Still, many Cypriots refuse the concept that the 50-year-old battle is insurmountable. There are small biocommunal efforts across the island’s shared heritage, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed a measured optimism round recent talks—the primary substantial negotiations between the 2 leaders since 2017—with extra conferences set for this September.
Exciting developments have additionally enlivened the Cypriot tourism business in current years. While the island has its share of enormous seaside resorts, a wave of stylish boutique accommodations, typically housed in restored historic buildings, has come to the cities and the inside. And a €170 million project not too long ago commenced to develop the worldwide airports in Larnaca and Paphos, considerably growing air site visitors capability. For vacationers in meals, historical past, tradition, and nature, Cyprus is changing into a Mediterranean vacation spot on par with one of the best of them. Keep studying for my journey highlights, plus suggestions from a couple of inventive individuals who name Cyprus house.
Getting there and round
There aren’t any nonstop flights to Cyprus from the US, however you’ll be able to simply fly into Larnaca or Paphos by way of mainland Europe. Flying into Ercan International Airport is just not really useful; it isn’t thought-about a authorized port of entry by the Republic of Cyprus authorities, which suggests crossing into the south may be problematic. The island is comparatively small, and renting a automobile is essentially the most handy method to get round. Note that Cyprus makes use of left-hand site visitors, and most rental agreements prohibit crossing the Green Line in your automobile. There are methods to do it by taxi, however reserving with a tour operator helps remove any guesswork.
City sights in Nicosia
What to do in Nicosia
Wander the historic middle, crossing the Green Line on the Ledra Street checkpoint to see either side. One spotlight in the southern half of the outdated metropolis is Hamam Omerye, a 450-year-old bathhouse restored in the early 2000s. In north Nicosia, don’t miss Selimiye Mosque, transformed from a Gothic cathedral by the Ottomans, which reopened in May 2025 after a spectacular restoration. Archaeologist Anna Marangou leads informative strolling excursions that go to either side of city by means of her firm, Historic Cyprus, and generally companions with a Turkish Cypriot colleague.
Where to eat in Nicosia
For a standout instance of contemporary Cypriot effective eating, Rous has wonderful tasting menus and native wine pairings. Book in advance at Zanettos for beneficiant Cypriot meze and a native crowd. Hotelier Aleksander Eng, proprietor of the Agora Hotel in Lefkara, recommends Beba for informal however high-quality reinterpretations of Cypriot delicacies. For drinks, Haratsi, a historic kafeneio (café-bar) on the very fringe of the buffer zone, is a welcoming gathering place that usually has stay music. Eng likes close by Picnic for native pure wines. Not far exterior the outdated city is Lost + Found Drinkery, the nation’s most acclaimed cocktail bar.
Where to keep in Nicosia
Opened in March 2025, Amyth of Nicosia is town’s largest lodge debut in years. The century-old constructing, a former mansion, has 10 high-ceilinged rooms and suites, that are luxuriously appointed (Acqua di Parma facilities, nice bathrobes) with authentic design parts and loads of pure gentle. My suite had a spacious terrace looking over the Archbishop’s Palace. The lodge’s indoor-outdoor restaurant, Amyth Kouzina, is already a hit with locals.