Explore North Lefkosia, "The Last Divided Capital City in Europe"

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| Nicosia, Cyprus

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2 to 3 hours (approx.)

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Overview

Join me on a journey through time in the last divided city of North Lefkosia, strolling the back streets of the old city feels like dropping into an earlier era.
Our walk through the medieval city starts in the district of Arab Ahmet, this area was one of the original 12 quarters as they existed shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Nicosia in 1570, where Armenian Cypriots had been concentrated since the Ottoman conquest, the entire area is imbued with a heady sense of yesteryear and is one of Nicosia's most interesting neighborhoods to stroll through.
As we continue our path we shall stop at the Arab Ahmet Mosque followed by the Buyuk Khan, Cyprus. We continue our walk through the market area and visit the most prominent landmark in the old city, the Cathedral of St. Sophia, today called Selimiye Mosque.
Our journey ends at the Indoor Market, you will have some time to explore all the amazing local produce before our return.
Kindly note that a minimum of two guests are required.

What's Included

Tea and coffee We will take a small break and sit down with a Turkish coffee as the call to prayer echoes and soak up the merging of old and new that permeates this side of the walled city.

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Markou Drakou
Agios Dometios 2369, Cyprus

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Buyuk Han

Cyprus’ best-preserved example of Ottoman caravanserai architecture. The Han was built to provide accommodation for travelers from Anatolia and other parts of Cyprus. Today the Great Inn has been revived as a thriving arts center, consisting of several galleries and workshops, and has once again become the hub of North Lefkosia's Old City bustle. Folklore dance shows, piano recitals, and drama displays are also common nowadays within the walls, and this attraction is a must-see when visiting Nicosia.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Selimiye Camii

We shall explore the most prominent landmark in Lefkoisa, the Selimiye Mosque, a cross between a French Gothic church and a mosque, its fascinating history stretches back to the 13th century. Selimiye Mosque historically known as the Cathedral of Saint Sophia is a former Roman Catholic cathedral converted into a mosque.It is the the largest surviving historical building in Lefkosia, sources claim it “may have been the largest church built in the Eastern Mediterranean in the millennium between the rise of Islam and the late Ottoman period.”

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Medieval Venetian Walls

You will see the Venetian walls and how they form a border around the Old City. They are so unusual that once seen on a map, they will never be forgotten as a design synonymous with the unique shape of this ancient fortification.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kyrenia Gate

You shall witness one of the three gates in the Venetian walls that encircles the old city of Lefkosia, providing access to the city from the north.For over a thousand years, Lefkosia was a walled city, from the Lusignans through to the Ottomans. During the Renaissance era, the Venetians reconstructed great walls around the capital threatened by an impending Ottoman Empire.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kumarcilar Han

The Kumarcilar Han also called the Gambler’s Inn,it is also known as a caravanserai. Built around the end of the 17th century, it is much smaller and modest when compared with Büyük Han, but nonetheless typical of an Ottoman inner-city commercial inn. A monumental carved gate at the entrance dates to before the Ottoman conquest, and experts believe that the structure stands on a much earlier building, possibly the ruins of a monastery.This Han has been fully restored today and is used as an attraction with arts and craft shops.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bedesten - Eski Ayanikola Kilisesi

We shall walk around the Bedesten, one of the most important historical buildings in Lefkosia, reflecting the multicultural life and diverse past of the city. The Bedesten has a long history spanning more than one thousand years. Originally built as a church in about the 6th century, it was expanded and rebuilt between the 12th and 16th centuries and converted to a covered market during the period of Ottoman rule.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Explore North Lefkosia, “The Last Divided Capital City in Europe”?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025