled old town is walkable; you cross between north and south at Ledra Street with your passport.
Classic places to eat
- Zanettos: Old tavern serving meze since 1938.
- Piatsa Gourounaki: Souvlaki and Cypriot-style grills.
- Büyük Han: Coffee and small shops in the courtyard of an Ottoman inn.
- Sedirhan: Turkish Cypriot breakfast and coffee in the Büyük Han courtyard.
- Erodos: Courtyard café-bar in the old town; lively in the evenings.
Romantic views
- Ledra Street (Evening): The old town's main pedestrian street glows in the evening lights.
- Büyük Han (Evening): The stone courtyard of the Ottoman inn is calm and softly lit at night.
- Venetian Walls (Sunset): A walk along the star-shaped walls circles the old city.
- Shacolas Tower Observatory (Sunset): From the top floor you see the divided city at a glance.
Football stadiums in Nicosia
- GSP Stadium: Home of APOEL F.C., AC Omonia
Day trips
- Khirokitia — 42 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Nicosia
- Fine: Photography in the buffer zone and military areas is prohibited.
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- Warning: The island is divided; cross between north and south only at official crossing points.
- Warning: The Republic of Cyprus doesn't recognise entry via northern ports and airports; crossing south may be refused.
- Warning: Strict limits apply to tobacco and alcohol brought from north to south.
- Warning: Traffic drives on the left.
- Emergency: 112 (police 199, ambulance 199, fire 199)
- Plugs: G, 240V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe, though many prefer bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% if service isn't included.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Cyprus, Wikivoyage — Cyprus, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Nicosia travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Nicosia?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Khirokitia).
- What are the top things to do in Nicosia?
- Highlights: Selimiye Mosque (former St. Sophia Cathedral), Cyprus Museum, Venetian walls of Nicosia, Haydar Pasha Mosque and Arabahmet Mosque. The map has 29 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Nicosia?
- Ledra Street: Main street of the walled old town; near the crossing point. Other options: Laiki Geitonia, Phaneromeni and Around Büyük Han.
- How do you get from the airport to Nicosia city centre?
- Larnaca (LCA): Airport shuttle bus ≈ 50 min · Ercan (ECN): Airport bus ≈ 30 min
- How do you get around Nicosia?
- The walled old town is walkable; you cross between north and south at Ledra Street with your passport.
- What is the emergency number in Nicosia?
- Emergency: 112 (police 199, ambulance 199, fire 199).
- Do you tip in Nicosia?
- About 10% if service isn't included.
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