Visiting The Last Divided City In The World

Nicosia—also known as Lefkosia—is the last divided capital city in the world. The southern, Greek Cypriot side and the northern, Turkish Cypriot side have been separated since 1974, when the Turkish invasion led to the creation of the UN Buffer Zone, known as the Green Line.

If you’re visiting Cyprus, I highly recommend setting aside a half day (or a full day if you like to wander) to explore Nicosia. It’s an easy and rewarding side trip.

Pedestrian checkpoint in Nicosia/Lefkosia

Crossing between the two sides is straightforward: just bring your passport and use one of the designated pedestrian checkpoints. Once you cross, the shift in atmosphere is immediate—architecture, language, and daily rhythms reflect very different cultural influences.

On the Nicosia side of the city

On the Cypriot side, credit cards are widely accepted. After crossing into the Turkish side, however, cash is much more useful. Bring extra euros with you; there’s no need to exchange money for Turkish lira 💶.

On the Lefkosia side of the city

English and Greek are commonly spoken on the southern side, but once you cross into northern Lefkosia, expect Turkish to be the primary language.

Both sides offer plenty to see, especially within the old city walls. Walk along Ledra Street, which leads directly to the pedestrian-only checkpoint and makes crossing on foot simple 🚶‍♀️.

Inside the Selimiye Mosque

On the northern side, don’t miss the former St. Sophia Cathedral—now the Selimiye Mosque—along with Büyük Han and the Cyprus Museum 🕌. These sites offer helpful context for the area’s layered history.

You’ll find some pricey guided walking tours advertised, but exploring independently is very doable. The city is compact, signage is clear, and getting around on foot is easy. Public buses also run about once an hour from Larnaca and other coastal cities, making Nicosia an accessible addition to your itinerary 🚌.

Cyprus itself is a beautiful Mediterranean island, easily accessible from Athens. It offers miles of sandy beaches, resort hotels, delicious restaurants and historical sites. The Troodos mountains offer wineries, mountain villages and monasteries. 

If you are open to staying at a hostal, the Le Mat Hostal, is located in one of the oldest buildings just one block off the beach in Larnaca. It offers dorm style and private rooms all with shared bathrooms. There is no breakfast included, but there is a kitchen available with refrigerator space for guests. There is a lovely common courtyard with social activities offered. 

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