What country is Cyprus? Always be in the mood

Northern - is under the control of Turkey, called the Republic of Turkey Northern Cyprus. The capital - Nicosia is simultaneously the capital of two states.

Republic of Cyprus- an independent state with a presidential system of government. The constitution was adopted in 1960. The President of the Republic is the head of state and executive power and is elected for a five-year term. The Council of Ministers, which implements state policy, is appointed by the president. Legislative power is vested in a unicameral parliament. According to the constitution, the president must be a Greek, the vice-president a Turk; the vice-president participates in the formation of the Council of Ministers. However, since 1963, the Turkish community has refused to participate in the activities of the parliament and government.

The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Parliament, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the Security Council of Europe and many other international organizations.

Story

The favorable location of Cyprus has led to the fact that throughout history, not only neighboring states have fought for possession of it. Cyprus was owned by the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Romans. Cyprus was part of Byzantium in the fourth century BC, Venice - in the 12th century, part of the Ottoman Empire for three centuries, starting in 1571. In 1878 Cyprus was given to Great Britain.

Cyprus gained independence only in 1959 as a result of negotiations between Turkey, Great Britain and Greece. In 1960, Cyprus becomes an independent republic, a constitution is adopted. The incessant armed clashes between the Greek and Turkish population of Cyprus led to the fact that in 1964 the UN sends its troops to Cyprus. In 1974, a coup took place, as a result of which the Greek military regime collapsed, the Turks occupied almost half of the country's territory. In 1975, the Turkish Federative State was declared in the north of Cyprus, and in 1983, the independent Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was proclaimed, recognized only by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Negotiations on the unification of the island are ongoing, but to no avail. In 2004, the island held a referendum in which the majority of Greek Cypriots voted against unification, while the majority of Turkish Cypriots supported the unification plan.

culture

The population of Northern Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots, professes Islam. Numerous mosques located in the towns and villages of the northern part of the island were partially converted from Orthodox churches.

Cypriots are an educated people, many of them are still able to read the inscriptions carved centuries ago on the walls of temples. Cypriots are proud of their cultural heritage, which has accumulated over many millennia. Being in Cyprus, it is impossible to forget about the history of this island, which can be called an open-air museum. Here you can find traces of each era - Greek temples, Roman mosaics, frescoes of the 15th century. All this, no doubt, affects the work of contemporary artists. In many villages there are folk crafts - pottery, jewelry, basket weaving, tapestry making and Lefkara lace weaving.

Economy

Despite the fact that during the division, 200 thousand Greeks lost their lands in the north of the island, the economy Republic of Cyprus, based on the free enterprise system, has been successfully restored and even exceeded the level reached before the separation. Successful economic development has contributed to the transformation of the Republic of Cyprus into an international banking and business center. Currently, there are about 30 foreign banks in Cyprus and over a thousand offshore companies registered here.

On the territory of Cyprus, the extraction of copper, chromium, and iron ores has been established. Animal husbandry and sericulture are developed. Fishing and sponge fishing has been established. There are enterprises of the clothing, food, and mining industries. Agricultural products: wheat, barley, potatoes, melons, almonds, tobacco, walnut, olive tree.

Exports: from the Greek zone - garments and pharmaceuticals, potatoes; from the Turkish zone - manufactured goods, citrus fruits. Imports: into the Greek zone - mineral fuels, motor vehicles, metals, textiles, foodstuffs; to the Turkish zone - products of heavy engineering, transport equipment, basic industrial goods, farm animals, food.

Main trading partners: Greek zone - Great Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Arab countries, USA; Turkish zone - Turkey, Great Britain, EEC countries.

The island became an important maritime center. Despite the small size of the Republic of Cyprus, it has the third largest fleet in the world.

An important source of income is foreign tourism. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has relied on the organization of tourism. In 1969, a tourism organization (Cyprus Tourism Organization) was created, which provides assistance to travel companies, is responsible for marketing, planning and regulating the tourism services market.

Monetary unit: euro in the Greek part of Cyprus, Turkish lira in the Turkish part.

Population

official language Republic of Cyprus is Greek (Cypriot dialect). English is widely used, which is considered the second official language and is widely used as a means of communication. Turkish population Northern Cyprus speaks in his native language.

Cities

Nicosia- the capital of Cyprus, located in the middle of the island. It belongs to two states - the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey. Here is the Government, headquarters of consulates and embassies. Nicosia has an international airport, which is closed due to the Greek-Turkish conflict. Enterprises of food and light industry. Pottery crafts and tourism are developed. Nicosia is a sister city of Odessa.

Limassol located in the south of the island. This is the main industrial and maritime territory of Cyprus, as well as the second largest city in the country. Limassol is not only the main port, but also the leading center of tourism, international trade, industry and winemaking in Cyprus.

Larnaca- the third largest city in Cyprus, located near the southeastern coast. This is a rapidly developing resort and economic center of Cyprus. Larnaca also has an international airport.

Famagusta is one of the richest cities in the world. It is a port city on the southeast coast of the island. Cyprus, in Famagusta Bay. Famagusta is an important commercial center. There are food and textile industries.

Pathos- This is the ancient capital of Cyprus during the Roman rule. Paphos can be called the capital of the western region of Cyprus. Most of the population is employed in various branches of tourism, because. the city does not have a developed industry.

Kyrenia- one of the best coastal resorts in Cyprus, located on the northern coast of the island. Wealthy people have long appreciated the beauty and tranquility of Kyrenia. For this reason, the city has many luxury villas and bungalows.

The island of Cyprus is the third largest in the Mediterranean. It is located 75 kilometers from Turkey, 100 kilometers from Syria and 380 kilometers from Egypt.

The territory of the Republic of Cyprus occupies 60% of the island's area, 38% falls on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and 2% of the territory is controlled by the UK. Here are the British military bases "Dekelia" And Akrotiri.

The main population of the island are Greeks and Turks. The British, Russians and Armenians also live here. Turkish Cypriots live in the north of Cyprus, while ethnic Greeks live in the south.

There are two main religions here: Orthodox Christianity and Islam. The church plays an important role in the state and influences many aspects of the life of citizens. There are more than 500 temples and 10 monasteries in this small area. In addition to Orthodox churches, there are also Catholic, Armenian and Maronite churches. Many also practice Judaism and other religions. The Republic of Cyprus has numerous regulations that guarantee protection to all religious groups.

Among the major cities of the island are Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Ayia Napa, and the capital of the Republic of Cyprus is the city of Nicosia.

Climate and weather

The climate in Cyprus is subtropical, dry. Summers are hot here, and winters are mild and warm. The average January temperature is +12 ºС (up to +4 ºС in the mountains), and in summer the air warms up to +35 ºС. Due to the low rainfall and low levels of humidity, the heat is tolerated quite easily. Precipitation falls only in winter (about 70-80 mm monthly).

The swimming season here opens in April, when the temperature reaches +20 ºС. In August, the water has the highest temperature of the year - up to +28 ºС. The best time to travel here is from April to May and from early September to late October. Ski lovers can come here from November to February. Snow depth in the mountains Troodos sometimes reaches up to 1.5 meters.

Nature

Mountains occupy most of the island. In the east, the width of the mountain range Kyrenia reaches 25-30 km, in the west - 15 km. highest point in the west ( Akromanda) is located at an altitude of 1023 meters. And the highest point of the whole island is the mountain Olympus. Its height is 1952 meters, and it is located in the north of Cyprus.

The flora and fauna of Cyprus is quite rich and varied. One of the rarest animals lives here - the mouflon, the Cypriot mountain sheep. Now he is under special protection of the state, and hunting for him, of course, is prohibited. In Cyprus, you can find many species of snakes, lizards and turtles, especially in places where the ancient cities of the island were located. Being in a forested area near the water, it is quite possible to see a chameleon, tree frogs and other amphibians. The number of bird species in Cyprus is amazing, there are about 400 species here! You can see pelicans, swans, flamingos, as well as many other rare and exotic birds.

Attractions

One of the main man-made attractions of Cyprus is Kykkos Monastery, which is located in the Troodos mountains, and is located at an altitude of 1250 m. This is the largest monastery in terms of area in all of Cyprus. It was founded in 1100 by the Byzantine emperor Alexios Komnenos in honor of the Virgin Mary. The world's oldest icons are kept here, including the icon of St. Luke. There is a museum at the monastery, where the oldest manuscripts and other antiques of cultural value for Cyprus are collected. It is not surprising that this place is the most popular for pilgrims in Cyprus and neighboring countries.

