Places to Visit and Things to Do in Agios Nikolaos, Crete
Agios Nikolaos is a cute little town on the northern coast of Crete. You can go there on a public bus directly from Heraklion in approximately 1.5 hours. It’s a lovely journey along the coast, so be sure to grab a window seat.
Approximately 30,000 people live in the city. Due to its fantastic weather, you can visit all year round.
We once went during the winter and had a fantastic time. The following are our favorite things to do in Agios Nikolaos.
Stroll along the Lake Voulismeni
Our favorite place in the city is the one and only Lake Voulismeni. It’s in the center of town. The lake used to be fresh water, but was connected to the sea later.
According to Greek Mythology, Athena herself bathed in its waters. Today, cute geese and ducks swim in the lake.
The best spot for pictures is the church next to the fisherman’s cave. Go also at nights to enjoy it illuminated in all of its glory. Locals celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday around the lake.
Spend Some Time on an Urban Beach
There are 5 beaches within a 10 minute walk from the city’s center. The furthest away is Ammoudi Beach, to the north. The narrow beach has crystal waters. Since it’s a bay, it’s perfect to swim.
The next one to the south is even smaller: Koundouros. It’s perfect for snorkeling. You can rent equipment there. Cosmina’s Beach is next to the port. A super tiny pebbled beach where you can take a dip. There’s a fresh water shower.
Kitroplatia Beach to the south is very popular. It’s pebbled. You can rent a sunbed and use the public showers. However, our favorite beach is Ammos. It’s sandy. Due to its calm waters, it’s the best to swim.
Visit as Many Churches as You Can
There are over a dozen churches in Agios Nikolaos. The oldest and the one that gives the city is name is Saint Nicholas, from the 7th Century. It’s inside the Minos Palace Hotel. You can ask for the key at the reception and enter.
The Agia Triada Cathedral (Saint Trinity) is the biggest and most important one. Locals visit to pray, so be respectful. It’s a great place to experience Greek culture.
For awesome views over the port, go to Agia Paraskevi. You can rest under the ancient olive trees in front of the church. Our favorite church is Saint Athanasius. The paintings inside the tiny chapel are gorgeous.
Visit the Archeological Museum
As every city in Crete, Agios Nikolas has a superb Archaeological Museum. It’s a contemporary building a 10 minute walk from the lake. A garden surrounds it.
The museum has two sections. One is dedicated to the Minoan Civilization that ruled Crete 5000 years ago. The other one is dedicated to Greek and Roman remains.
There are over 1200 pottery articles! However, what caught our attention the most were the gold and bronze pieces. It’s got comprehensive information in Greek and English.
Try Delicious Cretan Food
Crete, as the rest of Greece, has top quality restaurants. We don’t mean only the food, but also the incredible views. You can try homemade goat yoghurt in any of the taverns around the lake. Our favorite is Zygos Urban Garden.
We always have a bite at Palazzo Cafe Bar, overlooking Koundouros Beach. For cocktails head to ARC Espresso & Cocktail Bar. The views over the lake and the sea will take your breath away.
To mingle with the locals and have a drink, go to Yanni’s Rock Bar, next to the port. There are a couple of bars around where you can dance the night away.
Visit Agioi Pantes
There are two islands in front of Agios Nikolaos. The biggest one is Agioi Pantes. You can go there on a short boat ride from Ammoudi Beach.
You will see the remains of military infrastructure used by the Italians during World War II. The scenery is stunning. There are no cars and you can trek for hours. The endangered Cretan Ibex goat lives here.
The incredible sandy Agioi Pantes beach is on the Western Coast of the island. If you like to be in isolated pristine beaches, you’ll be in heaven here.
Explore Other Places in the Area
We love archaeological remains. That’s why we went to the Ancient City of Lato. The city reached its peak in the 5th Century BC. It’s the birth place of Leto, Apollo’s Mom. From there you can walk to Kritsa, one of the oldest and prettiest little towns in Crete.
The entire area is perfect for treks. We strongly recommend spending at least one night in Kritsa. You can walk to Kritsa Gorge and to the incredible Keras Church. We stayed at Argyro Rent Rooms, a cute property with awesome views and managed by a local family.
Once we went to Istron Bay, an hour by bus east of Agios Nikolaos. The area is super quiet and offers sandy beaches and lots of nature. We stayed at the wonderful Istron Bay Hotel and had a great time.
Where to Stay in Agios Nikolaos
If you have the money to splurge, do so at the Minos Palace Hotel, one of the best hotels in Greece. The location is stunning and offers epic views. It’s got its own private beach, gardens, and a pool.
We stayed at the Hotel Port 7. It’s a seafront property in the center. We booked a sea view room with a balcony and couldn’t believe the views. The service is warm and professional.
If you are looking for a serviced apartment, book one at Remvi Apartments, in the center. The apartments are big and come fully equipped and tastefully decorated. Free parking!
