Arabahmet Quarter

Top choice in North Nicosia (Lefkoşa)

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This neighbourhood rubbing up against the Green Line is home to well-preserved examples of Ottoman-era town-house architecture. The narrow alleyways are rimmed by tall whitewashed houses – some recently restored, others sinking into genteel dilapidation – with painted shutters and upper-storey overhanging cumbas (bay windows). Note the skinny balconies (not a common feature in Ottoman architecture) and carved crosses across front-door lintels on some houses; Arabahmet was the Armenian quarter of Nicosia until 1963 when the Green Line was drawn through the city.

The entire area is imbued with a heady sense of yesteryear and is one of North Nicosia's most interesting neighbourhoods to stroll through.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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    Zenobia

    25.19 MILES

    For divers, the one reason to come to Larnaka is to explore the Zenobia, a Swedish-built cargo ship that sank just off the coast of Larnaka in 1980…

  • St. Hilarion Castle in Kyrenia, North Cyprus.

    St Hilarion Castle

    10.46 MILES

    The full fairy-tale outline of St Hilarion Castle only becomes apparent once you’re directly beneath it. The stone walls and half-ruined buildings blend…

  • Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia, Northern Cyprus.

    Selimiye Mosque

    0.4 MILES

    North Nicosia’s most prominent landmark (also clearly visible from the southern half of the city), the Selimiye Mosque is a beautiful mongrel of a…

  • Interior view of Panagia Forviotissa (Asinou), a Christian church of the beginning of the 12th century.

    Panagia Forviotissa

    23.49 MILES

    This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of …

  • Bridge and Pond at the Troodos Botanical Gardens in the summer.

    Troödos Botanical Gardens

    28.63 MILES

    Part of the excellent Troödos Geopark, this is a small but well-laid-out botanical garden with a lily pond and other water features, including a tumbling…

  • North Cyprus, Kyrenia, Kyrenia Castle and Harbour

    Kyrenia Castle

    11.62 MILES

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  • Detail from the iconostasis (baroque wood carving), Church of St Lazarus (Agios Lazaros) (built in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 17th century), Larnaca, Cyprus.

    Agios Lazaros

    24.07 MILES

    This 9th-century church is dedicated to Lazarus of Bethany, whom Jesus is said to have resurrected four days after his death. The church itself is an…

  • 16th century Venetian walls of Nicosia, Cyprus; Shutterstock ID 132634124; Your name (First / Last): Brana V; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Nicosia destination page

    Venetian Walls

    0.8 MILES

    The Venetian walls form a border around the Old City and are so unusual that, once seen on a map, you’ll never forget the odd snowflake-like shape.

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Nearby North Nicosia (Lefkoşa) attractions

1. Armenian Church & Nunnery

0.04 MILES

This church and nunnery is first thought to have been established in the 13th century as the Abbey of Our Lady of Tyre, and was handed over to the island…

2. Dervish Pasha Mansion

0.1 MILES

This small ethnographic museum is housed in a 19th-century mansion. Built in 1807, it belonged to wealthy a Turkish Cypriot, Derviş Paşa, who published…

3. Kasteliotissa

0.14 MILES

Opposite Pafos Gate, this medieval-era vaulted hall is thought to have been built in the 14th century. Its original function has never been confirmed but…

4. Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum

0.16 MILES

The owner of this private museum is more than happy to chat extensively about his 150-plus bike collection. It may just bring out your inner Hell’s Angel …

5. Municipal Gardens

0.24 MILES

A pleasant park located right on the edge of the Old City, with a large children’s playground, ponds and water features, plus plenty of mature shady trees…

6. Ledra Information Bureau

0.26 MILES

At the Ledra St crossing, this municipal office has multilingual leaflets about the city and hosts regular photographic and other exhibitions, generally…

7. Cyprus Museum

0.26 MILES

Just outside the Old City walls, this excellent museum houses the island's most important collection of archaeological finds. Highlights include Hall 11's…

8. Colonial Law Courts

0.26 MILES

This finely preserved example of colonial architecture was built during British rule in 1901. Today it carries on with its original function as the North…