2. Nicosia
Nicosia has been the
capital of Cyprus since
the 10th century, a
prosperous capital
surrounded by
beautiful Venetian
walls, important
monuments and
churches, a city where
history abounds in all
aspects of everyday
life. Encircled by
strong fortress walls
built by the Venetians
in the 16th century, the enchanting old
city is scattered with buildings and
monuments of historical interest as
well as little shops, cafes and tavernas.
The wall, designed by the military
engineer Julio Savorgnano, was built
between 1567 and 1570, when the
Venetians expected a Turkish invasion
of Cyprus to follow after a holy vow
taken by the Ottoman Sultan Selim to
fulfil what he saw as his duty to
capture the island. The Venetians
boasted that the wall could withstand
a two year siege. In fact, it
survived less than fifty days
of assault. A Turkish force of
ten thousand assembled in the
plain surrounding Nicosia on
July 24, 1570, and started
hurling artillery shells at the
3. shaky edifice. An all night bombardment, followed by a coordinated
assault on four of the bastions precipitated the end .
Eighty years of Venetian rule was at an end, to be replaced by a Turkish
occupation destined to survive more than two centuries. Today the walls
are in a fairly good condition and the three gates preserved, especially
the one which connected the city with the eastern part of the island in
the old days.
Today Nicosia is a modern capital with all the facilities and amenities of a
modern European town.
But now Nicosia is a
divided capital, a capital
that has suffered a
great loss, a city cut
right through its heart
by a wall, a "green line",
a city whose folk was
forced to separate. The
new Nicosia developed
outside the walls
became a contemporary,
business and cultural centre.
The modern city that has
developed outside the
walls is a cosmopolitan
centre of business and
culture. Nicosia is
regarded as the shopping
heart of Cyprus, with a
variety of restaurants,
discos and bars. The
population of the southern
part of the city is over
300,000 habitants.
4. A Cyprus history tour -
Museums
Cyprus Museum.
The best of Cypriot archeology from the
9th millennium BCE to the end of
Antiquity. There is a convenient café on
the grounds. Entrance €3,40.
Byzantine Museum
Easily spotted thanks to the giant statue
of Archbishop Makarios standing outside,
has one of the world's best collections
of Orthodox icons and other artworks,
mostly ranging from the 9th to the 16th
century. Entrance €2.
Leventis Municipal Museum,
Housed in a converted, two-storey house
since 1984 the Leventis Municipal
Museum has exhibits dating from 2300
BC to the present day.
Voted European Museum of the Year in
1989.
5. House of the Dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios.
A beautifully restored 18th-century building is now
housing an ethnological museum. Entrance €1.
Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre.
It is housed in a converted old power station built in
1936. The building sat abandoned for 20 years and
reopened as a contemporary art gallery in 1994. It
includes a decent cafe-restaurant with an imaginative
Mediterranean menu. Winner of a 1994 Europa Nostra award.
Ledra Observatory Museum.
The building sticks out like a sore thumb in
the medieval old city. Right in the middle of
Ledra Street a mini skyscraper of 12 floors,
towers over other buildings not rising higher
than 2-3 floors. On its penultimate floor you
find the observatory, where it's possible “to
see” the division of the island. There is a café up there too. Entrance €1
The Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum.
Privately owned, this is the only such
museum on the island and is tucked away
in the medieval city. On display are about
150 classic (mostly British) motorcycles
dating from 1914 to 1983.
6. A place to sleep, bathe and relax…
Hilton hotel *****
Archbishop Makarios III Avenue
All 298 guest rooms offers a private
balcony. The Fitness Center, with
indoor and outdoor swimming pool,
sauna, jacuzzi and spa treatments, is
the ideal place to relax.
