If a Mediterranean holiday vacation sounds good to you, why not visit Nicosia, Cyprus?

Nicosia is the largest and capital city of Cyprus, an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It is located near the center of the Mesaoria plain on the banks of the River Pedieos. It is home to the oldest and largest archaeological museum in Cyprus as well as several theaters and cultural centers.

Nicosia’s pleasant temperatures and rich sense of culture makes it a great place to visit at Christmastime. Here are some things you can check out during your trip.

Christmas Avenue

Every year the Nicosia Municipality teams up with the Lefkosiazo Network to present Christmas Avenue. Markarios Avenue is transformed into a Christmas village with cozy wooden houses, Christmas trees, decorations, fairs, choir performances and more. Much of the entertainments takes place in the city’s Luna Park.

The event includes a big carousel and an ice rink.

Christmas Markets

During the holiday season, markets spring up all over Nicosia. Here are some you can enjoy. Ermou 1900: This market takes place in the gorgeous neighborhood of Chrystaliniotissa. Guests can find arts and crafts items that will take you back to a time when cobblers, woodworkers, blacksmiths and basket weavers were the thriving pulse of the city. It’s a great place to find unique gift items.

Chrystaliniotissa Craft Center: This one also takes place in the lovely Chrystaliniotissa area. It’s a three-day event hosted in a pretty courtyard. In addition to finding handmade craft items, organizers provide entertainment for children including children’s choirs and storytelling. The market also features a fashion show and live music.

Vinyl Bazaar: Vinyl lovers rejoice. This is a great place to find rare music finds.

A.G. Leventis Gallery: This is another event that isn’t just about terrific shopping. Children will be given the opportunity to make holiday creations and there will also be theatrical games, children’s choirs and storytelling.

DIM Christmas Bazaar Weaving Mill: This event is hosted by one of Old Nicosia’s most popular coffee shops among the artist community. The shop itself is charming with black and white tiles and books lining the walls. It’s a great place to learn about new artists and find unusual items like jewelry, arts and crafts, baked goods, mulled wine, photos and more.

Lighting of the City

Cyprus is one of the many countries that celebrates the Advent Season which focuses on the day of Epiphany (Jan. 6). They get off to a later start with their celebrations, but this pays off in a huge 12 day holiday season that officially kicks off an Dec. 24.

A less official start occurs when the city lights up in early December. This is marked by an event in which the deputy mayor of Nicosia comes down to the municipality and flicks the switch to illuminate the Christmas tree and other decorations. It is typically celebrated with live entertainment and other festivities.

Magic Christmas Tour

To truly get into the Christmas spirit, you may want to take a holiday tour of the city. FunTopFun offers a guided tour that takes you to all of the city’s decorated places including Ledra St., the Mall of Cyprus and the Pivo Brewery.

The knowledgeable tour guide will provide insight to the city’s history including the story of its Christmas tree, legends about Nicosia and old Christmas spells. You will also be taken to the Christmas Village Market on Makarios Avenue and find out about the products being sold.

Cyprus Museum

The Cyprus Museum is the oldest and largest archaeological museum in Cyprus. It features an extensive collection of artifacts that represent the Neolithic period, the Byzantine era and all eras in between. The highlight of the museum may be its room four which contains a collection of votive figures, like minotaurs, warriors and charioteers from 7-6 BC. Other rooms feature excavated finds, decorated vases and jugs, sculptures and statues, weapons, tools, tools and amulets.

Venetian Fortifications

Nicosia is known for the Venetian walls that encircle the city. Although they are crumbling, they are mostly intact. They run three kilometers.

Highlights include Famagusta Gate which is well preserved and decorated with several coats of arms. You can follow the gate to an empty moat.

Paphos Gate and Roccas Bastion play a huge role in modern history. They mark the UN Buffer Zone between the Republic of Cyprus and North Cyprus. It was the only place on the island that allowed Greek and Turkish Cypriots to get near.

The flags of Green, the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey and North Cyprus fly above the wall representing the countries’ former disputes.

Buyuk Han

This is a roadside inn constructed in 1572. It is a well-preserved piece of architecture from that period. It was often used as a storage space for merchants passing through town.

Its former sleeping quarters now house a variety of businesses including shops, cafes and artisan vendors.

The Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum is located in the Makarios Cultural Foundation. It contains 220 pieces of religious art from the beginning of the Byzantine era up to the 19th century.

The main attraction of the museum is the Kanakaria Mosaics. These art pieces were stolen from a church in Karpas Peninsula after the 1974 Turkish invasion. The story surrounding their return includes dodgy art dealers and an Interpol sting operation. Learn more when you visit.

Nicosia’s celebratory spirit and cultural sights make it an ideal holiday destination. You can wander museums, get some shopping done and enjoy terrific scenery. Which of these activities will you be getting to first when you visit?

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