North Nicosia: Selimiye, the Büyük Han and the old city
Last verified 19 October 2026
North of the Green Line. Greek: Lefkosia. Turkish: Lefkoşa.
North Nicosia (Lefkoşa in Turkish, Lefkosia in Greek) is the northern half of the divided capital, and the administrative centre of the north. Its part of the walled city is denser and older in feel than the south’s, a maze of Ottoman houses, workshops and markets around one of the great Gothic churches of the Mediterranean. Its southern counterpart is South Nicosia, a few minutes’ walk away through the Ledra Street crossing.
As in the south, summer is fierce, so walk in the morning or the evening.
The sights
Selimiye Mosque. Built as the Cathedral of St Sophia, begun in 1209 and consecrated in 1326, where the Lusignan kings of Cyprus were crowned. It became a mosque in 1570, when its two minarets were added, and took the name Selimiye in 1954. The French Gothic doorway with a minaret rising above it is the defining image of the city. Free to enter outside prayer times, with modest dress.
Büyük Han. The “Great Inn”, an Ottoman caravanserai built in 1572, the finest on the island. Its two storey arcaded courtyard now holds craft shops and cafés, and it is free to wander in.
Bandabulya. The covered municipal market close to Selimiye, from the early 20th century, selling fruit, vegetables, halloumi and local sweets.
The Mevlevi Tekke. The former lodge of the Mevlevi order, the whirling dervishes, built in the 17th century and now a museum, with the hall where the ceremony was performed and the tombs of sixteen of the order’s sheikhs.
Kyrenia Gate. The Venetian gate on the northern side of the walls, restored by the Ottomans in 1821, now standing alone on a roundabout after the British opened up the walls around it in 1931. The road from here into the old city leads past Atatürk Square to the main sights.
Arabahmet and Samanbahçe. Two of the quieter residential quarters. Arabahmet, on the western side by the Green Line, has restored Ottoman houses and an Armenian church. Samanbahçe is a terrace of small houses round a fountain, built in the early 20th century and often described as the island’s first social housing.
Crossing to the south
The Ledra Street crossing (Lokmacı on this side) leads straight from the old bazaar streets into the south’s main shopping street. The Ledra Palace crossing on the western edge of the walls is the quieter alternative. Both are for pedestrians only. Bring your passport or ID card. Our crossing points guide covers the rules in both directions, including what you can bring back.
Getting there
North Nicosia is about 20 to 25 minutes from Ercan airport and 30 to 40 minutes from Kyrenia. The old city is compact and best explored on foot, though cobbles and kerbs make it hard going with a wheelchair or a pushchair.