Nicosia

« Northern Cyprus is definitely not your typical tourist destination. If you only have a week on the island, I would completely skip it from your itinerary – there are offices, consultants, universities, and plenty of bureaucracy here.

However, if you find yourself in the northern part, run to Lidra, make sure to reach its center, pass through passport control, and visit the beautiful areas of the island. Northern Cyprus is the only divided region in the world, separated by a border. The "Turkish" part of Cyprus is like an unpainted landscape. Prices here are quite different compared to tourist spots, and it feels like stepping into a parallel reality.

And yes, the southern part of the island is definitely larger. Trash, dust, a distinct wild atmosphere, and the eastern people watching from afar as you observe abandoned buildings left to time's mercy. It’s evident that in the tourist-friendly zone, few ever agree to live in the good vibe, and to really understand how life goes in the Turkish part, you need to dig a bit deeper into the north. But honestly, I didn’t feel like digging too deep...

We mostly saw the Turkish side from the car window, and even that was enough to gauge the contrasting lifestyles with the more developed southern part. Just recently, we happened upon a gate that led to one of the biggest caravan-serai of the island. Büyükkonuk. A truly atmospheric spot. 🌍 »

« Those who say that the sidewalks in St. Petersburg are too narrow have probably never been to Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. The streets were designed with the idea that donkeys would roam them. Now, the center of Nicosia, or at least the part that remains with the Greeks, is a mixed zone where drivers, it seems, are constantly bumping mirrors against the shoulders of pedestrians. »

« Today we visited Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. My impressions are mixed; it's quite unusual to see a city split between two countries (the Greek part of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus, which is Turkish). A border runs through the center of the city, and they check your passport before letting you into the Turkish side. Unfortunately, there are many abandoned yet charming houses on both sides. 🏚️✨ »

« The view from the observation deck of Nicosia, the last divided capital, is breathtaking. You can see the territory occupied by Turkey in the background. The border is quite conditional and crossed easily, but you can feel the difference immediately. I enjoyed both the Cypriot side and the Turkish side. »

« Nicosia was really enjoyable with its charming little streets :) »

« During my trip to Cyprus, I also visited Turkey! The passport control was as expected. It's interesting that this territory is recognized only by the Turks. Quite unusual, but okay. 😄 »