Laiki Geitonia is a traditional neighborhood inside the city walls. It was created with the aim to preserve the traditional character of the old Nicosia (1900 period) and to utilize the area by adding new spaces for the creation of a center that promotes the folk art and culture and also, for the creation of selling points of local products.

This traditional neighborhood is in Aristokyprou and Praxandrou streets while in later phase was extended in the surrounding streets.

Laiki Geitonia brought liveliness and movement in the area during both day and evening hours. There are cultural centers, places for recreation (taverna, coffee shop, restaurant), shops and workshops. Its tiled square is partially used by the coffee shop – restaurant and it is surrounded by shops.

The tiled front yards of the shops and other buildings are used as space for displaying the workshop`s creations and at the same time they form a passage through the zone. The also tiled pathways, connected between them with arcades, facilitate the passing through of the pedestrians and they form interesting open-air spaces. The buildings in the area are the typical structures of the traditional urban architectural heritage.

The inauguration of Laiki Geitonia was performed by the ex-President of the Republic of Cyprus Spyros Kyprianou when mayor of Nicosia was Mr Lellos Demetriades on 21st of December 1983. It is awarded by the International Federation of Journalists and Editors of Tourism (FIJET) with the Pomme d`or on 3rd of May 1988.

The Christmas Village in Laiki Geitonia will be operating from the 25th of November 2023 until the 14th of January 2024 (24th included) as follow:
Friday – Sunday and Public Holidays, and daily from 22 December 2023 - 7 January 2024.

Timetable:
Monday-Thursday 10:00-18:00, Friday-Sunday 10:00 - 22:00
25th December and 1st January: 15:00 - 22:00
When events are hosted the opening hours are extended.
 

Contact Tel. No:

+357 22797000

For the program click here (greek & english)

Located in the Larnaka (Larnaca) region, the mountainous village of Lefkara is split into Pano Lefkara and Kato Lefkara (higher and lower Lefkara), and is world-renowned for its traditional handicrafts of lace embroidery and filigree silver. The village is situated at the foot of the Troodos Mountains in the south eastern region, 650 metres above sea level, 43 km from Larnaka, and can be reached by following the A5, A1 and E105 routes.

The crafts of lace and silver have been practiced in the village since Venetian times, and visitors can learn all about them, and watch the lace and silver being made at the Lefkara Handicraft Centre, the Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmithing, and various workshops. Legend has it that the famous painter, Leonardo da Vinci himself visited the village in 1481 and bought a lace altar cloth, which he donated to Milan cathedral.

The character of the village is very picturesque with its narrow, winding streets and traditional architecture of old, terracotta-roofed houses. It is also included as one of the stops on the island’s 7th Wine Route that encompasses the area of mountainous Larnaka - Lefkosia (Lefkosia).

Among its interesting sites are the Folklore Museum, the old fountain and the old olive mill. The village also has beautiful and ancient chapels, including the church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross), and the chapel of Archangelos Michail in Kato Lefkara, with frescoes that date from the 12th and 15th centuries.

The popular annual Lefkara Festival takes place each August, and includes a programme of music, dance, theatre and handicraft exhibitions, with visitors warmly welcomed.
 

The Lefkara Christmas Village will be operating from November 25, 2023 until January 14, 2024 (inclusive) as follows:

Friday – Sunday and Public Holidays, and daily from 27 December 2023 - 4 January 2024.

Contact Tel. No:
+357 24342422

Timetable:
November 25 – December 21
Friday – Saturday – Sunday 10:00 – 21:00
 
December 22 – January 4
Daily10:00 – 21:00
 
January 5 – January 14
Friday – Saturday – Sunday 10:00 – 21:00
 
December 25 and January 1
15:00 – 21:00
 
 

For the program click here (greek)

Facebook page for more information https://www.facebook.com/SanTaLefkara