Green Line Cyprus – The UN Buffer Zone That Still Shapes the Island
The Green Line Cyprus is not just a line on a map — it is one of the most unusual political and geographic realities in Europe. Cutting through landscapes, villages and even the heart of Nicosia, the Green Line Cyprus forms a UN-controlled buffer zone that has separated the island for decades.
For travellers, this division is often surprising: you can stand in a vibrant shopping street and, only a few metres away, see abandoned buildings, barbed wire, warning signs and silent streets that still carry the weight of history.
In this Sancytours Infothek entry, we explain what the Green Line Cyprus really is, how it works, and why certain areas inside the buffer zone — like Varosha and Pyla — are so special.