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Nicosia — travel, stays & events guide
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Nicosia city overview
Nicosia is a city in Cyprus shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forNicosia, Capital city of Cyprus, Nicosia planning base 3, Nicosia planning base 4
RegionCyprusCyprus
Time zoneAsia/Nicosialocal time
Founded1489historical origin
City history
In 1489, when Cyprus came under the rule of the Republic of Venice, Nicosia became the island's administrative centre and the seat of the republic.
In 1567 the Venetians constructed new fortifications around Nicosia—which are well-preserved to this day—demolishing the old walls built by the Franks, as well as other important buildings of the Frankish era including the King's.
Each neighbourhood was organised around a mosque or church, inhabited primarily by corresponding Muslim and Christian communities. British rule Nicosia came under British rule on 5 July 1878, following of the Cyprus Convention, under.
Shortly after the British occupation, a municipal council was established in Nicosia in 1882 to oversee the general administration of public affairs within the city and the surrounding area outside the walls, under the.
The saray was demolished in 1904 and the current block of government offices were built on the site.
In 1923 the municipal boundaries were extended further, and the newly incorporated area was divided among several existing intramural neighbourhoods.
During this period, Nicosia became the scene of violent protests against British rule. Independence and division In 1960, Nicosia became the capital of the Republic of Cyprus, a state established jointly by Greek Cypriots.
This resulted in Turkish Cypriots withdrawing from the government, and following further intercommunal violence in 1964, a number of Turkish Cypriots moved to the Turkish quarter of Nicosia, leading to severe overcrowding.
Palouriotissa, Kaimakli and Omorfita were annexed to the city in 1968.
On 23 April 2003, the Ledra Palace crossing was opened through the Green Line, the first time that crossing was allowed since 1974.
On 30 October 2016, Nicosia became the only capital city in the world with two time zones, after the parliament of the de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus abolished standard time and decided.
Prehistoric Nicosia Nicosia has been continuously inhabited since approximately 2500 BC, near the onset of the Bronze Age, when the first settlers established themselves in the fertile Mesaoria plain.
The walls of the city were constructed during this era, along with numerous palaces and public buildings, including the gothic Cathedral of Saint Sophia.
The Venetian-era Palazzo del Governo became the residence of the pasha, the governor of Cyprus, and the building was renamed to the konak or seraglio (saray).
Worth seeing
Nicosia
Nicosia is a practical Nicosia planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city of Cyprus
Capital city of Cyprus is a practical Nicosia planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Nicosia planning base 3
Nicosia planning base 3 is a practical Nicosia planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Nicosia planning base 4
Nicosia planning base 4 is a practical Nicosia planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Nicosia planning base 5
Nicosia planning base 5 is a practical Nicosia planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Nicosia planning base 6
Nicosia planning base 6 is a practical Nicosia planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Nicosia before booking Nicosia hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Nicosia by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Nicosia, CyprusFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Nicosia airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Nicosia day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Nicosia events in the shared event index yet.