Welcome to Cyprus, now that you are here you want to know… what to do in Nicosia for a weekend?
If you are traveling to Cyprus, be sure to spend a weekend in Nicosia. Less than 45 minutes from Larnaca, Nicosia has a growing food and craft coffee culture, unique shops, and interesting cultural offerings. This list gives you insight into some of the top places to visit whether you have a week, or a weekend. Pay attention because my map below shows you what to do in Nicosia, where to shop in Nicosia, AND where to eat in Nicosia!
Cyprus is a small island, half the size of Connecticut, and sparsely populated with only about 1.1 million residents. The country’s largest city is Nicosia, with approximately 250k residents. This may sound like a bustling city, but it is important to note that Nicosia is 111 km², which is two thirds the size of Brooklyn or twice the size of Manhattan. For a US traveler to understand, the best approximation of Nicosia’s size and population is Clearwater Florida.
The most important thing to note about Nicosia is the last divided capital city in Europe. Known also as the walled city, Nicosia was fortified by a star shaped wall built around the city by the Venetians in 1567.
The wall took its shape with 11 bastions specifically built to control defenders and house artillery. The remains of the wall and these bastions are easily visible around the city. The wall had three gates located around the city. Now used as a cultural center, Famagusta Gate was restored in 1981 and houses events throughout the year.
Nicosia is filled with historical character, including a unique museum featuring a private collection of vintage and new motorcycles. Open sporadically, the Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum is a must visit for anyone who likes motorcycles or unique museums.
Be sure to take your passport with you as you venture out on your walks around the city. You just might want to cross over the border at Ledras street and enjoy a Turkish coffee and pastry at Cafe Tezgah in the Turkish occupied area of Nicosia. I definitely recommend strolling through North Nicosia, and while you are there, wander over to Biblioteque cafe near the border and take a picture of the famous umbrella canopy!
Once back on the southern side of Nicosia you will find a lot of familiar international shops on Ledras street, including H&M and Starbucks, but this list shows you some of the businesses you might not be familiar with.
While I have added some larger chains, such as Greek chain Funky Buddha and Italian coffee shop Caffe Nero, most of these businesses are small independent shops, including a few small family owned cafes, such as Sham Food, and women-owned retail stores like The Collective. So, take a look at my choices for where to shop in Nicosia, where to eat in Nicosia, and what to do in Nicosia!
AND If you stop into The Collective, tell Natasha that I send my love!
WHAT TO DO IN NICOSIA
– Weekend Edition –
To Eat
Restaurants
Silver Pot
small hip cafe with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options … also bacon. best brunch!
3E Themistocli Dervi
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 22 101722
Hours: 8AM – 5PM M + 8AM – 8PM Tu-F + 10AM – 5PM Sa/Su
The Gym
the see and be seen bar and dinner spot in the ledros district
Onasagorou 87-89
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 22 002001
Hours: 9:45AM – 2AM Su-Th + 9:45AM – 2:30AM F + 9:45AM – 3AM Sa
Sham Food
halal shawarma
Rigainis 1
Solomos Sq
Nicosia, Cyprus
+357 96 656861
Hours: None posted. Open from lunch well past bar closings.
Coffee
The Brew Lab
coffee shop and coffee education
Stasikratous 3
Nicosia Cyprus
+ 357 22 666231
Hours: 7AM – 7PM M-F
Kxoffee Project
coffee shop
29D Pindarou
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 99 559776
Hours: 8AM – 7PM M-F + 9AM – 3PM Sa (closed Su)
Caffe Nero
coffee shop
Onasagorou 30
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 22 352673
Hours: 8AM – 11PM
Pastry & Sweets
Tezgah Cafe
coffee shop and bakery – north nicosia / leftkosa
AsmaaltI Sokak (over the border)
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 9 0533 870 01 84
Hours: no hours posted, open for breakfast and until at least 6PM, when I visited
Ean Ke Efoson
traditional greek pastries
Ippokratous 28
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 99 836559
Hours: 10AM – 12AM
To Shop
Clothing – Vintage and New
The Collective Concept
everything vintage – men, women, home
Palaion Patron Germanos 4-6
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 99 904834
Hours: 11AM – 7PM M-Sa
Funky Buddha
mens & womens’ clothing
Makarios Avenue 26
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 22 377000
Hours: 12PM – 7PM M + 11AM – 7PM T-Sa (closed Su)
Gifts and Decor
Flying Tiger
affordable and quirky scandinavian design and decor store
Ledras street 170
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 33 9 84 33 86 82
Hours: 9AM – 9PM M-F + 11AM – 7PM Sa-Su
Bomba Design
artisan collective – wearables and decor
Mouson Street 4
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 22 102357
Hours: 10AM – 1PM / 2PM – 5 M-F + 10AM – 5PM Sa (closed some M+W mornings)
The Funky Store
gift store specializing in gadgets and home goods
Pigmalionos 33
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 22 101593
Hours: 10:30AM – 6:30PM M-F + 10:30AM – 5:30PM Sa (closed Su)
To Do
Galleries
Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum
motorcycle museum with models dating back to 1914
Granikou Street 44
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 22 680222
Hours: 9AM – 1PM / 3PM – 6PM M-F + 9AM – 1PM Sa (Closed Su)
Cultural Attractions
Famagusta Gate
cultural center – one of venetian gates of Nicosia
Athina Avenue
Nicosia, Cyprus
+ 357 22 797660
Hours: 10AM – 1PM / 4PM – 8PM M-F
North Nicosia / Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
turkish occupied nicosia
Border Crossings : Ledra Place
Nicosia, Cyprus
Hours: Open 24/7
