Districts · Nicosia
Nicosia by district
The old town is a walled circle about 1.5 km across. The buffer zone runs east to west through it. Eleftheria Square and Ledra Street are on the southern side of the circle; Laiki Geitonia is a short walk east; the Cyprus Museum is west, near the Paphos Gate; the Famagusta Gate is the eastern end of the southern walls. Makarios Avenue and the new town lie just south, outside the walls.The old town is a walled circle about 0.9 mi across. The buffer zone runs east to west through it. Eleftheria Square and Ledra Street are on the southern side of the circle; Laiki Geitonia is a short walk east; the Cyprus Museum is west, near the Paphos Gate; the Famagusta Gate is the eastern end of the southern walls. Makarios Avenue and the new town lie just south, outside the walls.
About these names
- Laiki Geitonia and Ledra StreetseeeatsleepSuits: A first evening, craft shops and tavernasRestored lanes and a pedestrian shopping street; the heart of the tourist old town, cool at dusk.4 sights · 5 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Famagusta Gate quarterseeSuits: Walls, the arts centre and quiet lanesA Venetian gate now used for exhibitions, with NiMAC nearby and a residential feel.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- Paphos Gate and the Cyprus MuseumseeSuits: A midday indoor stopAir-conditioned archaeology galleries beside a bastion of the walls.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Makarios Avenue and StasikratoussleepeatSuits: Modern hotels, cafés and bakeriesThe new-town edge just south of Eleftheria Square: easy for cars and bags.1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Archbishop's Palace areaseeSuits: Icons and frescoesA small quarter of the Byzantine Museum, St John's Cathedral and the Archbishopric buildings, north-east of Laiki Geitonia.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Chrysaliniotissa and FaneromeniseeSuits: Quiet lanes, churches and craft workshopsResidential streets in the old town with restored houses and small studios; best in the morning.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- North Nicosia (Lefkoşa)seeSuits: A day crossing with a passportThe Turkish Cypriot side, with the Selimiye Mosque, the Büyük Han and Arasta bazaar; entry rules change, so check first.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Larnaca International Airport (LCA) (45–65 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Archbishop's Palace area, Chrysaliniotissa and Faneromeni, North Nicosia (Lefkoşa). See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Laiki Geitonia and Ledra Street: Restored lanes and a pedestrian shopping street; the heart of the tourist old town, cool at dusk. Suits: A first evening, craft shops and tavernas. Price band $$.
- Famagusta Gate quarter: A Venetian gate now used for exhibitions, with NiMAC nearby and a residential feel. Suits: Walls, the arts centre and quiet lanes.
- Paphos Gate and the Cyprus Museum: Air-conditioned archaeology galleries beside a bastion of the walls. Suits: A midday indoor stop.
- Makarios Avenue and Stasikratous: The new-town edge just south of Eleftheria Square: easy for cars and bags. Suits: Modern hotels, cafés and bakeries. Price band $$$.
- Archbishop's Palace area: A small quarter of the Byzantine Museum, St John's Cathedral and the Archbishopric buildings, north-east of Laiki Geitonia. Suits: Icons and frescoes.
- Chrysaliniotissa and Faneromeni: Residential streets in the old town with restored houses and small studios; best in the morning. Suits: Quiet lanes, churches and craft workshops.
- North Nicosia (Lefkoşa): The Turkish Cypriot side, with the Selimiye Mosque, the Büyük Han and Arasta bazaar; entry rules change, so check first. Suits: A day crossing with a passport.
- Sleep area Makarios Avenue: suits Modern hotels, cafés and bakeries, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Old Town (Laiki Geitonia): suits A first evening, craft shops and tavernas, price band $$.
- Larnaca International Airport (LCA), 45–65 min by the usual route.