Agios Nikolaos (Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a city in Crete.
Recommended are the boat trips which are fascinating and amazing value (do not spend more than €10); they also usually include an ocean swim.
- Spinalonga. The old leper colony (formerly a Venetian fortress).
- Barbarossa's Cave. There are boat trips up the coast to see Barbarossa's Cave.
Spinalonga. The old leper colony (formerly a Venetian fortress).
Barbarossa's Cave. There are boat trips up the coast to see Barbarossa's Cave.
Go to Almyros beach, a long sandy beach with a cold water stream entering the sea at the southern end. Perfect for a cooling paddle if the heat gets too much. About a 20 minute walk from the town centre but worth every step. Alternatively, a taxi from the town centre costs about €8.
If it is windy, consider a pebble beach rather than a sand beach, of which there is no shortage.
Locally produced fruit and vegetables at the market on Wednesday morning. The tomatoes are superb.
Thyme honey. The bees here take the pollen from hyme and the subtle flavour is transferred to the honey.
There are a good selection of restaurants and tavernas in the town, ranging from the small and friendly "Grigoris" to the superb "Mediterraneo" on the harbour.
Meze restaurants worth visiting are "Barko" which provides a modern slant on traditional dishes and "Chyssofillis" on Kitroplatia. Just around the corner is "9 Muses", a modern restaurant /cafe bar which is popular with local residents. The recently opened "Piato" near Ammoudi beach is an excellent contemporary meze restaurant. Near the taxi rank by tourist information is "Embassy".
For more northern European tastes, "Obelix" is a Dutch operated restaurant near Ammoudi beach which serves large portions with a daily special.
- Psaraki, Laki Voulismeni, +30 28410-24025. 10am - 2:45am. Opened in 2009, Psaraki hails as one of Agios Nikolaos top new restaurants. Modern & minimalist style, Mediterranean-New Hellenic cuisine, extensive wine list and authentic & perfect cocktails. moderate. Patriko towards Elounda, at Amoudi Beach. Lovely fresh fish and meats. Great Greek ambiance.
Psaraki, Laki Voulismeni, +30 28410-24025. 10am - 2:45am. Opened in 2009, Psaraki hails as one of Agios Nikolaos top new restaurants. Modern & minimalist style, Mediterranean-New Hellenic cuisine, extensive wine list and authentic & perfect cocktails. moderate.
Modern cafe bars on the right of the harbour include "Molto" and "En Plo".
- Yanni's Rock Bar, Koundourou 3. an institution, formerly the haunt of rock stars such as Ozzy Osbourne, U2 and Jimmy Page.
"Puerto" is popular with the young locals and 25 March Street (25 Martiou) is busy at weekends with many of the local student population. Don't be misled by old tales about this street being the hub of the night life for tourists. It is entirely "Greek" and if you don't want to hear modern Greek music you will be in the wrong place.
The bars that have survived the change in tourist tastes over the last few years include "Aquarius", "Sorrento" and "Alexandros". The first two are "British" style tourist bars and the latter is a rooftop garden bar which has a small dance floor. Also Toedeledokie Bar-Cafe situated in between Coral and Hermes Hotel with candle light and good music.
The small but friendly "Sky Bar" near to the Marina shows televised sport.
- Jollies Bar, +30 28410 26073. Small, friendly bar covering most sports.
Yanni's Rock Bar, Koundourou 3. an institution, formerly the haunt of rock stars such as Ozzy Osbourne, U2 and Jimmy Page.
Jollies Bar, +30 28410 26073. Small, friendly bar covering most sports.