Nicosia sits inside a star-shaped Venetian wall, cut in two by the Green Line. The southern side has the Cyprus Museum and a restored old town around Ledra Street; the northern side has the Selimiye Mosque, a former Gothic cathedral, and the Buyuk Han caravanserai.
The circular 16th-century fortifications with 11 bastions, enclosing a old town of churches, museums and the pedestrian Ledra Street.
Pedestrian checkpoints at Ledra Street and the Ledra Palace let visitors move between south and north with a passport; the buffer zone itself is off-limits.
The Selimiye Mosque, built as a French Gothic cathedral, the covered Bandabuliya market and the restored Buyuk Han.
Crossing between the two sides is straightforward on foot at the Ledra Street checkpoint with a passport, but rules on car insurance and rental cars differ by side. Photography is prohibited at the buffer zone and military positions. Check current crossing conditions.
The point of Nicosia is the contrast. Walk down Ledra Street, cross at the checkpoint, and continue into the northern lanes.
The whole walled city is small. A day covers the museum, both old towns and the main monuments on foot.
Currency, phone networks and car insurance change at the line. Bring a passport and some cash for both sides.
Can tourists cross between the two sides?
Yes, on foot at the Ledra Street or Ledra Palace checkpoints with a valid passport. The visit is same-day for most people.
Is it safe?
Yes. Both old towns are calm. Do not photograph the buffer zone, checkpoints or military positions.
Do I need a separate visa for the north?
Most visitors receive a stamp or slip on entry at the crossing. Check your nationality's requirements before travelling.
How long do I need?
A full day for the walled city and both sides; two if you want the museums in depth.
Nicosia has been the capital of Cyprus since the 10th century and was refortified with its distinctive circular walls by the Venetians in the 1560s.
The city was divided in 1964 and more firmly in 1974, after which a United Nations buffer zone was drawn through it. It remains the only divided capital in Europe.
This page is an independent guide for visitors. It is not affiliated with any government or authority.
