Nicosia, Capital city in Cyprus
Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, spreading across the Mesaoria Plain between the Kyrenia Mountains and the Troodos range. Venetian walls from the 16th century surround the historic center with its narrow streets and traditional residential quarters.
The settlement began around 2500 BCE as the ancient town of Ledra and became the capital of Cyprus during Byzantine rule in the 10th century. A dividing line has cut through it since 1974 following the conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Street cafés line the narrow lanes of the old quarter, where locals gather over coffee and backgammon games. In the northern neighborhoods, the call to prayer echoes from minarets, while church bells ring across the southern districts.
The international airport in Larnaca lies roughly 35 kilometers to the southeast and serves as the nearest gateway for arrivals from abroad. Within the city, buses and taxis connect major neighborhoods, while many sites in the old quarter are reachable on foot.
It remains the last divided capital in Europe, with a United Nations buffer zone separating Greek and Turkish administrations since 1974. At certain crossings, you can visit both sides today with a valid passport.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
