Nicosia - History, shopping and cozy cafes
Right in the heart of Cyprus is the country’s capital, Nicosia (Lefkoşa). The Green Line runs right through the city, separating the Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south, making Nicosia the only divided capital in the world. The city’s historical and cultural division makes for an interesting experience. Crossing the border to either side is no problem, just remember to bring your passport!
South and North Nicosia
There are several border crossings to choose from depending on whether you want to take the car or walk. Many tourists who visit Nicosia for the day take the opportunity to walk across to the other side at the Ledra Street border crossing. On the south side you will find Nicosia’s largest shopping street, Ledra Street, with shops such as H&M, Bershka and Pull & Bear.
There are also nice local restaurants here as well as international fast food outlets such as McDonald’s and Subway. If you go over to the north side you will end up directly in the well-preserved old Turkish quarters. Here the narrow streets are filled with jewelry stores, cozy cafes and shops that sell identical copies of famous clothing brands.
Travel reporters who have visited Nicosia have a bad habit of describing the contrast between the shopping streets as a kind of symbol that speaks for the entire island; that you are crossing the border from the modern Greek Cypriot side, to the undeveloped Turkish Cypriot side. Most likely, these journalists have never bothered to go over to Northern Cyprus, but have been content to just take a few steps across the border in the capital.
The reason why the differences on both sides are perceived as so great is that the border crossing at Ledra Street is located right between South Nicosia’s most modern shopping street and North Nicosia’s “old town”. If you want new shops and larger shopping complexes, you have to go further into the Turkish Cypriot part of the city. On the shopping street Mehmet Akif Cd (Dereboyu) there is a wide range of shops, such as Mango, Polo and Terranova.
Nicosia is Cyprus’ administrative centre and the centre for art, culture and entertainment. Within the old town’s Venetian fortress walls there are several interesting museums and sights to visit. There are also bars and restaurants here for those who want to enjoy food and drink in a historic setting.
Facts about Nicosia
In Turkish: Lefkoşa
In Greek: Nicosia
Population:
North Nicosia: 70000 (2023)
South Nicosia: 210000 (2023)
Distance:
Kyrenia: 30 km
Esentepe: 58 km
Famagusta: 65 km
Iskele: 73 km
Karpaz: 150 km
Ercan Airport: 15 km
Larnaca Airport: 50 km
Tourist attractions:
Ledra Street, Nicosias venetianska stadsmurar, Cyperns museum, Selimiye-moskén (tidigare St. Sophia-katedralen) Leventis kommunala museum i Nicosia, Buyuk Han (Great Inn), Dervish Pasha Mansion, Ärkebiskopens palats, Laiki Geitonia, Shacolas Tower Observatory och Omeriye-moskén.
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