In addition to the Kykkos Monastery, nine other churches can be visited in these mountains. All icons, frescoes and drawings in them are recognized as the cultural heritage of UNESCO.

Sanctuary of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, was found near the city Limassol, now in the ruins of the once-existing city of Amathus. And the bath of the goddess is in the city Pathos. According to legend, this is where Aphrodite emerged from the sea foam.

Not far from the capital of the island, Nicosia, tourists always visit the village Ashina, where there is a church built in the XII century, as well as royal tombs and the ancient kingdom of Idalion.

Also of great interest to tourists and foreigners are cities Famagusta And Kyrenia. Famagusta is known for the fact that the commander from Venice, Christopher Moreau, lived there. He was considered the prototype of Othello. And in Kyrenia you can see the ruins of the Gothic abbey of Bellapais.

Monastery of Saint Nicholas(or Monastery dedicated to cats), the ruins of an ancient city Salamis, tomb Hala Sultan, tomb of Lazarus and many other attractions are able to tell foreigners about the great culture and history of this paradise on Earth.

Nutrition

The culinary traditions of Greece and Turkey had a great influence on Cypriot cuisine. But, of course, there are national dishes here, for example, " meze" or " mezedes". It is a set of 20-30 hot and cold dishes (vegetable, meat or fish) with various sauces. Cold appetizers, such as olives or salad, are served first, followed by hot dishes. They are followed by more serious treats: pork in red wine; lamb baked with potatoes; beef with herbs and vegetables and many other hearty dishes to choose from. The dessert menu includes only fresh fruit.

Cyprus is famous for its walnut dishes, as well as various types of cheeses, such as feta.

Among the sweets, there are Turkish delight, halva, baklava and "rizogalo" (rice porridge with cinnamon and sweets).

One of the most popular drinks in Cyprus is wine, especially red wine. The Zivania grape moonshine is also made here. Its strength reaches 80º, but such a drink cannot be exported from the country - the permissible norm of the strength of exported alcoholic beverages should not exceed 50º. Cypriots willingly drink Brandy Sur cocktails (with lemon juice, soda and bitters) and Carlsberg and Keo beer brands.

Here you can enjoy delicious coffee, which is brewed and served in almost the same way as Turkish coffee.

Accommodation

In Cyprus, there are many hotels and hotels with a different number of "stars". All of them are equipped with the latest technology. Even in two-star hotels, tourists feel comfortable. The difference lies in the food (some hotels have switched to the all-inclusive system, and some provide only breakfast) and the distance from the sea. In each hotel, there are Russian-speaking employees among the staff, so it will not be difficult to explain yourself. The hotels have everything you need for a good holiday.

The most popular are hotels with the status of three stars. They are located near the sea, and the prices pleasantly delight visitors. Among these hotels are Pierre-Anne, Golden Arches, Atlantica Sungarden Beach And paschalia.

A good option for recreation would be if you decide to rent an apartment. But keep in mind that this pleasure is not cheap. You will have to pay from 70 to 200 € per day. The price, of course, depends on the distance to the beach and the condition of the apartment.

Entertainment and recreation

To learn more about the history of Cyprus, you can visit Archaeological Museum of Antiquities which the Cypriots are so proud of.

In the village of Ahera, visitors are very attracted " ostrich park". The park is located right on the farm where these birds are bred. Every day there are many tourists who want to look at different types of ostriches.

The island also has a dolphinarium, an aquarium, two large water parks, as well as "singing fountains".

Nightlife lovers will be pleased. There are many clubs, bars and restaurants here. The resort town is considered to be the center of club life Ayia Napa. It is always fun and noisy here, as this area is designed mainly for young people.

In winter, the ski resort in the mountains is very popular. Troodos. In addition to winter sports, safari tours are arranged here. Their essence is that tourists travel by jeep to the most inaccessible and wild places on the island. Sea cruises from Cyprus to Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Israel are very common. They usually last 3-4 days, and the cost of such trips reaches $300-350.

There are many diving centers on the coast where you can dive to great depths. In addition, there are other "sea" entertainment. Here you can go windsurfing, paragliding, canoeing, water skiing and various boats.

Cyprus is a place where riding clubs meet on every corner. Both professionals and beginners can get here. For the latter, instructors conduct special lessons, and then go on horseback rides together.

In a resort town Pathos there are as many as three golf courses - the most popular game in Cyprus. The same resort has the best SPA centers where you can improve your health and just enjoy relaxing treatments. Here they carry out therapeutic seaweed wrapping, aromatherapy, massages, restoration of the nervous system and many other programs for all categories of visitors.

Cypriots are very fond of holidays, and most of them fall in the spring and summer. For example, the national holiday of Cyprus is celebrated in April, the “Water Festival” is celebrated in May-June. Many festivals take place here, including the Festival of Folk Dances and Ancient Greek Drama. They collect a huge number of visitors in every city of the island.

Purchases

Cyprus is not a place where you can spend hours shopping in world-famous boutiques and large shopping centers. Of course, there are those here, but the prices for goods are very high, especially at the height of the tourist season. In stores, of course, sales and discounts of up to 80% are held, when a branded item can be purchased for 1-30 €, but this happens at a time when the influx of tourists stops.

Among the most popular purchases are alcoholic beverages, primarily dessert wine. Commandaria”, as well as liqueurs of various brands. In addition, foreigners are buying up sweets and many varieties of cheese. Jewelry, paintings, leather goods, as well as interior items are in great demand.

Tourists should be aware of the non-standard opening hours of shops in Cyprus. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, shops are open until 14:00, and on Sunday they do not work at all. On other days from May to September, they are open from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. From October to April - from 8:00 to 18:00 with a lunch break from 13:00 to 14:00. But during the tourist season, many shops and supermarkets are open every day and without a break.

Transport

Public transport in Cyprus is presented buses And fixed-route taxis. There are also intercity buses, but they run literally once a day. Public transport starts at 6:00 and ends at 18-19:00. The traffic interval is 20-30 minutes.

Minibuses are considered the most convenient mode of transport, as they can be ordered by phone or stopped anywhere in the city. They travel not only around the city, you can go on a tour of several cities. The fare from one city to another will be about 4 €. This is twice as expensive as a bus ride, but cheaper than a taxi. The only drawback of minibuses is that they do not go to the airport. For these services there are special buses.

Taxis in Cyprus are expensive: you will have to pay a little more than 3 € for landing only. For each kilometer, 0.6 € is added, for luggage weighing more than 12 kg - 1 €, and for an hour of waiting - almost 14 €. There is a night rate that starts at 20:30. At this time, the fare increases by 15%, and on weekends and holidays prices increase even more.

You can use the service car rental. To do this, the driver must be over 25 and under 70 years old. Driving experience - at least three years. The cost of rent will cost an average of 50 € per day.

Connection

The Internet is now available to most of the inhabitants of the island. The main provider of Internet services is the national company CYTA. Along with it, there are several other commercial companies, for example, Primetel, which is also very popular in the country. Supported by an operator Reliance Globalcom she plans to launch her own system, through which Cyprus will be connected to the countries of Europe and many others.

As for telephone communication, it is very expensive here, so it is better not to call from hotels, but to use special pay phones. You can buy cards and coins in banks, call centers and at the post office to make calls from such machines.

Safety

The island of Cyprus is one of the most peaceful and safe places in the whole world, even despite the resorts where the nightlife prevails. All conditions for a safe holiday for tourists are created here, and the locals are distinguished by their friendliness and hospitality.

But this does not mean that precautions can be forgotten. As elsewhere, it is better not to take large sums of money with you and not to wear a large amount of expensive jewelry.

At any moment, if necessary, you can contact the police or get any other help by calling 112 and 199. These are universal numbers, but there are also local services in different cities, so you should immediately find out the phone numbers that may be necessary .

Business climate

Cyprus is one of the most successful places to start your own business. This is a state with a high standard of living. Favorable conditions for the employment of citizens have been created here.

To begin with, a foreigner should clearly plan the infrastructure and think through everything to the smallest detail. This is already half the success. The initial capital required to start a business is minimal. For example, to open your own cafe, you need an amount of about 2500 €. As for taxes, here everything is also simplified to the maximum. The income tax is 10%, which is considered the lowest in Europe, and there is no tax on business acquisitions at all.

In addition to a business plan for the development of your business, you must also have an alternative plan in case of unforeseen situations.

