Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, is located in the center of the island, far from the sea. The city is the capital of both parts at the same time - both Greek and Turkish, in this article we consider its Greek part. There are no direct flights to Nicosia from Russia, the nearest airports are in Larnaca and Paphos.
The climate in Nicosia is subtropical, as in the whole of Cyprus, but keep in mind: since the sea is not close, in summer, in July-August, it is very hot here, about 38-40 degrees Celsius. If you want to calmly explore everything that is in Nicosia itself and its surroundings, it is better to choose autumn and spring or even winter - then it is very comfortable and warm here, even in January the temperature rarely drops below 10-15 degrees. Autumn and spring are also very beautiful, and Nicosia is an excellent starting point for sightseeing in the central regions of the country. If you combine an educational vacation with a beach one, then in Nicosia it is still best to rent a house in order to examine it in the mornings and evenings, and not in the heat of the day.
Nicosia is one of the most ancient settlements in Cyprus. A large ancient city existed here from the 11th century BC. to the III century AD, then fell into decay, and blossomed again already in the Middle Ages. There was a crusader castle here, from which practically nothing has survived, and in the 16th century the Venetians built a huge fortress, which now constitutes the main city attraction. Since 1974, the city has been divided into two parts, Turkish and Greek. The border runs along the very center, the northern part belongs to the Turks, and the southern part belongs to the Greeks. For tourists, the passage is free, so stopping in the Greek part, you can safely go to the other side and see its sights. Do not forget only about the standard restrictions when transporting cigarettes, alcohol and other goods across the border, the border guards have the right to confiscate excess.
City districts
Administratively Nicosia has 11 large districts. Outskirts: Latsia, Tseri, Deftera, Nisou, Dali, Geri, Lakatameia - they have cheap hotels and are great for long stays with their own car, but nothing much can be said about them. These are the usual urban dormitories where production is concentrated and there is nothing of interest. Hotels should be chosen so that there are shops and bus stops or parking nearby - and that's quite enough.
In the historical center, 24 micro-districts are distinguished, which are most often named after the most significant churches. But we will name only a few of the largest, between which it makes sense to choose when you think about exactly where to stay:
- Old city;
- Agios Dometios;
- Agios Andreas;
- Agios Omologios;
- Engomi;
- Lucabittos.
Old city
The historic center of the city has developed around the fortress, which is now roughly divided in half by the state border. On the Greek side are the remains of walls and 5 fortress bastions, and the total length of the walls is about 5 km. Another 5 bastions are on the Turkish side. The fortress was built under the Venetians, the name of the architect is known - Giuliano Savorniano. It was not destroyed under the Turks, but continued to be used. The remains of the bastions continue to be used now: on the Turkish side, in one of them a museum, in the other a mosque, and on the Greek side - the city municipality. Not far from the fortress, on Ledra pedestrian street, there is a checkpoint for crossing to the other side of the border.
In this area is located one of the earliest churches in the city - the Church of Our Lady of Chrysoliniotissa. The first temple on this site was built already in the 5th century, but since then it has been repeatedly rebuilt and overgrown with outbuildings. There is an aqueduct in the area that operated until 1959. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist of the 17th century is the remains of a Benedictine monastery. In its old buildings there is an ethnographic museum, which was founded in 1973. In 1961, the archbishop's palace was erected, in the classic Venetian style, so that it perfectly fit into the architectural appearance of the city and became one of the main attractions.
Nicosia's nightlife is concentrated here. Pay attention to Sarah's Jazz Club, Novem Cocktail Bar - these are the most famous nightclubs. But the only casino in the city is located on the Turkish side. Similarly, on the Turkish side there is a large city market - Bandabuliya Bazar. On the Greek side, there are only small vegetable stalls and shops. But with shops in the center on the Greek side is better than on the Turkish side - several streets in the center are occupied by boutiques.
- Advantages: close to all significant sights, checkpoint for crossing to the Turkish side.
