This charming little town, which for many years has attracted ever
greater numbers of visitors, is situated right in the heart of the
glorious Bay of Mirabello with its breath taking vistas, azure blue seas
and very pleasant climate. Agios Nikolaos sits on the ancient site of
the town of Lato-Etera. Both towns were administrative centres and
reached their pinnacle in the 3rd Century A.D.
Today, Agios
Nikolaos
is an important centre for Administration, for the Arts and for
Transport Service, and has become one of the most advanced regions for
these in Crete, and in Greece. This is the place, where tourism first
began in Crete and it gradually became a much favored area, thanks to
very traditional big open hearted welcome given to visitors, the
wonderful coastline, the clean beaches, nine of which in the region as a
whole have now been awarded the European Blue Flag plus of course the
very rich variety of ancient sights to visit. Agios Nikolaos has much to
offer both young and old. It is ideal for walkers, for those who seek
history and culture, and there is a wide selection of nightlife to suit
every taste. Every summer the town council arranges a programme of cultural events. It is also an ideal centre for all kinds of
watersports, and various hotels and sports centres have swimming pools,
basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.
In
the centre of the town is the picturesque harbour, with the curious
little round lake of Voulismeni, and the cafes around provide a popular
meeting point for locals and visitors alike. To add to the attractions,
one of the most beautiful yacht marinas in the Aegean was built here in
1994.
Always appealing too are the numerous small shops to browse through in
the little winding streets of the town. Many of the shops sell
traditional Cretan craftwork, jewellery, embroidery and of course a wide
variety of other goods. Also all round the centre of town you will find
rows of tavernas, and restaurants offering a wide variety of Cretan
culinary specialities.
The town is furthermore an ideal springboard for day trips to explore
other regions of the eastern and central island.
For example a trip to
the old mountain
village of Kritza, to the
Lassithi Plain, to
Malia
or
intriguing
Spinalonga, the island with mellow stone venetian buildings,
which in times past was used as a leper colony. Agios Nikolaos can be
reached via a direct ferry link with Piraeus harbour, Athens, and for
air travel, the airport of Heraklion is only about 45 minutes drive
away.