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. |
