North & South Nicosia Shopping

Naas26


Joined: 23/04/2007
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
12/03/2008 11:04

When we are over in the summer we want to do (well the female of the species) some shopping in Nicosia both North & South. We have been told that there is a market in Nicosia each week but do they sell the usual tourist things like clothes, jewelery etc and are they as cheap as we have been told. The intention would be to start in the north and walk over if Ledra is open and do some shopping in the south. How practical is this or any suggestions welcome



Naas

Naas26


Joined: 23/04/2007
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
12/03/2008 19:45

Any ideas anybody

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
12/03/2008 19:58

From a personal point of view I would not waste my time going shopping in the south

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
12/03/2008 20:04

bit of a walk on other side of border.

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
12/03/2008 22:31

If the Ledra street crossing opens, then I think it wil be great as you will be able to stroll from the centre of n nicosia right into the nicest part of s nicosia. There are several pretty lanes off Ledra street with small shops and tavernas, so you get to sample the greek side as well. Ledra Street itself is the main shopping street in Nicosia and is mainly pedestrian.

The current crossing via Ledra palace is a bit of a hike - especially in the heat of the summer, but it is still a nice day out.

Lets hope Ledra Street opens up shortly !

cyp32


Joined: 01/03/2008
Posts: 15

Message Posted:
12/03/2008 22:36

Hi Naas 26,



Last summer we went to the south it was a 20 min walk past the border or you can get a taxi once you walk over the border then you come to the main shopping area .

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 18:05

"There are several pretty lanes off Ledra street with small shops"



Most of the shops sell tat

Steveo


Joined: 13/03/2008
Posts: 7

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 18:43

Hi there, we've got an apartment on Chelsey Village and are looking to kit it out with plates, cups, pots and pans etc. We were out in September and were hard pushed to find anything suitable in the North. We'r out again in 10 days.

I've heard the Ikea in the Souuth is good. Has anyone been and how much would it be in a cab?

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 19:40

Lemar , pretty good for your requirements Steveo.

jmg171


Joined: 19/05/2007
Posts: 183

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 19:55

Steveo,

Management Company at chelsey village will sort you out for trip to Ikea.

£50 a couple they I think they said.

Remember your allowance 135 euro per person

Maybe the driver will let you use his allowance also, well woth the trip if thats the case.

We are also out in 10 days may bump into you at chelsey!!

jackie

the2ofus


Joined: 13/02/2008
Posts: 637

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 20:33

Steveo

Know exactly how you feel !! When we were sorting our place out 3 years ago it was a nightmare. We spent hours going from shop to shop and ended up having to buy things that were of very poor quality and hence have not lasted !

The choice here in the North is now better but still not as good as the choice in South.

The Ikea is the same as in UK (our nearest in UK was Thurrock Lakeside) but prices vary - some items are more expensive (15 - 20%) whilst others are cheaper - but the stock is generally the same.

We are now living here and do take friends/visitors (in exactly same situation as you) over to the South on private shopping trips (normally Ikea/Superhome (big DIY store)/Carrefour etc). If you are interested email me and i will give you details (you need to be aware of Customs Allowance details etc). Happy Shopping !!

jmg171


Joined: 19/05/2007
Posts: 183

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 21:20

Kim,

What's your fee for the trip?

Can we use driver allowance?

jackie

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 21:50

Steveo



To purchase saucepans plates etc there is a place called the 1001 Shop in Kyrenia, directions from the Colony Hotel, come out of the front door and turn left stay on that side of the road just keep on walking, the footpath then starts going downhill and you will come to a shop that sells papers they normally have some newsstands on the pavement carry on past that to the crossroads at the bottom of the hill, turn left here (if you turn right you go down to the seafront) and go along there for about 150 metres and the 1001 shop is on the left hand side.

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 22:43

We used Bellapais taxi - £50 or two hours shopping in Ikea and we bought £450 worth - may have been lucky not being stopped but we took the chance. Apparently if you are in a taxi they dont stop you! (that's what we were told anyway).

the2ofus


Joined: 13/02/2008
Posts: 637

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 22:49

lovingcyprus/steveo

Yes 1001 is good for bits and pieces - there is also another shop, more or less next door to 1001, that also has some ok stock. Also is China Bazaar - North Nicosia - over the mountain towards Lefcosia -at the big roundabout with the "rock/fountains" go straight on -past Lefcosia hospital on your left and speed camera !!! - at next (semi)island junction take a left - go straight on for about 1000 yards to T junction - turn Left - carry on for 300yards or so - at roundabout turn left (if you were to go right it would take you to Metehan/Kermia crossing into South) and China Bazaar is on left about 100yds along. Bit hit and miss depending on their (very frequent) deliveries - still not same choice as South but at least it gives you some options.

Happy Shopping and welcome to TRNC.

jmg171


Joined: 19/05/2007
Posts: 183

Message Posted:
13/03/2008 22:52

BHW

Did you use driver allowence also?

I would be afraid to take the chance!! I heard they just take it from you if you get caught, with no option to pay the taxes

cleos


Joined: 13/03/2008
Posts: 77

Message Posted:
14/03/2008 01:16

Hello from a newbie !!

I have been looking at boards for a while and some are so "bitchy" but this one seems quite friendly - hope so anyway.

I have been interested in this thread as this is exactly the case when we first started shopping for our place. It was supposed to be a holiday home but now it is our permenant home (and we are " luvvin it " !). Choices were limited when it came to "decent" household items (crocks/pans/nick nacks etc) and we would have loved to have been able to go over to South

Side as we had heard better choice etc. But as everytime we came out we had a hire car we were not able to do that.

