Nicosia, Northern Cyprus Now the world's only remaining divided capital city, Nicosia (Lefkosa in Turkish) is the administrative capital of North Cyprus. Much renovation and reconstruction has been carried out in recent years, enhancing the character of this vibrant and bustling, yet ancient city. Renowned for shopping, as well as sightseeing, the historic centre of Nicosia is a maze of winding streets and alley-ways with a fresh surprise awaiting around every corner. Much of the ancient centre of Nicosia is now a pedestrian precinct with a variety of restaurants and tavernas to tempt the palate.

The name 'Nicosia' dates back approximately 2,250 years to the original settlement of Ledra which was later renamed Lefkotheon, but was also sometimes referred to locally as Ledron. During the Byzantine period the name changed again to Lefkon, meaning 'poplar grove', due to the great many poplar trees lining the banks of the Pedeios river, flowing through the centre of the city. Except for a brief period during the Venetian period, Nicosia has been the capital of Cyprus since the seventh century A.D. Arab raids made many coastal settlements unsafe, but Nicosia was just far enough inland to escape the worst. Huge, thick ramparts, built by the Venetians in 1570, encircle the city; the walls are three and a half miles long and have eleven towers and three gates. Within these walls are numerous remains from the middle ages and later periods. Outside, there is no trace of the mediaeval settlement that once existed, as materials from those buildings were used at various points in time to restore and strengthen the walls.

Modern day Nicosia has a population of around 150,000. The city is divided into Turkish and Greek sectors by the border between Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus and has one of the border-crossing points, where any EC passport holder can now freely cross between North and South. In the centre of the old city of Nicosia, beautiful examples of Gothic and Ottoman architecture abound and offer plenty of opportunities for sight-seeing. The Selimiye Mosque (formally St Sophia) is a wonderful example, situated right in the city centre. The Dervish Pasa Mansion is also well worth a visit. A beautifully restored Ottoman house, it was originally built and owned by Dervish Pasa, who was the editor and publisher of the first Turkish language newspaper in Cyprus. Within the central area, the covered market is a riot for the senses, delighting with vibrant colours and the powerful aroma of spices, whilst nearby, the Buyuk Han (Great Inn) has been recently restored and its courtyard now houses a selection of small craft shops and the like. If you can drag yourself away from the shops, take time too, to visit the Saray Hotel. The roof-top bar has a terrace, affording a fascinating 360 degree panorama over the city and offers a fascinating illustration of the differences between Northern Cyprus and the Republic to the south.

Primarily a centre for North Cyprus' government, as well as commerce and shopping, Nicosia has very little holiday accommodation (and none that we feel suitable for our clients), but the town is in easy reach of Kyrenia. There is a very wide choice of accommodation in the overall region and Nicosia can also be quite easily reached from Famagusta. During your Northern Cyprus holiday you can, if you wish, book a tour of Nicosia through our local representatives.