Lefkoşa - Nicosia's other half

Advantages: Antiquity, architecture, atmosphere
Disadvantages: Cut in two

...The Saray Hotel is rather unprepossessing from the outside. Clad in a dingy grey on which its name is emblazoned in orangey-red lettering, it might have looked trendy when it was built around 1960, but not since. Just eight storeys high, it doesn't even seem very tall. Still, we had been told that it was the place from which to obtain the best view of Nicosia (or Lefkoşa, as the Turks prefer to call it), so we paid our YTL4 (£1.50) each to go up to the rooftop terrace. Since this fee also entitles you to a drink at the bar, it's not bad value. And the view lived up to its billing, which perhaps only emphasises how few tall buildings there are on the northern, Turkish side of the city. On the Greek Cypriot side, quite a few were visible, if mostly located some way out from the centre. The Turks claim that the Greeks...

torr 16.04.2007 (23.04.2007) · Read review
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Review of Nicosia (Lefkosia)

Nicosia

Advantages: Interesting green line, healthy nightlife, many good restaurants
Disadvantages: Not for beach worshippers, or soldier haters

...Last summer I went to Cyprus to visit some family for the first time. I am half Cypriot, but have been brought up by my English mother and English stepfather in a fully English family since the age of 2. I went to Nicosia to more fully explore the capital of the country that my father came from. There are two sides to Nicosia. The old town is at the centre, and is fully pedestrianised. Here is where the bulk of the night life is to be found. There is a wide selection of pleasant restaurants tucked away in little alleys, in addition to a number of bars and nightclubs. Further out from the center, the town becomes mouch more modern in style. The "coolest" area is near the Kiss FM radio station, around which a selection of bars and fashionable clothes shops provide the habitat for the young upwardly mobile, fashionable local...

nikfox 23.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Nicosia (Lefkosia)

The New Shopping Centre in Nicosia

Advantages: multiplex cinema
Disadvantages: none

...There is a new Shopping Centre in Nicosia, Cyprus called the Shacolas Emporium Park, which has just recently opened. I visited there in December for Christmas presents. What Does It Have To Offer? There are two floors. On the top floor there is a multiplex cinema, which shows the latest films. There is, also, all kinds of eating places, such as, Macdonalds, Chinese, Greek food and a Sandwich area. There are, also, a couple of coffee shops. There are few shops on the top floor. There is a shop called Public, which is similar to Borders (in the UK). This shop is very big and caters for books, dvds, the latest computer games and music. All books, music and dvd films are catered for in English or the Greek language. There are other shops on this floor, but mostly accessory and clothes shops. On the bottom floor there is...

dee2206 27.12.2007 · Read review
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Review of Nicosia (Lefkosia)

Globalisation Alert! Mall Rats Invade Cyprus!

Advantages: Good facilities. Well appointed. Light and airey. Air conditioned.
Disadvantages: Eye-wateringly expensive. Could be anywhere in the world

...INTRODUCTION In the seven or eight years I have been going to Cyprus for my holidays, a lot has changed, and not necessarily for the better. It was only a matter of time before this beautiful island was afflicted with the relentless influx of multinational American brands and corporations that seem to blight Europe these days. The drive down the Finikoudes ? Larnaka?s main, palm-lined seaside promenade ? now takes you past McDonald?s, KFC, TGI Friday, Haagen Dazs, Pizza Hut, and Bennigans. The seemingly unstoppable globalisation of Cyprus seems well and truly underway. So it was with dread and dismay that I received the news that Cyprus had been ?blessed? with two new malls since my last visit two years ago ? the ?Mall of Cyprus?, built next to an IKEA on the outskirts of Lefkosia (Nicosia), and the newer ?My Mall?, an even...