Now it is differant as we have our own cars

and can go back and forth as we wish, Must admit the other posts are right in that 1001 and other shops mentioned do offer more choice BUT still the quality is lacking and the choice is still not the same as South. There are also lot of rumours (some true and some not !) about problems with the border and allowances (as per jmg171 post/worries) - IF anyone would be interested in a shopping trip to the South please email me (details on members/personal info page) off board.

Look forward to hearing from any of you that fancy/need a trip South to stock up/shop.

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
14/03/2008 09:53

There is also a huge 1001 very near Ercan airport

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
14/03/2008 10:52

img - no we didnt use driver allowance -never thought of that! Our driver went in to have a look around as well because he was having an apartment built. He didnt buy anything though. He did say that they dont generally stop taxis because they think they have picked people up from the airport - its when you go in private cars that they might check you - I might be wrong but that is what the taxi driver said. I have heard someone else did get stopped and they just paid the 40% import tax.

cleos


Joined: 13/03/2008
Posts: 77

Message Posted:
14/03/2008 12:48

img

If you are shopping in the South you are entitled to bring back "goods for personal use" to the value of 135 euros per person (so if a couple go that would be 270 euros ) So far i have only been stopped once on the way back from taking friends to Ikea and Super Home. I think though it was more to do with the foot and mouth restrictions that were in place then. The only thing the customs were not happy about was that the bill from Ikea was a total bill and they (customs) said that my friends could not combine their allowances !!! So they should have had seperate bills (to max 135 euros each) !! They did not take the goods off of them (even though it was for more than the allowance) nor make them pay duty. I think if you are not taking the mickey with the amount of goods that you bring back then generally there is no problem. Obviously TVs should be declared as there is a tax payable on them so not a good idea to bring them back !

As i said if anyone wants to go there for morning/afternoon just get in touch with me.

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
14/03/2008 13:45

I may be wrong but I understood that you could not club together all of the allowances. I thought I read somewhere that it had to remain individual allowances ie. you couldn't buy a new kitchen or bedroom suite.

Karen

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
15/03/2008 17:46

Just as a matter of interest what big department stores exist in the south? Do they tend to be in Nicosia or Larnaca area.

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
15/03/2008 21:57

Bradus, Nicosia has a Debenhams and M&S on Ledra Street. The others in the centre are smaller shops.

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
15/03/2008 23:59

thanks perry.

cruggs


Joined: 06/04/2008
Posts: 498

Message Posted:
09/04/2008 16:45

hi naas.26.crossed over at ledra palace crossing on saturday a couple of weeks ago to shop for souveniers. could not find in girne it took about twenty

min.walk to the high street. quicker with out the zimmer frame .though. found the shops there dissapointing, apart from debenhams very good .also many shops would not take english pounds only euros, even at Mcdonalds. also as it was saturday after noon the banks were shut.

hope the info helps .

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
09/04/2008 17:41

HI Cruggs

We found that, McDonalds took either Euro, Cy£ or US$, no sterling. On the outskirts of Nicosia there is a large M&S Home Furnishings store. Also there is always Orphan Annies.

Karen

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
09/04/2008 19:45

If you went into the larger shops in this country would you expect them to take foreign currency?

No?

Why expect it in Cyprus then?

Naas26


Joined: 23/04/2007
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
09/04/2008 19:51

Hi Cruggs & OrangeKazzie,



What type of shops are there north and south. Are there places where you buy tee-shirts and jeans at unbelievably cheap prices for 'brands' and watches so cheap you cant believe it. Can you buy fridge magnet & ornaments from Cyprus made in China.



Seriously what sort of prices what sort of shops is it worth the trip to shop



Naas 26

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
09/04/2008 19:57

Hi Dusterbruce

I would expect it in the larger shops especially in and around London because of the amount of tourists. Most of the shops in London accept Euros.

Karen

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
09/04/2008 20:03

Hi Naas26

There are lots of "cheap junk" type of shops around. There is a big one next door to the Lemar in Nicosia. I think its called the Chinese Bazaar or something like that.

On the south side if you drive through Kermia then not far from the border ( past the racing course to the end of the road, at the junction it is immediately opposite) there's a store which sell that type of thing.

Shops in the South you have Debenhams, Next, M&S and lots of individual clothes shops all along the main street, although I think the M&S one has now closed, not sure if its re-located somewhere else though.

There is a big warehouse type of place in Nicosia which sells cheap clothes. Never been to it myself but friends have and they think its ok. I think its on the main dual carriageway on the outskirts of Nicosia.

Karen

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
09/04/2008 20:19

Karen

I'm obviously out of touch, mind you I like London so much that the last time I was there was 1972!

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
09/04/2008 22:22

Was taken to market in N.Nicosia by friend who lives half year there & married

long time to T.Cypriot. I got curtains made for my flat by couple who speak

fluent (Ldn) English. Gorgeous materials etc. & other shops around are v. cheap, beach towels, etc.

cruggs


Joined: 06/04/2008
Posts: 498

Message Posted:
10/04/2008 12:29

hi dusterbruce.

had two weeks holiday in southern cyprus in 2001in pathos no problem with

sterling then as you could change it any were, came as a bit of a suprise to find they no longer took it but this was before they joined the e.u silly me for not knowing.also as banks were shut unable to change sterling to euros or cyp.pounds.