Picturesque Agios Nikolaos stands in Crete's north eastern corner on the lovely sheltered Gulf of Mirabello. It's the island's longest established resort, and easily its prettiest and most cosmopolitan town; it has an upmarket feel about it with lovely jewellery and leather shops.

The trademark of Agios Nikolaos is the Voulismeni lake - the lake of unknown depth - actually it’s an inlet from the sea and it lies right in the middle of the town, which is linked to the sea by a canal; this is a particularly scenic part of the town, boasting an attractive harbour, lined with open air cafes and tavernas.

Aghios Nikolaos has change somewhat, over the last few years, its has gone from a rowdy and lively 18-30s tourist resort to a much calmer but still “buzzy” town, catering more for the local population, most of the British owned bars have gone.  This is all thanks to the local authority of who where determined to change its image and bring back the Greek flavour of the town.

Beaches in Aghios Nikolaos itself are fairly small and shingly, if you want a bigger choice, catch the local bus that runs regularly to the sandy beaches nearby at Almiros, Ammoudara and Kalo Horio.

Overall, the resort is now more likely to attract couples, young and older, and is a far cry from the popular image which is still being banded about by guide books, etc. which were written ten or fifteen years ago and never updated.

JOURNEY TIME
Heraklion airport to Aghios Nikolaos is approx 70Kms (40miles) - 1hr by taxi