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