Discover Cyprus’s hidden gems with a private tour. Enjoy breathtaking views, taste local wines and sweets, and immerse in rich culture and history.
Discover Cyprus’s hidden gems with a private tour. Enjoy breathtaking views, taste local wines and sweets, and immerse in rich culture and history.
- Ledra Street Crossing Point - While exploring Nicosia, Ledra Street is a must-see. It serves as the city’s main promenade, featuring popular chain stores, fast food outlets, pubs, and restaurants, similar to Warsaw’s Chmielna or countless other promenades worldwide. However, there’s a unique aspect: as you stroll along Ledra Street, you’ll…
- Ledra Street Crossing Point - While exploring Nicosia, Ledra Street is a must-see. It serves as the city’s main promenade, featuring popular chain stores, fast food outlets, pubs, and restaurants, similar to Warsaw’s Chmielna or countless other promenades worldwide. However, there’s a unique aspect: as you stroll along Ledra Street, you’ll encounter a border crossing that divides the city into two sections.
From afar, the border might appear as if it’s merely roadworks, with temporary huts and a fence seemingly placed in the middle of the sidewalk due to some disruption. Yet, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that it’s like any other border crossing globally, with somber uniformed men checking passports.
The green line, which in some parts of Nicosia is only a few meters or yards wide, continues to separate the city. For many years, it was a sealed border.
- Shakolas Tower - Just a few steps from the city’s main promenade, Ledra Street, stands the Shakolas Tower—an 11-story building with an H&M store on the ground floor and an observation deck and mini-museum on the top level. The entrance to the latter is easy to miss, as it’s located at the back of the building on a side street. From the top, there is a panoramic view of the entire city—the Greek side, which is somewhat unremarkable, and the Turkish side, enticing with visible historical sites, mosque towers, and red roofs, dominated by a massive stone flag.
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Bazaar Bedesten - Enjoy a whirling dervish show in a bedesten
Adjacent to the Selimiye Mosque is another church that lost its original purpose after the Ottoman Empire took over the island. With a history dating back to the 6th century and having been expanded and rebuilt from the 12th to the 16th century, it showcases a blend of styles. It features remnants of a Byzantine church, Gothic architecture, and elements from the French, Venetian, Italian, and Spanish Renaissance. The Venetians handed it over to the Greek Orthodox Church, which elevated it to a cathedral.
In 1572, the Ottomans transformed it into a bedesten, or covered bazaar. Initially, it dealt in fabrics and eventually offered a variety of goods. In 1873, it was converted into a warehouse, a role it maintained until quite recently. Restored a few years ago, it now functions as a cultural center, where, among other activities, whirling dervish shows are regularly held.
- Buyuk Hamam - Caravanserais, or inns for travelers, were constructed along trade routes, mainly in Arab countries, Persia, and Central Asia. Two of them can be found in northern Nicosia. The first, Buyuk Han, is the largest caravanserai on the island, hence its name—Buyuk, meaning large, and Han, meaning inn. It is also the most beautiful and undoubtedly the most popular spot among tourists in the Turkish part of the city.
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Nicosia Old City - Stroll through the covered alleys of the bazaar
Numerous bazaars are present in northern Nicosia, as is typical for a Turkish city. Shopping wasn’t on the agenda, so a visit was made to a nearby covered market (Bandabulya Municipal Market), just a short walk from the bedesten in the church of St. Nicholas and the Selimiye Mosque. Here, one can purchase fruits, spices, and souvenirs. The main advantage—compared to the one in Istanbul, for instance—is the absence of persistent salespeople, allowing for a more peaceful experience. Visitors can wander through the alleys and admire the colorful goods without constantly having to say “no, thank you.” -
Green Line Nicosia - Discover what lies in no man’s land
Indeed, the border line. If one imagines a fence or barrier separating the north from the south like the Kargul and Pawlak enclosures, they will be surprised. Greek and Turkish Nicosia are divided by the “green line”—a strip of no man’s land monitored by UN forces. While walking around the wealthier, southern part of the city, it might not be immediately noticeable. However, walking along the street directly adjacent to the border reveals barbed wire, dilapidated buildings, sandbags from past conflicts, watchtowers, and bunkers. And if one gets very close, they shouldn’t be surprised if a soldier leans out and gives a stern look.
- English, Spanish, Polish Guide
- Cold drinks
- Wi-Fi
- AC car
- Wine degustation
- English, Spanish, Polish Guide
- Cold drinks
- Wi-Fi
- AC car
- Wine degustation
- Dinner
- Dinner
This is an ideal trip for couples in love, families, or friends. Enjoy travel in comfortable conditions, with personalized care and flexibility. Discover the beautiful corners of Cyprus and learn about the culture and customs of the island’s inhabitants.
By choosing our services, you can expect private care throughout the entire trip and transportation…
This is an ideal trip for couples in love, families, or friends. Enjoy travel in comfortable conditions, with personalized care and flexibility. Discover the beautiful corners of Cyprus and learn about the culture and customs of the island’s inhabitants.
By choosing our services, you can expect private care throughout the entire trip and transportation to your chosen destination.
Nicosia has been inhabited for 4,500 years. Following the Trojan War, around 3,100 years ago, the Achaeans established their colony here – Ledra, which eventually became one of the ancient Cypriot kingdoms under Assyrian control. Over the centuries, it lost prominence to other Cypriot cities, which, being located on the coast, thrived through trade. Before the Greeks arrived in Cyprus in the 4th century BC, Ledra had already transformed from a large city-state into a modest agricultural settlement. The Greeks renamed Ledra to Leukotheon, which later became Lefkosia in Christian times.
- During the tour we will have stairs to enter some places.
- We will provide individual service and support with cold and hot drinks. Can participate the tour only one booking group or person.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.