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Old Town, New Adventures

  • Writer: Erin
    Erin
  • Aug 15, 2022
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 31

When you think of Cyprus, I bet your mind goes straight to gods and goddesses fighting in wars to save mortals. Zeus fights Hades for his half-mortal son, only for Hercules to realize he has god like powers. While Cyprus's population is half Greek, it is actually not part of Greece. It is an independent state of the European Union that is part Turkish! Cyprus offers excellent tourism year round.


A charming street view of Nicosia's old town, featuring traditional Mediterranean architecture under a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds. The narrow, winding street is paved with asphalt and lined on both sides by two and three-story buildings. The buildings are painted in white, cream, and a soft yellow, with some featuring light blue or dark wood shutters. Many potted plants and green foliage adorn the windows, balconies, and sidewalks. A white SUV is parked in the distance, partially obscuring a red car, adding to the lived-in feel of the scene.
Nicosia Old Town

Nicosia

While there are endless activities in Cyprus for a tourist, it is vital to make sure that you plan accordingly and ensure your visit takes you to Old Town. The old town is better known as Nicosia and is Cyprus's capital city. Why is it called Old Town? Well, this city has been thriving for over 4500 years! There are so many different cultures to experience there too. The town is home to the Franks, Venetians, Ottomans, and British.


Fun fact: it is also Europe's oldest divided capital. Since 1974 there has been a green line that divides the city. This line is called the cease fire line. Half of the city is home to the Turkish and the other half to the Greeks. Both parts offer fantastic history, beautiful sensory, and exciting tourist adventures!



A view of Nicosia's Venetian Wall, showcasing a large, old stone wall with some vegetation growing on it, running diagonally from the lower left to the center right. Above the wall, a row of traditional multi-story buildings with balconies and old-fashioned windows line a street. These buildings are painted in shades of yellow, brown, and white. To the right of the wall, a vast expanse of dry, grassy field stretches out, with some patches of green and what appears to be a football goalpost in the distance. Further back, a watchtower or metal structure is visible, along with trees, under an overcast sky.
Nicosia's Venetian Wall

Walking Tour

A great way to spend your day here is by taking a self-guided walking tour. This allows you to choose what you want to see, when you want to see it, and how long you want to spend. The best part about a walking tour is that it offers something for everyone in a group or solo traveler! Don't be afraid to get out there and enjoy everything this island has to offer!


The best way to start your tour is by simply looking side to side. You will see Nicosia's most distinctive features, the medieval Venetian walls, and a protective moat. These were built in 1567 to protect the city from attack. Today, you can still see the three gates and the eleven bastions left. The Famagusta Gate is one of the island's most incredible pieces of architecture. It is also the main gate to the city, So make sure to check it out on your way in!


A stone church, Panagia Chrysaliniotissa, stands under a dramatic, partly cloudy sky, with patches of blue and dark storm clouds. The church is built from light-brown stone blocks and features traditional architecture, including a bell tower with an arched opening on the left, and a central dome with a reddish-tiled roof. Several other tiled roofs and arched windows are visible across the building's various sections. The ground in the foreground is a paved square, wet and reflective, suggesting recent rain. In the distance to the left, glimpses of other buildings and green foliage are visible.
Panagia Chrysaliniotissa Church

Churches & Museums

Another great place to check out is the historic Panagia Chrysaliniotissa Church. This Byzantine Church was built in the 15th century and is located inside the Venetian Walls. Intricate panels and ancient frescoes line several of the walls.


Museums are also great stops to add to any walking tour. While in Cyprus, you will want to add Shacolas Tower Museum and Observatory for sure. This tower offers breathtaking views of the old town and will give you a new perspective of the island. You can visit the Byzantine Museum if you are more interested in history. It's easy to find because it's located in the Archbishop's Palace.


Cyprus is one of the world's most traveled destinations for a reason. This island may be tiny, but it is beautiful, full of history, and a perfect bucket list stop. It offers a walking tour that lets you see a moat and takes you to a tower over the city. It is the ideal place to enjoy your next adventure. If you are ready to cross the ceasefire line and visit Cyprus, book a consult today.

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