Our guide will pick you up from the hotel at the agreed time and officially set off for the escorted sightseeing. The first stop will be
Ledra Street, located on the Green Line, a military buffer zone which was established by the UN to avoid military conflict between the North and South. Managed by different regimes (Greek and Turkey), the street appears in two different styles. We will visit the Greek side, a pedestrian street full of shops, cafes, and restaurants. The next stop will be
Leventis Municipal Museum, which is nearby. Here, you can see relics, including delicate clothes, daily items, pictures, and so on, which span from the Chalcolithic era, about 5,000 years ago to the present day.
Then, we will head to
Venetian Walls. Surrounding the old town of Nicosia, it is the most significant and best-preserved historical relic in the city, with a length of 5 kilometers (3 miles) and a height of 12 meters (39.4 feet). It is roughly in a circle, with 11 fortifications on top at an equal interval. Due to the Green Line Regulation, walking the entire length of the walls is impossible. However, our guide will take you along the paths of the walls to
Famagusta Gate, the best-preserved city gate, where you can appreciate the grandeur and solidity of the walls.
► Tips:
1. There is no shade on the walls, so you’d better apply sunscreen or take a sunhat or parasol.
2. The path is not flat on the Venetian Walls, so sneakers or other comfortable shoes are necessary.
3. You may encounter many hungry cats on the way; feed is allowed, but you’d better not touch them to avoid being scratched.
After leaving Famagusta Gate, we will take you to the
House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios, a villa built in the Ottoman-Turkish architectural style whose upper hall has been preserved in its original form, with carved ceilings, scarlet velvet sofas, silk curtains, and huge oriental carpets. It is as if you were hear the people who lived here in the past talked with each other. Then, you will pass through the
Green Line with our guide to
Buyuk Han, Cyprus's most impressive Ottoman architecture. You may also appreciate some handmade artworks made from silkworm pupae here. After a short break in Buyuk Han, an exploration of those little-known but fascinating places will begin. Following our experienced guide’s step, you will hang out at the local bazaars such as
Grand Bazaar and
Arasta Quarter. Then, stroll at the park where the
Venetian Column is situated, experience local people’s life at
Samanbahçe Quarter, a residential neighborhood, and finally take a mini urban adventure in the
Arabahmet Quarter, where houses from the Ottoman Empire stand. At the end of the day, we will transfer you back to the hotel in Nicosia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Castelli Hotel Nicosia (3 stars) or similar
