Lefkara & Nicosia’s Divided Past & Present from Paphos

Paphos, Cyprus

8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Learn more about Cyprus than you would independently on a full-day tour to Lefkara and Nicosia. Check out the little lanes of Lefkara, known for lace and filigree, before continuing to the divided capital city of Nicosia that straddles the border of Greek Cyprus and Northern Cyprus. Spend time exploring both sides of the city and visit a caravanserai before returning to Paphos.

Visit Nicosia without having to worry about rental car regulations
Enjoy round-trip transportation in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus
Learn about the history of Cyprus and its divided capital form a guide
Stop in Lefkara to check out its local crafts

What's Included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Paphos city centre hotels only
Air-conditioned coach and professional driver
Local guide and live commentary on board coach

Meals and drinks
Any other personal expenses

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

.Message will be send through Viator to advise your exact pick up point and time .Information of the hotel name is needed. In case you won’t receive the message please call us at least a day before departure. If you cannot find your hotel please call us to give you the nearest pick up point . Failure of the client to be on time at the right pick up point will result to a No show and will be fully charged.

Arranged start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

04/01/2026 - 03/31/2027
Wednesday : 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Itinerary

Choirokoitia

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Pano Lefkara

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Nicosia

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Buyuk Han

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Most travelers can participate
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
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Stephen_B

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.

Reviews

4.1

based on 81 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Disappointed

John_S, Feb 2026

I would prefer to email you direct about today's trip ref 1357419109 as I don't like leaving a review to potentially put others off, but I can do that if it's the only way..........

Long day mainly driving....

Alan_M, Dec 2025

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

Not a stunning city but certainly a well presented historic tour

Stephen_B, Feb 2025

A good historical account

MLHOWEN_O, Sep 2024

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 2024

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.

The walk around Nicosia...

Tanya_H, Sep 2024

The walk around Nicosia was extremely interesting and our guide was very knowledgeable. The advertisement should make clearer the length of time that the walking tour takes. (Up to 2 hrs). It mentions that it’s not suitable for wheel chair users but no advise for anyone who is limited physically and would find the pace too demanding.

Nicosia day out

Elizabeth_O, Mar 2024

Prompt, convenient coach pick up. Excellent driver and guide. Latter most informative. Nicosia very interesting city and we crossed the Green Line to explore the Turkish side. It is a long way and a lot of time therefore spent on the coach. Not a lot of time afforded in the city and advisable to take a packed lunch there for affording maximum time to sightsee. Very good value excursion though.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thak you for your comments

Nicosia feedback

dawn_e, Feb 2024

Nicosia town ....shops were closing down so a bit of a let down too many restrictions to cross over the green line to Turkey. Still with going though ifbyiu haven't been before. Sofia tour guide and Fetos driver both were great. Informative and professional as alwaysc

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thak you for your nice comments regarding our guide and driver. Unfortunatetly is beyond our control the formalities to cross the turkish occupied area.

Great tour *****

Colleen_T, Feb 2024

Wonderful as always with guide Sofia. She is professional as usual. Very knowledgeable about the places we visit.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you for your nice feedback

Disappointing and unkind tour guide

Naomi_T, Feb 2024

We opted to do this trip as we visited Paphos for 4 days and wanted to do a couple of excursions. This trip was highly disappointing - we spent a lot of time in the coach with a tour guide (Sophia) who honestly sounded like she’d rather be anywhere else. Her explanation of history and the sites we visited was limited, lacking, very unclear to follow and at points very biased. At times her attitude bordered on rude and dismissive when someone in our group politely enquired about the next toilet break. She also left us to our own devices (which was fine) without giving us clear directions. All in all, disappointing and would not recommend. Too much time spent travelling with limited commentary and a mean spirited tour guide.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you for your comments which carefully noted. Everyone has the right of its opinion which we respect it. However, taking the overall feedback of the people on board the same tour, it seem that the other 50 do not share the same views. On the contrary the avrage rating was 4.5 out of 5.

