Nicosia: A City in Motion
Text: Maximos Nicolaou / Photos: Silvio Augusto Rusmigo
Nicosia is renewing its image, offering experiences that blend architecture, art, gastronomy, and contemporary lifestyle.
Nicosia 2025 is vibrant, renewed, and welcoming. From architecture and art to coffee, food, and nightlife, it offers experiences that blend local character with an international spirit. The walk from Eleftheria Square to the οld GSP Park is not just a route – it’s a journey through the way Nicosia is redefining itself. A city that looks forward, yet never forgets its roots.
As I stroll along, the colours come alive under the bright rays of the sun. I head down towards the city centre, where Eleftheria Square unfolds like a futuristic, open embrace. The iconic work of Zaha Hadid –once just a design on paper– is now the city’s liveliest meeting point: a locale that bridges the past and the future. Sitting on the white stone benches, I take in the life around me: the voices of children running and skating, the sound of water, the aroma of freshly roasted coffee drifting from the nearby cafés. Yes, this is where the heart of the capital beats.
Next to the Venetian walls, the square unfolds on two levels, as the architects made use of the lower level of the moat. Water features, tall cypress trees, lush green grass, and natural materials such as granite and glass give the space a sense of solidity and timelessness. Particularly striking is the skylight and the 999 glass spheres embedded in the ground at the base of the square, beneath the bridge. Once a year, on the 1st of October –Cyprus’ Independence Day– the skylight aligns for just one minute with the sun and the small spheres on the ground, creating a spectacular reflection.
Across from the square, I gaze at one of the city’s most iconic buildings. There stands Jean Nouvel’s 67-metre-tall white tower, with its living façade – an overflowing cascade of greenery and bougainvillea emerging through hundreds of small perforated openings.
ART AND CULTURE
I continue on and find myself in the halls of the Leventis Gallery. On its beautifully lit walls hang treasures of European and Cypriot art – Monet, El Greco, Renoir, as well as Georgiou and Cassialos are just a few of the artists represented in the gallery’s remarkable collection. Each work transports me to another era. A few steps further, in a stunning neoclassical building, stands the State Gallery. Within its halls, the history of modern Cypriot art unfolds through paintings and sculptures by 20th-century Cypriot artists such as Adamantios Diamantis and Christoforos Savva.
FOR STROLLING, SHOPPING, AND WINE
I leave the gallery behind and head towards the renewed Stasikratous Street, which exudes the atmosphere of a European capital, hosting both renowned brands, small design shops, and cafés that add character. Artigiano remains a classic all-day spot, offering, among other things, coffee, wonderfully aromatic white and red wines from vineyards around the world, and well-crafted platters. Across the street, Pralina continues to be one of the most elegant spots for lovers of fine gastronomy. Here, the experience is complete: from the service to the presentation, every detail reflects the new cosmopolitan Nicosia.
A few steps further, on Vasilissis Freiderikis Street, I step into Flashback Boutique for vintage treasures with a modern twist, while next door at Migou, which feels like a fashion gallery, Myrto and George recommend fashion-forward pieces.
THE COFFEE AND BRUNCH EXPERIENCE
On the same street, I stop at Kollaborative Coffee Roasters, where coffee takes on a whole new dimension. The baristas recommend blends from small producers with aromatic profiles that evoke a true ritual. Across the street, I pause for carrot cake at Zest. Its welcoming space is complemented by a frequently updated menu featuring options that combine healthy choices such as fresh Louvi (a dish made from black-eyed peas), quinoa with seafood, and orzo with seasonal vegetables.
Next, I head to Grigoriou Xenopoulou Street. The display of breads, croissants, and sweets at Istorja takes centre stage in this new-era café, which exudes a welcoming atmosphere. Its aim is to reinterpret Cypriot cuisine with a contemporary approach: local, creative techniques, and dishes that tell stories. In the small shop within the same space, I browse the carefully curated coffee table books, admire the homeware trinkets and, as I leave, pick up two handmade coffee mugs.
THE NEW PARK AT THE OLD GSP
I make my way to the site of the old GSP. Where once the chants of fans echoed, there now stretches a lush green park. The recent transformation has turned the old stadium into a vibrant square, featuring walking paths, a playground, outdoor sculptures, and event spaces. Here, families stroll with young children while students study under the sun.
NIGHTLIFE WITH STYLE
When night falls, Nicosia reveals a different face. At Lola Bar, light and colour play with the mood, while the cocktail list –with over 150 spirits– turns every drink into a little surprise. The music rises, and the city shows that it knows how to have fun in style. Night or day.
