12 Things to Do in Nicosia: The Last Divided Capital, Nicosia, Cyprus

The best things to do in Nicosia touch on Cyprus’ rich culture, gastronomy and history. It’s a unique Mediterranean city break to add to your bucket list. Here’s why.

I only breezed through Nicosia when I first visited Cyprus in 2012, staying for a coffee with a friend before heading to other parts of the country. This time around I had three days to explore the capital of Cyprus and I learned a lot. 

The official name for the city is Lefkosia but no matter what you call it is almost always referred to as the “last divided capital in the world.” A heavy title to bear after the country and city was forced to split following a Turkish invasion in 1974. There’s a border between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Talks are going on again as I write this to figure out how both sides may move forward.

If you are thinking Nicosia could be unsafe due to the political situation, think again. Much of Nicosia has the feel of a quiet town rather than a metropolis. The Old Town (Old City) which is within the historic walls, and the New Town (New City), which is just outside of the walls, are both dotted with the main sights. Everything is within easy 10-minute walks of each other. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).