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About Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece

Agios Nikolaos, often affectionately referred to by tourists and expats alike as Ag Nik, can be found on the northern coastline of Crete, towards the eastern end, where it suddenly dives south before continuing eastwards again, creating spectacular views across the Mirabello Bay. The name translates as 'Saint Nicholas' and the town is approximately one hour from Heraklion airport by taxi. It is set against the dramatic backdrop of the unspoiled Dikti Mountains with it's foreground in the blue waters of the beautiful bay. The major town in the region it is also the administrative centre of the Lassithi prefecture. As one would expect to accompany such importance it has a large hospital, numerous local government, or demos, buildings, as well as being a port of entry; the limenarxeio, or port police, building is located close to the Voulismeni lake bridge and handily enough is above the Tourist Information Office. The town also boasts a modern marina, weekly market, archaeological museum plus offices for major domestic and business services such as telecoms and electricity.

Agios Nikolaos might be described as a busy, modern, lively tourist resort but it is one which still remains inherently Cretan in character and remains attractive. It has grown up around the bridge spanning the narrow channel connecting the small, deepwater Voulismeni Lake to the outer harbour. The present harbour of Agios is relatively new, growing in importance from the middle of the 19th century. Although there was an ancient harbour and port only a short distance away, dating back to Venetian and Turkish times, there is little remaining evidence to be seen. The visitor interested in antiquities will find the archaeological museum at the end of a pleasant walk on the northern slope of the town.

It is a town of mixed buildings from the modern and functional through to balconied, pastel coloured dwellings tumbling down to the narrow harbour with it's many fishing boats, ferries and leisure craft of all descriptions. Agios itself is the ideal centre from which to explore the surrounding areas. There are excursions by bus or boat to all the major places of interest in the area that the visitor might wish to see. From Agios one can take a trip boat to Spinalonga, the melancholy island that was a leper colony until the mid 20th century but also has a long and turbulent history of Venetian and Turkish occupation in the years before. Alternatively you can drive North to Elounda or Plaka for a shorter boat journey out to the island.

A short bus-ride, and approx 9kms to the west of Agios Nikolaos, is the mountain village of Kritsa, renowned for its intricately woven traditional fabrics and embroidered goods. Further inland is the Lassithi Plateau, famous for the thousands of windmills with their distinctive white, cloth sails, and surrounded by the majestic Dikti Mountains. On the western edge of the plateau, near to the village of Psychro, is another must-see attraction ........ the Dikteon Cave. Although not for the fainthearted, the scramble up to the entrance and the plunging descent into the darkness below is well worth the effort. Psychro is reputedly the birthplace of Zeus and the cave has played its part in religious worship for thousands of years. A side chamber of the cave is held to be the actual hiding place where Rhea gave birth to Zeus in order to protect him from her husband, Kronos, who had devoured his previous 5 children.

Travelling south from Agios take the road through Kato Horio to visit Ierapetra, the largest town on the southern coast of the island. Ierapetra enjoys the reputation of being the southerly town in Europe. It is a thriving commercial centre but the old Turkish Quarter lends it more varied and different characteristics from the many other towns on the island. A place of wonderful mountain scenery, and a long sandy beach from which to watch the rolling seas, it enjoys long hours of sunshine even by Cretan standards.

In short, Agios Nikolaos is a town which can offer so much and cater for SUCH a wide variety of interest and needs ............ places to see, to eat, to be entertained, to shop, to just ENJOY