This area of the city in the old town has narrow winding alleys filled with traditional restaurants, art galleries and boutiques nestled between traditional houses typical of the colonial urban architecture of the island. For browsing in a bohemian atmosphere, full of the sights and sounds of the Eastern Mediterranean, an afternoon is well spent here. The renovation of the area earned it the ‘Golden Apple’ award from travel writers, preserving its character whilst making it accessible to all.
The buildings date from the end of the 18th Century, with building materials being mainly wood, sandstone and mudbrick. It is a pedestrianised area of narrow winding streets, combining residential houses with craft shops and tavernas. It is a very popular area for both locals and tourists to browse among its many shops.
Ledra Street
Ledra Street, named after the ancient city-kingdom of Ledra, is Nicosia’s main shopping street. It begins in Eleftherias Square and runs from south to north, with a portion of it located within Turkish-occupied Nicosia. Ledra Street is always humming with activity. Coffee shops, boutiques, bookstores and restaurants line the edges of this pedestrian-friendly boulevard in the heart of the old city.