Nicosia, Cyprus

Nicosia is split by a UN-patrolled buffer zone between its Greek Cypriot south and Turkish Cypriot north, a division visible right in the old town's Venetian-era walls. It's Cyprus's political and business capital, reached via Larnaca, since Nicosia itself has no operating international airport.

Top attractions

• •The Venetian Walls encircling the old town
• •Ledra Street, where a pedestrian crossing point connects the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides
• •The Cyprus Museum, holding the island's major archaeological finds
• •The Selimiye Mosque (formerly the Gothic Cathedral of St. Sophia), in the northern part of the city
• •The Leventis Municipal Museum, covering Nicosia's long history

Practical tips

• •Nicosia has no airport of its own — the Kapnos Airport Shuttle bus connects Larnaca International Airport (LCA) to central Nicosia in about 50 minutes; Cyprus has no passenger railway at all.
• •Crossing between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides requires a passport or ID card at official crossing points like Ledra Street.
• •Cyprus uses the euro in the south; the Turkish lira is used in the north, so carry both if crossing over.

Frequently asked questions