Agios Nikolaos Crete – Top 10 Holiday Highlights

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Agios Nikolaos is a cute little coastal town located on Mirabello Bay in eastern Crete. Beach holidaymakers feel just as at home here as families with small children and outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore Greece’s fascinating landscape on exciting excursions.

In my opinion, Agios Nikolaos is the most beautiful town on Crete, after Chania. It was named after the 10th or 11th century church of the same name. The town’s most distinctive feature is the unusual combination of saltwater and freshwater because of its location by the sea on one side, while on the other side, Lake Voulismeni is located.

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Fall in love with the charming Village of Agios Nikolaos – Eastern Crete

I visited Agios Nikolaos at the end of my road trip through Crete, and it turned out to be the perfect spot to enjoy some relaxing days by the beach with a few small activities in between. Agios Nikolaos is located about 60 km east of the island’s capital, Heraklion and can be reached from there via the A90/E75 national road (coastal highway) in about 50 minutes by car, while by bus takes about 2.5 hours. I found that to explore the surrounding area and other beautiful corners of Crete, it is definitely worth booking a hire car.

The surrounding area is particularly popular with foodies. Visitors can indulge in regional cuisine in the tavernas. The town’s harbour is also one of its highlights. One of the most important sights in the municipality is the Archaeological Museum. Also worth seeing are the Folklore Museum and the Spinalonga Peninsula, one of the most popular destinations in Crete.

Where to Stay

There are many great places to stay in Agios Nikolaos and the surrounding area, from luxury resorts to affordable holiday apartments. I stayed at Casa Porto Boutique Hotel, which boasts an excellent location and a beautiful bar and terrace overlooking the sea.

Agios Nikolaos – Things To Do & See

Stroll along Lake Voulismeni

The main attraction of the town of Agios Nikolaos is Lake Voulismeni, a former freshwater lake that has been connected to the sea via a canal since 1870. According to a local legend, the lake is bottomless and connected to the distant island of Santorini. It is also said that the Greek goddess Athena bathed here.

The lake is an impressive 65 metres deep and was once the source of fresh water for the town. Today, it is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, with several cafés and restaurants located around its edge.

Visit the Archaeological Museum

The archaeological museum in the heart of the old town is of great tourist interest. Although small in size, it has a collection of maximum interest for lovers of archaeology. The Minoan or Cretan civilisation is the protagonist of the collection, which is displayed in the showcases and rooms.

• Open: Monday – Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Admission: free

Visit the Churches

Also worth seeing is the Church of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) in the centre of Agios Nikolaos. The cathedral is a three-nave Byzantine basilica known for its large interior paintings and colourful mosaic on the façade.

For awesome views over the port, head to the church of Saint Nikolaos. You can rest under the ancient olive trees in front of the church. My favorite church in town is Saint Athanasius. I also found the paintings inside the tiny chapel gorgeous to view.

Agios Nikolaos – Beaches

The two main beaches of Ammos and Kitroplatia are located in the town centre of Agios Nikolaos. Both are very popular, especially in high summer and at weekends, and can become quite crowded. However, they are still perfect for enjoying an iced freddo espresso with a sea view.

Ammos Beach

This small and cosy town beach is located next to the harbour of Agios Nikolaos and offers crystal clear waters and beautiful views of Mirabello Bay. The entrance to the water is fairly shallow here and ideal for families with samller children.

More beaches are found in the surrounding area, which are more or less crowded depending on their location and the season.

Ammoudi Beach

Ammoudi Beach, also known as Ammoudara Beach, has been awarded the Blue Flag and is located just 1.5 kilometres outside the centre. It offers a good choice of restaurants and cafés right by the sea and several opportunities for waters sports. The beach is a popular destination among windsurfers and the traditional meeting point for the winter swimmers of Agios Nikolaos.

Almyros Beach

This long sandy beach, 2.5 kilometres south of Agios Nikolaos, is known for its shallow waters. The beach is named after the Almyros River that flows into it. It is very popular, especially with families, The water here is calm and clear, though the river can make some spots cooler.

The beach itself is well-organized with facilities like sunbeds, tavernas, water sports, showers, and changing rooms. Adjacent to the beach you can find the protected Almyros wetland, which boasts unique flora and fauna. 

Voulisma Beach

Also known as Golden Beach, Voulisma Beach is a beautiful Blue Flag beach about 10 kilometres south from Agios Nikolaos. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. I visited Voulisma beach in the early morning, which turned out to be the perfect time to enjoy the turquoise waters and its exotic beauty. 

More activities and Things To Do around Agios Nikolaos

Visit Vai Palm Beach

The famous Vai Palm Beach is still within easy reach of Agios Nikolaos and is definitely worth the approximately 1.5-hour drive. An exotic beach with white sand awaits you, behind which lies a paradisiacal palm forest.

Getting there: The best way to get from Agios Nikolaos to Vai Palm Beach is by car, which takes 1.5 to 2 hours covering a diastance of 94km. The road to the beach is well-maintained and fairly easy to navigate. 

Vai Palm Beach is beautiful year-round. For me, June and September offer the best balance for a perfect visit: warm weather, fewer crowds, and lighter winds.

Take a Boat Trip to Spinalonga Island

Enjoy magnificent views as you sail across the sparkling sea to Spinalonga Island. Your destination is the peninsula in the Gulf of Mirabello. In ancient times, it was called Kalydon. The Venetians gave it its current name, which translates as ‘long thorn’ and refers to its narrow shape.

Getting there: Boat transfers to Spinalonga depart throughout the day from Plaka (situated directly opposite the island) and from Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. Boats from Plaka take about 10 minutes; from Elounda about 30 minutes. Some tours include scenic passages around the nearby Kolokytha peninsula.

• Cost of the boat transfer to Spinalonga: 12 EUR
• Admission to Spinalonga island: 20 EUR (concessions 10 EUR)

It is the site of a 16th-century fortress that was built to protect against pirates and eventually fell to the Ottomans in the 18th century. During a tour, you will discover an underground tunnel, through which lepers in exile once had to pass on their way to isolation.

The deceased lie in the adjoining cemetery and their names can be read on a memorial plaque. I spent 1.5 hours on the island exploring all the 4 different discovery paths that lead across the island including the museum.

You can start your excursion in Agios Nikolaos, but also in Elounda or Plaka. I took one of the first boats and noticed the busloads arriving from about 11am onwards where it gets more busy. I took one of the first boats and noticed the busloads arriving from about 11am onwards where it gets more busy. If you don’t want to explore the island on your own, book a tour and let yourself be guided around.

FAQs

Which side of Crete is the most beautiful?

The most beautiful side of Crete is subjective, depending on your preferences: the north-west coast is popular for its mix of beautiful towns and beaches, the south coast is ideal for peace and quiet and unspoilt nature, while the north-east coast is suitable for nightlife and tourist amenities. The east coast offers secluded bays and the famous Vai palm beach.

Is Agios Nikolaos in Crete beautiful?

Agios Nikolaos is an enchanting town by the sea. It has a pretty town centre with hills, offering lovely views, and a beautiful little road around the town, also with lovely views. For me, Agios Nikolaos is the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding towns and villages, including the upmarket little seaside resort of Elounda or further north along the bay, the lively village of Plaka.

How many days to spend in Agios Nikolaos?

I recommend 3 to 5 days to see the main attractions and nearby sites, but you can easily extend your stay to a week or more if you want to use it as a base for exploring more of eastern Crete. A 3-day trip is sufficient to see the main attractions like Lake Voulismeni, while a 5-day trip allows for more extensive exploration, including boat trips and visiting nearby beaches like Voulisma and Spinalonga Island.