Crete agios nikolaos. What are the must-see attractions in Agios Nikolaos? Promenade and sea pier
Agios Nikolaos – administrative center the Cretan nome of Lasithi, conveniently located in picturesque bay Mirabello. This city can be given the status of the most “non-Cretan” because of the resort bustle and dominance in architecture modern buildings. But despite the apparent shortcomings, Agios Nikolaos has its own special charm. What is the embankment worth? freshwater lake Vulismeni, along which there are numerous cafes and restaurants, where life never stops day or night.
The city of Agios Nikolaos owes its name to the Christian saint - Saint Nicholas, in whose honor a church in the Byzantine style was built in the 9th century. It was in this city that the first tourists appeared in the 60s of the last century. Modern city St. Nicholas is often called the Cretan Saint-Tropez and today it is considered one of the most comfortable Greek resorts.
Article navigation
Attractions of Agios Nikolaos
Mirabello Bay
Finding yourself in Agios Nikolaos and not visiting Mirabello Bay is a big mistake. For many centuries this place has been untouched natural beauty pleases the eyes of every traveler, tourist and local resident. From the shore of the bay you can endlessly admire the picturesque combination of sea and city landscapes.
Lake Vulismeni
It is around this circular lake that the city is built. As the legend says, the supreme deities often liked to swim in the lake. Greek mythology- Athena and Artemis.
Interesting Facts about Lake Vulismeni:
- Until 1867, the lake was isolated from the sea. And only during the Turkish rule of Crete, by order of Adosid Pasha, the lake was connected to the sea by a small canal. But despite the fact that sea water fell into the lake, many underground springs prevent the water from becoming completely salty.
- After Crete was liberated from the Nazi invaders, local population drowned in the waters of the lake a large number of enemy equipment, which still rests at the bottom.
- The depth of the lake is 64 meters, diameter is 137 meters.
- Prices in cafes and restaurants on the lake shore are on average 30% higher than in the old city.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos houses the second largest exhibition of objects from the Minoan period in Crete.
- Museum address: Paleologou Konstantinou 74
- Price entrance ticket: 4 euros
- Opening hours: Tue.-Sun., 8:30-15:00
Ethnographical museum
The collection of the Ethnographic Museum contains unique works cultural heritage Krita.
- Museum address: Paleologou Konstantinou 4
- Entrance ticket price: 3 euros
- Opening hours: Tue.-Sun., 10:00-14:00
Church of St. Nicholas
The church is located on a small hill in the northern part of the city. In the church you can see unique ancient icons and frescoes.
Elounda
12 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos is the small resort town of Elounda, which is a cluster of luxury hotels located in numerous bays. At one time, Bono from U2, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Lady Gaga stayed here.
Spinaloga Island
Village Kritsa
The mountain village of Kritsa, located 11 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos, is notable for its local residents preserved the life and traditions of “old” Crete. Unfortunately, Kritsa is very popular among tourists. As a result, the streets of the village turn into souvenir streets from early morning shopping arcades.
Beaches of Agios Nikolaos
As already mentioned, this resort is very popular among tourists. Therefore in summer season The city and nearby beaches are always crowded. We recommend driving further away from the city and finding secluded small beaches and coves.
If we talk about the city beaches of Agios Nikolaos, then it is worth noting the excellent organization of recreation and entertainment areas for both adults and children. Unfortunately, the main municipal beach of the city has a paid entrance.
- Daios Cove Luxury Resort& Villas 5*
- Nicholas Bay Resort Hotel& Villas
- Minos Beach Art hotel 5*
- Sensimar Minos Palace 5*
- Candia Park Village 4*
- Dessole Mirabello Beach & Village 5*
- Dessole Hermes 4*
- Blue Marine Resort & Spa 5*
- Miramare Resort & Spa 4*
- Santa Marina Hotel 3*
Like, it’s difficult to find a more comfortable resort in Crete than Agios Nikolaos. During the day, the town sleeps peacefully, dipping its feet into Lake Vulizmeni. And in the late afternoon he wakes up to the lights of cafes and restaurants, nightclubs, where people constantly meet and part.
