Autumn
Autumn! Back to uni or just starting out? The first thing you want to do is get your room in the halls, your flat or your study space in tip-top shape for the new school year. Whether you are looking for some new bedding, small bits of furniture, funky decoration or just some ‘back to school’ essentials, you are spoilt for choice. Head to the Nicosia Mall or HomeMate nearby, Jumbo (for bargains) or The Mall of Cyprus with the gigantic temptations of all things IKEA. If you are looking for second-hand or vintage finds to decorate your room or flat, you can check out the Cypriot equivalent of eBay, www.bazaraki.com or Marketplace Cyprus on Facebook or a cool pre-loved shop in Old Nicosia– The Collective. Any season, Nicosia is a hit for those looking for a bit of shopping therapy. The weather is still warm and there are a variety of sites and activities you can visit and take part in!

Winter
Winter days in Nicosia are pretty mild, but don’t be fooled by the sunshine—it does get pretty cold at night. This is the season (and the point in the semester) that it’s great to get a little fresh air! Nicosia may not have the beach like the other towns of Cyprus, but we do have a fantastic pedestrian/bicycle path that runs from the city suburbs into the city center. This two-lane path (one for walkers and runners and the other for cyclists) runs along the riverbed of the Pedieos. Though dry throughout the summer, once there’s some rain (and snow in the Troodos mountains) it creates some really beautiful scenery. You can reach it by a 10-15 minute walk from the EUC campus, and it’s a great place to go for a run or just take a long, therapeutic walk with a friend in nature.

Spring
Spring is an incredible season in Cyprus, and Nicosia is no exception to this. The dry brown of summer is replaced with green and the fields get taken over by chin-high yellow flowers. They say that the yellow in the flag of Cyprus represents the copper deposits found here, but I like to think it’s the yellow fields of spring. There are lovely parks and green spaces in Nicosia where you can enjoy the flowers in bloom. It’s also a great season to take one of the many (free!) tours of Nicosia and gain an appreciation of its historic and cultural significance. You can find out about tours of the city organized by the Cyprus Tourism Organization here.

Summer
There is so much to do in the summer and so many places you can visit that you will want more days of the week. You may want to hide from the mid-day sun (malls, galleries and restaurants), but as the sun goes down, you can feel the city come to life. Whether joining the vibrant café life in Nicosia to hang out with your friends or opting for the sporting life at a football match with your besties, early evening is really kicking in and around the EUC campus. Chill and very pleasant, the evenings in Nicosia are a great chance to hang out with your friends or meet new ones—over a cocktail, a mocktail or an ice cream-all within walking distance of campus.

Throughout the year there are loads of cafes, bars and clubs to go out to. I recommend just walking around the city and going into any that you think look interesting!
Another amazing thing about Cyprus in general is that everything is close by. Cities like Limassol, Larnaca, Ayia Napa, and Paphos are all a short drive away. I got to know the island best by going on road trips with friends and it’s safe to say that every city I’ve visited thus far is unique and beautiful in it’s own way!

The post What to do in Nicosia – A City for All Seasons! appeared first on European University Cyprus.

Leventis Gallery

One of the most important artistic landmarks in Cyprus, since 2014 the Leventis Gallery shares the invaluable treasures of its founder, G.Leventis with the rest of the world. While it has hosted countless of temporary exhibitions, it’s also home to three stunning collections. The Paris Collection, owned by G.Leventis himself, the Greek Collection and the Cyprus Collection. The first features European art dated from the 17th century to the 20th, as well as period furniture and “objets d’art”. The second exhibits the work of local artists from the first half of the 20^th century whereas the latter is work by the first generation of local artists.

(22668838, Leonidou, Nicosia)

Centre of Visual Arts and Research (Severis Foundation)

Located in the heart of the old town of Nicosia, surrounded by picturesque traditional houses and buildings, CVAR opened its doors in 2014 and its collection includes hundreds of paintings, antique costumes, and memorabilia. It takes you on a time journey that showcases Cypriot history and the island’s relationship with its neighbors, throughout the centuries. It’s also home to more than 10,000 books, which are available to the public and to academics, whereas on its roof garden you will often watch screenings relating to the cultural heritage of Cyprus.

(22300999, Ermou 285, Nicosia)

Cyprus Museum

From the Paleolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic times to the Archaic Period and the Roman Period, a visit to the Cyprus Museum will make you realize the island’s rich cultural diversity. It dates to hundreds of centuries back in time and it’s a magnificent blend of different ages and different influences such as Egyptian, Ptolemaic and Assyrian.

(22865854, Mouseiou 1, Nicosia)

Local Ethnological Museum

Get a glimpse of 19^th century Cyprus, at one of the most charming villages of Cyprus. At Lefkara’s Ethnological Museum you will find evidence and artifacts of the time such as traditional costumes, jewelry, silverwork, and agricultural tools and of course a wide collection of old Lefkara embroidery, for which the village is so famous for.

(24342326, Lefkara, Larnaca)

Oleastro Olive Park and Museum

Cyprus is called “The olive island” for a reason! And that’ because olive harvesting was for a very long time, a way of living for most locals in rural areas. From extractions methods to how it influenced the everyday lives of Cypriots and how the island benefitted from olive related production, Oleastro will give you a hands-on experience!

(99525093, Anogyra, Limassol)

It’s an island with many surprises indeed.

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