Where is agios nikolaos in crete

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 Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos hosts archaeological objects from Lasithi that belong to different Minoan periods. Among the findings, there are objects from the seaside cemetery of Agia Fotia close to Ierapetra and a remarkable skull of an athlete with a gold wreath and a coin from Polyrrinia in his mouth. This exhibit comes from an Ancient cemetery in Lato, the best-preserved town from the Hellenistic period.

Also, visiting hours might change. Check the official website periodically to get updated information if you plan to visit. Operating hours: The Spirit of the Stairs is a contemporary art project which started back in The project promotes the architectural and cultural heritage of Agios Nikolaos and its impressive network of stairs over 70! Paintings and sculptures can be admired on 11 different stairs in town. The idea makes reference to the identity of Agios Nikolaos, the stairs that connect the upper and lower parts of the town, and the relationships they create.

Artists make use of both the natural landscape and the culture of each neighborhood where the stairs are located. There are 7 monasteries and 28 historical churches you can visit in the region. Most of them host unique icons and frescoes and they are usually open to the public.

Agios Nikolaos in Ormos The first and most beautiful church is the one that gives the name to the city. Agios Nikolaos church faces the nearby bay of Ormos, a place where ships would anchor during the Roman and Byzantine periods. This single-naved church probably dates back to the pre-Arab conquest of Crete, about The little church is considered one of the few remaining Early Byzantine churches on the island.

It has remarkable frescoes belonging to both the Cretan and Macedonian Byzantine traditions. You can also visit the churches on the island of Spinalonga. If you want to know more about them, check this article. Megali Panagia — Neapoli Megali Panagia is the metropolitan church of Neapoli , the former capital of the region.

In the area, you can also visit the ruins of the abandoned Catholic Fraro Monastery belonging to the Order of the Franciscans. Agios Fokas and Agios Loukas, Kolokitha Not far from Elounda, in the bay of Kolokitha, there are remains of two early Christian basilicas around the 5th century , with geometric floors.

Always in the peninsula, you can visit the restored Byzantine church of Agios Fokas access only by boat. It honors the Byzantine emperor Nikeforos Fokas who liberated the island from the Arab occupation in AD, thus beginning the second Byzantine period of Crete.

Finally, behind the beach of Kolokitha, the church of Agios Loukas is also worth a visit. Panagia Kera is located less than a km from the mountain village of Kritsa. The church is believed to date back to the 13th — 14th centuries and is home to remarkable frescoes and icons.

The complex develops in two levels, and it has a wonderful garden with stunning views of the sea. Saint George is the protector of travelers in the region. Yet, over there you can find some good city beaches, all of them awarded a blue flag. It has a very central position and the nearby facilities make it a great place for a one-day stop. In the promenade behind the beach, there are restaurants, tavernas, and bars for a quick snack or a cold drink.

The beach is mainly pebbled and rather shallow. It gets really crowded during the peak of the season, so it might be a good idea to get away from the village for more relaxation. The beach is close to the Marina , east of Kritroplateia Beach. Definitely better than Kitroplateia in terms of crowds, however, locals and visitors do populate Ammos in Summer. One of my favorite beaches close to Agios Nikolaos is Almyros my most favorite one remains Voulisma, but Almyros is also perfect!

The bay is protected from currents and winds and the water is really shallow. A favorite among families with children as well as with tourists in general. The beach has a little river ending by the sea. The river is cold and clean and it produces a weird hot-cold effect when it mixes with the sea. The colors of the water are simply amazing. Another tranquil bay close to Agios Nikolaos is Ormos Beach , with a very protected position.

Are you wondering if you should visit Agios during your next trip to Crete? Therefore, you are now able to venture along the East to see the outstanding beaches far from Agios Nikolaos.

However, it is indeed a quiet place, in a tranquil village. The beach is about 16 km from Agios Nikolaos and directly faces the island of Spinalonga. Being close to the popular resort of Elounda , it tends to get quite crowded. Not my favorite, but truly popular, also among fishermen. Elounda is one of the most exclusive resorts in Crete, home to exclusive hotels and villas.

As in most of the Mirabello Gulf, the sea is calm and clear, which has made these shores really popular. To reach Elounda from Agios Nikolaos, drive along the coastal road towards the west for about 10 km. To reach the beach of Agios Loukas in the Spinalonga peninsula or Kolokitha , you have to drive along the artificial road that passes on top of the ancient sunken city of Olous.

After a while, you get on a dirt path that takes you directly to the parking area opposite Agios Loukas church. Within minutes you get to this spectacular sandy beach. This shore is popular. Many people get to the beach by boat as well.

Besides, cruise ships traveling to Spinalonga, usually schedule a stop here for a barbeque on the beach. I would not place thi s road on that list since there are far scarier roads on the island. Ammoudara is about 5 km east of Agios Nikolaos, on the road that connects the city to Sitia. Many people who spend their holidays in East Crete choose this small village instead of staying in Agios Nikolaos. The beach of Ammoudara is small but beautiful and sandy. It faces the east, which makes it really protected from the winds and it virtually lacks waves.

