Nicosia
Tourism Sites
Buyuk Han
🧠 Fact: Built in 1572, it's a stunning Ottoman caravanserai.💡 Tip: Try Turkish coffee in the courtyard.
Info - Nestled within the walled city of Nicosia in Northern Cyprus, Buyuk Han is the island’s most impressive example of Ottoman-era architecture. Built in 1572, this historic caravanserai once hosted traders and travelers. Today, its two-story courtyard surrounds a charming central mosque and fountain, while its former rooms have been transformed into artisan workshops, craft boutiques, and cozy cafés. It’s a peaceful, atmospheric place to explore local pottery, lace, and souvenirs. Buyuk Han beautifully preserves the island’s layered history, offering a serene retreat from Nicosia’s bustling streets and a fascinating glimpse into Cyprus’s Ottoman past.
Green Line Walking Tour
🧠 Fact: Nicosia is the world’s last divided capital.
💡 Tip: Bring your passport for crossing.
Info - A walk along Nicosia’s Green Line reveals the world’s last divided capital city. This buffer zone, patrolled by the United Nations, has separated Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities since 1974. The walking tour takes you through narrow streets and checkpoint crossings, passing abandoned buildings, watchtowers, and poignant graffiti. Key sights include Ledra Street Crossing, the eerie deserted quarter, and viewpoints overlooking the sealed-off zone. The tour offers a powerful perspective on Cyprus’s modern history, while also showcasing Nicosia’s lively markets, restored old town streets, and cultural fusion on both sides of the divide.
Leventis Municipal Museum
🧠 Fact: It showcases 5,000 years of Nicosia history.
💡 Tip: Entry is free!
Info - Tucked within Nicosia’s old town, the Leventis Municipal Museum offers a fascinating journey through the city’s history. Housed in a restored 18th-century mansion, it showcases artifacts, photographs, costumes, and everyday objects from ancient times to the present day. Exhibits cover Nicosia’s Ottoman, Venetian, and British colonial periods, offering insight into the island’s complex cultural layers. Free to enter, the museum is well-curated and atmospheric, with informative displays in both Greek and English. It’s a must-visit for history lovers and anyone curious about how Cyprus’s capital evolved into the world’s last divided city.