Nicosia is the capital of North Cyprus. It is a busy, bustling city being the administrative capital for the Nicosia region. Like many other places it has an atmospheric old town , with walls to walk, ancient buildings to explore and charming little cafes in which to enjoy the great tradition of Cypriot coffee. Due to its inland geographical position few tourists stay here, but it is within easy reach of Kyrenia and Famagusta and makes for an interesting day excursion.
Here you can do some shopping and pick up souvenirs to take home. If history is your thing then there are fine examples of fantastic gothic architecture like the Selimiye Mosque (formerly St. Sophia Cathedral). The original cathedral was built in the 12th century and took 150 years to build. In 1570 during the reign of the Ottoman Empire it became a mosque and is still the main mosque in North Cyprus today.
The building is a fascinating mix of both Christian architecture with an Islamic interior reflecting the changes in culture that took place throughout the building’s life.