Double rooms from €200
Holiday Inn ****
70 Regeana Street
Holiday Inn is one of the city's most
central hotels, located close to the
Green Line. Within walking distance
of the hotel there are a lot of shops
and restaurants. The Old Town is a
short walk. The hotel has 5 tempting
restaurants, an indoor pool and a
MiniGym. Double rooms from €140
Centrum Hotel ***
Pasikratous 15
Due to its marvelous location, guests
can enjoy a short walk to Nicosia’s
shopping and cultural district.
Double rooms from €110
Europa hotel ***
13 Alkaiou Str
Situated in the heart of the
Nicosia business district.
Double rooms from €85
7. Classic Hotel ***
94 Rigenis Street
It is situated at the centre of the
town.
The main shopping and bar area is
only a 5-minute walk away,
Prices: Double rooms from €100
Nicosia Youth Hostel
30/32 Chrysaliniotissis Street.
Being more of an administrative city plus the financial hub of the island,
hotels tend to cater more for business travellers. Accommodation choice
is more limited than the purely tourist destinations that line the coast.
It has an age limit of 35.
Prices: €10/night + €15 deposit.
Shop till you drop…
Ledras Street,
Makariou Avenue and
Stasikratous street are
full of beautiful
boutiques where you can
buy design or not
clothes and shoes.
After your shopping you
can enjoy your coffee in
one of the many coffee shops in the area.
8. Hungry as a wolf?
Traditional Cypriot cuisine is a melting pot of south European, Balkan and
Middle Eastern influences. You will find most Greek, Turkish and Arabic
dishes, often with a local name or twist.
Karvounomageiremata
Ledras 154
Everything on Grill. A cosy place with
great music and tasteful grilled dishes.
Price for meze €18
Aigaio
Ektoros 40
Its slogan says that it holds
the number one position in
locals' hearts (and stomachs)
with its truly exceptional
food. It is probably the best
restaurant of its kind in
Nicosia offering unusual meze
from the Greek mainland
alongside classic dishes.
Price around €25.
Pyxida
Meneandrou 5
One of the best fish tavern, Pyxida
('compass') offers 24 different meze dishes
as well as seafood pasta dishes. The setting
is stylish and the service professional.
9. Il forno
Ledras Street
Crave for Italian food? This place is one of the
best Italian restaurants in Nicosia. Price
around: €15
Le Cafe
Archiepiskopou Makariou III 16C
Possibly the most popular café in town,
and the capital's prime people-
watching vantage point. The
atmosphere is chic and the food gives
many pricier restaurants a run for
their money.
Want to get Wild?? - Clubs
Sfinakia
Corner of Spyrou Kyprianou & Themistocle
Dervi
Sfinakia is one of the most popular and
overcrowded clubs in town.
Zoo
Stasinou 15
One of the most popular club in town,
Zoo is a lively, stylish spot with a
breathtaking view of the walled city
and a music list that spans
international hits to Greek pop.
10. Occhio
Occhio has opened its doors to the
public serving gourmet
mediterranean delights accompanied
by 100% fresh cocktails. Occhio
Lounge Bar has set the standards
very high with its appearance in the
nightlife scene with its stylish
design, LED lighting and a 17.5m long
bar. Highly trained personnel behind
the bars, kitchen and service offer a unique experience to its fans.
Cheers!!! Pubs
Babylon
6 Iasonos Street.
Popular, long established bar in a converted
1950's house. Has a large beer garden for the
hot summers and cosy log fires for the cold
winters.
Plato's Bar
8-10 Platonos St.
It is long established and popular. Its located in the
old city in an old converted house. Prides itself on its
incredible range of beers, wines, malts and spirits
selection. Good food menu. Has a beautifull yard open
all year round featuring two massive fireplaces in the
Winter. Nice Rock, Blues, Indie and Alternative
sounds.
11. English Greek
Hi! Γεια! ya or ya-sou
Good morning! Καλημέρα! kalimera
Good evening! Καλησπέρα! kalispera
Welcome! (to greet someone) Καλωσορίσατε! kalosorisate
How are you Πώς είσαστε; Pos isaste? οr Ti kanete?
