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Agios Nikolaos Crete

Agios Nikolaos Crete - we love to explore this town and eastern Crete, from ancient sites to magnificent beaches to mountain villages to the township itself, there is something around every corner to surprise and delight in this relaxed seaside town.

Things to Do

Restaurants and Cafes

Agios Nikolaos Crete - the capital and administrative centre of the Lasithi Region of eastern Crete. Located 63 km from Heraklion and 60 km from Heraklion Airport, this town keeps its Greek rhythms and character.

Take the ferry from here to Karpathos and Rhodes, or take your flight from the domestic airport of Sitia 70 km to the east.

After staying here, we took our ferry to Rhodes from here, and on other trips visited Elounda and other nearby beaches.

See our central Agios Nikolaos highlights of the town:

Lake Voulismeni
The Harbour
Town Beaches
Agios Nikolaos Hotels
Self-Drive Trips

Pretty pedestrian streets flow down to the harbour (image by Andrew Skudder)

Enjoy our video of Agios Nikolaos.

Activities

Activities to enjoy here:

Stroll Around Lake Voulismeni (above)
Relax at cafes and restaurants
Visit Kitroplateia Beach
Take a Sailing Tour on Mirabello Bay to Spinalonga Island
Go Snorkelling or Diving for the Day
Visit the Cretan Olive Oil Farm

Restaurants and Cafés

Gioma Meze Bar looking over Lake Voulismeni in Agios Nikolaos, Crete

For a day or evening drink with a great view you can't miss Gioma Meze, great food, not just a pretty face.

Gioma Meze, stay outside with a view

View from Cafe Du Lac over Lake Voulismeni with my coffee in the foreground! That is my kinda coffee spot :)

Cafe Du Lac - my sugar sachet - I couldn't resist the merman

One of our favourite destinations for a coffee is Café du Lac with a wonderful view over Lake Voulismeni. This café bar is popular with locals and travellers and has internet, atmosphere and great music.

Cafe du Lac sits directly on Lake Voulismeni in Agios Nikolaos Crete

Lake Voulismeni at dusk (image by Brian Snelson)

Lake Voulismeni at dusk -it is just so romantic to stroll around the lake in the evening

The Avli Taverna serves fantastic traditional mezedes in a relaxing pebbly courtyard with a garden. It is the best of Cretan atmosphere with great food and service.

Zygos Urban Garden, right next to the lake

We also like the Zygos Cafe, right next to the lake, relaxing with a coffee or a few mezedes.

Avra Bistro is very busy so book ahead, this is your traditional Greek taverna food at its best, with friendly service and decent prices. There are some dishes to suit international visitors like pizza and prawns provencal.

Cafe culture by the lakeside (image by Matthew J Carter)

Chrisofyllis is a taverna, ouzeri, a restaurant or mezedopolio, whichever you prefer, located near Kitroplateia Beach in town, with a sea view. Stay for a drink and some snacks or stay for dinner, it is up to you. Try the zucchini flowers and shrimp saganaki.

Piato, located on Ammoudi Beach this is a waterside taverna with good service, excellent reviews and plenty of ambience. The speciality is seafood so try the swordfish and the fresh fish of day caught in the very Mirabello Bay you look over whilst you dine.

Kitroplateia Beach (image by Matthew J Carter)

Kitroplateia Beach - Agios Nikolaos town beach on Mirabello Bay with sweeping views across the Bay to the Sitia Mountains

Diving Agios Nikolaos Crete

Diving in Mirabello Bay off Agios Nikolaos gives visitors a magic experience of this scenically beautiful bay and the sea life both above and below

When you dive in the Mediterranean you might look for world class experiences such as:

Great dive spots
Good clarity of water – excellent visibility
Interesting sea life
Good equipment
Safety and instruction from the dive hosts
Modern and reliable boats and craft
Fun and friendly crews
Professional accreditation
Good prices
A variety of activities
Local knowledge

All of this you will find at Pelagos Dive Centre with Stefanos and his team, located at Minos Beach Art Hotel.

Day Tours from Agios Nikolaos Crete

Spinalonga Sailing

Sailing out from the harbour of Agios Nikolaos over the clear blue waters into the bright expanse of Mirabello Bay is a must. The Sitia mountains in the distance, the sparkles on the water, and a mysterious island to explore. 5 hours

4.9 / 5 | 13 Reviews

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Visit the Island of Spinalonga by boat from Agios Nikolaos, with departures also from Elounda. Enjoy a swim and a BBQ as well as an interpretative visit to this island full of stories. This is a 5.5 hour half day experience.