Both Sides of Nicosia

Leroy_R, Feb 2024

I used the free time to cross the Green Line into Northern Nicosia. The process of going through security and seeing the stark contrast between the two parts of the city were incredible.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you for your comments.

city with 2 cultures

mkc1686, Jan 2024

11's of us have a lovely time in Nicosia and the lady's repis very knowledgeable. The minus point is not enough time to explore the South and north of the city!

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for you comments.Need to clarify however that the reason why we do not allocate more time is because of the distnace ( 300Km), travelling time ( 4 hrs) and as this tour is on general nature we basically allocate the time which proved to be adequate for the average traveller.

Simply unforgettable

Julia_F, Jan 2024

The information from the tour guide and the beautiful city of Nicosia. I met very friendly locals in Nicosia whereas people in other parts of the country tend to be less friendly.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Nice to hear that you enjoy it

Wonderful day in Nicosia

Elizabeth_D, Dec 2023

A very worthwhile visit to Nicosia, thanks to Adamos, our driver and Maria, our guide who gave a very interesting, informative history of the island en route. On arriving in Nicosia we were shown inside the Cathedral, where the religious paintings were explained to us. With just 21/2 hours to explore on our own, there was just time to go up the tower and view the whole city from 11th floor, go through the Ledra Gate checkpoint to visit the Turkish side. We left at 1.45pm to get back to Paphos in heavy traffic. A memorable day, well organised and good value for money.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you for your nice words

Fantastic trip

Susan_K, Nov 2023

The views from Shacolas Observation Tower and the visit to St John’s were amazing, together with the excellent commentary of the tour guide, Sophia.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you for your nice words

Brilliant day

Dawn_H, Nov 2023

Fantastic day in Nicosia, the tour guide Sophie was extremely knowledgeable and driver Adamas was brilliant. Only criticism is the length of the free time, it was only 2hrs 40mins, to go to the North, have something to eat and a really good wander. But we both really enjoyed it.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thak you for your feedback and nice to hear that you enjoy the tour. Due to distance and long hours to return, we cannot more free time in Nicosia

Interesting, expected more stops on the road as well

Evi_L, Nov 2023

We got lot If information about history of Cyprus during the trip to Nicosia. I expected more interesting facts, not long lection. But history came to us itself on the border, we can't cross it because of demonstration

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you for your feedback. Sorry to hear that you couldn't cross to the Turkish occupied Nicosia because of the demostration. In fact it was evidence of our prolong Cyprus problem

Not to be missed!

Brenda_G, Nov 2023

It was a long journey but one not to be missed. To see the city and culture, both on the Greek Cypriot side and the Turkish Cypriot side, was amazing, and on top of that able to see the mountains on the Turkish side from a high point was good. And, visiting the Venetian walls and church was an added bonus. Once again, thanks to Sophia and Adam.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Glad that you enoy the tour

Nicosia Tour

Maciej_K, Oct 2023

One of the standout features of the excursion is the guide's captivating and in-depth narration of Nicosia's history. This storytelling enriches the journey from Paphos to Nicosia and back. Upon reaching Nicosia, a highlight is the chance to traverse the border and delve into Nicosia's "Turkish side". Visiting this city and immersing oneself in its history, as presented by the guide, is a truly enriching experience — a tale that, regrettably, is not often spotlighted in European discussions.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you for your feedback

NIKOZIA GLIMPSE

Mihaela_B, Oct 2023

Everything was very proffesional, and we received lot of informations about what we have been seeing. Recomandation for lunch was also great. Just a bit more tim at locations and it would be even better.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank for your review. The main reason that we dont allocate more time in Nicosia is because the distance and long hours drive back (including drop offs)

History trip

Krassimira_K, Oct 2023

Very knowledgeable guide and good driver - Sophia and. Adamos. The time in Nikosia is not enough even if you do not want to shop and go to the northern side. If you want to visit the Cyprus museum it is almost impossible. Why don’t you add a stop to the earliest village in Cyprus because there is a caffe stop in the vicinity?

