Discover the most beautiful addresses selected by the authors of Petit Futé.
Nicosia is unique. It is the most beautiful and most populous city in Cyprus. Above all, it is the only capital in the world divided between two political entities. The buffer zone that divides the country in two runs right through the middle of the old city, with barbed wire and blue helmets patrolling since 1964. On one side, Nicosia-Sud (Λευκωσία/Lefkosia): 250,000 inhabitants, mostly Greek Cypriots, official capital of the whole country. On the other, Nicosia-North (Lefkoşa): 90,000 inhabitants, mostly Turkish Cypriots and Turks, designated capital of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Two crosswalks allow you to move between the two without worry (and with a passport). Discover splendid Venetian fortifications, a Gothic cathedral turned mosque, Ottoman caravanserais, churches, a rich archaeological museum, plenty of restaurants and nice places to take a break..
