3 days in Nicosia
Venetian Walls and Cyprus Museum on day 1, Ledra Street Crossing and Laiki Geitonia Quarter on day 2, and Büyük Han and Selimiye Mosque on day 3.
Costs about €486 for one person mid-range, or €204 on a budget.
Day 1: Venetian Walls and Cyprus Museum
Morning
Venetian Walls
To eat
Traditional Taverna
A full meze is for 2+ people and includes 20+ dishes—come hungry and plan for a long, leisurely meal.
Where to go: Zanettos (for meze), Pyxida Fish Tavern, To Anamma
Afternoon
Cyprus Museum
The Cyprus Museum is free on Sundays. Plan your visit then, but arrive early as it can get busy.
In Ermou & Makariou.
Evening
The Hamam Omerye
A beautifully restored 14th-century Ottoman bathhouse located just inside the Venetian walls in the south.
Day 2: Ledra Street Crossing and Laiki Geitonia Quarter
Morning
Ledra Street Crossing
In Ledra Street & The Green Line.
To eat
Street Food & Quick Bites
The best souvlaki is often from small, busy grills with a line of locals. Eat it wrapped in pita with tzatziki.
Where to go: Giannos Souvlaki on Onasagorou St, Pizza Sicilia for Cypriot-style pizza, Nicosia Municipal Market stalls
Afternoon
Laiki Geitonia Quarter
The restored heart of the Greek Cypriot old city, a pedestrianized area of cobblestone lanes, traditional architecture, and craft shops.
Evening
The Dervish Pasha Mansion
A traditional Ottoman-era house museum in the Arabahmet neighborhood of North Nicosia.
Day 3: Büyük Han and Selimiye Mosque
The historic core of Turkish Cypriot Nicosia, centered around the magnificent Selimiye Mosque.
Morning
Büyük Han
In Sultanahmet & Selimiye Quarter.
To eat
Büyük Han içinde
Try 'lahmacun' (Turkish pizza) and 'kebabs' in the north. Finish with 'baklava' and Turkish coffee.
Afternoon
Selimiye Mosque (formerly Cathedral)
In Sultanahmet & Selimiye Quarter.
Evening
The Liberty Monument
A large, striking monument located just outside the walls near the Paphos Gate.
With one more day: Troodos Mountains
1 hour 15 min by car or bus. It isn't part of the 3 days: give it a whole day rather than squeezing it into one of them.
Escape the city heat for pine-scented air, picturesque villages, and stunning Byzantine churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. It's a haven for hiking, wine tasting, and seeing traditional Cypriot life.
Highlights: Painted Churches, Mount Olympus, Omodos Village, Local wineries
Before you go
From the airport
Larnaca International Airport (LCA) is the main airport, about 50km away. The Kapnos Airport Shuttle bus runs directly to Nicosia's central bus station (Solomos Square) every 1-2 hours, costing €9 one-way (journey time ~45 min). A taxi costs approximately €50-60.
Getting around
The walled old city and historic center on both sides of the Green Line are extremely walkable. Most major sights are within a 20-30 minute walk of each other.
Local tips
- Always carry your passport (or a clear photocopy) when crossing the Green Line into the north. You will need to show it at the checkpoint.
- For the best halloumi, visit the municipal market (Laiki Agora) in the morning and look for the cheese stalls. Ask for 'saganaki' style—fried and served with lemon.
- When in the north, withdraw Turkish Lira (₺) from ATMs after crossing for the best rates. Euros are widely accepted but change is often given in Lira.