Strange, but this city was built as a place of salvation - the Cretans defended themselves from Turkish persecution. It turns out that initially an atmosphere of fear reigned in him. But the Greeks are such a people - they cannot remain in a gloomy mood for long. They love to have fun. That's why the whole world adores them.
But this is unnecessary
Holidays from 39,000 rub. for two. The most delicious offers for summer 2019! Interest-free installments for tours! Popular resorts
and verified hotels. , . Discounts for children up to 30%. Hurry up to book! Purchasing tours. Departures from Moscow - get a discount right now.
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Agios Nikolaos is from Heraklion. You can arrive in Heraklion by plane (there are flights from Russia) or by ship, and from there go to the resort by car or bus. The journey will take about an hour - the journey is just over 60 kilometers.
You can also get there by ferry from Piraeus - regular flights, so you won’t have to wait long for departure.
Beaches of Agios Nikolaos The beaches of the Cretan city are delightful clean water
and fresh sea wind. There are snow-white yachts in beautiful bays. Tanned boys and girls are playing volleyball on the shore.
Agios Nikolaos has quite a variety of beaches. Most of them are surrounded by hotels, so near the tourist rookery you can play mini-golf, tennis, football, and basketball. The beaches are quiet, calm, there is no struggle for sun loungers and a place in the sun. There are always bars and cafes nearby, you can go for a couple of cocktails.
But this is unnecessary
Maps of Agios Nikolaos
Beach holidays from RUB 44,000.
for two. Summer 2019! , . Exclusive offers, recommended hotels. Treat yourself and your loved ones. Hurry up to book! Discounts for children up to 30%. Buy a tour. Tours in installments - no overpayment! Departures from Moscow - get a discount right now.
Weather in Agios Nikolaos
local restaurants
they attract not only with excellent cuisine, but also with views of the city and the opening lake. Usually this is a small establishment near the port, where guests sit under the canopy of trees. The menu usually includes seafood, vegetable and meat dishes. Early in the morning, to cheer yourself up, you can stop by a cafe and try coffee with croissants and cheese buns.
One of the tasty attractions of the town is olive oil. When purchasing, you need to make sure that it is Extra Virgin Olive Oil - a very pure oil produced on the island by cold pressing. The healthiest product is Organic Product. If you find an oil with this name, take it without hesitation.
Agios Nikolaos is full of jewelry shops that attract wealthy tourists. Mainly from Russia. Here you can buy products from both local craftsmen and famous brands. No fakes were noticed.
And another attraction for guests of the island is fur coats. Fur coats and leather goods from famous designers are sold in special atelier stores. It also seems like everything is real.
3 things to do in Agios Nikolaos
- Visit the area of pedestrian streets - the local elite gathers here, the shops sell only brands, and the cafes serve the best food. In addition, such streets are beautiful in themselves.
- Wandering through the Sunday market is such a huge second-hand store where you can find “branded” items at bargain prices.
- Go diving - during your stay in Crete you need to explore not only the world of the locals, but also the underwater universe. Simply because it is very beautiful.
Hotels in Agios Nikolaos
There are no and cannot be problems with hotels in Agios Nikolaos. Otherwise, the city would immediately lose its status as one of the most tourist destinations. Here you can stay in a hotel of any class. The oldest ones are located in Eleftheria Square. Modern ones stretch along the coast and are scattered in the city center.
The cost of accommodation is approximately the following: a standard three-star room will cost from 1,500 rubles per night, 4 “stars” - from 2,500 rubles, luxury lovers will pay 5-6 thousand rubles every day.
Service and service in local hotels are at a good level. The rooms are equipped with everything you need. Almost from every room - beautiful view either to the city or to the lake and beaches.
Entertainment and attractions of Agios Nikolaos
The visiting card of the city is the previously mentioned lake Vulizmeni. Let's start with it.
Lake Vulizmeni
The city is located around this lake. Its diameter is more than 130 meters. The lake is connected to the sea by a narrow canal, but - amazing! - water does not mix. According to legend, the goddess Athena bathed in Vulizmeni. True, there are no witnesses to this event.
The embankment is lined with many cafes and restaurants, and ships leave the harbor for the fortress on Spinalonga.