Voulisma is one of the three different beaches in Istron. And it has become popular for its bright turquoise waters and stunning green landscape all around. Voulisma also called Golden Beach is a very wide and shallow bay, with white, fine sand and every facility you need. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas or visit the beach bar above for lunch or a drink. Tholos is a wonderful, rather secluded beach, not so close to Agios Nikolaos and therefore rather isolated. The beach is sand mixed with pebbles and as you can see from the picture above.

There are tamarisk trees providing shade and just one taverna in the area. This is another beach easy to reach from Ierapetra 23 km away as well as from Agios Nikolaos 30 km away. Continue on around the point, and you'll end up at Kitroplateia Beach and another busy tourist area.

Located just a minute drive down the coast from Agios Nikolaos, Voulisma Beach is a spectacular, shallow beach with clear turquoise water. It is considered one of Crete's best beaches for its curving ribbon of soft sand backed by cliff walls. The beach is long, but not particularly wide. Unlike many other beaches in Crete, the sand here is soft and almost white. The beach is shallow well out into the bay, and the water gets warm in the hot Cretan sun. It's also perfect for children and for those who prefer to wade instead of swim.

A long set of stairs leads down from the carpark, and a few beach shops have umbrellas and chairs for rent and sell refreshments and snacks.

Two other beaches are located nearby, Chartalami and Pylos. As you stroll along the waterfront road near the port at Agios Nikolaos towards Kitroplateia Beach, you'll pass two impressive works of art. The setting for both works is impressive, with the huge mountains of Eastern Crete rising up across Mirabello Bay in the background. The Abduction of Europa sculpture shows Europa on the back of a giant bull. The legend is that Zeus fell in love with Europa and sent the bull to entice her. Once she got on the bull's back, he charged into the sea and went to Crete with her, never to return.

The second work of art is the Horn of Amalthea , an impressive artistic take on the legend of Zeus and the goat Amalthea. As a child, Zeus accidentally broke off the goat's horn. To make things right, he made the broken horn an unending supply of whatever Amalthea wanted. Anyone who has read The Island by Victoria Hislop, which was turned into a series by Greek TV in filmed here , already knows the story about Spinalonga.

Rising in Mirabello Bay , this tiny island was fortified by the Venetians in the 17th century as part of their strategy to protect Crete from Turkish invasion. From to , it was used as a leper colony. Today, the ruins give a special atmosphere of abandonment, but nonetheless, the lepers lived reasonably well, building their own society and receiving food and medical supplies from the mainland.

Within easy walking distance of the lake and the port, Kitroplateia Beach is a lovely crescent of pebbles and sand that looks across to the huge mountains on the opposite shore of Mirabello Bay. It's one of the most scenic spots in Agios Nikoloas. Umbrellas line the beach, and many people come down for a morning swim in the calm, clear water.

You can come down here in the evening to dine and look out over the beach and water at sunset, or simply stop in for lunch. For a taste of Cretan village life, drive away from the coast and into the mountains to Kritsa, 11 kilometers southwest of Agios Nikolaos also served by the blue trains, known as the Little Train Tours.

Set amid timeless olive groves, with whitewashed houses built into a hillside, Krista moves at a relaxing pace. Everyday life centers on its main street, lined with stores selling crafts and goods, such as embroidered tablecloths, hand-woven rugs, ceramics, and leather products, which make fine souvenirs.

If you come by car, the parking lot is to your right, shortly after the road divides when you enter town. Be sure to park here, as the roads get steep, twisty, and confusing if you miss the sign. From the parking lot, walk up the street, and before too long you'll come to the pedestrian area on your right. Don't limit yourself to the commercial area with the vendors—part of the charm of this mountain town is wandering the twisty, narrow back streets. If you get thirsty, fill your water bottle at one of the many spigots located throughout town.

The water is said to have life extending properties. On the road from Agios Nikolaos to Kritsa , about one kilometer before the village, stands the lovely whitewashed church of Panagia Kera Our Lady of Kera.

Dating from the 13th-century, its interior is decorated with the best-preserved Byzantine frescoes on the island. Depicting scenes from the Bible, such as the Nativity, Christ's Life, and the Last Supper, as well as various saints, the overall effect is one of serenity and beauty.

The church is free to enter. If you are coming up from Agios Nikolaos, note that the church is not visible from the road; keep an eye out for the small sign across from the Paradise Taverna. Park in the lot across from the taverna, and walk up the small gravel road. If you were wondering how all the wonderful olive oil you've been tasting in your meals is made, this is the place to visit.

You'll be able to tour the farm and learn all about the process of olive farming. Thank you anita. The imposing bay of Mirabello is also ideal for those who seek to escape from everyday life with sailing. Home Welcome to Agios Nikolaos Crete. Get married Getting married in Agios Nikolaos is something that you will treasure for life! View More. Sea, Town or Mainland? Choose between the major areas to customize your journey and get content that interests you.

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