Agios Nikolaos, Crete

Agios Nikolaos is only 15km from Neapoli and is on the main bus route with buses running from the main square every hour or so; a one-way fare is currently 3 euro (2024). The taxi rank is also on the main square and one-way costs around 15 euro (2024). Should you decide to go by car there are several car parks in Agios Nikolaos offering very reasonable prices to park the car. Probably a good idea to check out Google maps to get an overview of the city. Agios Nikolaos is very easy to get around but is located on the hilly terrain overlooking the Bay of Mirabello so during the hotter summer months it can be a bit of a challenge, but you are never far away from a taverna or bar where you can enjoy a cool drink and relax and take your time exploring this lovely town. It still retains a local character and has so much to offer visitors from the local shops and of course the tourist shops offering a wide array of gifts to take back home. Voulismeni Lake was formerly freshwater but is now connected to the harbour by a channel dug by soldiers of the French Army in 1907. According to legend, the goddess Athena bathed in it. Every year at midnight on the Orthodox Christian Easter day, the majority of the population of the town gather around the lake to celebrate with fireworks and firecrackers thrown by the people attending the event. Serving as a small harbour for little fishing boats, it is surrounded by many restaurants and bars and provides an ideal spot to sit, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and just watch the world go by. It is also a famous location for Cliff Diving and there is a 2 day competition held every summer, usually in July, but check out their facebook page for actual dates. Taking a stroll along the seafront path you will come across two different sculptures: The Horn of Almathea is located near Kitroplateia Beach. It is known as the Horn of Amalthea or the Cornucopia, an eternal symbol of abundance. The sculpture was designed and created by Nikos and Pantelis Sotiriades in 2000. According to the legend, while Zeus was hidden by his mother Rhea in a cave, the goat Almathea nourished the little god. One day, however, while he was playing with Almathea, the young god accidentally broke one of her horns. Zeus gave a blessing to the damaged horn by adding a hole, so that everything would be found in abundance pouring from it. The Abduction of Europa is a sculpture in the port of Agios Nikolaos. The sculpture was designed by the Cretan film director Nikos Koundouros and was created by sculptors Nikos and Pantelis Sotiriades. It’s connected with Zeus who, falling in love with Princess Europa, transformed into a white bull to approach the girl. Captured by the beautiful animal, Europa tried to ride the bull. When she did so, the bull ran into the sea, taking Europa with him to the South of Crete (many legends say to Matala). The Harbour has a variety of boat trips on offer including glass submarine trips and trips to the Island of Spinalonga and Elounda. Prices do vary so it is a good idea to check out what is on offer before you buy tickets…It is a worthwhile stroll to go around Agios Nikolaos Marina and admire some of the boats that are moored there…maybe you’ll see something that you’d like to buy! For more information about the places to see and things to do we suggest you visit the tourist information office for any advice. The Tourist Information Office can be found at: Koundourou 21, Ag. Nikolaos 721 00 Phone: 2841 022357

There is a free bus service that runs around Agios Nikolaos. You will see from this map that each bus stop is numbered and you can simply hop on & off…The buses are small and flexible, 16 seats for seated passengers but, as they move on an urban road network at low speed, they are designed for an additional 12 standing passengers. Daily every half hour, from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, except for the 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. church services

Agios Nikolaos has some amazing beaches if it’s a swim and sunbathe that you are after… The are several beaches located within the city and most are organised offering sunbeds and umbrellas and never far from a bar or taverna for a meal or ice cold drink…. Here is a list of them for you to check out….