Agios Nikolaos
- For other places with the same name, see Agios Nikolaos (disambiguation).
Agios Nikolaos (Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος Saint Nicholas) is a city in Crete.
Get in
[edit]
By bus
[edit]Local bus service with modern air-conditioned buses.
By ferry
[edit]Ferries don't run directly to the town Agios Nikolaos but major ferry lines operate to the port of Herakleion, connecting with bus services at the main bus station near the port. Frequent ferry lines operate to the port of Sitia as well.
By plane
[edit]The distance from 1 Heraklion International Airport (HER IATA) near Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos is about 64 km (40 mi). The journey time is 45 – 60 minutes by car or taxi.
Alternatively the distance from 2 Sitia Airport (JSH IATA) near Sitia is about 67 km (42 mi).
Get around
[edit]
By bus
[edit]Local bus service with modern air-conditioned buses.
Elounda, Kritsa, Sitia, Heraklion (and from there, Knossos), Malia and Hersonnisos are easily accessed with a regular bus service which is very good value.
By scooter
[edit]Scooters are readily available. Wearing crash helmets is compulsory. Do not ruin your holiday by receiving a large fine.
By hired car
[edit]You will not normally need a 4 x 4 to negotiate the roads, most of which are paved. Some places and rental properties are less accessible. Beware of damage to the underside of the hire car on rough tracks.
By taxi
[edit]Excellent value. Invariably will be a large, clean and air-conditioned Mercedes. Most drivers speak basic English and have none of the bad habits of many Med taxi drivers (loud local music, smoking en route, etc.)
By quad
[edit]Not designed for use on the road, these cause traffic congestion and impatience, leading to many accidents and occasional deaths. Think very carefully before hiring one and using it on the roads.
See
[edit]Recommended are the boat trips which are fascinating and have amazing value (do not spend more than €10); they also usually include an ocean swim.
- 1 Spinalonga (Greek: Σπιναλόγκα). The old leper colony (formerly a Venetian fortress).
- Barbarossa's Cave. There are boat trips up the coast to see Barbarossa's Cave.
- 2 Lato. Ancient city which are just small excavated ruins.
- 3 Archaeological Museum.
- 4 Semi-submarine. A boat with windows underwater, that takes a round-trip around the bay, showcasing some underwater fish (supported by feeding them) and sea ground. In the second part of the trip, a few notable buildings/hotels at the shore are shown..
Do
[edit]
Visit Almyros beach, a long sandy beach with a cold water stream entering the sea at the southern end. Perfect for a cooling paddle if the heat gets too much. About a 20-minute walk from the town centre but worth every step. Alternatively, a taxi from the town centre costs about €8.
If it is windy, consider a pebble beach rather than a sand beach, of which there is no shortage.
Buy
[edit]Locally produced fruit and vegetables at the market on Wednesday morning. The tomatoes are superb.
Thyme honey. The bees here take the pollen from thyme and the subtle flavour is transferred to the honey.
Eat
[edit]There are a good selection of restaurants and tavernas in the town, ranging from the small and friendly "Grigoris" to the superb "Mediterraneo" on the harbour.
Meze restaurants worth visiting are "Barko" which provides a modern slant on traditional dishes and "Chyssofillis" on Kitroplatia. Just around the corner is "9 Muses", a modern restaurant/cafe bar which is popular with local residents. The "Piato" near Ammoudi beach is an excellent contemporary meze restaurant. Near the taxi rank by tourist information is "Embassy".
For more northern European tastes, "Obelix" is a Dutch operated restaurant near Ammoudi beach which serves large portions with a daily special.
- Psaraki (Ψαρακι), Laki Voulismeni, ☏ +30 28410-24025. 10:00-02:45. Opened in 2009, Psaraki hails as one of Agios Nikolaos top new restaurants. Modern & minimalist style, Mediterranean-New Hellenic cuisine, extensive wine list and authentic & perfect cocktails. moderate.
Patriko towards Elounda, at Amoudi Beach. Lovely fresh fish and meats. Great Greek ambiance.
Drink
[edit]Modern cafe bars on the right of the harbour include "Molto" and "En Plo".
- 1 Yanni's Rock Bar, Koundourou 3. An institution, once the haunt of rock stars such as Ozzy Osbourne, U2 and Jimmy Page.
"Puerto" is popular with the young locals and 25 March Street (25 Martiou) is busy at weekends with many of the local student population. Don't be misled by old tales about this street being the hub of the night life for tourists. It is entirely "Greek" and if you don't want to hear modern Greek music you will be in the wrong place.
The bars that have survived the change in tourist tastes over the last few years include "Aquarius", "Sorrento" and "Alexandros". The first two are "British" style tourist bars and the latter is a rooftop garden bar which has a small dance floor.
Also Toedeledokie Bar-Cafe situated in between Coral and Hermes Hotel with candle light and good music.
The small but friendly "Sky Bar" near to the Marina shows televised sport.
- Jollies Bar (near football ground/ marina), ☏ +30 28410 26073. Small, friendly bar covering most sports.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Artemis Beach Hotel (200 m from Havania beach). Offers single, double and triple rooms to let with sea view. Also does hot snacks and has a quiz night on Sunday evenings. Free internet and very friendly bar.
- Bayview Apartments, Almyros Beach (by foot,bus or car, 2 km from town center), ☏ +30 28410 82966, +30 6970 633301, bayview23@hotmail.com. Studios and apartments in big garden close to Almyros beach. Good location, free Wi-Fi. €30-60.
- 2 Candia Park Village, ☏ +30 28410 26811. Aparthotel complex with self-catering apartments and plenty of amenities including 2 swimming pools, several restaurants and a small shop.
- Minos Beach art hotel, ☏ +30 28410 22345.
- Mantraki Hotel Apartments, Kapetan Tavla 1, ☏ +30 28410 28880.
- Youth Hostel Regina, Theotokopoulou 13-15, ☏ +30 841-26770. Youth hostel. €15.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Agios Nikolaos |
| Heraklion ← Malia ← | W  E |
→ KaloChorio Istron → Sitia |