Tourist Attractions in Nicosia

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Nicosia

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Nicosia

The capital of Cyprus is divided by a conventional buffer zone and belongs to two states. On one side is the Republic of Cyprus, inhabited mostly by ethic Greeks, and on the other side is Northern Cyprus, inhabited mostly by Turks. Ancient history and the fusion of the two cultures have created the current appearance of Nicosia.

The architecture of the city developed during the Ottoman rule. At that time, some Christian churches became mosques and defences like the Venetian fortress walls lost their former functions. To see the local colour and contrast it is worth going to the pedestrian street called Ledra. The history of the island is reflected in the museum collections. It took Nicosia a while to get back its valuables taken to the mainland, but now they are in their rightful place and are available for tourists to see.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Nicosia

Archbishop's Palace

 0/5

Religious centre of the Orthodox part of Cyprus. It was built for several years until 1960 and was intended as a residence for the local high clergy. Most of the palace is closed for viewing. However, its grounds now house several museum collections and a library, so it is possible to get in close proximity. There is a monument in honour of Archbishop Makarios III in front of the entrance.

Ledras

 0/5

The main shopping street of the island. It is just over a kilometre long. Its peculiarity lies in its belonging to the territory of two states at once: the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The name Ledra is a reference to the ancient city that used to be located here. The street is pedestrianised and is home to the headquarters of the peacekeepers who oversee order in the buffer zone.

Shacolas Tower Museum and Observatory

 4.3/5

581 reviews

Located on top of a shopping and business centre. Shacolas Tower is the tallest building in the Old Town and the third tallest in Nicosia. It was built in 1990 and reconstructed two decades later. It was named after the owner, a local billionaire. Access to the observation deck is open every day. Nearby there is an observatory museum, which allows you to learn more about the city.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Buyuk Khan

 4.3/5

3 reviews

The caravanserai was built in 1572. It resembles a small fortress and in the past it served as an inn. There are 4 buildings of two floors each connected in a square. The formed courtyard has its own mosque and ablution pool. Since the second half of the 19th century, Büyük-Khan has successively been a prison, a shelter for the homeless and a museum. It is now home to cafes, shops and a shadow theatre.

Open time

Selimiye Camii

 4.5/5

1524 reviews

The Islamic religious site used to be the Orthodox Cathedral of St Sophia. It was laid in the first years of the XIII century, and transformed into a mosque in 1570. Two minarets were built next to it, all the decorations typical for temples were taken out of the premises, tombstones were covered with carpets. It was named in honour of one of the Ottoman rulers. It was under the leadership of Selim II that the Turks conquered the island.

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A. G. Leventis Gallery

 4.6/5

336 reviews

The first owner, in whose honour the gallery is named, conceived the project half a century ago. A foundation set up by Leventis was able to realise the initiative to the full. The gallery’s halls display paintings, furniture and art objects. They cover 400 years of European history. The exposition is divided into 3 collections: Paris, Greek and Cyprus. The gallery is closed for preventive maintenance on Thursdays.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia

 4.6/5

443 reviews

It has been in operation since 1989. The Laventis Foundation bought an abandoned building and restored it. In the spacious halls they began to collect exhibits telling the history of the city and the whole of Cyprus. In our century, the collection grew so much that additional space was allocated for its needs. Among the exhibits are books, clothes, weapons, household items and jewellery. The oldest item in the museum dates back to the 4th millennium BC.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The Cyprus Museum

 4.6/5

1726 reviews

The oldest and largest museum on the island. It was founded in 1882 to prevent illegal excavations and looting of historical sites. Until then, finds were sent to European museums. The collection got its own building in 1908. There it is located to this day. The main additions to the funds were made in the period up to 1931. Now the exhibitions are distributed in 14 halls.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Byzantine Museum

 4.1/5

147 reviews

It was opened under the patronage of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation in 1982. At the time, the collection was modest, occupying only a small hall. Subsequently, the authorities made an impressive effort to return the valuables taken to the mainland. The museum has grown to its present size. Of particular importance is the collection of 230 icons. Among them there are samples dating back to the “Golden Age” of Byzantine iconography.

