The natural advantage of Agios Nikolaos is a striking position on a hill overlooking Mirabello Bay, with a small picturesque lake connected to the sea and a pleasant harbour.

In the early 1960s the former fishing village became a chic hideaway for the jet set and the likes of Jules Dassin and Walt Disney, but by the end of the decade package tourists were arriving in force and it became an overdeveloped tourist town. After a slump in recent years, 'Agios' appears to have bounced back and found a different rhythm. It's become a town for locals as much as tourists. It still draws people from the resorts that stretch all the way to Elounda, especially at night, when the cafés and restaurants around the lake and port light up and the ambience turns more vibrant and cosmopolitan.

Things to see

Nature buffs will love Agios Nikolaos, due to its lush vegetation and stunning natural features. The Pine Tree Forest in Males is the ideal place for those who would prefer a calmer and more relaxing walk. The Cave in Milatos possesses a fine collection of stalagmites and stalactites, while according to mythology, the Diktaion Andron Cave was the birthplace of Zeus. Both are great places to visit if you are an amateur speleologist.
We also recommend visiting some of its superb archaeological sites such as the Ancient Cities in Praisos, Itanos and Driros, and the Doric City Lato in the village of Kritsa. Many Minoan ruins are located in the prefecture: the splendid Minoan Palace in Zakros, the Minoan settlement in Palekastro, the Pre-Minoan settlements in Pachia Ammos and Myrtos, the Mid-Minoan Manor in Hamezi and the Post-Minoan towns of Makrygialos and Gournia. If you want to experience the more “recent” history of Agios Nikolaos, you should visit the Venetian Fortress “Kazarma” in Sitia and the Kales Fortress in Ierapetra, as well as the stone-built windmills in Elounda. We also recommend taking a tour of the traditional villagesin in order to study the architecture and the customs of Crete.

When to come

Agios Nikolaos is a tourist destination which is recommended both summer and winter because of the mild climate. The Mediterranean village of Agios Nikolaos in Crete is a perfect destination for all ages