Starting to open and register your company, you will need a bank account for a certain amount. Also, a necessary condition will be an appeal to specialists: lawyers and accountants. This is necessary in order to ensure the legality of business and give guarantees to both the state and the entrepreneur.

Real estate

Cyprus is an extremely attractive place to buy real estate, because every year house prices increase by more than 15%. Mostly foreigners buy housing in order to come and stay here for a vacation. The rest of the time they rent it out, getting additional profit.

After buying an apartment, house or villa, the buyer and his family members are entitled to a residence permit. But before you buy a home, you need to get special permission from the authorities.

It should be understood that the process of buying and registering a home will take a long time. But at the same time, this branch of business life is so developed in Cyprus that most of the entire procedure can be carried out via the Internet. Agents and realtors will provide all the necessary information. Payment can also be made online (by the way, it is accepted only in foreign currency). An apartment located a few steps from the sea will cost 3-4 thousand € per 1 m². Thus, a two-bedroom apartment will cost about 200,000 €. Depending on the condition of apartments, apartments or villas and the distance to the sea, prices can reach several million euros.

• While on the island, do not be surprised if the locals will give you something to give or treat you with something. They are very hospitable and generous, love to communicate with foreigners.
• Here you can drink tap water without fear for your health, not only in hotels, but also in all public places.
• In hotels, most sockets are three-phase, so in order to use "our" electrical appliances, you can ask for an adapter at the reception.
• When sightseeing, consider your wardrobe. That is, if you decide to visit temples and churches, make sure that your clothes cover your knees. Women are not allowed to enter the temple in shorts, short skirts, and bare head.

On the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Turkish lira is used, not the euro. But in the Republic of Cyprus, you can pay in euros, pounds sterling or US dollars. There are many banks and exchange offices here. You should be careful when you decide to withdraw money from an ATM, as the commission reaches 3%. If you pay with a card in a supermarket, check if there is a tax for this operation in this store. Sometimes it is up to 7% of the purchase.

Visa information

When entering the country, a visa of the Republic of Cyprus is required. If it is available, the movement between the two parts of the island is free. The visa of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is issued upon entry. Insurance may not cover Turkish territory. If you have only a visa for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, then you will not be able to enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Embassy of Cyprus in the Russian Federation is located at: 121069, Moscow, st. Povarskaya, 9.

The Russian embassy is located in Nicosia at the address: Gonia Agiou Prokopiou & Arch. Makariou 111, Egkomi, P.O.Box 21845, 1514 Lefkosia.

Nicosia is the only city in the world that is the capital of 2 states at once - the Republic of Cyprus, where the Greeks make up the majority of the population, and Northern Cyprus, where the Turks mainly live. Despite the fact that the sea does not smell here and this is not a resort, it is safe to say that this is one of the most interesting cities on the island. Nicosia is a fusion of two very different cultures, as well as a peaceful coexistence of past and present. Nicosia is one of the most ancient cities in the world, because. the first settlements in the beautiful intermountain Mesaoria dates back to the 7th century BC. Life in the capital is seething in all seasons, due to the fact that a third of the island's population lives here. By the way, this is the only city in Cyprus where you can get stuck in a traffic jam. It will be very interesting for tourists to spend the whole day here to take a walk through the museums, which are considered the best in Europe, visit the ancient Byzantine baths, and then enjoy Greek, Turkish and Balkan cuisine.

History of Nicosia

In ancient times, the city was called Ledra, then the settlement was renamed in honor of the son of the Egyptian king Ptolemy, who ruled in these territories, then the Greeks began to call it in their own way - Lefkosia. During its long history, Nicosia has been destroyed more than once almost to the ground and each time it has been restored, reviving even more. The peak of the development of the capital was in the 10th century, when the French feudal lords of Lusignan began to rule the city. Then the Venetians came to the island, who also made a great contribution to the development of the city. Their reign is now commemorated by the well-preserved various Catholic cathedrals in the Gothic style, as well as the defensive rampart that protected the city from invasions.

At the end of the 16th century, the Turks captured the island and Nicosia began to change. Mosques began to appear on the site of Catholic cathedrals, oriental bazaars began to form around the city, Turkish coffee shops began to operate, and much more. Since that time, the population of the island has been divided into 2 camps, opposing each other. There were times when bloody conflicts arose here, as a result of which the UN peacekeeping forces began to control the situation.

Currently, Nicosia is the business and administrative center of Cyprus, government offices and the main offices of financial organizations and large companies are located here. Nicosia is also the cultural capital of the island, there are many architectural sights, museums and exhibition halls.

Entertainment, attractions and excursions in Nicosia

The flagship of the architectural sights of Nicosia is Laiki Gethinia - one of the quarters located in the old city. It underwent a large-scale reconstruction, thanks to which it was possible to recreate the special atmosphere of the beginning of the last century. Here, old houses are located along small cobbled streets, so narrow that you can only walk along them on foot. They have many restaurants and bars in retro style, where you can taste national cuisine dishes washed down with fine Cypriot wines.

In general, the old city impresses with its measured way of life, walking along it, you make a journey of the past, there are no entertainment venues, shopping centers, but only old shops, oriental bazaars and cozy taverns. In the old part of the city, there is a beautiful St. John's Cathedral, where ancient frescoes are well preserved, the luxurious Selimiye Mosque, Faneromeni and Chrysaliniotissa churches.

In Nicosia, you can see the ancient well, where, thanks to the restoration, you can appreciate the former luxury that was the home of famous Turks. In the Craftsmen's Quarter, there are wood, clay and metal products that can be made right in front of your eyes. We advise you to definitely visit museums - Artistic, Municipal, Archaeological and Jewelery Museum - where you can see exhibits created long before our era. It will also be very interesting to visit the museum of arts and crafts and folk crafts, which presents the life of the whole of Cyprus.

How to get to Nicosia

After the division of the city, Nicosia International Airport ceased to operate, but only 40 kilometers from the center is Larnaca Airport, which receives flights from most European cities. The most convenient way to get from Larnaca airport to Nicosia is by ordering a transfer. Travel time is about half an hour.

Attention! If, when walking in Nicosia, you want to walk to Northern Cyprus, you need to take a valid passport with you.

The island of Cyprus includes two states: the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. 2% of the territory is occupied by British military bases, about 4% is a buffer zone where UN troops are located. The same divided into two parts is Nicosia, the capital of the republics, business, political, industrial and cultural center. The border passes through the old city, along one of the old streets.

In Nicosia, all the ministries of the Republic of Cyprus, the parliament, the presidential palace are localized. Many companies of the world have their representations and offices here.

City `s history

The island with a wonderful, fertile climate and fertile valleys was inhabited by inhabitants 8-9 thousand years ago - this is evidenced by the finds of the Neolithic era. On the site of the modern city in those days there was an extensive site of an ancient man. Gradually, it turned into a settlement, then into a village, then into a city.

The first data on the presence of the city of Ledra (the first name of Nicosia) date back to around the 11th century BC. It then became Lefkotheon, a Greek city-state. Byzantines, Frankish crusaders, Venetians, Turks - for many centuries of their history, all these conquerors considered Nicosia the capital of Cyprus and gave it the characteristic features inherent in their culture and religion. Therefore, the modern capital of the Republic of Cyprus is a combination of antiquity, Christianity, Islam, a fusion of past and present, a city of great prospects and opportunities.

Nicosia received its permanent name in the 12th century, since 1960 it became the official capital of the Republic of Cyprus, but already in 1974, as a result of the Turkish invasion, it was divided into 2 parts. About 300,000 Cypriots live in the largest, southern one, and about 100,000 Turks live in the northern one.

Geography, climate, industry of Nicosia

The city was founded in a very convenient place, in a large fertile valley, on the banks of the Akaki River, between the two main mountain ranges of Cyprus: Troodos and Kyrenia. In summer, there is insufficient rainfall, winters are always warm, and despite the presence of a river, the climate of Nicosia is semi-arid and the driest among all cities in the Mediterranean.

Therefore, crop production in the Nicosia region is not developed for natural reasons, but there is cattle breeding and some industries. Textile, pottery, leather factories operate within the city and adjacent areas, the products of which are widely represented in local shopping centers, and are also exported. Mining and food industries are developed. Nicosia, being a small capital of the same medium-sized state, has six universities, among which the largest is the University of Cyprus.

How to get to Nicosia

For numerous tourists visiting Nicosia, all the necessary infrastructure has been created. Hotels in retro style and in modern design, restaurants and taverns that seem to have come from past centuries, national cuisine with original dishes and excellent Cypriot wines, ancient narrow streets and buildings - there is something to see, where to eat, relax and rejuvenate.

