Located near the center of the island, Nicosia is largest city and of Cyprus. Even though it’s not on the coast, Nicosia attracts a fair number of visitors, especially the Old City, which is surrounded by some three km of (somewhat crumbling) Venetian Walls. Given the older, narrow streets of Nicosia, especially within the old city, it is difficult to proscribe a specific running route. But here are some suggestions:
Old City. Create your own route through the old city’s narrow streets and alleys. The southern half of the city is in Cyprus, while you’ll have to cross the border to access northern Nicosia/North Cyprus, using Ledra St. There are three entry gates to the Old City, which is ~1.5 km south-north or east-west. See the map below for some of the main sites of the Old City. Make sure to incorporate Ledra St. and Onasagorou St.– two main commercial streets, as well as Faneromeni Square and Archbishop Kyprianos Square, into your Old City Route. At the intersection of Ledra St. and Onasagorou St. is Eleftheria (Freedom) Square, which connects the Old City and the New City. The wider Stasikratous St. Themistokli Dervi Ave. and Makarios Ave. run off of Eleftheria Square and while busy, are wider, prestigious shopping streets and are decent for running. Best to go early!
New City Center. Relatively narrow strip that stretches for nearly 2 km between Podocataro Bastion in the east to the Cypress Museum in the west. Use Stasinou to run by the Leventis Art Museum and the American College just outside the Old City Wall.
Parks. Near the Famagusta Gate just outside the eastern end of the Old City, is a park that runs for ~1 km north-south, and includes a festival venue and the Statue of Liberty. Just south, next to the University of Cyprus, is Alsos Forest, a municipal park with a couple of km of lovely pedestrian paths (and some shade!). Agios Dimitrios Park, which is ~2 km southwest of the Leventis Art Museum, also has a combination of narrow pathways that lead into open spaces and is a green and relatively shaded running oasis.
If you’d like to have an in-person guided running experience in Nicosia, we highly recommend our friends at Go! Running Tours.
Located near the center of the island, Nicosia is largest city and of Cyprus. Even though it’s not on the coast, Nicosia attracts a fair number of visitors, especially the Old City, which is surrounded by some three km of (somewhat crumbling) Venetian Walls. Given the older, narrow streets of Nicosia, especially within the old city, it is difficult to proscribe a specific running route. But here are some suggestions:
Old City. Create your own route through the old city’s narrow streets and alleys. The southern half of the city is in Cyprus, while you’ll have to cross the border to access northern Nicosia/North Cyprus, using Ledra St. There are three entry gates to the Old City, which is ~1.5 km south-north or east-west. See the map below for some of the main sites of the Old City. Make sure to incorporate Ledra St. and Onasagorou St.– two main commercial streets, as well as Faneromeni Square and Archbishop Kyprianos Square, into your Old City Route. At the intersection of Ledra St. and Onasagorou St. is Eleftheria (Freedom) Square, which connects the Old City and the New City. The wider Stasikratous St. Themistokli Dervi Ave. and Makarios Ave. run off of Eleftheria Square and while busy, are wider, prestigious shopping streets and are decent for running. Best to go early!
New City Center. Relatively narrow strip that stretches for nearly 2 km between Podocataro Bastion in the east to the Cypress Museum in the west. Use Stasinou to run by the Leventis Art Museum and the American College just outside the Old City Wall.
Parks. Near the Famagusta Gate just outside the eastern end of the Old City, is a park that runs for ~1 km north-south, and includes a festival venue and the Statue of Liberty. Just south, next to the University of Cyprus, is Alsos Forest, a municipal park with a couple of km of lovely pedestrian paths (and some shade!). Agios Dimitrios Park, which is ~2 km southwest of the Leventis Art Museum, also has a combination of narrow pathways that lead into open spaces and is a green and relatively shaded running oasis.
If you’d like to have an in-person guided running experience in Nicosia, we highly recommend our friends at Go! Running Tours.
This 840 hectare (2,000 acre) park is an oasis of greenery located just southeast of Nicosia. There are 20 km of trails, winding through trees and shrubs, including a 16 km bike trail. Mainly gravel surface.
An 8 km out and back along the 'Salt Lake Hiking Trail', a very runnable path along this series of interconnected salt lakes. Different feel depending on the season. Popular birdwatching location - in winter, pink flamingos abound!
Wonderful running in this area on the southern coast of Cyprus. Waterfront promenades, great running beaches, hillside trails. a track, and archaeological sites.
One of the most beautiful runs in Cyprus is the coastal path between La Isla and the San Raphael resort, with an optional jaunt up a hill to the ancient ruins of Amathus. This run can also be done on the beach, which has excellent firm sand.
Beach path starts from just north of Dasoudi Beach and goes for 6 km to the Old Port. Includes a section through the Dasoudi Forest. The beach here is also very runnable. Combine with La Isla-St. Raphael route for a long run!
A bit off the beaten track but much less visited. One can have a quiet beach running experience here, featuring great views of the water and Limassol. The western 2.5 km feature firm sand, and the eastern end of the beach is more pebbly.
A wonderful coastal boardwalk path along the Mediterranean on the western side of Cyprus, in Paphos. Great views of the water, and Faros beach along most of the way. Also some key sights. It's 7.2 km out and back.
Large national park on the western side of the island known for its valleys, gorges, wide sandy bays, and wildlife diversity. The Aphrodite and Smigies Trail make for good trail runs. Numerous roads through the park are also traffic free and runnable.
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!