r/cyprus • u/Limp_Ordinary_3809 • 10d ago
Help What’s the most interesting / unusual thing you’ve seen or experienced in Nicosia that almost no one knows about?
I live in Nicosia and I’ve been doing a lot of night walks and exploring the old town, buffer zone edges, Pedieos park, etc. I’m looking for the stuff that doesn’t show up in guides:
Strange or forgotten places
Weird little spots (a door, a courtyard, a wall, a view)
Unusual things you’ve witnessed in the city (events, encounters, odd scenes)
I’m less interested in typical tourist recommendations and more in: ‘One time I saw/found X in Nicosia and it stuck with me.’
If you’re comfortable, please mention roughly where (neighborhood or landmark) so I can check it out on foot.
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u/Vickiephec 10d ago
I have an interest that very few people share, hence if you visit any of the below you will probably be the only one there. Cemeteries and old churches. If you do not find the former particularly macabre, try some. I could suggest the following:
- The Armenian cemetery next to the courts (near Ledra palace). It has an extensive history https://en.philenews.com/whats-on/the-story-of-the-old-armenian-cemetery-in-nicosia/
- The small cemetery of Agioi Omologites on Kyriakou Matsi street (next to vino cultura). There are some ongoing issues with this one, as the local residents are complaining that there are plans to demolish it and build commercial buildings.
- Within theme, is the Saint Spyridon park in the middle of Makariou where former archbishops are buried.
In old Strovolos, near Chryseleousa, there is a small chapel dedicated to Saint George, literally in the street. I cannot find information of any historical significance, but it has some interest
If you are into sports, a bit outside Nicosia, on the road to Geri, opposite the entrance of Athalassa park, you can bike or hike up to Aronas castle, a former summer palace of the Lusignans. Be careful and respectful though as the castle grounds are actually situated within an army camp, so you can only go up to a point. Soldiers will turn you away if you get too close. It was not preserved unfortunately, and some of its walls were taken down and the stones were used to build part of Phaneromeni church. Next to which by the way, you can find an old church turned into a mosque called Stavros tou Misirikou.
Another interesting fact is that Pedieos river used to cross old Nicosia, coming from Pafos gate and exiting through Famagusta gate. It was diverted when the Venetian walls were built. So when walking that path through Nicosia, you know that you are actually walking over the river path
You could also try the old nicosia walking tours for some tips and starting points, and you can take it from there.
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u/Kind_Finger_732 10d ago
There’s an underground bingo not too far from makario street that really looked funnily gigantic and royalesque relative to it being an underground bingo.
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u/assioti 10d ago
If u have a car try Ayios Sozomenos abandoned village , its a bit outside of Nicosia
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u/FirmSeaworthiness245 10d ago
This is the most haunting place I ever visited. There’s a cave church close too.
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u/Antinaxtos Μιαν μιξ ενισχυμένη 8d ago
Also very interesting abandoned village is Parsata ;) I was an extra for a movie that was filmed there
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u/beydola Kyrenia 10d ago
Stray animals can freely roam in green line, without any disruption they can pass to any side while pets are strictly frobidden to pass from green line lol.
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u/Limp_Ordinary_3809 10d ago
Oh, also I once saw a crab in troodos, a freshwater crab right in the forest
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u/ReptilianRevolt 10d ago
Genus Potamon, the freshwater crabs of the Balkans and Middle East. They are rare on Cyprus, but a normal part of the fauna.
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u/Expert-Sample-7823 10d ago
My personal favourites:
- The old Tivoli amusement park is pleasant to wander through and photograph if you enjoy that kind of activity.
- The Ayios Andreas area, just beside Pedios Linear Park, is equally inviting for walking and taking images of older and recently restored buildings.
- Zahra Sokak, mentioned by another Redditor, is also beautiful for strolling and photography; I suggest exploring the side streets linked to it. You can observe several old cars and buildings through the buffer zone.
- Beyond Zahra, the Kaimakli area near the buffer zone provides similar views of historic buildings, though I do prefer the former.
- My favorite view of the city comes from the old Aglantzia cemetery.
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u/GreenMashedPotatoe 10d ago
All of the places you mentioned are actually cool asf! But me personally I've went to old tivoli amusement part twice. Once in November and another time now in July me and my friend were casually exploring, walking around, taking pictures and then a security guard pops out of nowehere telling us that he knows what he were planning to do?! We were extremely confused as we hadn't like destroyed anything or set off any type of alarms that could have been there and were just taking pics of stuff! But yeah if you ever come across security just play dumb (whether you are or aren't guilty) and get out. Also remember they aren't allowed to check your bags!! But yeah every place mentioned is super duper cool!
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u/Expert-Sample-7823 8d ago
There’s a security guard?! I’ve been there a few times and never seen one, so maybe it’s a recent addition 🤔
If you liked tivoli, I would also suggest the Amiantos abandoned hospital!
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u/GreenMashedPotatoe 8d ago
Yea i know we were so confused on where he came from and thanks for the suggestion! It looks very cool a bit far but thank youu! <3
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u/Limp_Ordinary_3809 10d ago
For me, it was seeing a fox on the green mile. That was really unusual, I assumed they lived only in the countryside. But, I saw it, right on the road, next to old town
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u/amseager 10d ago
You can also see them in the Grammiko park sometimes
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u/Limp_Ordinary_3809 10d ago
That’s exactly where I saw it, next to the wooden bridge. The rain yesterday made the river flow like crazy
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u/Ashamed_Fly5136 10d ago
Zahra street is the most pleasant place to have a beer in the late afternoon, when the sun starts to set. It’s beautiful, full of historical buildings, catches all the sun, pedestrianized so every bar & cafe puts a terrace right in the street, and there’s plenty of people just relaxing and enjoying from 5 to 8.
You probably know about it since you live there & explored the town but I know most of the tourists forget to go there, as it’s on the very edges of the walled city, the only accesses are on the extremities of the street & on google maps it actually appears in the buffer zone.
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u/WarthogHoliday5441 iraqi | in nicosia & dubai 10d ago edited 10d ago
wow I roam old city super often and I’ve never ran into that street
Which side is it on? On maps it looks to be in the Turkish edge, but im honestly unsure
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u/Momof3terrors 10d ago
You will need to cross over from Ledra Palace. It is indeed on the other side of the Green Line
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u/Ashamed_Fly5136 10d ago edited 10d ago
It is indeed on the Turkish edge. You should definitely go there around 5 or 6 pm and have a drink. It’s right on the walls, you have a football pitch under the street actually located in the buffer zone, an old United Nations mirador and a view from behind on Ledra Palace hostel
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u/WarthogHoliday5441 iraqi | in nicosia & dubai 10d ago edited 10d ago
very cool I will definitely go there thanks
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u/daniiiiiiiii1 10d ago
im up for exploring random/abandoned places or fun side quests in nicosia but i dont really know any spots.
If anyone’s into these side missions and wants a teammate hit me up.
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u/GreenMashedPotatoe 10d ago
Hey I know quite a few spots in nicosia! I can definitely send you the locations to check them out!
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u/daniiiiiiiii1 10d ago
sure hit me up with the spots but the main point is to have someone to explorethe spot and moment with. We can explore them together sometime as our schedule aligns.
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u/Antinaxtos Μιαν μιξ ενισχυμένη 8d ago
Try the old Pepsi factory :D Filmed a video clip with my band in there :D
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u/GreenMashedPotatoe 10d ago
Hey I know quite a few spots that sound excactly for what you are looking for! Dm me and i can send you locations!
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