Nicosia Airport has not been operating since the 1970s, but Larnaca Airport is located 40 km away. From there, a shuttle bus runs to Nicosia, only 30 minutes on the way. You can also get from Paphos airport, which is located further, 140 km, or from the port of Nicosia, which accepts ferries from both other Cypriot cities and from Mediterranean countries.

Modern Nicosia is a city that stretches for many kilometers, the streets of which are driven by public buses, and tickets are very inexpensive. If you wish, you can take a taxi. The historic center of Nicosia, with its ancient streets and lanes, occupies a much smaller area. Here you can walk between the old buildings on foot, go to a tavern, visit the oriental bazaar, buy souvenirs. All the numerous sights of the unique capital, located mainly in the old city, can be walked around slowly, consistently “passing” from era to era, coming into contact with such different cultures and customs. It is they, the evidence of antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and later centuries, that are the main thing that attracts tourists from all over the world to the many-sided Nicosia. It is they, the sights of the city, that fully deserve a thorough acquaintance with them, because each of them is priceless information that has come down from the past.

Laiki Gethinia

Finding yourself in the old city, it is impossible not to enter the unique quarter, where the old atmosphere has been recreated through the efforts of restorers. Laiki Gethinia is a real street of the last and the century before last, cobbled and very narrow, where you can walk only on foot. All old buildings have been restored and are presented to tourists in their original form. The features of their architecture are very interesting, and each building can be viewed both from the outside and from the inside.

There is no noise, no transport, city fuss, silence and tranquility reign here. You can go to any restaurant or tavern and marvel at their ancient decoration, choose something hearty or refreshing from a huge variety of Cypriot dishes, wines, soft drinks. The abundance of handicraft shops is also impressive, where you can choose both a souvenir and a thing of practical importance at an affordable price, which will long remind you of this recreated old quarter of Nicosia - Laiki Gethinia.

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

In the same part of Nicosia, where Laiki Gethinia is located, the main Orthodox church of Cyprus, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, is located. Its construction was started on the site of an old Christian monastery in the 17th century, when the Ottomans ruled Cyprus, so it does not look too pompous. On the contrary, the laconic and austere style, characteristic of all large and small Cypriot churches, is expressed here as well. The walls, made of local stone, have never had a face finish and have a recognizable gray-beige color. They are reinforced with massive vertical ledges that support the vault of the temple. Nearby rises a narrow bell tower, built in the same architectural style. The cathedral looks more like a fortress, and has a minimum of entrances and barred windows.

The interior decoration is strikingly different from the external modest appearance of the cathedral. All the paintings made from the 17th to the 18th centuries, icons, church utensils have been preserved almost completely. The inner surface of the walls and vault is entirely painted with scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Attention is drawn to the magnificent iconostasis, located in three tiers along the entire height of the wall. Each icon is surrounded by a luxurious ornament made of gold leaf. Near one of the walls there is a so-called "department", that is, a carved chair, decorated with gold and painting. The Archbishop of the independent Cypriot Orthodox Church sits on it during church services.

The Cathedral of St. John the Theologian is active. It is open for pilgrims and tourists almost daily, from Monday to Saturday, on Sundays - during festive services.

Museums of Ethnography of Cyprus and Byzantine Painting

Next to the cathedral is the Archbishop's Compound and two museums - Ethnographic and Byzantine Painting, which is located in its wing. The Ethnographic Museum is located 100 meters to the right of the Archbishop's farmstead and occupies former monastic cells, one of which is presented as a room in a village house of a simple Cypriot. There is a hearth, a table for eating, food storage, a simple sleeping place.

The museum was opened in 1948, it began to exhibit items mainly from the 19th and early 20th century. Each exhibit is unique and interesting. Folk everyday and festive clothes, shoes, furniture, utensils, items of various crafts are becoming more valuable every year and attract many tourists.

The Museum of Byzantine Painting was created by the cultural center named after Makarios, Archbishop of Cyprus. More than two hundred ancient icons, church books, vestments and utensils are collected on two floors. The first floor is occupied by icons and unique Litrahom mosaics created in the period from the 8th to the 18th century. The second floor is a collection of later items of European icon painting and painting of the 15th-20th centuries.

Icons and mosaics of the Byzantine period combine the features of ancient, Roman, Eastern traditions in art, and local Cypriot features are also observed. Each icon or mosaic is bright and saturated colors, later ones are distinguished by competent proportions and volume of forms, a smooth transition of color shades. The period of iconoclasm, the rule of the Franks, the occupation of the country by the Ottoman Empire significantly affected the safety of many monasteries and temples, their decoration, frescoes and icons. Therefore, what has come down to us in small mountain Orthodox churches or collected in museums, including the Museum of Byzantine Painting, is a wealth of unimaginable value.

Both museums, Ethnographic and Byzantine Paintings, are open to visitors every day except Sunday. Tickets are inexpensive, only 2 euros, children are given discounts. You can get there by municipal bus or taxi.

Walls of the old city

The walls surrounding the ancient center of Nicosia are no less important and interesting sights than museums. Their design, purpose, architecture are interesting. In the middle of the 16th century, when Cyprus was still ruled by Venice, the threat of the capture of the country by the Ottoman Empire began to clearly grow. Therefore, there was an urgent need to strengthen Nicosia, using modern technologies of that time. The existing medieval walls were partially destroyed, the moat surrounding them was filled up and could not fulfill its functions.

In the 1560s, fortification engineers arrived from Venice in Nicosia. After studying the area and applying new methods of construction, they worked for several years on the new walls of the city. The course of a nearby river was changed so that its waters could fill the moat and make it difficult to cross. Many residential buildings, palaces, temples were destroyed both inside the fortress wall and outside it, so that they would not interfere with the defense of the city and would not block the view. The resulting building material was used to build new walls.

The walls themselves have a length of 5 km and have 11 bastions located at the same distance from each other. One trick was applied in the construction: the location of the towers next to the gate. This gave a huge advantage to the defenders of the city, as it provided the opportunity for better protection of the gates in the bastion. In addition, the engineers completely abandoned the front wall cladding. The flying cannonballs were supposed to get stuck in the thick masonry, and not split it.

But the Ottomans were ahead of the Venetian builders and attacked Cyprus and Nicosia even before the fortifications were fully ready, in 1570. The walls could not fulfill their purpose and passed into Turkish possession intact. For several centuries they performed a decorative function, gradually collapsing under the influence of precipitation, sun and wind, until their restoration began at the end of the 20th century.

Since 1996, all sections of the walls, with bastions and gates, have been gradually restored to their original form. Along the way, many medieval household items and weapons were found, which were placed in the museum. Now half of the fortifications with five bastions are located on the Greek part of Nicosia, the other half on the Turkish part, one bastion is controlled by the UN.

Today, the fortress walls of Nicosia attract many tourists who want to get acquainted with the fortification art of the 16th century. In addition, many bastions are not empty, they are also open to the public. Some of them have museums, a mosque, a bus stop, parking.

The most beautiful detail of the ancient city walls are the gates: Famagusta, Kerinia and Paphos, which differ from each other in architecture. The Famagusta Gate is located on the eastern section of the wall and is the largest. They were actively used by the residents and authorities of the city until they began to collapse at the beginning of the 20th century, after which they were closed. In 1980, their restoration began: strengthening the walls, floors and vaults, installing ventilation, conducting electricity. Today, the vast inner space of the Famagusta Gate is divided into 3 halls, which are used for exhibitions or for cultural events.

The Kerinian gates face north and have retained a stone panel on which the year of their construction is stamped: 1562. They were repeatedly rebuilt, partially destroyed by the British in 1931 and gradually ceased to be used at all. The underground tunnel leading from the gate to the center of Nicosia is now unavailable for inspection. It collapsed in 1965 after heavy rains.

Paphos gates are located in the western part of the fortress wall. These are the highest, but at the same time simple in architecture gates: the opening in the wall is blocked by a stone arch. Currently, they are expanded, which makes it possible for motor vehicles to pass through.

Sights of the Turkish part of Nicosia

The most significant landmark of the occupied north of the capital can be called the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Sophia. Built in the 13th century, it served as a place for the coronation of the country's rulers and was a cathedral cathedral. Subsequently, as a result of wars and earthquakes, the temple was damaged, then restored and partially rebuilt by the Venetians.

