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This unique Nicosia walking tour takes you back in time. We'll explore both the Greek and Turkish sides of the divided city. You'll witness the unique cultures on each side & experience the contrasts!

Highlights

• Explore the Ledra Palace Hotel, symbol of the divided city's past and present
• The Green line & Venetian walls, a poignant reminder of the city's division
• Cross and see the monumental checkpoints dividing the City at Ledra Street
• Visit Buyuk Han, best preserved example of Ottoman architecture in Cyprus

Description

Gain insights into the current situation in Nicosia's Buffer Zone (Green Line) as you explore streets that are hard to discover without the experience of a local guide. You will see the Venetian walls and how they form a border around the old city, so unusual that once seen on a map will never be forgotten as a design synonymous with the unique shape of this ancient fortification. Our meeting point is located in a central location in the west of Nicosia and close to the old city. We will meet at a convenient parking lot where facilities are available, just before the Ledra Palace Hotel Checkpoint. The main bus station is an 8-minute walk from our meeting point. We shall commence our walk inside the buffer zone and then explore the south side of the city and follow the infamous “Green line” that cuts through the center, separating the city into southern and northern sections. This division has kept the two major communities of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots apart for more than four decades. Our journey begins at the Ledra Palace Hotel, known in its era as the largest and most majestic hotel in the capital. You will witness life having evolved along either side of this schism, something once impossible to do until recent agreements between the two sides to open border crossings. We will explore Ledra Street located at the heart of the aforementioned walled city now, once again rekindled to one of the most popular pedestrian commercial streets. See abandoned buildings reclaimed by nature through decades of lost time and scarred by bullet holes, military outposts, and barricades. Our path then leads us to the Selimiye Mosque, once the Cathedral of St. Sophia, a magnificent structure that tells the story of the city's complex heritage, we visit the historic Buyuk Han caravanserai and the lively indoor market, providing a glimpse into the daily life and culture of both communities. This experience is a powerful testament to the city's past, present, and the hopeful signs of a reunified future. We end our walk in the old quarter of the City by the Ledra Street checkpoint.

Includes

Guided Walk on both South and North Nicosia Inside the Buffer Zone by the Ledra Palace Hotel Checkpoint Crossing together in Nicosia Visits to Historical Landmarks Entry Fees (If any apply) Suggestions & tips for seeing the rest of the island Recommendations for the best local food in the city Transportation for an extra fee (please contact me advance)

Important Information

• For this guided walk, Valid IDs or Passports are mandatory as we are using an official Checkpoint to cross from South to North Nicosia. You will find your guide waiting for you right opposite the Ledra Palace Parking Lot, there is a very small Café (EKO) there and I will be waiting for you outside the little Café.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund