Known throughout town for its superb Syrian dishes and a fabulous sultan’s-palace-style setting, Sawa has an elaborate carved-stone exterior, bubbling fountains and an elegant dining room. The meze feasts are recommended, ideally accompanied by a bottle of Lebanese Chateau Ksara riesling. Reservations essential.
Sawa
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
24.3 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…
11.32 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…
0.76 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…
23.79 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 …
28.89 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…
12.38 MILES
If the grand fortifications of Kyrenia Castle could talk, they could sure tell some tales. The castle was first built by the Byzantines – possibly over…
23.19 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…
0.57 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.
Nearby Nicosia (Lefkosia) attractions
1. State Gallery of Cypriot Contemporary Art
0.17 MILES
Housed in a historic colonial-style building, this museum comprises a vast collection of quality Cypriot art, ranging over the 19th and 20th centuries,…
0.25 MILES
This small mosque marks the spot where the Venetian walls were successfully breached by the Ottomans in 1570. The Ottoman bayraktar (standard bearer;…
0.42 MILES
For the dedicated philatelist. Devoted to Cyprus' postal history, this museum holds a collection of stamps dating back to British colonial rule.
0.42 MILES
This thought-provoking monument on the Podocataro Bastion represents Greek Cypriot liberation from British colonial powers. The figures of 14 Ethniki…
5. House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios
0.42 MILES
From 1779 to 1809 the House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios belonged to Kornesios, the Great Dragoman of Cyprus, who accumulated his vast wealth through…
0.44 MILES
Meaning ‘Popular Neighbourhood’, Laïki Yitonia was restored after serving for many years as an area for painted ladies and dodgy merchants. This tiny…
0.45 MILES
Originally the Augustinian Church of St Mary, the Omeriye Mosque dates from the 14th century, with its tall minarets added after its conversion in 1571…
0.46 MILES
The best place in town to get to grips with Nicosia's rich and convoluted history. The permanent collection inside this handsome neoclassical mansion…