I spent a day in the capital of Cyprus with a walking group seeing what I think of as the city of Nicosia, although it is marked on signposts as Lefkosia, with Nicosia in brackets.
Everything became clear a couple of days later when I watched a video about the history of Cyprus in the Ledra Observatory Museum in the highest tower (12 storeys) in the old city (on the Greek side).
Cyprus Museum
On our group walking tour, we started in the large Cyprus museum which is the pride of the country. You follow the map or signs anti clockwise showing rooms one to ten. I nearly missed the last two, eleven and twelve. I particularly liked the funeral room. Gravestones originally in one early period had pine cones on them as a symbol of death. Inscriptions were in Greek and other languages. One inscription was from a Jewish grave.
When we were there it was free entry (June 2022).
Getting About
You can take an open top bus tour in some Cypriot cities. Also free walking tours. Nicosia also has free local shuttle buses.
Parking
We parked our cars in the open air car parks. The first one, near the major Cyprus Museum of antiquities, charged for five hours, with threats of clamping your car if you overstayed your welcome.
However, the second car park had no time restriction. Other options are the underground car parks.
Shakolas/Shacolas Observation Tower
The Shakolas Observation tower cost 5 Euros each, no reductions for seniors, but worth it. A video which I watched twice gives a run down of the history of the city and island. Half a dozen windows show you landmarks. Below the window is a panel. You can click on each landmark in turn on the panel and choose your language.
I was able to confirm that I had not missed any major museums on the Turkish side. A few churches had been turned into mosques. If you are Moslem or interested in Moslem culture you have a few of these landmarks to visit or research online.
A cute little shelf of souvenirs includes playing cards of cats, and pottery for serving olives. I was tempted. However, I declined to buy as I already have a house of a lifetime's clutter which my husband is trying to reduce. Do I need olive picks? Maybe I should just use fresh disposable cocktail sticks.
The Turkish Side
Our walking group, had walked to the central area like a quadrangle, bordered by restaurants and souvenir shops, very pleasant. En route we passed an Armenian church which was badly damaged during the fighting and now has proposed restoration and funding envisaged.
Turkish View
The Turkish viewpoint is expressed on the wall by maps showing the city at various eras with the number of mosques. Their favourite featured map shows a time long ago (1800s or earlier?) when the island had many mosques and this is the dream they wish to restore.
The Greek Side
The main pedestrianised street, Ledra Street, has many cafes, coffee shops (Starbucks, McDonalds), local ice cream in several flavours,
The Turkish Side
Eating Area
Kyrenia Gate
Useful Websites
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g190383-d3750331-r261895450-Shacolas_Tower_Museum_Observatory-Nicosia_Nicosia_District.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicosia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Nicosia
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