Our last destination in Cyprus will be its capital city - Nicosia, and the first sightseeing stop there will be
Ledra Street, which was divided into two sections because of the Green Line, also known as the military buffer established by the UN to avoid the conflict between the north and south parts. We will visit the south part, which is a pedestrian street lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and more. Then, we will visit the
Leventis Municipal Museum built in a typical Mediterranean style. You can see ancient maps, jewelry, pottery, numerous costumes, paintings, and other archaeological artifacts dating back to 3000 B.C. The museum has a cultural and creative shop where you can find souvenirs designed based on the collections. After that, we will visit the
Venetian Walls built in the 16th century, which is now the boundary between the new and old Nicosia. Due to the Green Line, the Venetian Walls are divided into two parts, so you cannot visit the entire of it. But our guide will take you along the path on the wall to
Famagusta Gate, Nicosia's best-preserved city gate. The enormous wooden gate leads to the other side of the city wall, where art exhibitions or concerts are held sometimes. If you are lucky enough, you will have the chance to experience the artistic atmosphere of Cyprus here. The next stop will be the
House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios, a villa built in Turkish style. You can see wooden carvings and paintings that were once used to decorate the house and daily necessities such as coins and plates. Then, follow our guide to cross the
Green Line, and head to
Buyuk Han, a caravanserai built in 1572 for traders. During the British colonial period, it was used as a prison. Nowadays, after the restoration, it has become one of the most popular attractions for visitors, and you can see many handicraft shops, coffee shops, and restaurants there.
After a short break, we will begin our north Nicosia walking tour. Appreciate the grand exterior of the Selimiye Mosque, which was remodeled from a Gothic church. Then our guide will take you to Bedesten - Eski Ayanikola Kilisesi (Kıbrıs Türk İslam Eserleri Müzesii), a Byzantine church nearby. It is now used as Nicosia's cultural center, where some beautiful Turkish carpets are collected.
★ Witness Whirling Dervish Ceremony at Bedesten - Eski Ayanikola KilisesiHere is a special chance for you to see the spiritual dance performed by Mevlevi dervishes. Every Monday to Saturday, there are performances at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Wearing white robes and tall hats made of camel’s hair, the dervishes gracefully twirl with their right hands pointing towards the sky to connect with the divine, and left hands pointing to the ground to pass on blessings to the audience.
►Tips:
1. We recommend you refrain from taking photographs out of respect for the fakirs and the religious ritual.
2. Please be quiet and not applaud during the performance.
Then follow our guide's steps strolling at the square where
Venetian Column is situated, exploring residential areas such as the
Samanbahçe Quarter and
Arabahmet Quarter to experience the life of locals.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Castelli Hotel Nicosia (3 stars) or similar
Buyuk Han
Selimiye Mosque