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Agios Nikolaos, Elounda

Eastern Crete (see map )

Crete, Agios Nikolaos Crete, Agios Nikolaos Crete, Agios Nikolaos

 

Built on the Gulf of Mirabello (named by the Venetians for "nice view"), this picturesque city has been discovered by film directors and the international jet set in the ‘60’s. It's principal and more obvious attraction is a supposed bottomless lake, surrounded by restaurants and cafes proudly advertising their "lake view". Invaded by group tourism some years ago "Ag Nik" hasn't been left spoilt, now that these hordes have moved towards Hersonissos and Malia.

 

CAFES
There is no much to do during the day than to sit on a cafe terrace and enjoy the lake view (oh yes!). CHEZ GEORGES is our favorite, don’t forget to sign it’s guest book. CAFE DU LAC is the place to meet locals. PLAZA has probably the best lake view, while MYTHOS is a new proposition by a young architect. ALEXANDROS ROOF GARDEN offers a nice view on the city and live music from the ‘60’s. TO VASANO is a traditional Greek "kafeneion" at the center and the bakery of LAMBROS is just opposite, you can combine a "glykys vrastos" coffee with a "kaltsouni" or "xerotigano" pastry. At ELOUDA cafe KRITI is also on the traditional side, ask for "soumada", a sweet almond drink.

 

RESTAURANTS
Lake view is considered a must for restaurants too, however we will insist more on other points, like quality and service. The choice for what is called "international cuisine" is wide. Generally establishments who describe themselves on these terms tend to be on the expensive side, but there are exceptions of course. Try for instance DU LAC (that’s "lake " in French!), LIMNI (you guessed it, "lake" in Greek!). LACASA, VERONA, IL CAPRICCIO, CASANOVA, LA STRADA, REDDRAGON are ethnic - oriented (Italian or Chinese, that is!). A beautiful garden and a finely restored neoclassical building (villa Koundouros) characterize the -on the upper side- MEDITERANNEO. Traditional Cretan food at TAVERNA AUOAS, ITANOS, LOUKAKIS, IKAROS and OFOU TO LO (pronounce it as a whole "ofoutolo"). PELAGOS is a stylish fish tavern. If you master the concept of "mezedes" (little side-dishes that sum up to a more than complete dinner, accompanied by lot’s of wine or raki) you will definitely explore AVLI, ELLINIKON (a kafeneion than proposes different mezedes every day). Outside Aghios Nikolaos, for the independent traveler, MANOLIS, PEFKO, NIKOS and DRIROS, all around Elounda are fair choices and some of them offer views to …Spinalonga, the island of the leprous (once upon a time, relax). The gastronomical capital of the region is to be found though at Neapolis, on the way to Malia. Try meze places PERIX and REGOULA and the restaurant KIPOS and order what locals prefer.

 

NIGHTLIFE
Once upon a time a Mecca of European nightlife, Aghios Nikolaos is somewhat a calmer place nowadays. That doesn’t mean that the choice of bars and clubs is limited of course! The 25 Martiou str is called by local youths "Soho", the association is obvious! CAPTAIN SKY, SCORPIOS, TOUNEL, SIXTIES, SORRENTO, SANTA MARIA, BOLERO, PIER, GIANNI’S BAR are tourist - oriented, while ROXY and ROYALE propose a Greek-only repertoire. RULE is the current hot spot , a club with some interesting guest dj's sometimes.. At PORTO you’ll be observing ferry-boats coming at dawn, if you stay up that late.

 

BEACHES - GETTING AROUND
Some committee of the European Union has recently awarded 28 blue flags, a special distinction for clean beaches, but you don’t need any committee to see the obvious, there are tiny but very photogenic spots everywhere (though the best are "reserved" to residents of the luxury hotels) and the water is crystal clear. You’ll have to take a ride though, not a bad idea to rent a bike to reach ALMYROS beach or AMMUDARA and HAVANIA, on the way to KALO HORIO. Going opposite you will pass the sunken city of OLOUS, towards ELOUDA, PLAKA and the Venetian fortress rock on the islet of SPINALONGA, used as the last leper colony of Europe (till 1950). You can go there by boat, an excursion not to be missed!

 

Source: Stigmes, Crete's magasine

Nikos Papadogeorgakis


 

Tip of the day

Agios Nikolaos - Crete


Charming little town, which for many years has attracted ever greater numbers of visitors, is situated right in the heart of the glorious Bay of Mirabello with its breath taking vistas, azure blue seas and very pleasant climate. Agios Nikolaos sits on the ancient site of the town of Lato-Etera. Both towns were administrative centres and reached their pinnacle in the 3rd Century A.D. Today, Agios Nikolaos is an important centre for Administration, for the Arts and for Transport Service, and has become one of the most advanced regions for these in Crete, and in Greece.
This is the place, where tourism first began in Crete and   it gradually became a much favored area, thanks to very traditional big open hearted welcome given to visitors, the wonderful coastline, the clean beaches, nine of which in the region as a whole have now been awarded the European Blue Flag plus of course the very rich variety of ancient sights to visit. Agios Nikolaos has much to offer both young and old. It is ideal for walkers, for those who seek history and culture, and there is a wide selection of nightlife to suit every taste. Every  summer the town council arranges a programme of cultural events. It is also an ideal centre for all kinds of watersports, and various hotels and sports centres have swimming pools, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.
In the centre of the town is the picturesque harbour, with the curious little round lake of Voulismeni, and the cafes around provide a popular meeting point for locals and visitors alike. To add to the attractions, one of the most beautiful yacht marinas in the Aegean was built here in 1994.Always appealing too are the numerous small shops to browse through in the little
The town is furthermore an ideal springboard for day trips to explore other regions of the eastern and central island. For example a trip to the old mountain village of Kritza, to the Lassithi plain, to Malia or intriguing Spinalonga, the island with mellow stone venetian buildings, which in times past was used as a leper colony. Agios Nikolaos can be reached via a direct ferry link with Piraeus harbour, Athens, and for air travel, the airport of Heraklion is only about 45 minutes drive away.

 


Index: Tourist guide of Crete
Agia Galini Agia Roumeli Agia Triada Agios Nikolaos Akrotiri Almirida Anogia Aradena Archanes Arkadi Argiroupoli Balos Bali Chania Chora Sfakion Chersonissos Chrissoskalitissa Cnossos Elafonissi Elounda Falassarna Festos Fodele Frangokastello Gortyna Gramvoussa Hania Heraklion Hersonissos Hora Sfakion Ierapetra Kalyves Kandanos Kastelli Kissamos Knossos Kritsa Lato Lassithi plateau Lendas Loutro Malia Matala Mochlos Omalos Paleokastro Plakias Preveli Rethymnon Rethimno Rodopos Samaria Sitia Sougia Sfakia Spili Vai Vamos Zakros

 

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