Agios Nikolaos Crete





Agios Nikolaos was once a small, unimportant agricultural backwater on the north coast of Crete. Today, it’s been transformed together with Elounda into one of the biggest and most well-known holiday destinations of Greece. With just over 10,000 inhabitants it is also the capital of the east of Crete.



Despite the heavy tourism, Agios Nikolaos has retained its Cretan country-town charm. Historic buildings and beautiful beaches are in healthy evidence around, whilst the busy centre attracts locals and tourists alike for shopping.

Agios Nikolaos

The centre of Agios Nikolaos is around a small lake, called Voulismeni. Clustered around the lake are the usual bars and restaurants. The museums are worth a visit, particularly the Archaeological Museum, which is second only to the museum in Iraklio in its importance. Particularly famous is its collection of pre-Minoan artefacts, which provide a glimpse into the life of the first settlers on Crete. The smaller Ethnological Museum has interesting artefacts from the 17th to 19th centuries, including an exceptional collection of Cretan musical instruments and machines used in the textile industry.

Agios Nikolaos Lake Voulismeni  Agios Nikolaos Centre

Eating in Agios Nikolaos: You can find plenty of cheap restaurants around the main Square (Plateia Venizelou), but NOT near the lake or the port. Fast food can also be found on the main square.



The De Molen is the only German restaurant on Crete that I know of. The Dutch owner advertises it as having Dutch cuisine, but it is actually German food, such as Vienna Schnitzel with chips for €7.50. There is also a very good Indonesian Nasi Goreng. De Molen can be found behind the lake, on top of the mountain.

Restaurant Pelagos is set in a villa with a big garden only 50m from the port and lake, and is the best of all the top restaurants in Agios Nikolaos. As their name suggests (‘Pelagos’ is one Greek word for sea), their specialities centre around fish and seafood dishes.

Accommodation in Agios Nikolaos: The cheapest place to sleep in Agios Nikolaos is the Green House. It is a meeting point for backpackers from around the world. I love the small and simple pension. Out of season you can bargain with the friendly and informative owner about the price. Even during high season a single room is not more than €15 and a double €20/25. Phone 28410 22025-

Unfortunately I could not find her in 2008. The place looked closed, and nobody answered the phone. So I looked for another cheap place in Agios Nikolaos.

My new favourite (year 2009) is Pension Mary. A nice elderly woman has en-suite rooms. In high season singles are €20, doubles €35. Out of season you can expect much cheaper rates. Pension Mary is in the centre, on Evans Street. Phone: 28410 23760

There are also at least fifty hotels in Agios Nikolaos in the mid-to upper-price range which can be booked over the internet.

Buses Agios Nikolaos: The new air-conditioned bus station is about 1.5km from the town centre. Buses run every 30 minutes to Iraklio, 5-8 buses a day to Sitia and Ierapetra Some go on to the village Mirtos). There are at least ten buses a day to Elounda and Kritsa, and half of those buses go on further to Plaka. Those who wish to travel on to the the east of Crete (Rethymno, Chania...) must go to Iraklio and take buses from there. Most buses to and from Iraklio stop at the airport, Hersonissos (Crete) and at the famous resort Malia,

Map Agios Nikolaos Crete


Größere Karte anzeigen

Ferries Agios Nikolaos: There is a ferry every other day between Agios Nikolaos and Athens.

Trips from Agios Nikolaos: You can take a glass-bottomed catamaran to look at the marine waterworld, but at €16.00 (April 2017) it’s not particularly cheap for 85 minutes. There are discounts for children, and toddlers get a free ride.

You can also take an interesting day trip to Spinalonga, a former leper colony from Agios Nikolaos. There are at least ten boats a day in the summer. Thanks to the price war between competing companies, these trips are quite cheap. Also there are days trips to Sissi.

We recommend to visit the Amazonas Park Crete, an interesting zoo about 25 km from Agios Nikolaos near the town Neapoli.

Important tickets for Crete

Some tickets for Crete can be bought in advance on the Internet. This improves the planning of your holiday and saves time as you don't have to queue up at the ticket offices or search for ticket sales points on Crete. Tickets for the 3 most important sights on Crete:

1. Excavation of Knossos, often long queues at the cash desk: tickets Click here

2. A good overview of bus tours to the famous Samaria Gorge, which can be booked online: Click here

3. Former leprosy island of Spinalonga. Various tickets, ferries, tours: Click here

See also: Many other tickets, excursions on Crete: Tickets Crete

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