Historic
Büyük Han: a practical note for Lefkoşa
Ottoman caravanserai: craft courtyard
Courtyard khan from 1572. Workshops, cafés, crafts. The most pleasant shady break in Nicosia, great for photos too.
Büyük Han is the largest caravanserai in Cyprus, commissioned in 1572 by Muzaffer Pasha, the island's first Ottoman governor. The two-storey, courtyard building was once a trading inn where merchants lodged and stored their goods; the small mosque on a pillar in the centre of the courtyard is a typical feature of Ottoman han architecture.
Today Büyük Han has become a lively cultural hub, its restored rooms filled with artists' studios, craft shops and cafés. A coffee in its shaded courtyard is one of the most pleasant breaks in Nicosia, and ideal for photos.
What to see
- Ottoman caravanserai from 1572
- The raised mosque in the courtyard
- Artists' studios and crafts
- Coffee break in the shaded courtyard
How to get there
In Lefkoşa, Büyük Han is easiest with car hire or a short taxi. Map and hours: Büyük Han.
Small notes
- Coffee in the courtyard is a classic.
- Good spot for handmade souvenirs.
- Some shops may close on Sundays.
Dinner: restaurants. Other stops: Cyprus guide. A place to stay: housing.
Where is Büyük Han?
Lefkoşa, Surlar İçi. Map: guide page.
Do I need a car?
Town-centre stops work with a taxi. Hills and Karpaz are easier with hire. Both are on Gurgura: taxi, rental.