Explore Crete island

Agios Nikolaos - Crete, GREECE

The area of Agios Nikolaos covers a long stretch of the north eastern coast and a hinterland that rises to the tremendous rocky ranges of the Dhikti mountains. The actual town of Agios Nikolaos Crete is the administrative capital of the region of Lassithi, and has a population of around 10,000 people. Agios Nikolaos became the first real tourist resort in the early 1970's, on the island, and was known for being a noisy and lively resort. Times have changed, and Agios Nikolaos now enjoys the reputation of being an upmarket destination for many nationalities and its romantic setting and lake area make it a perfect place for couples of all ages. There has been much "beautifying" of the town  in the past few years, and a large well equipped marina has been constructed. The marina hosts many national and international sailing competitions and regattas in the summe months and is a popular destination for yachtsmen.

The town takes its name from the small Byzantine church of Saint Nikolaos, situated on a small peninsula near the Venetian harbour called Mantraki. The church is a beautiful example of classic Byzantine architecture and was built between the 7th and 9th century, during the Iconoclastic period. Many of the original frescos decorate the interior. The church is open to visitors all year round. Agios Nikolaos town also houses an archaeological museum, folklore museum, cinema, and many cultural events are held in the summer months. Legend has it that the Goddess Athena once bathed in the lake Voulismeni, the focal point of the town. Today the lake is ringed by tavernas and cafes, and has many caiques, brightly painted traditional fishing boats moored around the edges. In Hellenistic times, the old Venetian harbour (Mantraki) was a flourishing port, for the Dorian city of Lato, 6km to the west of the Agios Nikolaos town. The town thrived during the Roman occupation, and the Venetians later built their fortress at Mirabello inland of the old port to guard the harbour of Porto di San Nicolo.

Agios Nikolaos and the surrounding area has more "Blue Flag" beaches than anywhere in Greece. The clear, crystal water is perfect for snorkeling and swimming and the beaches range from long sandy beaches such as Almyros, to small rocky coves where you can enjoy total solitude. The nearby resort of Istron has three wonderful beaches and is only a short distance from the town by car or bus. When weather conditions permit Istron, Kalo Chorio is also a popular wind surfing destination. Istron is a  small resort 9km from the centre of Agios Nikolaos. Istron still holds the feel of a traditional Cretan village and has some of the best sandy beaches in the area. The villages of Kalo Chorio and Pirgos lead up to a mountain back drop and enjoy fabulous views of sea and mountain ranges. There are many wonderful walking trails to be found around this area.