But it underwent a radical restructuring after the invasion of the Ottoman Turks in 1571. The Christian cathedral was converted into a Muslim mosque and named Selemiye. 2 minarets were attached to it, but Gothic features were preserved in the architecture of the entire structure. Inside, all the decoration and unique murals were destroyed, leaving only stained-glass windows, the walls were painted white. Today, the Selemiye Mosque is the main one in the territory of Northern Cyprus, occupied by Turkey.

Gorgeous Nicosia is worth seeing all its streets and sights. In addition to ancient sites, there are many markets and modern shopping centers, clubs and restaurants. Shoppers will not be indifferent to the Ledra pedestrian street, which consists entirely of shops and cozy cafes.

Photo album

I happened to temporarily move to permanent residence in Nicosia. I will be happy to acquaint the readers of the blog with all the details of life in the capital of Cyprus, which I myself will find out. And I'll start right now.

Have you ever lived in three cities at the same time? I was lucky, Nicosia is the only capital in the world that is divided by a border into two different states. At one time she returned to the island and occupied the northern part of the country. Thus, the border between the Turkish and the Greek part passes through Nicosia, so the residents and visitors of the city have the opportunity to go to the Turkish part at any time. I think in future posts I will be able to tell you more about the difference between the Greek and Turkish parts of the city when I study it myself.

You are probably thinking, what is the third city? The Greek part of the capital, in my opinion, has a strong contrast between the old part of the city and the modern one. Of course, this is not a formal division of the city, like a drawn border, but only my idea and perception. The whole story, of course, is collected in the old city, which I will also write about in detail later.

Compared to such large capitals as, for example, there are not so many historical and memorable places, but given the scale of the island and the city itself, there are quite enough of them.

Cypriots are very friendly and open to communication. Since it was previously a colony of Great Britain, almost every resident here speaks two languages: Greek and English. Sometimes they can get carried away and start mixing both languages.

How to get there

Cyprus is an island, so there are only two ways to get here:

1. by plane, which is preferred as the easiest and cheapest option;
2. by ferry, but you still need to get to it either by your own car or by train, since the ferry does not go directly from Russia to Cyprus.

Below about everything in order.

By plane

When you have decided to fly to Cyprus on vacation, and you want to start your journey from the capital of the city, then, of course, traveling by plane is the most reasonable option. Nicosia does not have its own working airport, so you can fly to Cyprus either in Larnaca or in the city, and then get to Nicosia. How? The information will be below in this section.

There is a direct flight from Moscow to Larnaca Airport on Aeroflot, S7, Pobeda and Ural Airlines. On the way you will spend literally 4 hours. The cost of tickets, for example, for S7 in the season is about 21,000 rubles. to Moscow and back. I was looking for the most economical option. Out of season prices are about the same.

I'm used to buying tickets about a month before the trip, so I'm less likely to lose money due to price changes. Of course, if you are willing to take the risk and buy a ticket on the eve of departure, then you can win a significant difference, however, there is a high risk that you will lose more, since there may not be tickets for the next day in the season. Then there is a possibility of losing both money and, most importantly, time.

If you are flying from St. Petersburg, then only Aeroflot and Ural Airlines operate direct flights. The flight takes 4 hours and 40 minutes. But from other large cities, for example, Novosibirsk or Kazan, there are no direct flights. Most often, the flight is built through Moscow, and, accordingly, the duration of the route is at least doubled.

During the season (July - September), the frequency of flights is the maximum that Larnaca International Airport can allow: two flights a day arrive and depart from such major airlines as Aeroflot and S7.

You can see the flight options that are convenient for you.

Airports in Cyprus

Oddly enough, but on such a small island as Cyprus, there are about seven airports. We will not talk about those related to the armed forces, of course. But I will list those airports that operate for residents and guests of the island.
Two of them are on the Greek side of the island and one on the Turkish side.

• Larnaca Airport is the most popular and largest in Cyprus. Here is the highest rate of passenger traffic in the Greek part of the island. And also it is closer than the rest to cities such as Nicosia. So if you are going to Nicosia, other things being equal, it will be more convenient to fly here.

• The airport is smaller in size and popularity, but it also serves many airlines.

• Ercan Airport is located in Northern Cyprus. In order to avoid unnecessary difficulties with a passport and obtaining a Greek or Cypriot visa later, build your route to Cyprus through the airports of the Greek part of the island. The fact is that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not recognized in the world.

How to get from the airport to the city

From the airports, you have four ways to get to Nicosia:

1. The first and he is the most convenient, but much more expensive than the second - a taxi (on average, you can get from Larnaca to Nicosia for 45 €).
2. By regular bus to Nicosia, and from the final stop in the city it is already more convenient to take a taxi. It will be much cheaper this way: a bus ticket to Larnaca costs 8 €, to Paphos airport 15 € + payment for a taxi around the city (about 10 €). Regular buses from Larnaca airport run every hour, day and night, but the schedule from Paphos airport is not very convenient: there are very few flights.
3. The next option is not the most convenient, but the cheapest: from the airport, take a regular bus to the Kapnos airport shuttle station, and then walk to the stop of the city bus that suits you and get to your destination (city bus ticket costs 1.5 €) .
4. Rent a car in advance (for example), which you can pick up at the airport. There are a lot of car rental companies in Cyprus, and prices vary greatly everywhere. Of course, it is cheaper to take a car already in the city, from not the most popular companies. I do it for 35€ per day for a fairly basic car (the price is during peak season, it will be cheaper in winter).

If you are staying at one of the resorts in the country, then from any city you can also get to Nicosia by taxi, by rented car or by Intercity buses, the schedule of which you can find at the bus station or on the Internet. You can see the full bus schedule at cyprusbybus.com.

By ferry

This travel option will be much more expensive than by plane, but if you want to arrange a tour of Europe and then visit the island, then why not.

You have the opportunity to use sea transport to get to Cyprus from Italy, Greece, as well as from Israel, Lebanon and Egypt. But you will need to find a way to get to these countries on your own.

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you anything more on this topic, since I have never used this option before, but I believe all the details can be found on the Internet.

Clue:

Nicosia - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Yekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Cyprus is amazing in that the sun shines here almost all year round and the weather is warm. I arrived in the middle of spring, and it already seemed to me that it was very hot here, but with the onset of summer, I realized that there were still flowers then. And now in more detail and with numbers, so that everyone can understand what is comfortable for him and what is not.

I want to note right away that Nicosia is not a coastal city, it is located in the very center of the island and, accordingly, the weather here is always hotter than in other cities by the sea or in the mountains.

It is better to go to Nicosia in spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant, warm with occasional rain, and not the sweltering heat of the summer months. In June, the air temperature is around +32–35 °C, in July it is stable around +38–40 °C. In spring and autumn, the temperature rises to +25–27 °C.

The high tourist season in Cyprus is considered to be from approximately June to September, but this restriction applies more to resort towns, although this period also affects the capital a little: for example, in the cost of car rental (out of season, prices will be lower by 5–10 €) , in the price of accommodation. During this period, more cafes are opened, located close to the tourist areas. Other than that, there's probably no difference.

There are always few people here, that is, there are no such influxes of tourists as in summer to the sea. Of course, due to the weather here, the guest will be more comfortable in the off season, since it is very difficult to walk around the city under the scorching sun, but on the other hand, 3-4 days will be enough for you to fully explore Nicosia, and it is easier and more pleasant to combine them with a beach holiday.

You can navigate the prices for tours to Nicosia from Russia.

Nicosia in summer

In summer, starting from July, the temperature stably stays at a mark not lower than +35–38 °C. In August, I increasingly saw the weather forecast + 38–39 ° C, or even all 40 ° C. Unfortunately, walking around the city in such weather is extremely difficult. There is one way out: rent an air-conditioned car. Otherwise, there will be no rest, but torment. There are practically no tall buildings in the city, very few trees, therefore, there is no shade in which one could hide.

Of course, there are a lot of fruits in summer, but this is not a reason to come here and get into the sweltering heat.

Nicosia in autumn

One of the most comfortable seasons for me is autumn. Autumn weather seems to be designed for leisurely walks around the city. And to be more precise, somewhere from the second half of September and all of October you will enjoy a cloudless sky, a light breeze and a temperature of +26–30 °C.

The streets are getting busier, at least it seems to me, because school starts and all the children and their parents return to their usual schedule, but it still cannot be compared with the rhythm of life in the metropolis, so I still feel that measured pace of life islanders who are here.

In the second half of autumn, the rains finally begin and the city becomes fresher.