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Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum

 4.9/5

496 reviews

Based on a private collection. Andreas Nicolau made his collection widely available to the public in the 1990s. The exhibition consists of more than 150 motorbike models. They date from 1914 to 1983. Each specimen has its own history. In the museum there is a small cinema, where they spin tapes about motorbikes. There is a themed shop and a café nearby.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Cyprus Car Museum

 4.7/5

464 reviews

Cyprus’ only car museum opened in 2014. It is based on the collection of Dimi Mavropoulos, a rally champion. The area of more than 1000 m² is littered with collector cars in perfect condition. A London double-decker bus, a retro ambulance, an armoured Cadillac – there’s a lot to see here. New cars are constantly appearing and some are for sale.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios - Ethnological Museum

 4.6/5

268 reviews

The first owner was a tax collector and one of the richest residents of the city. He ordered the mansion to be built at the end of the eighteenth century. Kornesios was executed and his relatives handed the house over to Nicosia. Currently, the building houses a museum. The collection tells about the traditions and life of the times of the Ottoman Empire rule on the island. Its special feature is the Turkish baths, which are still in operation.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

Church of Panayias Phaneromenis

 4.6/5

160 reviews

One of the largest Orthodox churches on the island. The exact date of construction is unknown, but the church was built during the reign of the Lusignan dynasty. In the past it was part of a convent. During its history it was repeatedly renewed, and the present appearance is far from the initial one. The main value of the church is the carved iconostasis created in 1659. It depicts scenes from the Old Testament.

Open time

Monday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Friday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 8:00 PM

Archangel Michael Trypiotis Church

 4.5/5

65 reviews

The foundation was laid in 1695. The construction was completed in a record time of a few months. The decoration of the facade is not typical for religious objects: bas-reliefs depict sea monsters, mermaids and lions. The most valuable icon was painted in the XV century. The iconostasis was made in 1812. It is decorated with fine carving and gilding. The interior decoration is characterised by opulence and richness.

Open time

Monday: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

St. John's Cathedral

 4.3/5

221 reviews

It has been in the old town since the 17th century. The church belonged to the Benedictine order. Now only a small building next to the ethnographic exposition reminds of it. The modest appearance of the cathedral is explained by the period of its construction: at that time the Ottomans ruled the island. But the interior decoration is bright: the walls and vaults are covered with frescoes. The local shrines are revered by both Orthodox and Catholics.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Venetian fortress walls

Military engineers from Italy began remodelling the old city fortifications in 1567. Among other things, they left the riverbed in the outer radius. This removed the threat of flooding and created an additional barrier for the enemy. The walls turned out to be impressive, but the project could not be completed: the Ottomans took the city earlier. The perimeter is surrounded by 11 bastions. The length of the walls is about 5 kilometres.

Famagusta Gate

 4.2/5

78 reviews

In the 16th century, Nicosia could be accessed through one of three gates. The largest of these was the Famagusta Gate. They were originally named in honour of the architect Giulio, but the name did not stick. After the Ottomans took over the city, Christians, including traders, could only pass through the gate on foot. The building is well preserved. A cultural centre has been opened in the building attached to it.

Open time

Kyrenia Gate

 4.4/5

1021 reviews

Another passageway into the old town. It was completed in 1562. The design is based on Marco Polo’s notes and is a reduced copy of the gate in Beijing. Although called “governor’s gate”, it was mostly used by peasants and traders. The attraction is not fully preserved: only the arch and the guardhouse have survived through the centuries. The upper platform offers a panoramic view of the neighbourhood.

Open time

The Liberty Monument

 4.5/5

439 reviews

It was unveiled in 1973 and is dedicated to an organisation called EOKA. The installation of the monument has divided society. Some see EOKA’s activities as terrorist, others as liberating. The sculptural composition shows a scene of Cypriots leaving an English prison. Among the former prisoners are people of different ages and occupations, including young guerrillas and priests. There are flowerbeds nearby.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Athalassa National Forest Park

 4.6/5

151 reviews

A hundred years ago, the land where the national park now stands was considered infertile. In 1962, the territory was taken up, with the aim of creating a green zone. The forest and shrubbery that emerged was not improved until recently. Now the park has a network of walking areas, drinking water taps, sports grounds and picnic areas. Walking routes have been developed to get around the whole park at once.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours