Agios Nikolaos: 10 must-see sights and addresses!

Just 60km from Crete’s capital (Heraklion), Agios Nikolaos is well worth a bus or cab ride! Here you’ll discover one of Crete’s most charming towns, with its lake and port as a highlight, overlooked by cliffs, nature, colors and good addresses. Speaking of good addresses, we’ve also tested the city’s cutest and most succulent restaurant: The Pelagos (see our video below!). Follow the guide!

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Agios Nikolaos: a splendid Cretan postcard

Agios Nikolaos is an enchanted and colorful interlude that’s a must on any trip to Crete. Stroll around with your eyes wide open, all the more so when the weather’s fine. The town – one of the most beautiful on the island – is built around an inland lagoon(Lake Voulismeni) on the magnificent bay of Mirabello, which is nothing more than the town’s small port in the final analysis, and is dominated by the mountains to the east.

By day, the harbor is dotted with brightly colored fishing boats; by night, the water reflects the lights of the cluster of taverns and restaurants. The narrow streets that wind through the city are lined with bars and stores, as well as some fair churches.

Where is Agios Nikolaos in Crete?

You will find Agios Nikolaos on the northern part of the island of Crete, slightly to the west, very close to many places to visit.

Here are some routes to take from Agios Nikolaos:

• Heraklion – Agios Nikolaos : 62km and 56min by car, for those who land in the capital
• Elounda – Agios Nikolaos : 18km and 10 min by car
• Malia – Agios Nikolaos : 29 km and 31 min to get to the Cretan seaside resort

Where to sleep in Agios Nikolaos?

Find your hotel

To find a cheaper hotel in Agios Nikolaos, we also invite you to make your choice among all the hotels present on this map of the tourist destination:

Our favorite hotel: Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villa

Agios Nikolaos, in many ways, can be seen as a luxury destination. Some of the local hotels are absolutely magnificent, such as the renowned Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villa:

• luxurious rooms,
• sea view,
• private beach,
• infinity pool

MORE PHOTOS

Rent a villa!

Don’t feel like sleeping in a hotel? Don’t worry: opt for a villa rental with pool in Agios Nikolaos! The perfect way to spend a serene, luxurious vacation in Crete

Rent a villa in Agios Nikolaos

What to do in Agios Nikolaos in 2023? Our Top 10

After a few days, you’ll be tempted to look elsewhere.

Not that Agios isn’t worth a look, on the contrary, but there are plenty of sights to see in the surrounding area… But as for the village of Agios Nikolaos: what to do?

1. Strolling the streets of Agios Nikolaos

Probably the first thing you’ll do when you get there. Starting with the town’s picturesque and colorful port. Sailboats and small blue boats rub shoulders. Just like shops, restaurants, bars and cafés.

Many of the houses in the center are also colorful, making Agios Nikolaos look like a small Greek paradise on a sunny day.

2. Rent a boat with or without skipper

In a place like this, treat yourself to the pleasure and luxury of a trip out to sea. With friends, lovers or family, discover Agios Nikolaos from the sea and its transparent blue waters. Sailboats, catamarans, motorboats and even schooners: you’ll find everything you need on the link below!

FIND YOUR BOAT WITH OR WITHOUT SKIPPER HERE ⛵

3. Lake Voulismeni

A striking geographical feature, Ágios Nikólaos (or Áyos Nikólaos in Greek) is a village nestled on many hills. You’ll need to climb up and down regularly.

But above all, it’s this village in the center of Agios and its hills that gives the place its unique character.

The walks around Lake Voulismeni are both romantic and pleasurable. Small bridges, trees, street art and boats await you.

4. Dining at Pelagos Fish Tavern

Located between the lake and the coastline, the Pelagos Fish Tavern restaurant will welcome you with kindness, decoration and incredible dishes (address: Στρατηγού Κορακα11, Ag. Nikolaos 721 00).

And since pictures speak louder than words, here’s our video tour of Pelagos:

5. Take a boat to the island of Spinalonga

Another unusual sight is the island of Spinalonga, just 15km from Agios Nikolaos. Located off the coast of the fishing village of Elounda, Spinalonga is a unique peninsula.

Firstly, today it is a fortress with a breathtaking view over the Mediterranean Sea. Surrounded by walls through and through, but also with clear waters to explore, we recommend this place for its history. Built by the Venetians in 1579, the islet fortress of Spinalonga has long protected Elounda.

Numerous boats depart from Agios Nikolaos every day to allow you to discover this unique sight in Crete. Book your tickets in advance below:

6. Visit the village of Elounda

If you’re thinking of exploring the fortifications of Spinalonga, you might as well stop opposite, at Elounda.

A fishing village like so many others in Crete and Greece, but so charming, the place is, like Agios Nikolaos, never more beautiful than on a blue day. The colors of the village’s old buildings come to life, as the sun beats down on the turquoise waters that bathe the bay. You can even book a cruise from Agios Nikolaos to bathe in the waters of Elounda :

Elounda is also a popular tourist destination, with its typical Greek shops and restaurants. In short, a place that’s both exotic and comfortable.

7. Beaches: where to swim in Agios Nikolaos?

Agios Nikolaos offers locals and visitors some quality beaches (Havania Beach, Kitroplatia, Almyros Beach), but to make the most of the beaches in and around Agios Nikolaos, you’ll have to export yourself a little.

So don’t hesitate to drive a few hundred meters or kilometers around the Cretan town, to the magnificent beaches of :

• Ammoudi Beach, a small beach, sometimes quite crowded, with clear water, fine sand and, above all, plenty of water games.
• Ammos Beach, a pretty and very pleasant Mediterranean beach, where you can rent a deckchair and umbrella, play in the sand and eat right on the beach in one of the many restaurants.
• Ammoudara Beach, clear waters, but to be avoided in summer if you don’t want to get stuck in with the crowds. Beautiful beach (of course), surrounded by plenty to eat and drink.
• Voulisma Beach, just 15 minutes away by car.

8. Go shopping

The port of Agios Nikolaos is the perfect place for a spot of shopping. For yourself or, why not, for those waiting for you at home!

Numerous stores selling local handicrafts, clothing and souvenirs of all kinds await you: all set in beautiful, colorful little streets.

9. See the Minotaur with your own eyes

As you may know, the Minotaur and Crete have a long history. To learn more about this topic, please click below:

However, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it, as we did, on Akti Koundourou Street along the coast after eating at Pelagos!

10. Sailing to Santorini

From Agios Nikolaos, you can reach the famous island of Santorini, its mythical village of Oia and its incredible sunsets… See more of Greece and its islands by booking an advance ticket to Santorini from Agios Nikolaos below:

Agios Nikolaos weather: what’s the weather like all year round?

Without further ado, as you may have guessed, the weather in Agios Nikolaos is incredibly mild all year round. With a summer that wasn’t too scorching.

From June to September, sea temperatures range from 23° to 25°.

Finally, sunshine never falls below 8 hours a day.