Explore North Lefkosia, "The Last Divided Capital City in Europe"
Overview
Our walk through the medieval city starts in the district of Arab Ahmet, this area was one of the original 12 quarters as they existed shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Nicosia in 1570, where Armenian Cypriots had been concentrated since the Ottoman conquest, the entire area is imbued with a heady sense of yesteryear and is one of Nicosia's most interesting neighborhoods to stroll through.
As we continue our path we shall stop at the Arab Ahmet Mosque followed by the Buyuk Khan, Cyprus. We continue our walk through the market area and visit the most prominent landmark in the old city, the Cathedral of St. Sophia, today called Selimiye Mosque.
Our journey ends at the Indoor Market, you will have some time to explore all the amazing local produce before our return.
Kindly note that a minimum of two guests are required.
Inclusions
- Coffee and/or Tea - We will take a small break and sit down with a Turkish coffee as the call to prayer echoes and soak up the merging of old and new that permeates this side of the walled city.
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Buyuk Han, Nicosia Cyprus
Cyprus’ best-preserved example of Ottoman caravanserai architecture. The Han was built to provide accommodation for travelers from Anatolia and other parts of Cyprus. Today the Great Inn has been revived as a thriving arts center, consisting of several galleries and workshops, and has once again become the hub of North Lefkosia's Old City bustle. Folklore dance shows, piano recitals, and drama displays are also common nowadays within the walls, and this attraction is a must-see when visiting Nicosia.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia Cyprus
We shall explore the most prominent landmark in Lefkoisa, the Selimiye Mosque, a cross between a French Gothic church and a mosque, its fascinating history stretches back to the 13th century. Selimiye Mosque historically known as the Cathedral of Saint Sophia is a former Roman Catholic cathedral converted into a mosque.
It is the the largest surviving historical building in Lefkosia, sources claim it “may have been the largest church built in the Eastern Mediterranean in the millennium between the rise of Islam and the late Ottoman period.”
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Medieval Venetian Walls, Nicosia Cyprus
You will see the Venetian walls and how they form a border around the Old City. They are so unusual that once seen on a map, they will never be forgotten as a design synonymous with the unique shape of this ancient fortification.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Kyrenia Gate, Ibrahimpasa, Nicosia Cyprus
You shall witness one of the three gates in the Venetian walls that encircles the old city of Lefkosia, providing access to the city from the north.
For over a thousand years, Lefkosia was a walled city, from the Lusignans through to the Ottomans. During the Renaissance era, the Venetians reconstructed great walls around the capital threatened by an impending Ottoman Empire.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Kumarcilar Han, Nicosia Cyprus
The Kumarcilar Han also called the Gambler’s Inn, it is also known as a caravanserai.
Built around the end of the 17th century, it is much smaller and modest when compared with Büyük Han, but nonetheless typical of an Ottoman inner-city commercial inn.
A monumental carved gate at the entrance dates to before the Ottoman conquest, and experts believe that the structure stands on a much earlier building, possibly the ruins of a monastery.
This Han has been fully restored today and is used as an attraction with arts and craft shops.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Bedesten - Eski Ayanikola Kilisesi, Kuyumcular Sk, Nicosia 99010 Cyprus
We shall walk around the Bedesten, one of the most important historical buildings in Lefkosia, reflecting the multicultural life and diverse past of the city.
The Bedesten has a long history spanning more than one thousand years. Originally built as a church in about the 6th century, it was expanded and rebuilt between the 12th and 16th centuries and converted to a covered market during the period of Ottoman rule.
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks provided for travelers
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
The best tour of Cyprus. Eleni was an exceptional guide, giving us such deep insight and knowledge that you just cannot discover online or in history books. Not only that but she spoke to us like an old friend, retelling her own personal experiences of the war and life in Cyprus. We walked alo...
The best tour of Cyprus. Eleni was an exceptional guide, giving us such deep insight and knowledge that you just cannot discover online or in history books. Not only that but she spoke to us like an old friend, retelling her own personal experiences of the war and life in Cyprus. We walked along quiet streets and fascinating corners, passing by old and new, holding remnants of the war through bullet holes and ruins. Never a dull moment, this tour was full of hidden secrets and heart warming accounts of human resilience. Eleni is something special, don’t think twice about giving this one a go! Thank you 🙏Eleni was warm, attentive and amazing in combining her personal experience as a local to the history of the city. Contacting her before the tour was also very easy. The tour is absolutely mandatory for someone interested in seeing and experiencing a very unique situation.
Eleni was warm, attentive and amazing in combining her personal experience as a local to the history of the city. Contacting her before the tour was also very easy. The tour is absolutely mandatory for someone interested in seeing and experiencing a very unique situation.Elleni was fantastic! I could not have asked for a better guide! She was extremely knowledgeable and shared her personal experiences which made the tour even more meaningful. She really took time to show me around, not just top highlights but some of her personal favorites. It was such an amazing...
Elleni was fantastic! I could not have asked for a better guide! She was extremely knowledgeable and shared her personal experiences which made the tour even more meaningful. She really took time to show me around, not just top highlights but some of her personal favorites. It was such an amazing experience and learning for me I am so glad I took this tour!As I said in the title highly recommend - a fantastic tour with Eleni I would definitely do again, super worth it. I would do a whole day tour like that too, and I’m usually exhausted after 2 hours but this felt really pleasant and exciting. make sure you schedule beginning of your stay so you ...
As I said in the title highly recommend - a fantastic tour with Eleni I would definitely do again, super worth it. I would do a whole day tour like that too, and I’m usually exhausted after 2 hours but this felt really pleasant and exciting. make sure you schedule beginning of your stay so you can go back and perhaps stay the night once you know the basics.i’d love to review this tour with more then 5 stars. I had two tours with Eleni and both couldn’t be any better. Eleni was a burst of intelligence, energy and knowledge. Her love of the city is quite contagious and her tips quite precious. Eleni is a personal friend for everyone, the comfort and ...
i’d love to review this tour with more then 5 stars. I had two tours with Eleni and both couldn’t be any better. Eleni was a burst of intelligence, energy and knowledge. Her love of the city is quite contagious and her tips quite precious. Eleni is a personal friend for everyone, the comfort and safety of her participants is her priority. She is also an incredible storyteller and is also passionate about the history of cyprus. we have been to many TripAdvisor tours, and this was easily the best we have taken. Can’t recommend enough!