Travel Eye on Aghios Nikolaos (Crete)

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Overview:

Aghios Nikolaos, capital of the Prefecture of Lasithi built around a picturesque lake, is one of the most highly developed tourist towns in Greece. It lies along the west of the Mirabello bay . It is probably Crete's best-known and longest-established tourist resort, Aghios Nikolaos still has a life of its own as a working port for fishing and shipping as well as boasting a busy yacht marina. Despite the in-roads made by tourism, it remains a picturesque resort and the lakeside area joined to the harbour by a small bridge. The place is a hive of activity, lined as it is with lively cafes and dining terraces. The main road axis of the island passes right outside the city limits , connecting it with Iraklion (66 km) to the west, Sitia to the east (70 km) and Ierapetra to the south (36 km). Aghios Nikolaos is the administrative, communications, cultural and commercial centre of the Prefecture, with approximately 8500 inhabitants.

The climate in the area is mild with extremely low humidity. It is an ideal place to relax and recover one's energy.

Locality:

Clustered around and between the harbour and the so-called "bottomless" lake, which juts into the town and is linked to the sea by a narrow canal. The coast road skirts the town with impressive, rugged mountains rising behind and olive groves carving a passage through to the S coast. Aghios Nikolaos is situated on the NE coast, on the E side of the island, on the beautiful Gulf of Mirabello. 6 mls S of the village of Elounda. 40 mls SE of Heraklion airport.

Entertainment/Facilities/Activities/Things to do:

For those seeking a busy holiday with an abundance of restaurants and nightlife this is not a bad choice of holiday venue. Hence, it is not ideal for anyone looking for a quiet retreat. Accommodation here is very good with a range of hotels and many self catering establishments. Beaches are fairly average consisting of two small and fairly uninspiring town beach areas of grey sand and pebbles. A better bet is at the village and beach of Kalo Horio, 8 mls S, although there is a small and busy beach 2 mls S at Amoudara. Shoppers will enjoy the many boutiques and other establishments selling local handicrafts and souvenirs, such as leather goods, ceramics and jewellery. There is also a popular weekly market. Entertainment consists mainly of beach- and water-based activities, including water-skiing, sailing and windsurfing; swimming pool; minigolf; walking in surrounding countryside; archaeological and folk art museums. By night there is a plentiful choice of lively bars and discos provides entertainment throughout the night, with the harbour as the fulcrum. For those placing a priority on eating out, there is almost a limitless choice, from tavernas serving local specialities to international cuisine at romantic waterside restaurants; even Indian and Chinese options. Excursions consist of half day trips to: Venetian fortress on island of Spinalonga, a one-time leper colony; boat trips to Elounda; fishing town of Sitia; palm-tree beach at Vai. Full day trips include: Minoan sites, including Knossos Palace and Heraklion Museum; Lassithi Plateau, with its traditional villages and windmills; Phaestos Palace and the Roman city of Gortys; historic towns/resorts of Chania and Rethymnon; Samaria Gorge (long day).