Archaeological Museum
This museum is the second best archaeological museum in Crete. Gold jewelry, stone vases, and various vessels are collected here. A unique and funny exhibit is a male skull with a laurel wreath and a silver coin. The Greeks believed that what kind of transportation was other world need to pay.
gios Nikolaos
Spinalonga Island
One of the most popular excursion routes- to the island of Spinalonga. There is an ancient fort here, which has been perfectly preserved and has conveyed to modern residents the atmosphere of past centuries. The excursion lasts a long time - about 10 hours. During this time, you can climb the entire fort, walk along the beach, see the reserve and eat in a cafe. There will be enough impressions for the rest of the trip.
Sunken City
They say that the sunken city of Olous can be seen at the bottom of the sea during a calm - it is located opposite the crossing leading to Elounda. The city went under water after the earthquake. Olus was an independent city with its own minted coins.
During excavations, the main temple of Olus was found - the temple of Aphrodite and Ares. His items are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos.
Greece has been attracting our compatriots for many years with its magnificent nature, mild climate, comfortable and well-groomed beaches, comfortable hotels and inns. Thousands of tourists choose to spend their annual holidays here.
There are many resorts in Greece, each vacationer can choose according to his taste - sandy or rocky, secluded or crowded. Today the topic of our conversation will be one of the most picturesque corners of Greece - Agios Nikolaos. It develops more and more every year, but at the same time its unique amazing atmosphere is preserved. During the day it is an ordinary Greek town, not much different from others, with a measured and even somewhat sleepy life. But at night life boils here.
Many consider Agios Nikolaos a fashionable resort. This is not entirely true. Here everyone can choose a vacation for themselves.
Location
Agios Nikolaos is located in the east of the island of Crete. The resort is 76 kilometers away from its capital, Heraklion. A distinctive feature of the town is its almost ideal location in the very center. It is called Vulismeni. It should be noted that this lake is freshwater.
Climate
Climatic conditions are typical for Greece - dry and hot summers and rainy but mild winters. There is almost no wind here - the mountains reliably protect the town. Most hot month- August, “real” winter begins in early December and ends in April. In May, the tourist season already begins in the city.
A little history
The town of Agios Nikolaos has a long history. It is believed that it arose in the third century, after the unification of two cities - Lato Getera and Lato Pros Camaro. New town began to actively develop, and by the 6th century it had become the central city of the bishopric of Camara. At first the city was named Lato Pros Camaro. It was only in the 9th century that it received its current name. It is believed that it was given in honor of the church
Soon the city was conquered by the Genoese. It was they who built the Mirabella fortress here in 1206. She did not stand for long, unable to withstand the attacks of the Turks. Then an earthquake occurred that completely destroyed the fortress. From this moment the decline of the city began, which lasted until the second half of the 19th century.
For revival hometown local residents took over. Their labors were not in vain, and in 1905 it became the center of the province of Passiti. The beauty of these places could not help but attract celebrities sooner or later. It just so happened that after Jules Dassin and Walt Disney visited here, a tourist boom began in the town.
Agios Nikolaos becomes bigger and more beautiful every year. Today here you can choose housing according to your wallet, taking into account your own preferences.
Attractions: Agios Nikolaos and its surroundings
Any resident of this sunny city will advise tourists to first get acquainted with the local monuments and famous places and visit Lake Vulismeni. This is the pride of local residents. If you believe the legend, they once hosted here water treatments Aphrodite and Athena. Old-timers believe that this lake has no bottom. It is surrounded by a small park where various recreational activities are held.
This is the charming town of Agios Nikolaos. A map of its attractions will help you correctly so as not to miss anything interesting.
Lasithi Highlands
Let's talk in more detail about the main attractions. Agios Nikolaos is truly unique in this regard. The Lasithi Plain is located at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. Most tourists easily overcome this climb in order to visit the Diktean Cave. As the legend says, Zeus the Thunderer himself was born in it. Here you can see where the miraculous icon of the Mother of God is kept.
Tourists will certainly be interested in a visit to the village of Peza. The best wines in Crete are produced here. The village of Trapsano is famous for its pottery production.
