In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Northern Cyprus
North Nicosia
Lefkoşa
Treat North Nicosia as a day‑trip stop: see Selimiye Mosque, Büyük Han and the walled city in 4–5 h, no overnight needed.
North Nicosia is the Turkish‑Cypriot capital, compact enough to explore on foot in a half‑day. Most attractions sit inside the historic walls, and transport links make it easy to combine with a base in Kyrenia or Famagusta.
- Country
- Northern Cyprus
- Local name
- Lefkoşa
- Best months
- Oct–May
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot) (check)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TRY
- Money
- Currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Euros and pounds sterling are often accepted, at the business's rate.
- Daily spend
- Budget TRY 1,000–1,500 excl. bed · Mid TRY 1,500–2,500 excl. bed · High TRY 2,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Turkcell KKTC and Telsim (Vodafone) sell prepaid SIMs with passport registration.
- Emergency
- Ambulance 112 · Police 155
- Plugs
- Types G · 240 V · 50 Hz · British three-pin sockets; bring a UK adapter.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: About 10% if service is not included.; Café: Round up.; Taxi: Round up.; Hotel staff: A few lira per day for housekeeping.
- Water
- Drink bottled water; tap water is used for washing and cooking.
- Toilets
- Cafés, restaurants and mosques; bring tissues.
Get in
By air
- ECN · Ercan International Airport
- 13 km (8.1 mi) east of Nicosia; main entry point for TRNC flights.8.1 mi (13 km) east of Nicosia; main entry point for TRNC flights.
Typical fares
- Bus Nicosia ↔ Kyrenia
- ≈20 TRY, 30 min (check)
- Ercan → Nicosia bus
- ≈20 TRY, 30 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The walled Old City is best on foot; border crossing at Ledra Street is 24 h. Buses run every 15 min from Kyrenia (≈30 min).
See and do
Known for
- Selimiye Mosque (former cathedral)
- Büyük Han (Great Inn)
- Old City walls and Sarayönü Square
- Dervish Pasha Ethnography Museum
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kyrenia | Bus from Nicosia Otogarı, 30 min; or hire a car. | ≈45 min |
| Famagusta | Bus via Dumlupınar, about 1 h 15 min. | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Aksaray Pansiyon
- B&B double 2 500 TL; central Old Town, good for a quick night if needed.
- Djumba Hotel
- B&B double 3 000 TL; traditional house near Old Town.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Afedersiniza-fe-der-sin-iz |
| Thank you | Teşekkür ederimte-she-kyur e-de-rim |
| How much is it? | Ne kadar?ne ka-dar |
| Where is the border crossing? | Sınır geçidi nerede?suh-nur ge-chee-nee ne-re-de |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Merhaba and a handshake; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Hospitality: Accept tea or coffee when offered; avoid: Refusing repeatedly
- Religion: Cover up in mosques; visit outside prayer times; avoid: Loud voices and photos of worshippers
- Politics: Listen; ask about family history if invited; avoid: Calling the north 'occupied' or the south 'Greek Cyprus' in conversation
Scams and watch-outs
- Border crossing at Ledra Street is open 24 h but can be busy during peak hours.
- Selimiye Mosque renovation (2022) may close parts of the interior – check before visiting.
- Büyük Hamam is closed for renovation (2024).
North Nicosia is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of traffic near the border and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for North Nicosia yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Selimiye Mosque (former cathedral)
- Büyük Han (Great Inn)
- Old City walls and Sarayönü Square
- Dervish Pasha Ethnography Museum
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Ercan International Airport official site: www.ercanhavalimani.aero/#services
- Wikivoyage: Nicosia (North), revision 5316113 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5316113
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/nicosia-north). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.