Nicosia in spring

The most beautiful time in Nicosia, because all the bushes and trees are in bloom, the greenery has not yet dried up under the scorching sun, the air is still fresh, and the sun is already warming to the fullest. At this time, it is best to visit the National Park of Nicosia and other "green" areas of the city to appreciate them.

For me, the weather in spring and autumn are in tune, the same +25–27 °C, closer to summer and all +30 °C, but very comfortable.

Nicosia in winter

The most peaceful period for the inhabitants of Nicosia, the city, one might say, is dying out. Many restaurants, shops, and haunts oriented towards the guests of the city are closed, as they are not profitable at this time of the year.

There are very few people in the city. And the weather changes quite significantly. Rains in winter are not uncommon here, strong winds are also held in high esteem. But, what pleases me most of all, the weather never goes negative. +10–15 °C.

Nicosia - monthly weather

Clue:

Nicosia - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

If you come to Nicosia for a couple of days, then it is better to stay closer to the Old Town or in itself in order to be close to all the beauties: museums, parks, cafes, old streets, etc.

There are hotels all over the city, but why waste time on the road when you can take a longer walk through the historical part. If you settle close to the center, then all the sights will be within walking distance.

Nicosia is the largest city in terms of area in the Republic of Cyprus, and it consists of many districts.

There are 12 main ones:

• Nicosia (directly, Old Town),
• Aglantzia, Strovolos, Egkomi, Agios Dometios are located in a circle from the Old Town,
• the remaining areas are far enough from the city center, there are both residential and industrial: Lakatameia, Dali, Tseri, Deftera, Latsia, Nisou, Geri.

In my opinion, the most optimal area for renting an apartment or staying at a hotel, of course, in addition to the Old Town, is Strovolos, because the largest number of bus routes are laid from the Old Town either to it or through it. And it is important that from Strovolos you can walk to the center of the Old Town in 25-30 minutes.

What are the prices for holidays

Holidays in Cyprus can be called affordable and democratic, as entertainment can be found for any budget and needs. If we compare a trip to any popular European country where there is access to the sea, and a vacation in Cyprus, then, of course, Cyprus will come out cheaper in almost all items of expenditure.

Accommodation

Let's start with housing prices. You can stay in a hotel, and here everything depends on your capabilities and needs: the price per night in a hotel is from 15 € and more. Of course, many factors influence the cost: from comfort to remoteness from the city center. I usually look for hotels on booking - but you can check if there is a more attractive price anywhere.

The second option may be of interest to those tourists who want to stay in the city longer. Then you can rent an apartment with the help of a realtor. Here the system is such that you voice your wishes to a specialist, and he already offers you options. His services are paid by the landlord. You can consider offers from the owners -.

Price order: a 3-room apartment with all amenities, where the center is within walking distance, will cost around 450–550 €. In addition, there will be a deposit and payment of utilities. It is important to note that electricity in Cyprus is very expensive, and since it is hot on the island for most of the year, you cannot do without a working air conditioner, and it, in turn, will increase the utility bill significantly. Yes, and I’ll highlight one more thing: the Internet will have to be installed in most apartments on your own. You yourself go to the company and agree on the holding.

Food

When I went here, I was sure that all seafood would be much cheaper than in my hometown. However, it turned out to be quite the opposite.
The choice of fish is very poor, and for what is, the prices are approximately as follows:

• Dorada - 8.5 € / kg.
• Sea bass - 7.5 € / kg.
• Shrimps from 11€/kg.

I was very pleased with the quality and prices of vegetables and fruits! Examples:

• Nectarines - 2.20 € / kg.
• Tomatoes - 0.65 € / kg (there are even cheaper ones).
• Watermelon in July can be found at 0.35 € / kg.

Transport

You can move around the city by taxi (on average, a trip around the city will cost 10 €), or by city buses - 1.50 €. Of course, you can significantly save on transport if you walk or ride a bike.

If you decide to stay in Nicosia, but you want to go to the sea, then there are two ways to get there:

• Rented car (from 35 € per day).
• Intercity bus:
  • to Larnaca round trip 7€;
  • to Limassol 9€;
  • to Ayia Napa 9€;
  • to Paphos 13€.

Excursions

I want to note right away that there are practically no excursions directly in Nicosia. More often, a trip around the capital is included in a sightseeing tour of the island, but open events, i.e. where anyone can sign up, I could not find. Most likely they are arranged to order for an already assembled group of people.

In most excursions, the point of departure is in one of the coastal cities, for example, in Limassol or Paphos, which will bring a lot of inconvenience to those who live in Nicosia and do not have their own car.

There are very interesting, in my opinion, trips, for example, a donkey safari (costs about 70 € per adult, 40 € per child), a double bus tour around the island and on a boat (80 € per adult and 45 € per child) , a trip to the mountains (40€ per adult and 20€ per child).

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Rubles, rub. Dollars, $ Euro, €

Main attractions. What to see

Nicosia is riddled with secrets and legends, it is rich in churches, monasteries, monuments, art objects. Since the history of the city dates back to the Bronze Age, in the museums you can see a huge number of exhibits from different times and rulers.

Top 5

In this section, I will give you my list of the five best places to visit in Nicosia, and below you can find a summary of them in their respective sections.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

There are a great many churches in the capital, and for a long time I chose the most interesting ones to visit. Below is a must-have list for getting to know this part of the city's culture:

• Church of Panagia Chrysalignotissa. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, in Greek its name means "Our Lady of the Golden Flax". It is considered the oldest Byzantine church in Nicosia. The building dates back to 1450. In it you will find a huge number of ancient and rare icons.

• Omeriye Mosque. It is located on the Turkish part of Nicosia next to the old city market. Previously, it was the Catholic monastery of St. Mary, which was built in the XIV century. When the Turks conquered the island in the 16th century, the monastery was converted into a mosque, as it was believed that the Muslim prophet Omar was buried in this place in the 7th century. Inside the mosque is so airy that you want to stay there longer. Huge space, high ceiling, large chandeliers. At a time when prayers are not held in the mosque, you can easily enter it, but you must take off your shoes before entering. It is better to come here when it is light to see all the beauty that is located on the territory of the mosque. If you are tired, you can sit in a cafe, walk along the neighboring shops with souvenirs.

• Church of Faneromeni. The largest in the Old Town, its construction dates back to 1872. The marble mausoleum, which you can see at the eastern part of the church, was created in memory of the clergy who were executed during the reign of the Turks. Behind the church is a gymnasium, the building of which also deserves attention.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

There are a lot of museums, as well as churches. There are historical ones, there are both thematic and handicraft ones. At the beginning of the list I will present you the most interesting and significant museums:

• Museum of Cyprus. This is the first place I went to. The entrance ticket costs 4.50€. It is the main archaeological museum on the entire island. Here you will learn the history of the development of Cyprus from the Neolithic period to the early Byzantine period (7th century).

• Leventis Municipal Museum. Entrance is absolutely free. This is the only local history museum of the city, where you will learn not only about its history of development, but also about the social component of the city.

• Byzantine Museum. It mainly presents exhibits of a religious nature related to the Byzantine period, but there are also later examples. The museum's collection contains more than 200 icons, as well as books, utensils, and mosaics. By the way, the mosaic is one of the most impressive exhibits of the museum due to its history. It belongs to the VI century. and is of great interest to Turkey. Just at the time when it occupied the island, it was taken out, but after a while the mosaic was returned to the Greek part.

Also worth visiting:

• Archdiocese (New and Old buildings). It consists of two buildings: the head of the Cypriot Orthodox Church lives in the new one, and the Ethnographic Museum of Cyprus is located in the old building on the ground floor.

• Ethnographical museum. It houses the largest collection of folk art and ethnography on the island. In the museum you will see examples of embroidery, lace, costumes, ceramics, metalwork, weaving, folk paintings, leather goods and wood carvings.

• State Gallery of Modern Art. The entrance is free. Here you will get acquainted with the works of Cypriot masters of the 20th century. In addition to the internal content, the building itself attracts attention.

• Observatory Museum in the Shakolas Tower. There is an observation deck on the 11th floor of the tower. This is the tallest building in the Old City. You will be able to see all of Nicosia at a glance. Thanks to the large panoramic window, you can see both the Greek and Turkish parts, compare them and even choose where you would like to go next. All areas and buildings have explanations in English, French and German. Entrance 2€.