- Disadvantages: the most expensive area of the city.
Agios Dometios and Agios Andreas
Areas to the northwest of the city center, just on the border with Turkish territory. Under the Turks, this place was called Tofani, a cannon: there was an artillery warehouse nearby in a historical building - the former tower of the Lusignan castle of the XIV century. An abandoned mosque has remained here from Turkish times.
Here is the city park of Nicosia, laid out at the end of the 19th century on the site of tanneries, an archaeological museum founded by the British in 1882, and much more. The buildings of the late 19th - early 20th centuries in the English style have been widely preserved: for example, the city court is located in the building of the women's gymnasium in 1904, etc. These are respectable, clean and quiet areas, perhaps the only drawback of which is the absence of large supermarkets and shopping centers.
At Agios Dometios, on its western edge, there is a second checkpoint through which you can go to the north side of Nicosia.
- Advantages: historical buildings, checkpoint for crossing over to the Turkish side.
- Disadvantages: Little infrastructure.
Agios Omologios and Engomi
Two more quiet, respectable areas, south of the center. The business and administrative life of the capital is concentrated here. This is the area of embassies, for example, it is here that the Russian and American embassies stand practically next to each other. The main attraction of this area is the park and the presidential palace. The seat of the government on this site has been already since the end of the 19th century, but the current building of the palace was built in 1937, after the previous one was destroyed by fire. In addition to the park around the palace, there is another park - Metochi Kykkou. It is a large green area with fountains and a palm tree lane. It houses the buildings of the monastery with a functioning church.
There is a rich courtyard of the famous Cypriot monastery of Kykkos in the Troodos mountains - the most famous shrine of Cyprus. Once this place was the outskirts, in fact, a separate monastery town. The park around the monastery appeared in 1890, when the territory became part of the city. In 1974, the monastery found itself in a zone of military conflict and was seriously damaged. It was here that the first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Macarius III, who was ousted as a result of a military coup, hid for some time. The main cathedral of the monastery has recently been restored; inside it has preserved the historical decoration and murals of the 19th century.
There are not many hotels in this part, but the area ideally combines proximity to the center, prestige, and silence. Historical buildings, apart from individual buildings, have survived a little, the area is new and modern, but in its southern part there are large shopping centers, and the prices in them are lower than in the shops of the Old Town.
- Advantages: proximity to attractions, silence and respectability.
- Disadvantages: shopping and urban infrastructure start closer to the southern outskirts; there are almost no shops in the business center itself.
Lucabittos
The area southeast of the center, which starts just from the famous Famagusta gate. This is one of the three gates that once led to the fortress. They are now used as an exhibition center. This fortification consists of two parts: an external small gate, an internal room between two fortress walls and an internal gate that leads to the fortress itself.
There are also almost no historical buildings in this area, mainly modern high-rise buildings. The University is located here, as well as the main natural attraction of Nicosia - Alsos Park, which is part of the Athalassa National Park. The park itself is located even further south, on the outskirts of the city. Once there was a swampy area, but at the beginning of the 20th century, the British planted eucalyptus trees to drain the land and set up a park. In the process of draining, a pond appeared - now waterfowl nest on it, and an observation deck has been arranged to observe them. This is a favorite vacation spot for residents of the capital: there are children's and sports grounds, picnic areas.
In this area, there is perhaps the best hotel in Nicosia - the five-star The Landmark Nicosia, with Russian-speaking staff, luxurious rooms and interesting loyalty programs. There are several hotels on the southernmost outskirts of the city, in the town of Latsia. This is the very edge of the national park, they are suitable for lovers of ecological tourism and outdoor recreation.
In the southern part there is the largest shopping center in Nicosia - The Mall of Cyprus. The second significant shopping center, much closer to the center and also in the southeast, is The City Plaza.
- Advantages: modern and greenest area of the city, budget.
- Disadvantages: far to the center and to the checkpoint.
