North Nicosia Sights: A Walled City and Büyük Han Guide

The walled old town on the North Cyprus side of Nicosia (Lefkoşa) sits inside a compact, star-shaped Venetian fortification — a layout that packs an Ottoman caravanserai, Byzantine and Lusignan-era buildings, covered markets, and a modern café strip within easy walking distance of each other.

Walking the old town: the Venetian walls and Girne Gate

The historic centre is ringed by the star-shaped walls built by the Venetians. The northern entrance is Girne Gate (Kyrenia Gate), the natural starting point for a walk through the old town.

• Samanbahçe — a small quarter near Girne Gate known for its early social-housing layout: narrow lanes lined with rows of single-storey houses that reflect the settlement style of its era.
• The old town is walkable and compact; the main stops are all within short distances of each other.

Büyük Han: the centrepiece

Büyük Han, an Ottoman-era caravanserai, is generally considered the centrepiece of the old town. Today it's a living space of workshops, cafes and craft/souvenir shops, with a small mosque kiosk standing in the middle of its courtyard.

• Walking into the courtyard is treated as free; you only spend money if you buy something from one of the shops inside.
• Opening hours vary shop by shop — weekdays during the day tend to be liveliest, while some shops may be closed in the evening or on Sundays.
• The current restoration/usage status of Kumarcılar Han (the old gamblers' inn) is unclear — confirm locally if you plan to visit.

The markets: Bandabuliya and Arasta

• Bandabuliya — a covered market building; a classic stop on the old town walking route, selling local produce and occasionally hosting events.
• Arasta bazaar — a traditional market lane lined with small shops.
• Around the Lokmacı crossing point — the southern edge of the old town, continuing the same pedestrian shopping axis as the Arasta bazaar. This guide covers only the sights on the North Cyprus side; crossing rules to the south are a separate topic.

Selimiye Mosque, Bedesten and Haydarpaşa

• Selimiye Mosque — the former Cathedral of St. Sophia, now an active mosque. Entry is free; visit outside prayer times and dress appropriately. See our religious tourism guide for more detail on this and other sacred sites.
• Bedesten (the former Church of St. Nicholas) — used as an events and exhibition space; per EEMD's listing, its medieval tombstones section is currently closed.
• Haydarpaşa Mosque (the former Church of St. Catherine) — outside EEMD's remit, so a visit may require separate permission.

Sarayönü and the Venetian Column

Sarayönü (Atatürk Square), the traditional central square of the old town, holds the Venetian Column, a leftover from the Venetian period. The square is a natural crossroads on the old town walking route, with nearby cafes making it a convenient stop for a break.

The Arabahmet quarter: culture house, mosque and surroundings

In the western part of the old town, the Arabahmet quarter forms its own distinct walking stop. According to Nicosia Municipality's official list, the quarter includes:

• Arabahmet Culture House and Arabahmet Mosque — the historic mosque that gives the quarter its name, and the culture house next to it.
• Grand Hamam (Büyük Hamam) — an Ottoman-era bathhouse.
• Yiğitler Bastion — one of the city wall's bastions.
• Ali Ruhi Fountain — a historic fountain.
• Sultan Mahmut II Library — a historic library building.

The municipality's list also mentions the İplik Pazarı, Turunçlu Fethiye, Sarayönü and Laleli mosques, Kumarcılar Han, Asmaaltı Square, Saçaklı House, and the National Struggle Museum.

Armenian Monastery and Ayluka Church

The Armenian Monastery and Ayluka Church, both within the old town, are among the other historic religious buildings on the municipality's official list. See our religious tourism guide for visiting details and dress etiquette.

Private museums

Beyond the EEMD fee schedule, the municipality's official list also names a handful of private museums in and around the old town: the Walled City Museum, the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art (Near East University), the Special Ethnography Museum, the Dr. Fazıl Küçük Museum, and the Near East University Classic and Sports Car Museum. These fall outside EEMD's visiting-hours schedule — check with each venue directly for current hours and fees.

EEMD museums: Mevlevi, Derviş Pasha, Lusignan House

A few small museums inside the old town fall under the Department of Antiquities and Museums (EEMD) fee schedule:

• Mevlevi Tekke
• Derviş Pasha House
• Lusignan House

These sit in EEMD's smaller-site group and can be closed on weekends and public holidays. Plan your visit for a weekday, and check EEMD's official visiting-hours page for current hours and fees before you go.

Dereboyu: the modern axis

Just outside the old town walls, Dereboyu is a modern strip of cafes, restaurants and nightlife. It's a popular stop for a meal or coffee after walking the historic centre; this guide describes the area in general terms rather than naming specific businesses.

Practical tips

• The old town is compact and walkable; comfortable shoes and half a day are enough to cover most of the route.
• Avoid scheduling EEMD's smaller museums on a weekend.
• When visiting Selimiye or other active mosques, mind prayer times and dress appropriately.
• For places with an unclear status, like Kumarcılar Han, check locally before you go.
• Always check EEMD's official page for current museum hours and fees — this guide deliberately avoids fixed amounts.

Fees and hours change seasonally; always confirm current details with the relevant official source before visiting.