Agios Nikolaos

The nearest international airport is located in Heraklion. To get to Agios Nikolaos, you need to take a bus to the bus station in Heraklion, and then transfer to a route to Agios Nikolaos. The travel time from Heraklion to the city is just under an hour (62 km), but due to stops at intermediate points, the time may be extended to 1.5 hours. Agios Nikolaos is also connected by bus with other cities in Crete.

In Agios Nikolaos, city buses run connecting the city center with distant neighborhoods and suburbs. If desired, taxi services are also available at affordable prices. Most guests of Agios Nikolaos simply explore the city on foot to not accidentally miss anything interesting. By the way, there are signs with the names of attractions to help navigate the city, and most central streets lead to the city port, which can be used as a landmark.

One of the highlights of Agios Nikolaos is its port. It is thanks to it that the city grew and gained importance. Today, in the port, you can see cruise ships arriving at the city's shores daily.

By visiting the port, you can take a walk along the cozy central streets of the city. This is not only the commercial center of Agios Nikolaos. Here you can find ancient houses and monuments. To learn how the city lived centuries ago, you can visit the Folklore Museum. The collection was started by employees of the Cultural Community of Eastern Crete, and in the late 1970s, the museum opened its doors. The exhibition includes authentic furniture from the 19th and early 20th centuries, traditional home textiles, national costumes, household items, rare books, manuscripts, and ancient icons. Visitors to the museum can also see a typical Cretan bedroom and photographs from different years.

Around 500 meters from the museum is located the 12th-century Church of the Virgin of Vrefotrofos. It is notable for partially preserved frescoes that adorn the interior of the church, painted by Venetian artists in the 14th century. In addition to the frescoes, the church is also interesting for the tomb of a Venetian aristocrat, bearing the year of death: 1602.

In the city, there are several other interesting Orthodox monuments. For example, the early Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos, built before the 9th century with frescoes from the iconoclastic period, and the Cathedral of Agia Triada with frescoes in Macedonian and Cretan styles. In the early 2000s, the facade of the cathedral was decorated with a mosaic.

On the city waterfront, the attention of passers-by is drawn to the statue of "Europe." It symbolizes the mythological story of Europa being abducted by Zeus.

All roads in Agios Nikolaos lead to Lake Voulismeni - a place that is colorful and unique. Surrounding it are shops and cafes, and cultural events are held on its shores. Many legends are associated with Voulismeni. The residents of Crete believed that the goddess Athena herself bathed in its waters, and some even thought that the lake had no bottom. The latter is due to the great depth of Voulismeni compared to its modest size.

Once to study the mysteries of Voulismeni, the famous Jacques-Yves Cousteau came. He did manage to discover the bottom of the lake, where he found remnants of German military equipment that the residents of Agios Nikolaos had thrown into the water as a sign of victory over fascism. By the way, in the middle of the 19th century, a canal was dug that connected the lake to the sea. Today, the waters of Voulismeni are salty on the surface and fresh closer to the bottom.

In the vicinity of Agios Nikolaos, there is also plenty to see:

• The ruins of the ancient temple of Aphrodite Lenika (near the village of Elinikа, 4 km from Agios Nikolaos).
• Olive oil farm on the outskirts of the city (near Mirabello Beach).
• The Faneromeni Monastery is located 26 km from the city. It was founded in the Middle Ages, and its main church is located in a cave.
• The village of Kritsa is located 10 km from Agios Nikolaos - one of the oldest and most beautiful in Crete.
• The ruins of the Dorian city-state of Lato. It flourished due to its proximity to the seaport. It is believed that Lato was a predecessor of Agios Nikolaos. At the excavation site, you can see remnants of towers, two acropolises, and public buildings.

Slightly further away are the Diktean Cave, the towns of Elounda and Sitia - all of which can be included in the itinerary.

A diverse range of leisure activities is a strong point of Agios Nikolaos. In this city, both fans of active entertainment and those traveling with children will not be bored.

Active recreation

In Agios Nikolaos, there are small but picturesque beaches with clean (despite being close to the city center) sea. They are equipped with sun loungers. Some parts of the beach offer water sports activities. Diving enthusiasts should visit any of the city's dive centers, where they can rent equipment or go diving with an experienced instructor.

