North Nicosia,
a journey through time

Join me on a voyage through time in the historic heart of North Nicosia, where strolling the labyrinthine backstreets of the old city transports you to bygone eras.


Highlights

  • ✺

    The Arabahmet Quarter
    Discover this historic neighborhood, known for its well-preserved traditional Cypriot architecture.

  • ✺

    Armenian Quarter
    The Armenian Quarter in North Nicosia is one of the oldest and most historic parts of the city.

  • ✺

    Armenian Church
    The church has a rich history and was an important center for the Armenian community in Cyprus.

  • ✺

    Buyuk Han (Great Inn)
    This 16th-century Ottoman caravanserai has been beautifully restored and now serves as a cultural center. Explore its arched courtyard and see traditional crafts.

  • ✺

    Selimiye Mosque
    (formerly St. Sophia Cathedral)
    This stunning building is a symbol of the city's historical and cultural layers. Originally a Gothic-style cathedral built during the Lusignan period, it was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman era

  • ✺

    Taste
    Experience the best baklava and Turkish tea

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Our expedition commences in the Arab Ahmet district, one of the original twelve quarters established shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Nicosia in 1570. This area, once home to Armenian Cypriots, exudes an evocative ambiance of days long past, making it one of Nicosia's most captivating neighbourhoods for leisurely exploration. Our journey leads us to the Armenian church, initially believed to have been founded in the 13th century as the Abbey of Our Lady of Tyre, eventually entrusted to the island's Armenian community in the 15th century.

Continuing our path, we pause to admire the Arab Ahmet Mosque, followed by a visit to the Buyuk Khan, a remarkable testament to Ottoman caravanserai architecture, lovingly preserved in Cyprus.

A moment of respite awaits us, as we savor Turkish tea or coffee alongside baklava, all while the melodious call to prayer resonates through the air. This is where the old and the new effortlessly converge in the heart of the walled city.

Our journey carries us through the bustling market area, where we pay homage to the most iconic landmark of the old city, the Cathedral of St. Sophia, known today as the Selimiye Mosque.

Our sojourn culminates at the Indoor Market, where you'll have ample time to explore the bountiful array of local produce before we make our way back.

 

  • “This was the best 3 hours we spent during our one week stay in Cyprus and it was worth every penny. Eleni took the route on the Turkish side upon our request and took great care of our kids (1 and 5). She walked us through historical conflicts and scars but also showed us magical places of great tradition and the beauty of modern Cyprus.”

    Ning

  • “Brilliant tour, brilliant host. Eleni was such a burst of intelligence, energy and knowledge that we loved every minute of the tour and didn’t want it to end. We learnt so much about the city and the buffer zone and every question we had was answered thoughtfully. We have been on lots of Airbnb tours, and this was easily one of the best. Can’t recommend it enough.”

    Tim

  • “This is going to be one of your gems when you visit Cyprus. Eleni took us through a journey back in time, and provided a thorough and vivid description of what it means to live in Nicosia, the only divided capital in the world. I knew very little about the local history, and thanks to Eleni's stories I got a much clearer perspective."

    Valentina

  • "This is not just history: you will hear about curiosities, anecdotes, entertainment and where to find the best possible food in town. As a cherry on top, Eleni is an extremely kind, warm and attentive person, who made sure we were comfortable during the tour and with whom you can have a nice chat in front of a typical Cyprus coffee."

    Sienna

Pricing

€60/ person

Option One: Public

*subject to availability.

Join our 3.5-hour Public guided walk package. This means you will be joining fellow travellers for a shared exploration

€100/ person

Option Two: Private

*subject to availability.

Join our 3.5-hour Private guided walk package. This means you will have a personalised one-on-one exploration.

€50/ person

Option Three: Group

*subject to availability.

Join our 3.5-hour Group guided walk package. This is ideal if you are a group of 3 or more and would like to join a public walk with fellow travellers. For private group walks, get more info here

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • As this is a half day activity, the duration of the walk is up to 3.5 hours long.

  • You can send an enquiry or contact us directly via email

  • For the city tours, you will be required to bring a valid ID or passport, (as it is sometimes required in the Buffer zone). Ensure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, bring a sunhat, sunscreen, extra water, and your smile 😊

  • Yes! You will receive a discount if you book for more than one tour and a further discount for 2+ tours booked.

  • Families are always welcome! If your younger children are comfortable walking for at least 3 hours, then there should not be any difficulties. Do contact us if you need further clarification

  • You can reschedule a tour up to 72 hours before the original date. To receive a full refund you need to cancel at least 3 days before the event. For any changes or cancellations, you can communicate via email.