Travel Nicosia UN Green Zone

Crossing the Nicosia UN Green Zone seemed pretty scary to me because Cyprus is the only divided country in the world. My expectation was that this would be an unusual border crossing. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Nicosia and Cyprus have remained a divided country.

Unusually Laidback Border Crossing. Nicosia UN Green Zone

Crossing into Nicosia at the UN Green Zone seemed pretty scary to me because Cyprus is the only divided country in the world. My expectation was that this would be an unusual border crossing. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Nicosia and Cyprus have remained a divided country.

Going to Nicosia from Cyprus held a lot of unknowns for me. I have been to occupied places before, like Bethlehem, Palestine.

Larnaca Airport in Cyprus

We meet this Green Zone more soldiers from Paraguay at the Larnaca Airport in Cyprus. Places in dispute but not in an all-out war are uniquely tense. The barbed-wire fences, enormous concrete walls, and soldiers are pretty intimidating to an average solo traveler like me. I try to face my fears, especially when I am traveling. When I know that no one is watching, it’s easier for me to face my fears. I think when I am alone, I become fearless. I expected to see soldiers like I did at the Paphos crossing, but I didn’t. Maybe they were somewhere else. I expected to see them at the checkpoint crossings, but I didn’t.

Instead, I found ordinary streets, just a place like anywhere else that were extremely quiet. Great iced coffee and lovely little-hidden restaurant tucked away in hidden coves. It’s a great place to hang out with a friend, but going solo you won’t be able to take advantage of the romantic location.

It’s a very easy customs crossing as long as you have a passport.

Very Romantic Cafes

Try it. You will love what you find in Nicosia. Even the little Turkish sign.

I am very glad I made this trip. Just do it so you can say you did it.