Another way to actively spend time is to go on a jeep safari in the mountainous Crete. It's an opportunity to see a completely different side of the island, far from tourist trails, visit remote villages, and enjoy views that will be remembered for a long time.

A whole network of about 100 hiking and biking trails is laid around Agios Nikolaos. Trekking enthusiasts can walk through evergreen forests, visit gorges, and mountain paths. Most routes are marked with special signs.

Shopping

Agios Nikolaos is a shopping paradise. And this is not an exaggeration. The entire city center is lined with shops offering all categories of goods. In Agios Nikolaos, you can buy clothing, shoes, accessories from international and Greek brands, replenish your cosmetics supplies, find souvenirs for yourself and loved ones, and purchase local delicacies. The range of stores is wide: from small traditional shops to large branded boutiques and fur stores. One of the best shopping spots is considered to be 28th October Street.

For children

Children in Agios Nikolaos will enjoy visiting an olive oil farm, going on a boat trip, or playing on the beaches - almost all of which are sandy with shallow waters.

In Agios Nikolaos, the tourist train route Little Train Tours passes through. There are several excursion options available, lasting 35, 70 minutes, or 4 hours. The shortest one is a tour around Agios Nikolaos only, while the others include visits to the village of Kritsa or the picturesque area of Elounda. These are unforgettable trips for the whole family.

Nightlife

The nightlife of Agios Nikolaos is well-known beyond its borders. Many people specifically come here closer to the evening to enjoy the special atmosphere of the city at night. Most bars and clubs are concentrated near the waterfront. In restaurants near Lake Voulismeni, you can spend the evening with pleasant panoramic views. The liveliest streets of Agios Nikolaos are considered to be Iosifa Kundurosa Street and 25 Marta Street.

Excursions

Agios Nikolaos is the starting point for many exciting excursions. From the city, you can go to the islands of Santorini and Spinalonga, take a boat trip to Elounda, explore the entire East Crete, visit Heraklion (the capital of the island) and the legendary Knossos Palace, or visit the enchanting Zeus Cave. Short sailing trips and tours of the Orthodox shrines of East Crete are also available from Agios Nikolaos.

Agios Nikolaos is one of the most popular and visited resorts in Crete. Therefore, there is no shortage of hotels here. The best beachfront hotels are located 1-2 km away from the city. There are luxurious five-star resorts with pools here. And there are small apartments available for rent. You can also stay in the center of Agios Nikolaos to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this city.

If you want to find a hotel with the best views, it's worth choosing options in advance. This way, you can get a room with panoramic views of Mirabello Bay and the port of Agios Nikolaos.

The price range for accommodation in Agios Nikolaos is wide. You can find a room for 20 euros, or you can find one for 500 euros per night – it all depends on preferences and requirements.

In the area of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, there is a wide selection of resort villas for rent. This option is suitable for a comfortable family vacation close to the beach.

In Agios Nikolaos, both locals and city guests enjoy settling down somewhere near the port and, contemplating the surrounding beauty, choosing the best dishes from the menu. And they know how to cook excellently here. Primarily, fish caught in the clean waters of Mirabello Bay.

The cuisine of Agios Nikolaos is simple and wholesome. Here, lamb is prepared with fennel and wild mountain herbs, and the appetizer dakos is made with juicy tomatoes and the finest olive oil. In Agios Nikolaos, there are several other specialties worth trying:

• a pie with mizithra cheese, topped with honey;
• snails (χοχλιοί in the local dialect) - a specific dish with herbs added;
• kaltsounia - small pies with cheese and mint.

• In Agios Nikolaos, the streets are quite narrow. Therefore, it's better not to rent a car - there won't be anywhere to park it anyway.
• In the sea near the city beaches, sea urchins can be found. It is worth being careful, and even better - swimming in special shoes.
• Agios Nikolaos has a good archaeological museum with findings from Eastern Crete and Minoan artifacts. However, in recent years, it has been closed for restoration. Nevertheless, it is worth keeping an eye on the latest information so as not to miss the opening of another bright attraction of the city.
• In the summer, Agios Nikolaos hosts the cultural festival "Lato" - an opportunity to touch upon folk traditions and customs, watch performances by local groups, and have a good time.