Church of Panagia Kera
Often tourists are interested (when they first arrived in Agios Nikolaos) what to see in this city. For lovers of ancient architecture, we recommend visiting the most famous architectural monument of the Byzantine era, which is located 20 kilometers from the city in a luxurious olive grove, not far from the entrance to the village of Kritsa. Panagia Kera (the most famous Byzantine church in Crete) was built from the 11th century to the 14th and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, her mother Anna and St. Anthony.
The rich interior of the church is decorated with frescoes and faces of saints. In addition, Panagia Kera is famous for the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which, according to believers, heals many diseases.
Archaeological Museum
We advise all history buffs who want to explore the sights of Agios Nikolaos to visit this museum. Its exhibition is located in eight halls. But even if it were not so big, it would be worth coming here for one single exhibit - the skull of an ancient Roman athlete. It dates from the 1st century. Decorated with a gold crown. It was found during excavations of an ancient Roman cemetery.
In addition, museum workers are rightfully proud of the collection of artifacts that date back to a variety of eras - from the Neolithic to the times of the Roman Empire. No less valuable are such exhibits as a clay statue of Myrta, which was discovered by archaeologists in Myrtos, and a huge vessel made in the shape of a shell from the Minoan palace of Malia.
Archaeological Museum
Local residents are very sensitive to the history of their native land. Every tourist who comes to the city of Agios Nikolaos for the first time should know that viewing the exhibition of the folklore museum is useful for everyone - both adults and children.
Its organizers had the only goal - to tell local residents and guests about the history of the island of Crete and their hometown.
Folklore Museum
In the center of the exhibition is a Cretan peasant's house with a typical design, which is recreated in the smallest detail. In addition, here you can see a unique collection of ancient costumes and agricultural tools of the past. The collection is complemented by postcards and photos from previous years.
Beaches
It should immediately be noted that resort area The town is well equipped and has very comfortable beaches. Agios Nikolaos can hardly be called suitable for a holiday alone - during the swimming season coastlines completely occupied by vacationers. Here you will be offered all types of entertainment on the water.
Beach E.O.T.
This is the only recreation area with a mini golf course. On the beach you will be offered to practice your favorite water sports and will be provided with the necessary equipment for rent. In addition, billiards, ping-pong, well-prepared basketball and football fields, competition pool.
"Ammos"
The beach is located in the city center. Ideal for diving.
"Kitroplatia"
A magnificent, well-equipped beach in the city center. It is surrounded by shops and restaurants.
"Almiros"
The beach is located in the north of the city. This is one of the most important bodies of water on the island. Eucalyptus grows on the banks, and reeds and reeds grow in the water. The advantage of this beach is its excellent sandy surface.
Restaurants and cafes
If your favorite vacation spot is sunny Greece, Agios Nikolaos, like no other resort in the country, will satisfy all your wildest dreams of perfect holiday. In addition, you will probably like local restaurants, cafes, and bars. All of them feature exquisite cuisine and stunning views of the sea coast or lake.
The area of cafes and bars near the marina is no less popular. It is very cozy here - you can sit under the shady crowns of trees, enjoying delicious dishes of fresh seafood.
Afterwards, clubs and discos open here, turning this area into the center of the island of Crete.
Excursions from Agios Nikolaos
The city is very advantageously located on the island, this allows you to travel to anywhere in Crete, as well as to mainland Greece. But first, we suggest you get acquainted with the surroundings of Agios Nikolaos. Surrounding it are the ruins of the ancient Greek cities of Spinalonga and Lato, which are of particular interest. As legends say, the city of Lato is named after the mother of Apollo and Artemis. Here, the agora, the remains of a theater and a temple, shops, and workshops have been preserved in good condition.
The flavor of a magnificent resort
Sunny Greece, Crete, Agios Nikolaos always welcome guests, provided that they do not violate local traditions and customs. The Greeks have a hot temper and a surprisingly sentimental character.
Between two o'clock in the afternoon and six o'clock in the evening, local residents relax. At this time, it is not advisable to make phone calls or visit shops and cafes - they may be closed for a break.
The local population is accustomed to a calm and measured life. In restaurants and cafes you can wait quite a long time for your order. To some this may seem like a sign of disrespect. In fact, this state of affairs is quite normal.