Hishyeness 04.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of The Mall of Cyprus, Nicosia

An Eerie Paradise

Advantages: Fascinating
Disadvantages: TOO HOT!, not enough time

...Can you tell that I am yearning? I haven?t had a holiday in so long I?m dwelling on past adventures for an inordinate amount of time. I want to get on a plane, I want to go somewhere hot, somewhere interesting and exotic, somewhere new to explore. But all I?m getting this year is five days in Torquay, although I?m really looking forward to it, (I have jigsaw at the ready, as it is law that you must do a jigsaw when staying in a caravan) This time last year I was still brown(ish) and flush from a wonderful two weeks in Cyprus, the highlight of those two weeks was, for me anyway, a visit to Nicosia. Roughly in the centre of the island and over looked by the impressive Kyrenia mountain range, Nicosia is fairly easy to get to from anywhere on the island (the Cypriot side anyway, I couldn?t tell you about the Turkish side). There...

michaird 28.08.2002 · Read review
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Review of Nicosia (Lefkosia)

A Beautiful Traditional Greek Mill

Advantages: Fantastic Situation, old world charm and good food
Disadvantages: A Bit off the Beaten Track - will neeed a car

......

Praski 03.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of The Mill Hotel, Nicosia

The Capital

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...Well, I was in Nicosia, for 2 weeks last year. Hired an apartment from a local Cypriot for £100 Cyprus. Nicosia is quite a large city which is divided into two. The United Nations have a security force, which can be seen daily around Nicosia town. You can get almost everything in Nicosia. They have Marks & Spencers, KFC, MacDonalds (these guys seems to be everywhere). Be warned that the weather is extremely hot in Nicosia. We hired car, and drove around. The sad thing was that the car was without air conditioning, so we practically had an unwanted sun-tan (burnt - to be true). On the whole it was good. Armed with a map, we drove out to Larnaca, Ayia Napa, Protaras, Trodos Mountains, Paphos and Limasol. These were day trips we made. We took a day or two break in between to get a feel of Nicosia. If any one goes to Nicosia, check out...

lalr 14.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Nicosia (Lefkosia)

Cyprus

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...The last time i went down to Cyprus was last year. I had good time but good lord, it was too hot.....I flew down to Larnaca with BA (British Airways) and then hired a cab to Nicosia to meet a friend. The CAB cost around £20 from Larnaca to Nicosia (which is the capital city of Greek Cyprus). Of course, you know that Cyprus is divided into 2. One part is occupied by the Greeks and the other by Turks (that's Turkey -the country, not the bird). Well in Nicosia my lovely friend arranged an apartment near the US Embassy (well, i suppose you feel secure near the Americans). It cots around £100 Cyprus for 2 weeks. Next we started exploring Nicosia. It is a nice town with a lot of shops, etc (M&S, KFC,MacDonalds). There is a UN presence in the city, with milatary vehicles being quite a common sight. Anyway, we were spending a fortune travelling...

lalr 14.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Nicosia (Lefkosia)

BEST BEACH IN CYPRUS NOT TO MENTION THE DIVING

Advantages: Perfect for Diving & All Watersports,Clubs,bars
Disadvantages: Holiday is never long enough.

...and deceptively strong)food is available all day, there are good snack bars lining the main beach. I recommend scooter hire here which is cheap,and the roads are built to a high standard and we found the driving was of a good standard too, but you must have helmets to abide by their laws. We found the scooter enabled us to really investigate the area - we discovered deserted beaches and bays, out of the way villages with real locals and good old fashioned cypriot dishes, we also took a drive to Nissi beach which is popular but still worth a visit, we also drove up to the Turkish border to take a peek at the deserted city.... There are some good trips available from the boozy barbeques in the hills, and a trip up to Nicosia to the more adventurous cruise over to Egypt or Jerusalem which again were very reasonable, although tiring! Ayia Napa...

whitewiner 21.05.2002 · Read review
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Review of Protaras (Cyprus)

limassol

Advantages: none
Disadvantages: none

...is that limassol whilst it is busy seems to have less traffic compared to the Capitol of Cyprus which is nicosia. Also whilst the Capitol which is the largest city in Cyprus, limassol seemingly has more desirable areas and generally more activities available. conclusion Whilst I would thoroughly recommend the coastal area in limassol to anybody that asked, I would have reservations in recommending good Restaurant's or take away places. The public transport System is poor, the sightseeing is quite good overall. These days, flights to and from the United kingdom to either larnaca or paphos have come down in price making it more cost effective. All in all a very good coastal sun Experience....

costas1234 12.11.2008 (19.06.2009) · Read review
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Review of Limassol (Cyprus)