Nicosia / Lefkosia or Lefkosa, is still a divided city (since 1974) – divided (as is the rest of the country) into the Turkish ruled Northern Cyprus and the southern (Greek) portions divided by the “Green Line”, a demilitarized zone maintained by the United Nations.

The Greek part of Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus’ Republic and has a population of about 170.000. The atmosphere is modern and traditional, dynamic and calm at the same time. Its without any doubt the most interesting city on the island and very different from the tranquility of the rest of the islands towns and villages.

Without a doubt, the 1000-year-old capital should be on every visitor’s agenda. Its roots can be traced back to Neolithic times. It is a city of individual character and style. A unique capital graced with Venetian fortress walls, Lusignan architecture and Byzantine art, with Greek Orthodox churches and mediaeval buildings preserving the nostalgic atmosphere of years past. Today it blends its historic past brilliantly with the bustle of a modern city. Fantastic little cafes are open to invite you in for a Cypriot coffee, so just walk around and see the many woodworking shops that are deep within the City.

The Famagusta Gate which is one of the original entrances to the old city, has won the Europa nostra award for its restoration. There were only three gates to the city in the north, south and east. One of these gates, Porta Giuliana called Famagusta Gate, is now the Lefkosia Municipal Cultural Center. The Byzantine Museum (Archbishop Kyprianou Square) has one of the world’s best collections of Orthodox icons and other artworks, mostly ranging from the 9th to the 16th century. Cyprus Museum - showcases the best of Cypriot archaeology from the 9th millennium BCE to the end of Antiquity. Other places of interest are the Archbishopric, the Cathedral of Agios Ioannis with its beautiful frescoes, the National Struggle Museum and the intriguing house of Chatzigeorgakis Kornesios; its a fine example of 18th century architecture and it now houses the Cyprus Ethnological Museum.