4.2 / 5 | 250 Reviews

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The Ancient Site of Gournia

The Archaeological Site of Gournia (image by Shadowgate)

Agios Nikolaos Crete is in the distance...as viewed from the ancient site of Gournia

The setting by the bay makes this trip worth it just for the scenery. This is a site for serious history buffs, it is not a touristic site at all. This is a genuine ruin set amongst olive groves, next to a dusty track 2 km inland from Pachia Ammos Beach and 20 km south from Agios Nikolaos. There is very little interpretation and no shade or structures, so ensure you take water and sun protection. Best to go early in the hot months.

This is a Minoan site first settled in 2300 BC and excavated at the beginning of the 20th century. Minoans were farmers and raised animals, fished and made pottery such as large rhyton vases and tools such as chisels, all found on the site. This site is marked as Minoiki Poli on Google Maps, which means Minoan Town.

Combined with a visit to Pachia Ammos Beach and perhaps the stunning Ha Gorge, this will make a fascinating day trip from Agios Nikolaos.

Toplou Monastery

Toplou Monastery - this significant religious, historic and cultural settlement (pictured above) can be reached by car 85 km east from Agios Nikolaos. Housing a museum and winery, the monastery also produces local honey and olive oil, using biological techniques.

A visit to the monstery can be included in a day trip to Sitia, Vai Palm Beach and Palaikastro Village to explore the Lasithi region.

Accommodation in Town

Our town accommodation suggestions are here.

Accommodation Nearby

Our beach accommodation suggestions for eastern Crete are here.

There is a range of accommodation in the hillside villages and on the beaches all around the region, within easy driving distance from town, with some handy suggestions below.

Panorama Villa expansive view over Mirabello Bay from the balcony

Panorama Villa view back to Agios Nikolaos

Panorama Villas really do have a panoramic view of the beautiful Mirabello Bay and Sitia Mountains. Looking back to Agios Nikolaos, sitting overlooking Ammoudara Beach just 10 km from town.

With sculptured gardens, private pool and kitchenettes, these stylish villas are perfect for romance or for family time, and make a great base from which to explore the east of Crete.

"Beautiful location, the views were to die for. The staff were really pleasant The facilities, pool, room, outdoor space was perfect. Would highly recommend this for families and couples. Lovely and quiet beach just a 10 minute walk. And even lovelier one 20 minute walk….the walk itself was lovely as it’s all coastal. We used a taxi firm to get around and it was super easy to get into Agios Nikolaos and price was a bargain! The room had a full kitchen which was great, especially with fussy 5 year old - we could put on a pizza for him or something simple quite easily!"

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Villa Mirabella - just 6 km from Agios Nikolaos in the olive groves. This 2 bedroom villa offers 1 bathroom, full kitchen, balconies and patios, private parking and pool.

There is a wonderful atmosphere that surrounds Villa Mirabella. From the sounds of the bells of the sheep grazing in the valley, to the singing from the church of Mardati, you will be immersed in the beauty of Crete. Offering panoramic views from both the villa and the pool, over the valley to Agios Nikolaos and the Gulf of Mirabello. This luxurious stone-built villa is located close to the quiet village of Mardati, 12 min to Agios Nikolaos and beaches. A perfect starting point to explore the east of Crete.

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Private Beach

Pelagaios Villas are 50 km south of Agios Nikolaos Crete and sit on a beautiful garden with its own piece of land with coastal frontage, allowing access to three private beaches.

Set in an idyllic 5 acre landscape, dotted with palm, olive, carob, lemon and orange trees, with gardens full of grapes, berries and herbs. There are two large villas, making this a perfect place for two families holidaying together or for a family reunion.

“Excellent Location with private access to the sea. The villa is a dream. Beautiful surroundings and great facilities. The hosts are very friendly, helpful and easy-going.”

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Getting to Crete

There are no flights to Agios Nikolaos, the nearest international airport is Heraklion Airport HER which is 60 km from town. There is a small domestic airport at Sitia (JSH) in eastern Crete, some 70 km from town, that accepts flights from Athens.

Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.

Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.