A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to seize control of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is recognized only by Turkey. The election of a new Cypriot president in 2008 served as the impetus for the UN to encourage both the Turkish and Cypriot Governments to reopen unification negotiations. In September 2008, the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities started negotiations under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under direct government control, and is suspended in the areas administered by Turkish Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of European Union states.

Nicosia (also Nikosia, Lefkosia "Lefkosa") - the divided capital

Cyprus Museum

Showcases the best of Cypriot archaeology from the 9th millennium BCE to the end of Antiquity. Located just to the west of the city wall, in between the Tripoli bastion and the municipal gardens. Open 9 am - 5 pm weekdays and Saturdays, 10 am - 1 pm Sundays and public holidays, closed New Year's, Easter and Christmas Days. Admission £1.50, 20% discount for groups of 10 or more. There is a convenient café on the grounds.

Byzantine Museum (Archbishop Kyprianou Square)

Easily spotted thanks to the giant statue of Archbishop Makarios standing outside, has one of the world's best collections of Orthodox icons and other artworks, mostly ranging from the 9th to the 16th century. Open 9 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays, 8 AM to noon Saturdays, closed Sunday. Entry £1.

The National Struggle Museum

 (Kiniras 7) documents the history of the Cypriot independence movement (1955-1959), with a rather positive spin on the EOKA guerrilla movement. Open 8 AM to noon daily, entry a token £0.25.

The Leventis Municipal Museum

Ippokratous 17, Laiki Yitonia,. [4] Housed in a converted, two-storey house since 1984 the Leventis Municipal Museum has exhibits dating from 2300 BC to the present day. Voted European Museum of the Year in 1989. Open 10:00 to 16:30 Tue to Sun.

House of the Dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios

Patriarch Gregoriou St,. A beautifully restored 18th-century building now housing an ethnological museum. Open 8 AM to 2 PM weekdays, 9 AM to 1 PM Saturdays, closed Sunday. Entry £0.75.

Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre

19 Apostolou Varnava Street, Nicosia 1500. Housed in a converted old power station built in 1936. The building sat derelict for 20 years and reopened as a contemporary art gallery in 1994. Includes a decent cafe-restaurant with an imaginative Mediterranean menu. Winner of a 1994 Europa Nostra award.

Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage

Bank of Cyprus Administrative Headquarters, 51 Stasinou Str., Agia Paraskevi, Nicosia 2002. Hundreds of coins on display, from ancient to modern spanning nearly 3,000 years of coinage history on the island. Open Monday to Friday: 8:00-14:30.

Ledra Observatory Museum

Ledra street, Shakolas Building,. The Shakolas (the aged population know it by its former name The Mangli) building sticks out like a sore thumb in the medieval old city. Right in the middle of Ledra street a mini skyscraper of 12 floors, towers over other buildings not rising higher than 2-3 floors. On its penultimate floor you find the observatory, where it's possible “to see” the division of the island. There is a café up there too. Entrance is a ridiculously low €0.85 so its a must see. Open 10:00 to 20:00 daily.

The Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum

44 Granikou Str. Privately owned, this is the only such museum on the island and is tucked away in the medieval city. On display are about 150 classic (mostly British) motorcycles dating from 1914 to 1983. Open 9:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00 Mon-Fri, 09:00 to 14:00 on Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

Famagusta Gate (Leoforos Athinon)

The only one of Nicosia's three old gates within the southern sector, and it has now been turned into the Lefkosia Municipal Cultural Centre, used for various exhibitions and performances.

The Nicosia Municipal Theatre

The Nicosia Municipal Theatre (on museum street, opposite the Cyprus Museum), is a spacious theater built in a neoclassical style. It seats 1200 persons and has a continuous programme of cultural events throughout the year. The theater is contemporary out of order for renovation purposes.

Larnaca Larnaka

The Church of St. Lazarus (Ayios Lazaros Sq)

An Orthodox church dating to the 9th century, is reputedly built around the tomb of the biblical Lazarus, brother of Mary.

The Larnaca Salt Lake

The Larnaca Salt Lake is to the west of town near the airport. In winter (November to March), flocks of pink flamingos can be seen here.

The Hala Sultan Tekke

The Hala Sultan Tekke mosque is perched by the side of the Salt Lake. The tomb of Umm Haram, the foster mother of Mohammed, is said to be here.

Limassol Lemesos "Limasol"

Limassol Castle

The ancient city of Kourion

The ancient city of Amathus

Kolossi Castle

Paphos Pafos "Baf"

Paphos Archaeological Park

Paphos Archaeological Park houses a number of attractions, including the House of Dionysos and the House of Theseus, both ruins of large Roman villas famous for their mosaics.

The Tombs of the Kings

The Tombs of the Kings, whilst not actually the burial place of ancient royalty, is worthy of the name none the less. Within this vast expanse of land, instead of the kings, would have instead been other high officials and rich citizens. Although all of the tombs have been plundered, what is left is still a very impressive impression of life (after-life?), back in the fourth century. The larger tombs in this "complex" are awesome, carved out of solid rock and with a view for the inhabitants that would make anyone among the living jealous!

Paphos Fort

At the tip of the marina, is a squat box with a colourful history as a fort and prison under many administrators. The present incarnation was built by the Turks in 1586 and was last actively used by the British. Open daily to 6 PM (in summer), entry €1.70.