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you for the feedback. We understand and your point is noted, however, we have distance/time limitations in order to allow more time in Nicosia. We choose to stop on the way to convenient place where the in /out access will be without further delay. As there is long hours drive (pick up+ enroute) in the bus, we strongly believe a short brake 20-30 minutes is essential for the majority of passengers

Highly recommend!

Joanne_M, May 2023

A really excellent trip and great value for money! We were picked up on time at our location - the guide talked extensively about the history of Cyprus and it made the slightly longer drive to Nicosia extremely interesting. We stopped for a coffee mid way and arrived in Nicosia late morning. We were guided to the Ambassador’s Palace and church which was beautiful, and then taken further into Nicosia where we had 2 hours for shopping, lunch and to cross the border into Northern Cyprus. A really fascinating experience. There was a problem with the air conditioning on the coach on the way home but the tour company dispatched another bus very quickly for us to swap too. Really impressive service and would highly recommend the tour as a great way to get to Nicosia from Paphos and learn a bit of history on the way.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thak you for nice review and glad to hear theat was not a trouble at all

Nicosia Day Trip

David_G, Apr 2023

I thought it was 'just' a drop off and pick up day trip but Sopia the guide shows us some areas of the city on the way which made it much more interesting. The unusual aspect of the trip was that there was no tray to leave a small tip for both guide and driver on being dropped off.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thank you for your feedback. The most valuable tip for us is the fact that you enjoy the tour

Return visit after many years.

RICHARD_N, Apr 2023

Guides history of the island. Visited Nicosia 25 years ago, enjoyed seeing the changes to the city. The observation tower is well worth a visit.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thak you for your nice feedback

Disappointing crossing

Veronica_P, Apr 2023

Trip was OK but Nicosia going into the Turkish are was a BIG disappointment - it all looked the same and just tourist trash!!

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thank you for your comments. Please note that visiting is the turkish site is an optional a decision of the customer, thus we do not wish to bud rated because of your disappointment to the other site

Nicosia day visit

Marie_W, Mar 2023

Our guide Sophia was a wealth of knowledge on the history of Cyprus, we learned so much! Crossing the border was explained fully and was an interesting experience. A very enjoyable and worthwhile visit.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your nice review

Tour guide was very...

kath_c, Feb 2023

Tour guide was very helpful and gave a great history of Cyprus. However, this wasn't a shopping trip. No mention of visits to a church. Not enough time made available in Nicosia shopping district.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for your view which is noted. However, need to clarify that the tour is beed runed acccording to description. St John Cathedral is not just a church and we allow 2 hours free time in the heard of Nicosia shopping area. Due to long driving back to Paphos, will be dificult to allow more time.

Nicosia daytrip

Shazia_S, Feb 2023

We went on this trip on Wed the 15th of February. Had a lovely day. Got picked up at 8:20 outside almyra hotel. Did few more pick ups near by on our way to nicossia. The coach was full, about 46 people. First stop a roadside restaurant/cafe for coffee /toilet. Got there at 9:30 ang were given 40 minutes. Next to the cafe across the road was a very lovely Greek bakery cafe . We went to thar rather then going to the one where the whole coach went. Had coffee and bougatsa. Next stop was walled city of old town nicosia. We were stopped to see a monastery. It was guided tour but we decided to walk around ourselves and went to the military border checkpost which was few minutes walk. Nothing to see there but a checkpost and few soldiers but the checkpost right in the middle of suburbs next to a park and a school. Next stop was ledra Street It was about 11:55 am and we weren't given till 2:15 pm. So we walked to the border and crossed over to Turkish side. Very quick and fast crossing. Had lunch and looked around , crossed over , looked around and walked back to the bus. Altogether lovely time but bit rushed, But do able. Drive back to the hotel j6st under 2 hour no stop on the way. All and all excellent trip.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for your comments

Shopping trip

Ann_K, Mar 2020

Great tour, stopped on the way for a 30 min coffee/bathroom break. When we got to nicosia, we were taken to see the archbishops Palace and cathedral next door, then we had 2 hours 30 to do shopping. Plenty of time to explore all the shops and have lunch if you wish. Tour guides very good very informative. Lovely scenery on the way, picked up and dropped off at hotel.