Nicosia's First Architecture Festival Opens 39 Hidden Gems for Free
If you've ever wanted to step inside Nicosia's most intriguing buildings, from landmark heritage sites to contemporary homes and workplaces, Open House Nicosia is your chance this year! For the first time, Open House Nicosia, aiming to become the city's flagship architecture event, launches on April 18 - 19, opening the doors to 39 buildings across the capital, with free, volunteer-led tours that share the stories behind the spaces shaping Nicosia today.
The programme invites the public to experience a wide spectrum of architecture and design: restored historic residences, cultural institutions, innovative new builds, and working environments that usually stay off-limits. Highlights include buildings such as the 360, the Nicosia Town Hall, the Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion, the University of Cyprus Library, SIX Residences, Hamam Omerye, the Cyprus Theatre Organisation building, the Cyprus Museum, the Fuel House, the Olympic House and Park, and more, each offering a different perspective on how Nicosia lives, works, and evolves.
The programme is complemented by a series of parallel activities and events:
- A hosting event at Home for Cooperation, featuring a presentation of the Nicosia Master Plan, on 17 April
- Three guided walks across the walled city on 18-19 April
- The "Open Photo" Competition on 18-21 April
- A closing party on 19 April
Open House Nicosia is built around inclusivity and participation. Visitors can meet the people behind each project and explore neighborhoods through architecture. No need to be an expert, just bring your curiosity (and comfortable shoes). Entry is free, and most visits typically run on a walk-in basis, but some popular sites can draw queues, and certain locations may require prebooking or special access rules.
The initiative is organized by the NGO "Voices of the City - Open House Nicosia" and it is held under the auspices of Nicosia Municipality, with the support of Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK), Cyprus Architects Association (SAK) and Visit Nicosia, and made possible thanks to the support of sponsors including bbf, m2quare, AN.C, Candela Lightings, Phanos N. Epiphaniou, HadjiKyriakos & Sons, LLPO, Muskita, Storyprints and Asepa Trading Ltd. Media sponsor is the INBusiness Magazine.
Information
- Event: Open House Nicosia
- Tickets: Free entrance
- Dates: 18-19 April 2026
- Buildings: 39 participating locations. Find here the full list.
- Opening hours: Check out the official website for each building's schedule and any access requirements.
- Website: openhousenicosia.com
