Travel Guide Agios Nikolaos

Located in the region of Lassithi, in the east of Crete of which it is the prefecture, the town of Agios Nikolaos was still a quiet and peaceful village a few decades ago. Built on rocky hills surrounding a lake by the sea, Agios Nikolaos had a vocation for fishing, before investors discovered an extraordinary tourist potential in this beautiful setting. So, in a short period of time, this small port has become one of the major tourist destinations of Crete. However, Agios Nikolaos has kept all its charm, probably because the site is indeed exceptional: a trip to this small port shining at night in the hollow of its bay is one of the must-dos of a stay in Crete. Among its attractions are the Voulismeni lake surrounded by small cliffs in the heart of the city, the beach of Kitroplatia lined with taverns and cafes, excursions to the island of Spinalonga or to the traditional village of Kritsa... The small, quiet city has become a world-famous center of attractions, and prices are generally higher than in the other cities of Crete. Agios Nikolaos has good restaurants, in a romantic setting, and many bars where you can feast as you go into the night. Moreover, unlike many other places on the island, it is inhabited by Cretans all year round, so it remains lively in the low season, even though many places are closed. If you want to avoid the crowds in summer (pensions and hotels are often full in high season), it is better to find a resort a few dozen kilometers away, in a quieter and cheaper place.