I’m fine, thanks! Είμαι καλά, ευχαριστώ!
Ime kala, efharisto!
And you? Και συ; ke si?
So-So. Έτσι και έτσι. Etsi ke etsi.
Thank you (very much)! Eυχαριστώ (πάρα πολύ)!
Efharisto (para poly)
You’re welcome! (for “thank you”) Παρακαλώ! Parakalo!
Hey! Friend! Γεια! Φίλε! Υα sou file!
I missed you so much! Σε έχω πεθυμήσει πάρα πολύ!
Se eho pethimisi para poli!
What’s new? Τι νέα; Ti nea?
Nothing much! Τίποτα το ιδιαίτερο! Tipota to idietero!
Good Nigth! Καληνύκτα! Kalinikta!
See you later! Θα σε δω αργότερα.
Tha se do argotera.
Good bye! Γεια σου! Ya soo!
We were looking forward to you. Σε περιμένουμε με ανυπομονησία.
Se perimenoume me anipomonisia.
12. Enjoy your meal. Απόλαυσε το φαγητό σου.
Apolafse to fagito sou.
Your city is beautiful. Η πόλη σου είναι όμορφη.
I poli sou einai omorfi.
No entry. Απαγορεύεται η είσοδος.
Apagorevete e isodos.
Out of order. Χαλασμένο. Halasmeno.
Excuse me, where’s the toilet? Συγνώμη, που είναι η τουαλέτα;
Signomi, pu ine e toualetta?
Gentlemen Άνδρες Andres
Ladies Γυναίκες Ginekes
Push Σπρώξε Sprokse
Pull Τράβα Trava
Exit Έξοδος Eksodos
Entrance Είσοδος Isodos
I will show you your room Θα σου δείξω το δωμάτιο σου.
Tha sou dikso to domatio sou.
This is your room. Αυτό είναι το δωμάτιο σου.
Afto ine to domatio sou.
Have a seat Κάθισε Kathise
Are you hungry? Πεινάς; Pinas?
Do you like your meal? Σου αρέσει το φαγητό σου;
Su aresi to fagito su?
That’s fine. Είναι εντάξει. Ine entaksi.
It doesn’t matter. Δεν πειράζει. Den pirazi.
I am in a hurry. Βιάζομαι. Viazome.
Congratulations! Συγχαρητήρια! Sigharitiria!
Well done! Πολύ καλά! Poli kala!
13. Good luck. Καλή τύχη. Kali tihi.
What languages can you speak? Ποιες γλώσσες μιλάτε;
Pies glosses milate?
I like… Μου αρέσει … Mu aresi …
I don’t like… Δεν μου αρέσει … Den moo aresi …
Thanks for your hospitality. Σας ευχαριστώ για τη φιλοξενία.
Sas efharisto gia tin filoksenia.
You are right. Σωστά. Sosta.
You are wrong. Λάθος. Lathos.
No smoking. Απαγορεύεται το κάπνισμα.
Apagorevete to kapnisma.
I’m lost. Χάθηκα. Hathika.
Can you help me? Μπορείς να με βοηθήσεις;
Mporis na me voithisis?
Where is the bathroom/ the Πού είναι το μπάνιο; /το φαρμακείο;
pharmacy? Pou einai to mpanio?/to farmakio?
Go straight! then turn right/left! Πήγαινε ίσια! Μετά στρίψε δεξιά/αριστερά!
Pigene isia! Meta stripse deksia/aristera!
I’m looking for… Ψάχνω για … Psahno ya …
One moment please! Μια στιγμή παρακαλώ!
Mia stigmi parakalo!
How much is this? Πόσο κοστίζει;
Poso kostizi?
Excuse me…! Με συγχωρείτε …!
Me syghorite …!
Come with me! Έλα μαζί μου!
Ela mazi moo!
