Lefkara & Nicosia’s Divided Past & Present from Paphos

Overview

Available languages

English

8 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

This tour offers a blend of tradition, history, and cultural contrasts unlike any other. You’ll step into the timeless charm of Lefkara, where lace-making and silverwork have been passed down for generations, before experiencing the only divided capital in the world—Nicosia. Crossing the Green Line at Ledra Street takes you into two different worlds in one city, from Venetian walls and Ottoman heritage to modern Cypriot life. Visiting Büyük Han, a beautifully restored 16th-century caravanserai, adds an authentic touch of history. This journey provides an unparalleled insight into Cyprus’ rich past and evolving present, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Passport required (passport holders of Armenia,Syria,Nigeria,Turkmenistan must have a special visa to cross)

Greek id cards must be machine readable .

Hotel pick-ups begin 30-60 minutes earlier than the tour start time displayed on the voucher. The exact time will be confirmed after reservation is made

Comfortable walking shoes

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Air-conditioned coach and professional driver

Local guide and live commentary on board coach

Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Paphos city centre hotels only

Meals and drinks

Any other personal expenses

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Coffee break at Choirokita on the way to Nicosia.

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Pano Lefkara

Visit to Lefkara, a charming village famous for its Lefkaritika lace and silverwork. We will walk through the cobbled streets, visit local artisans’ workshops, and learn about the intricate lace-making tradition, which has been passed down through generations. Highlight: Short demonstration of lacemaking and the Lefkara Handicraft Museum to learn more about the village’s cultural heritage.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Lefkara & Nicosia’s Divided Past & Present from Paphos

Pickup included

Reviews

4.16

80 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Long day mainly driving....
Alan M,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00
Long day mainly driving. Village of Lefkara pretty, long talk by lace manufacturer. Nicosia interesting, but decided not to cross green Line as warned of potential delays and checkpoint and then limited time. Guide Sophia informative. Driver Adamos competent
A Day to Remember For All the Right Reasons
NorthStar32354645387,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
10hr tour - Fabulous Saw & learned so much Tour guide had so much knowledge and information to share with us Very comfortable coach which wasn't full so, plenty space to spread out Only disappointment was the short amount of time off coach in Lefkara Beautiful Village but only had one hour to use loo, have coffee & something to eat and look at beautiful & plentiful shops selling lace & crafts - Definitely needed an extra hour especially as travelling with a reduced mobility companion Green Line walk & through CheckPoint in to Turkey was Surreal Highly recommend this excursion Thank You
Interesting trip but too short
Lucia G,
Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00
I enjoyed the fact that this tour includes a visit to a small and very picturesque village, Lefkara, and the Cypriot capital Nicosia. However, I believe that the time available in Nicosia was too short. We returned to Paphos at 4pm. I strongly suggest to extend the stay in the capital by another two hours, I had the impression that I saw it too quickly.
Visit to Nicosia from Paphos
martinn181,
Aug 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Very interesting excursion from Paphos, with our guide Sophia. Visited the interesting Lefkara village and then Nicosia, including an opportunity to see only 'divided' city in Europe and to cross to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Don't forget your passports! A fascinating but also sad history of still unresolved conflict and well worth taking this tour to find out more
It's not worth it.
JESUS G,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00
A nearly 5-hour bus tour to see a village of artisans and little more than a Nicosia street. You walk less than 15 minutes on the Greek side, past checkpoints, and then walk another 15 minutes on the Turkish side. You see a mosque, you eat at a restaurant, you look at some shops and you go back. The guide tells many stories on the bus but on the street he just points to a viewpoint, takes you to the Turkish side and shows you a mosque. The green line you imagine.
Fully meets expectations - green line is an amazing experience
R81EEnicholasd,
Apr 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I would give this 5* for how it matched my expectations. At the price point charged you get what you expect which is a clean and comfortable coach, a knowledgeable guide and a lot of self guiding. My only feedback would be that it would be great if the guide gave more advice on what to see during the free time in Nicosia and Lefkara. You go to a lace shop in Lefkara which is cool but you have almost an hour and I hadn’t really thought about where to go. Similarly in Nicosia the guide takes you across the green line and to the caravanassi which is amazing then you have around 2.5 hours it would be cool to have some recommendations. It’s still a five star for me because for the price I expected it to be fairly hands off and the green line/seeing the occupied territory was a real highlight. Also Nicosia is a lovely city in itself so fully recommend this company if you’re in Paphos.
Not a stunning city but certainly a well presented historic tour
Stephen B,
Feb 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A very informative day that gave an excellent overview a towns passed on the way to Nicosia. A two hour drive with an adequate length break stop half way. The guide gave lots of background information to set us up for the city visit involving early history and the Turkish invasion. The drive time passed well and coach was comfortable. We were walked to the cathedral area and given great information. The cathedral was beautiful inside. Back on the coach for 15 minutes to be dropped in city centre. Another well informed walking tour with full orientation and optional border crossing information ( passport needed). Then adequate free time to eat, shop and cross border. To be better honest we were shown the best sites and the free time was adequate for us. We enjoyed the day and glad we attended. A very interesting practical history lesson but the city lacked charm and attraction for us personally. Yes it's a long drive, but the views enroute are good and the guide uses the time well giving information so time does not drag. The driver was very safe and all timings given accurate. The group was a full large coach and we needed to keep up close to the guide in the streets as no microphone used and information could be missed. Also the pickup location a little away from Google maps location and the company name on the coach different to the tour operator tickets issued. All passenger documentation accurate and an excellent guide though. Pick up was 8:20 in Paphos and hotel return around 4:30pm. Overall an excellent value and informative day out. Well worth doing once.
Day trip to Nicosia
AngieMc40,
Jan 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Interesting and informative tour. Highly recommended. Our tour guide gave a detailed and impressive background to the history of Cyprus and the effects religion and politics have had on the island.
A good historical account
MLHOWEN O,
Sep 27, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00
The 17C church where we were given much history . The guide was very clear and helpful and we enjoyed listening to her.
Great value for money
Marina J,
Sep 22, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
We got exactly what we wanted and expected out of this tour. The trip to Nicosia was comfortable with Emma providing interesting commentary en route. In Nicosia we got some time to explore for ourselves and maybe go over the border to North Cyprus, which we did. Both sides were interesting to see and the time provided was enough.