Nicosia Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Nicosia

Nicosia’s walled old town is compact and packed with history, best explored on foot.

• Venetian walls — Massive 16th-century fortifications with distinctive bastions encircling the old town.
• Ledra Street — The main shopping street of the old town and a well-known crossing point between the two parts of the city.
• Cyprus Museum — The island’s leading archaeological museum, with finds spanning thousands of years.
• Büyük Han — A beautifully restored Ottoman caravanserai with courtyard cafés and craft shops.
• Selimiye Mosque — A former Gothic cathedral, later converted into a mosque, and one of the city’s most striking buildings.
• Laiki Geitonia — A restored pedestrian quarter with traditional houses, tavernas and small shops.
• Famagusta Gate — A historic gateway in the walls, now used as a cultural venue.

Best time to visit Nicosia

Nicosia has a hot Mediterranean climate and, being inland, it is one of the hottest places on the island in summer. Spring, from March to May, and autumn, in October and November, are the best times to visit, with warm, sunny days ideal for walking the old town and taking day trips to the Troodos or Kyrenia mountains.

June to September is very hot, so plan sightseeing for early morning and evening, or combine your stay with time on the coast. Winters are mild and occasionally rainy, making them pleasant for museums and city breaks, with quieter streets and fewer visitors.

Getting from the airport

Ercan Airport lies on the plain to the east of Nicosia, roughly 20 km from the old town, and the drive usually takes around 30 minutes depending on traffic.

Taxis are available outside the terminal, and shuttle buses connect the airport with Nicosia and other towns in the north. Many hotels arrange transfers on request. Larnaca International Airport, about 50 km to the south, is the island’s other main gateway and is also used by many visitors to Nicosia.

Where to stay

Staying in or near the old town puts the main sights within walking distance.

• Old town (within the walls) — Boutique hotels and guesthouses close to museums, cafés and historic sites; ideal for first-time visitors.
• Around Makariou Avenue — A modern commercial area just outside the walls, with business hotels and shopping.
• Northern part of the old town — Hotels near Büyük Han and the Selimiye Mosque; convenient for Ercan Airport.
• Engomi and Strovolos — Quieter residential suburbs with hotels and restaurants; suit longer stays.

Travel tips

• Money: Cards are widely accepted; euros are used in the south and Turkish lira in the north, where euros are also often accepted.
• Crossing points: Carry your passport when moving between the two parts of the city, and check the latest arrangements before you travel.
• Getting around: The old town is best on foot; buses and taxis serve the wider city and other towns.
• Heat: Summer temperatures are high, so carry water and plan outdoor activities for cooler hours.
• Language: Greek and Turkish are spoken, and English is widely understood in shops, hotels and restaurants.