• Museum of the National Liberation Struggle. It deserves attention thanks to its documents, photographs and exhibits that highlight the bloody events of 1955-1959, when Cyprus fought against the British in order to free them from them.

parks

Unfortunately, in the capital, in principle, there is little greenery due to the climate, so I experience a lot of pleasure from going to a park that is maintained, watered and where there is still vegetation.

Athalassa National Park

Probably the largest park in Nicosia is the Athalassa National Park.

It has two lakes of different sizes, a large number of paved paths for hiking and cycling. It's just nice to come here for a walk, look at the local flora and fauna, breathe in the forest air, organize a picnic on the lake.

Agios Dimitrios

The second largest park is Agios Dimitrios. It combines coniferous trees with palm trees, there are whole groves! The park also has playgrounds for independent sports, tennis courts, as well as the Municipal Sports Center.

If you get tired from walking, there is a small cafe where you can buy water, coffee, a small snack.

tourist streets

In the Old part of the city you can walk endlessly. But below I will give tips on which streets and areas are worth a visit.

So, I marked the most interesting places on the map, and now I’ll tell you more about them:

• The most popular and picturesque streets of the capital are Lidra and Onasagora. They are the center of the Old City. There are a huge number of shops, cafes and restaurants. Naturally, this part of the evening is always crowded. At the end of Lidra Street there is a checkpoint to the Turkish part. This is one of two checkpoints that is exclusively pedestrian. To go to the Northern part, you need to have a passport with you. By the way, be careful and be prepared for the fact that upon returning from the northern part of Nicosia at the border you may be asked to show your bags. It is strictly forbidden to bring cigarettes bought on Turkish territory to the Greek part of the island.

• Not far from st. Lidra is the pedestrian area of ​​Laiki Githonia. In this area there are a lot of restaurants, souvenir shops, just beautiful lanes. The office of the Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO) is also located here, where you can get city maps, a guidebook and flyers with information about local events absolutely free of charge.
• Venetian walls. They separate the Old City from the New. These walls were built in the 16th century. for protection from enemies. A moat was dug next to them, which is now used for parking, stages for concerts and just walking.

• Gate of Famagusta. There are three passages through the Venetian walls. This is one of them.

What to see in 1 day

If you have only 1 day to get acquainted with the capital of the island, then it should be rich and varied.

In order for there to be logic in moving around the city, we will start the path on the left, from the city center, and move to the right:

What to see in the surroundings

An unforgettable experience will give you a trip to the Troodos mountains. You can only get there by car, so be sure to take your Cyprus driver's license with you. In case you do not have the rights or the opportunity to rent a car, then, in my opinion, the only way to get to the mountains is with a tour group by bus. I think that it is impossible to order a taxi to visit the mountains. At least I didn't see a taxi there, but I can't say.

You can get to the Troodos mountain range from different cities of the island, including from Nicosia. Go there approximately 80-90 km.

I have not yet been able to fully explore all the interesting places in the mountains, they are too widely spread around the island, but I can tell you about four places that you should definitely go to:

1. The summit of the mountains of Olymbos (1952 meters). You won’t be able to climb to the very peak, since there is a military base there, but you can drive up to the observation deck to enjoy the views.
   
2. The Kykk Monastery is the oldest male monastery located at an altitude of about 1300 meters.
   
   
3. There are many hiking trails in the mountains. I got over one of them. Its length is about 2.5 km, and at the end of the path you get to the waterfall, where you can take cold baths, freshen up and go back down.
   
   
   
4. The village of Kakopetria. It is located at an altitude of 660 meters above sea level. Only about one and a half thousand inhabitants live here, but there are very interesting places, for example, the Church of Panagia, built at the beginning of the 16th century!
   
   
   

nearby islands

Nicosia is the capital of the island of Cyprus, which, apart from the main part, has no other territory, as, for example, in Thailand. If you look at the map, you can see that the nearest islands of interest to travel may be Crete or, which both belong to Greece.

Food. What to try

Walking around Nicosia, you will never go hungry. The closer you get to the city center, the more you will see cafes and restaurants. And in the Old City itself, on the streets of Lidra and Onasagor, it is simply impossible to step a step so as not to hear the new smell of some dish. Of course, absolutely all cuisines of the world are presented in the city.

Cyprus is famous for its generosity and love for feasts. Here are some local must-try dishes:

For those who prefer to cook on their own

If you prefer to cook on your own at home even when traveling, then I can recommend that you buy groceries either in one place, for example, there is the Alfa Mega chain (a large grocery store where you will find both local products and European cuisine familiar to us), or in different places.

On weekends, the morning fruit and vegetable markets, the so-called Frutoria, open. They work approximately hours up to two days, but here you can buy cheaper local products. There are many butchers and fishmongers where you can get the freshest meat or seafood. Just in case, I’ll say that pork and chicken prevail over everything from meat, but in large chains you can find meat for every taste.

In local stores, I did not manage to see either buckwheat, or cottage cheese, or normal bread, but Russian stores have it all, of course, at inflated prices.

Since Cyprus is almost a year-round sun, there are always certain fruits on the shelves, depending on the season. In mid-July, cactus fruits begin to be sold. They are very prickly and leave their small needles wherever they can. So try not to grab them with your bare hands. To taste, the cactus resembles a pear, but with a large number of seeds. And someone says that it is more like the taste of a mix of strawberries and kiwi. In general, try!

Summer is the fruitiest time in Cyprus. Nectarines, watermelons, melons, grapes, peaches, apricots, cherries, figs, papaya, mangoes and strawberries ripen. But be careful, as their period ends quickly. As soon as you see that prices have gone up, then the season is coming to an end.

In autumn we are content with mangoes, pomegranates and guava, and in winter with bananas, oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines, pomelo.

In fact, I am not a goer to restaurants, bars and cafes, so I can’t give many recommendations, but I still managed to visit something.

I can recommend delicious eateries, local Cypriot shawarma - gyros. In front of you, they cut off the meat that you order from the skewer, put it in a flatbread, add vegetables, sauces and french fries. Depending on the chosen meat, the cost also varies - from 3.40 €. They are both in the center, at the very beginning of Lidra, and in other parts of the city.

For seafood lovers, I definitely recommend Ocean Basket, a chain of restaurants all over the island. Fresh dishes served with your choice of either rice or French fries. The average bill for two is 35€.

Budget

Fast food:

• McDonald's
• Burger King.

Eateries where you should definitely order a flatbread with meat and vegetables: Gyros Akropolis, or local shawarma in the center.

Intermediate level

• Chain of fish restaurants Ocean Basket.
• Garden Day & Night- during the day a cafe, in the evening it resembles a club. I did not notice a pronounced kitchen.
• Delicious Italian restaurant, next to the Venetian walls - Da Paolo. Be careful, the restaurant is open only in the evening from 19.30 to 23.30.
• Many recommend Piatsa Gourounaki in the center of the old city.

Expensive

• One of the decent and quite expensive places in the capital - Atelier.
• Then on hearing Domus LoungeBar & Restaurant, Akakiko.
• And finally, Paragadi Locals recommend booking a table in advance.

Holidays

Unfortunately, it is in Nicosia that practically no festivals and additional events are held, they all take place in coastal cities. But we can single out some of them, which either differ from what we are used to, or are completely absent in Russia.

New Year

As far as I know, however, I myself have not yet been able to try it, but for the New Year the national dish of vasilopitta is being prepared - a pie, inside of which a coin is baked, and whoever gets a piece of the pie with it will be lucky in the New Year.

In Cyprus, just like in our country, it is customary to exchange gifts, but there is one difference. Not Santa Claus comes to visit the children, but St. Basil, he blesses the family and distributes gifts to the children.

Kataklysmos - the festival of water

Cypriots count the beginning of summer from this holiday. It does not have an exact date, as it is associated with Easter. Kataklysmos reminds residents and guests of the city of the Flood and the salvation of Noah.

On this day, many people leave Nicosia for the coast of Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and other cities, but for those who remain, events are organized in the parks of Nicosia. Contests and competitions are held, people douse and pour water on each other, and in the evening fireworks are arranged in different parts of the city.

Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus (October 1)

On this day, at 11 am, a military parade takes place near the Presidential Palace, and in the evening, of course, there are concerts, fireworks, and fairs.

Safety. What to watch out for

When I was driving here, I found a lot of information about the fact that the island has a very low crime rate, and, most likely, I can agree with this.

Let me give you some examples: the inhabitants of the capital can easily not close the windows in the car and leave the keys in it when they go to the store, or even more so in the parking lot near their house, which, of course, is very surprising for the residents of the metropolis. This is probably due to the fact that about 300-400 thousand people live in the city, and ties here are much closer than in Moscow, for example.

