East Crete

Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos

Location of Agios Nikolaos

 

Aghios Nikolaos is the capital of the prefecture of Lasithi and with around 7000 inhabitants the largest town of eastern Crete. It is a modern town built on the north western point of the beautiful Mirabello bay and attracts many tourists because of its picturesque harbour and the many interesting sites of the surrounding area. The "trademark" of Aghios Nikolaos is the Voulismeni lake in its middle, which is linked to the sea by a canal. This is a particularly scenic part of the town, with many outdoor coffee shops and restaurants.

 

Getting there: An excellent network of roads and public transport links Agios Nikolaos to all parts of the island.

 

Atmosphere: Agios Nikolaos is a real modern Cretan town with an upmarket feel. Very different from say, Malia, which only exists to cater to tourists and is more or less dead in the winter months. 'Ag Nik' (as the Brits call it) is a very touristic town and it has brought a lot of affluence for many Cretans who live and work here.

 

Accommodation: It has many high quality hotels and rooms, of every kind and in a wide price range. In the peak season it can be difficult finding accommodation.

 

Restaurants: A lot of restaurants catering essentially for the tourists. Most of them are located near the harbour and around the lake.

 

Shopping: the best that you'll get on this side of the island

 

Nightlife: The town gets really busy at night and has many bars and discos.

 

Beaches: Three small beaches (Kitroplatia, Ammoudi and Ammos) that are nothing special and pretty busy. If you want to go to the beach it is best to leave the town, either towards the North (Havania beach) or on the road to Sitia (Ammoudara, Kalo Horio, Istro)

 

On the web   Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos

Photos

Click to enlarge

Agios Nikolaos in evening light
By the Voulismeni lake
By the Voulismeni lake
By the Voulismeni lake
View from above