The Names of Areas in Nicosia

Nicosia has the most random area names. Of course there is the centre and the Walled City where you will find a ‘wall’ at the end of Ledra Street.

Athens in Cyprus?: There are areas named after Athens in Nicosia, they are my beloved Acropolis and Lycabettus. So you can imagine my delight when I tell people that I work at the Acropolis. And then they reply; ‘really? Do you? Are you an archaeologist?’ and I’m like ‘No m’am, I’m a BabyBusinessMan’. Not Acropolis Athens – Acropolis, Nicosia!

Milk: Kaimakli is an area in central Nicosia and is named from the Turkish work Kaymak meaning something like the skin of the milk because there were shepherds in the area (there is also a Kaimakli in occupied Nicosia). Kaimakli should be the nicest area in Nicosia as it is in the city but it’s residential. But because of the invasion we completely forgot this area.

Cypriot flowers: Pallouriotissa. You’d think after it’s name Palloura it would be nice but instead it is ghetto central. I used to live there when I first moved to Nicosia. There are no words. Only sounds. And they go something like this: URGH!

Ayoi Omoliyites: our President’s area

Ayia Paraskevi: home of the Cyprus Central Bank. Good thing it’s next to a Church!

Posh wannabes: Aglanztia, a really nice area actually, with the University, Skali area with great views of the city. And which I call Aglankia or Aglankea because I want to sound like a psonara but then everyone laughs and say things like ‘he’s from London…’ They also wanted to change Lastia (pronounced Lacha). Unfortunatrly for the psonares they didn’t so some people like me, who pretend to be high-class say La-tsia (like Lazzio, as in Lazzio Roma).

Spice Girls and Painters: Before you enter out nation’s capital you will find Geri (named after a Spice Girl) and Dali (named after Salvador Dali perhaps? Or maybe Delhi in India?)

Jungle: If Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus then Strovolo is the capital of Nicosia. It is the second largest municipality in Cyprus (the city of Limassol is number one) and is a concrete jungle. It is so big, so crazy, I am scared going there. It’s nuts, it’s just huge. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going when I’m there. But at the same time, Strovolo has the capital’s largest mansions. My friend Milky (blog at links) said that Strovolo was very posh before. Hmmm… really?

Wrong Grammar: Lakatamia, for me this might as well be in Paphos. I have never been there, and is meant to be ‘the new place to live’. I say Ta Lakatamia because it sounds plural, like Ta Ioannina, plus you have Pano Lakatamia and Kato Lakatamia and so it is plural. So Ta Lakatamia is correct.

Forest City: Dasoupoli. I went there, and didn’t find any trees. Only houses

Engomi: I love this area. The old bit that used to be a village is so pretty, how have they not built little shops and cafes there? Engomi is also home of Coffee Beanery, Blinkers and Bennginhams where you can try out Margaritas for €1.71 on Thursdays!

Makedonitissa: is that an area named after a lady from Makedonia in Greece?

Ayios Dometos: only been once and I didn’t know I was in it

Ayios Andreas: as above

Blossom City: Anthoupoli. It sounds nice but I hear it’s rough and is divided by a highway route from its neighbouring area which is…

Archangel: Archangel, which I think is the best name for an area

And of course we can’t forget the Mall of Cyprus!

And of course before I forget; the maddest name: Drakoumel! We must be the only area who has an area named after a character from the Smurfs! Only in CY!