If we talk about walking around the old city, then during the daytime it is absolutely safe there, but since the streets are very narrow and there are a lot of people in the center, just keep an eye on your bags and wallets. Few things can happen. Very often, there is a road near the cafe, where tables are not only indoors, but also on the street, and things can quickly be grabbed from the table. Don't lose your vigilance.

For life, of course, the city is safe, but at night I would not dare to go for a walk along the alleys unfamiliar to me in the city center.

I want to note the traffic on the roads. Be careful when crossing the roadway or driving yourself, as they like to go wild here: turn around sharply through a solid line, drive onto the sidewalk for parking, stop abruptly, etc. I think this is due to the fact that there are practically no it is customary to walk, and it is rare to meet people who just walk the streets. Also, there are not everywhere pedestrian crossings.

Things to do

In fact, there is not much entertainment in the capital, but I can highlight something. You can rent a bike or even find a place where they rent a hoverboard with a handle and ride your own route with a breeze.
I can’t say that the theatrical life is developed in Nicosia, but there are several theaters where you can go to get acquainted with the Cypriot art. For example, in the National Theater of Cyprus.

From time to time, classical music performers come to Cyprus, and the Russian Cultural Center invites them to meet with the public. As a rule, admission is free, and you can follow the news on the center's Facebook page.
If you like to watch movies in the open air, then from mid-July to mid-September the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation organizes a free evening cinema with films in English. So far, such meetings are held on Wednesdays. On other days, the foundation arranges concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events.

In order to keep abreast of current events in the city, I go to the Cyprus Tourism Organization, there is always a calendar of events for the current and coming months.

A great entertainment that combines new experiences and relaxation is Turkish baths, for example, Hammam Omar. It is important to note here that men and women go to the bathhouse separately: there are days when only women can come, on other days only men. Married couples go on Sundays.

Shopping and shops

It is a pleasure to go to the shops here, because there are few customers, the staff is quite unobtrusive, but the biggest inconvenience lies in their work schedule. A lot of stores, I am now writing only about stand-alone, not located in shopping centers, do not work at all on Sundays, and on Wednesday they have a short day, up to 14 hours. But otherwise everything is very good.

In Nicosia there is one large shopping center Mall of Cyprus, but do not expect our Moscow MEGA from it, for example. Many mass market brands are represented here (Pull & Bear, Bershka, Intimissimi, etc.), there is a food court, one bookstore, where equipment such as computers, players is also sold at the same time ...

There is a noteworthy Debenhams store.

It is networked and is available all over the island, I saw three such stores directly in Nicosia. It sells various brands of cosmetics, clothing, some shops on the ground floor sell groceries.
If you don't like shopping centers, then you can find the same stores, but located on the same street Leoforos Archiepiskopou Makariou III. I like to walk to Debenhams in this part of town and go shopping from there.

The season of discounts also coincides with the tourist season, which cannot but please the female half: from July to August and in the off season from February to March.
For those who enjoy shopping at the lowest prices for all sorts of amenities for the home, themselves, children, gardens, cars, etc. great for hypermarket JUMBO, which is located on the outskirts of Nicosia.

Bars. Where to go

The city center is full of places where you can sit at night and drink different alcoholic drinks:

• At the very beginning of st. Lidra is a chamber bar Alexandros pub. It works until late at night (up to 4 o'clock), absolutely different alcohol is presented, there is a billiard table on the ground floor.
• One of the most popular places is Oktana. Due to its popularity, there are a lot of people here in the evening, so if you go here purposefully, then book a table in advance.
• Another well-known bar is Plato "s. Sometimes jazz evenings are held here. This and the previous bars are open until 2-3 am.
• Well, and one more - Academy 32. It is notable for the fact that its owner is a musician, and this fact, of course, is reflected in the cozy atmosphere of the institution.

Clubs and nightlife

I can't say that Nicosia is famous for its nightclubs. Maybe I don’t pay attention to these places, because I myself am not a fan of club life, or maybe there really aren’t many of them in the city.

• Zoo Lounge - the music plays here is different: from Greek pop to international. One of the finest and most prestigious places. The entrance is free.
• La casa de Cuba - entry 12 €, but a free drink is included in the price. Incendiary Latin music is played, including salsa and tango.

extreme sports

There is nowhere to do extreme sports in the capital itself, but if you go to the mountains, then there are different options for how to spend time.

For example, you can rent a mountain bike and go alone or with a group, along with an instructor, along the route. The length of the path can be different, depending on what you yourself are ready for.

In winter, of course, there are ski resorts. Here you can go skiing and snowboarding. There are places where you can rent equipment, there are trainers who will be ready to give time to beginners.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

I really like to walk around the Turkish part of Nicosia in search of gifts and souvenirs. There, next to the Omeriye mosque, if you look at it, there is a large souvenir shop on the left.

It sells amazingly beautiful plates, salad bowls, saucers, in general, dishes. The peculiarity is that each unit is painted with paints or other material by hand. It looks very bright, and you can use the products both in terms of decor and for their intended purpose. If you focus on the price, then large plates (salad bowls) cost 20 €. This place has a huge number of small souvenirs:

• magnets (1€),
• bracelets (€0.75),
• small pictures, scarves, shawls, jugs, Turks (from 3€), etc.

Of course, all this is also sold in the Greek part of the capital, but much more expensive.

What to bring from food

Pink salt is considered a traditional souvenir: it has many more useful properties than ordinary table salt. The cost depends on the volume (from 2 €).

As for gasoline, the prices here are biting, for example, 1 liter of 95 gasoline costs around 1.20–1.30 €.

In addition to a car, you can also rent motorcycles, but I have no experience here, so I can’t tell you anything.

Since the time of English rule, left-hand traffic has been left here, so if this factor is new to you, try not to go on long journeys right away, get used to it first.

I have already written about the fact that local drivers here like to go wild, do not fall for their example, follow the rules so that the law is on your side.

Cypriots love to drive fast, and for this they have an extreme right lane, if you do not match their speed, then they will try to squeeze you out of their lane in the most brazen, daring way: they will honk, sit on their tail, blink their high beams.

Cypriots are very emotional, and this is expressed in their driving style.

And a little secret: all rented cars have red numbers, which can be of great help to you, since even the police treat drivers with red numbers much more condescendingly than ordinary motorists, but you should not run into a meeting with law enforcement agencies once again .

And one more thing: there are a lot of police on the tracks, but few speed cameras, so be careful and follow the speed limit.

Nicosia - holidays with children

Unlike the coastal cities, Nicosia is practically not focused on children, although the Cypriots are burning with a wild passion for them. They treat other people's children as if they were their own: store employees give fruits and sweets to kids, like to tickle and play with children. But the city is not rich in children's entertainment.

In the Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO) you can take a schedule of children's city events, and if you are lucky and you coincided with them in time, then go have fun.

From time to time, a shadow theater show takes place in Nicosia, it can just be very interesting for children, ask about it at KTO.

With teenagers, I would go to several thematic museums:

• The Cyprus Museum of Classic Motorcycles will be of interest to children of all ages, especially boys, of course. This is a private museum, and its owner often goes out to chat with guests and tell stories about his exhibits. About 150 motorcycles are presented here.

• Police Museum. Here you will find everything related to police work: uniforms, transport, documents, awards, photographs, weapons.

• Museum of the History of Coinage. The child will be able to get acquainted with the history of coinage, which begins in the 6th century BC.

Strovolos area has a huge outdoor and indoor playground extreme park. There are trampolines, steeplechase, mini-bowling, inflatable slides and much more. Also, educational events for children of different ages are periodically held in local parks, but in order to find out about this in advance, you need to periodically appear in the park and track the announcements.

Ski holidays

I want to say right away that there are no mountains in the capital itself, but at any moment you can leave Nicosia for the mountain range, so beloved here on the island for a much more pleasant climate than in the city.

You can only get there by your own car or by a sightseeing bus with a group of other tourists. It takes about an hour to drive from the capital to the mountains.

The best time to do this is from January to April: during the day you can go skiing and snowboarding, and in the evening go to a warm tavern for a delicious dinner.

Troodos has many pistes of different lengths for all skill levels. On each track you can rent equipment and arrange an instructor for beginner skiers.

Tracks

In Troodos there are 4 slopes with lifts for descent with different levels of difficulty. Below is a summary of each of them:

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