24 Hours in Nicosia
So, you’re in Nicosia for a day and are looking for the best ways to fill up your time? You’ve come to the right place! The My Cyprus Travel team have all the insider knowledge you need about the spots most worth going to for a fantastic 24 hours in the capital.
09:00 Morning Coffee
The local way to start the morning simply has to be with a sip of coffee – or two. Head into the Old Town and sit at one of the traditional coffee shops along with the locals and tourists doing their morning coffee route. Going in the early morning is possibly the only time you’ll see the usually busy Ledra Street calm and quiet as the shop owners prepare and unpack for the day. Accompany your Cypriot coffee or frappe with a freshly baked cheese pie either from a street seller or from one of the old bakeries found around the old town.
Breakfast coffee at local cafe on Ledras Street | Photo by Eleni Philippou
10:00 Explore the Green Line and the Old Town
Nicosia’s division is an unfortunate distinctive feature that many want to experience, Cypriots and foreigners alike. Walk down Ledra Street to the Green Line, where you will find the checkpoints where people can cross over. Continue your exploration by discovering the many charming little corners of the Old Town and admire its vibrant street art. This part of town is filled with shops, eateries and coffee shops as well as beautiful traditional architecture that is worth seeing.
Houses in Old Nicosia keep traditional layout and decor | Photo by Alex Mita
Some buildings remain untouched, so you can see what old Nicosia houses used to look like, while others add a playful touch to the town, like the colourful house on Archaggelou Michael Street. A little bit further up, by Ohi roundabout, is the farmer’s market where street sellers peddle their fresh products. If you’re around on a Wednesday or Saturday, the market is a must-experience to see and taste Cyprus’s goods. From there, you can walk along the Venetian walls and visit the Gates that were the entrances into today’s Old Town. The most popular one is Famagusta Gate, with a garden and an exhibition space in a lively neighbourhood surrounded by cafes, taverns and concert hall.
12:00 Visit Byzantine Churches
With many churches dotted around this part of Nicosia with short distances between them, you can create your own walking tour exploration of Byzantine churches. Mostly small and some even hidden – like Ayios Eleftherios on Onasagorou Street – their architecture is similar though they all have their unique features. A few that you definitely should not miss are Phaneromeni Church, Ayios Kasianos and Chrysaliniotissa.
Phaneromeni Church | Photo by Eleni Philippou
13:30 Eat Like the Locals
Food, as coffee, is a huge part of the local culture, so a lot of attention is given to preparing meals and to the dining experience. With plenty of restaurants in the area, it’s hard to choose where to eat. We suggest looking out for the spots where locals go so you avoid getting the tourist treatment. Ditch the restaurants and head to a traditional eatery – a magirio as Greek-speakers call them – and try their daily home-cooked dishes for an authentic taste of Cyprus. Eating here is a slow process designed for you to best enjoy the meal and the company, as dining is quite a social habit for locals. So, enjoy every bite, accompany it with a fresh village salad and yoghurt and an ice cold beer or wine.
Almost all Cypriot meals are accompanied by a village salad
15:00 Visit the Museums
Time to explore Nicosia’s museums! One museum worth going to in the Old Town is the Leventis Municipal Museum that presents the social and historical development of the city, from the Chalcolithic Age until today. The A. G. Leventis Gallery houses a large body of work from international and local artists that definitely deserve some time spent admiring them. From there, walk down Omirou/Diagorou Street to reach the island’s largest archaeological museum, the Cyprus Museum, which traces Cyprus’s history with their impressive collection of finds from excavations.
The exhibition at the Cyprus Museum
17:00 Shop Traditional Products
Near the top of Onasagorou Street is the famous Laiki Geitonia, dotted with small shops selling traditional souvenirs. From lace embroidery, evil eye beads and mini Cypriot sculptures to jewellery, this neighbourhood has all sorts of goods that would make for special mementos to take back home with you. After your walk around Laiki Geitonia, it’s time for the afternoon coffee. It’s very typical to have a Cypriot coffee after lunch, and it’s best accompanied by spoon sweets. These are traditional sweets made of fruit and vegetables, drenched in syrup that are definitely a must-try while in Cyprus.
Souvenir shops in Laiki Geitonia scatter their goods on the street | Photo by Eleni Philippou
18:30 Pamper Yourself at a Spa
After a full day of exploring the capital, you’ll probably want to put your feet up. So why not get a massage while you’re at it at one of the spas scattered around the Old Town? Choose from a variety of wellness treatments like scrubs, peelings, couple’s massage and even steam baths. For an authentic oriental and aromatic experience, head to Hammam Omeriye in the heart of the Old Town. For a more modern yet equally as polished treatment, try Quick Spa just off Makariou Avenue and Huma Health & Beauty Therapy Centre on Klimentos Street. Booking a spa appointment is the perfect way to relax and unwind after a busy day, and most spas offer therapies for both men and women.
Leave all worries behind with a relaxing massage
20:30 Dinnertime
If you want something light after your massage, sit at a coffee shop/bar and order ouzomezedakia – small bites of cheeses, olives and charcuterie plates served with ouzo. If you’re feeling more peckish, head to one of the many tasty restaurants scattered in the old town or outside the Venetian walls. During the weekend, restaurants are much busier; we suggest making a reservation.
For a traditional meal, order a plate of Kleftiko
22:30 End the Night with a Drink
If you still have some energy left, go for a drink and taste Cyprus’ cocktails. The cocktail scene has really picked up here and you’ll find loads of different ones to try. For a simpler and more local taste, order a Brandy Sour, one of the island’s favourite drinks.
A refreshing cocktail to end your day