Local residents observe many customs that are somewhat different from those existing in the country. For example, on Easter they roast a young lamb on a spit, and the start of the holiday is announced by gunfire.
After meeting a foreigner, townspeople will definitely ask where he came from. And this is not simple curiosity. Over its long history, the city has experienced many military invasions, so every foreigner evokes a feeling of fear in them. At the same time, this does not prevent local residents from being responsive and hospitable hosts - they quickly gain confidence in a foreigner if they sense his positive attitude.
Agios Nikolaos- the administrative center of the Cretan nome of Lasithi, conveniently located in the picturesque Mirabello Bay. This city can be given the status of the most “non-Cretan” due to the bustle of the resort and the dominance of modern buildings in the architecture. But despite the apparent shortcomings, Agios Nikolaos has its own special charm. Just look at the embankment of the freshwater lake Vulismeni, along which there are numerous cafes and restaurants, where life never stops day or night.
The city of Agios Nikolaos owes its name to the Christian saint - Saint Nicholas, in whose honor a church in the Byzantine style was built in the 9th century. It was in this city that the first tourists appeared in the 60s of the last century. The modern city of St. Nicholas is often called the Cretan Saint-Tropez and today it is considered one of the most comfortable Greek resorts.
Article navigation
Attractions of Agios Nikolaos
Mirabello Bay
Finding yourself in Agios Nikolaos and not visiting Mirabello Bay is a big mistake. For many centuries, this place with its untouched natural beauty has delighted the eyes of every traveler, tourist and local resident. From the shore of the bay you can endlessly admire the picturesque combination of sea and city landscapes.
Lake Vulismeni
It is around this circular lake that the city is built. As legend has it, the supreme deities of Greek mythology, Athena and Artemis, often liked to swim in the lake.
Interesting facts about Lake Vulismeni:
- Until 1867, the lake was isolated from the sea. And only during the Turkish rule of Crete, by order of Adosid Pasha, the lake was connected to the sea by a small canal. But despite the fact that sea water entered the lake, many underground springs prevent the water from becoming completely salty.
- After Crete was liberated from the Nazi invaders, the local population drowned a large amount of enemy equipment in the waters of the lake, which still rests at the bottom.
- The depth of the lake is 64 meters, diameter is 137 meters.
- Prices in cafes and restaurants on the lake shore are on average 30% higher than in the old city.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos houses the second largest exhibition of objects from the Minoan period in Crete.
- Museum address: Paleologou Konstantinou 74
- Entrance ticket price: 4 euros
- Opening hours: Tue.-Sun., 8:30-15:00
Ethnographical museum
The collection of the Ethnographic Museum contains unique works of the cultural heritage of Crete.
- Museum address: Paleologou Konstantinou 4
- Entrance ticket price: 3 euros
- Opening hours: Tue.-Sun., 10:00-14:00
Church of St. Nicholas
The church is located on a small hill in the northern part of the city. In the church you can see unique ancient icons and frescoes.
Elounda
12 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos is the small resort town of Elounda, which is a cluster of luxury hotels located in numerous bays. At one time, Bono from U2, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Lady Gaga stayed here.
Spinaloga Island
Village Kritsa
The mountain village of Kritsa, located 11 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos, is notable for the fact that local residents have preserved the life and traditions of “old” Crete. Unfortunately, Kritsa is very popular among tourists. As a result, the streets of the village turn into souvenir shopping arcades from early morning.
Beaches of Agios Nikolaos
As already mentioned, this resort is very popular among tourists. Therefore, in the summer season, the city and nearby beaches are always crowded. We recommend driving further away from the city and finding secluded small beaches and coves.
If we talk about the city beaches of Agios Nikolaos, then it is worth noting the excellent organization of recreation and entertainment areas for both adults and children. Unfortunately, the main municipal beach of the city has a paid entrance.
- Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas 5*
- Nicholas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas
- Minos Beach Art hotel 5*
- Sensimar Minos Palace 5*
- Candia Park Village 4*
- Dessole Mirabello Beach & Village 5*
- Dessole Hermes 4*
- Blue Marine Resort & Spa 5*
- Miramare Resort & Spa 4*
- Santa Marina Hotel 3*
Agios Nikolaos (Crete) is rich in attractions. One of the first and central is Lake Vulizmeni. You definitely won’t miss it on excursions – the memorable landscapes will give you beautiful photos. Museums will help you learn more about the history of the city. There are several of them here, but the most famous is the Archaeological. There are exhibits from the early Minoan period. It's like visiting the world before civilization began.
Archaeological Museum
You can find literally everything at the Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos. The exhibits in the museum are presented in historical sequence, that is, first you will see finds belonging to the earliest times BC, and then later ones. All exhibits were found on the coast of Crete.
The volume of materials presented is truly magnificent. So, by visiting the museum, you can look at the famous skull of an athlete, who was buried in a Roman cemetery; by the way, a coin from the reign of Tiberius was found in the skull.
The museum itself is divided into several halls. This was done to make it more convenient to view ancient finds.
On the island of Crete is the sunken city of Olous. It existed in 900 BC. Now the city is under water, which makes it difficult to look at it, but still, in particularly calm weather, it can be seen at the bottom of the Poros Canal.
The exact location of the city cannot be named. Even if you scuba dive, it is not always possible to find it in order to study it in more detail. Sometimes even the locals can’t give you any advice. For this reason, Olus is not indicated in tourist brochures - without knowing where to look, you may not see anything. However, this does not prevent the sunken city from being. Search idea ancient city Adventure seekers will especially enjoy it.
Milatos
Milatos Cave attracts sad story And beautiful views. The cave itself is dark, so at first it’s unusual to be there.
In the past, to escape the raids of the Turks, civilians hid in this cave, but hunger and thirst forced them to come out. This destroyed them - the punishment at the hands of the enemy was very cruel. Despite some inaccuracies in the description of this event, this historical fact and as proof, the bones of the dead townspeople remain in the cave itself.
The cave is fraught with many interesting things. Be sure to watch the video to learn more about her.
Priniatikos Pyrgos is the most great place, where you can find examples of ceramics used before our era. Excavations near the seashore have been going on for several decades, so the result is impressive.
Given its shallow layers, favorable excavation conditions and funding, Priniaticos Pyrgos is a real archaeological treasure trove. Research is still underway; some of the exhibits have been sent to the Archaeological Museum of Crete.
But that's not all: next to Priniatikos Pyrgos is Vasiliki. Excavations of burials revealed a whole layer of Minoan ceramics - a special contrasting ornament, glaze - a whole style direction.
Finally, given the rich opportunities for historical research, nothing should be built in this area. For this reason, the town of Kalo-Khorje is actively developing in terms of tourism, and people love it for its quiet and clean beaches - precisely because of the construction ban, there is no proper infrastructure, but there is an opportunity to touch real nature.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Naples
This temple began to be built in the 19th century, and was continued and completed in the 20th century. Previously, a Turkish mosque stood in its place, but it was destroyed and the Cathedral of the Assumption was built in its place. Holy Mother of God.
The temple was built in the Byzantine style, so it looks very rich and fascinating. The cathedral is located in the city center on the square. It has many massive columns, domes and is divided into two floors: the lower part is made of gray marble, and the upper part is of pale yellow.
Lake Vulizmeni
The lake is located in the center of the city, it creates an excellent landscape and is famous for its beauty. It is often called simply a lake, since it is the only one here.
According to an old legend, the reservoir has no bottom. Although this is not entirely true, most likely there is a bottom, but getting to it is extremely difficult - the lake is very deep.
The exact depth of Vulizmeni has not yet been established, but it is believed that it is no less than 65 m.
Folklore Museum of Agios Nikolaos
A wonderful museum displaying art. Here you can find a variety of household items, icons, clothes, and old books. By visiting this museum, you can plunge headlong into the past and see real objects that were used many years ago.
The museum also houses coins, carpets, towels, and old photographs. Recently, new collections of weapons and lace have been available at the folklore museum.
Now you know everything about Agios Nikolaos (Crete) and its best attractions to go there for your holiday. It is good not only in itself, but also in its surroundings, so there will definitely be no questions about getting new emotions and impressions.
