Nicosia District is the largest district on Cyprus, an island that sits where Asia and Europe meet. At its heart lies Nicosia, the island's capital and the last divided capital in the world, split between the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north.
What the city offers
The old city is enclosed by ancient Venetian walls, and within them the streets bring together several layers of history. Byzantine churches stand alongside Ottoman mosques, and between them modern cafés have opened in buildings of older character. Walking the lanes is the simplest way to see how these styles sit side by side.
Crossing the divide
Few places let a visitor move between two communities in a single day. The division of the city is part of what makes a visit here distinctive, and many travellers find that crossing between the two sides gives a clearer sense of the island than any single neighbourhood could.
Visitors considering a trip should keep in mind:
- The district is the largest on Cyprus, so plan which part you want to explore rather than attempting everything at once.
- The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot, moving between churches, mosques and cafés.
- The Venetian walls frame the old city and give a sense of its long past.
Beyond the historic city centre, the district extends into the wider area, offering further places to explore for those who want to see more of Cyprus after the capital.