Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos (Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος Saint Nicholas) is a city in Crete.

By bus
Local bus service with modern air-conditioned buses.

By ferry
Ferries don't run directly to the town Agios Nikolaos but major ferry lines operate to the port of Herakleion, connecting with bus services at the main bus station near the port. Frequent ferry lines operate to the port of Sitia as well.

By plane
The distance from  near Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos is about. The journey time is 45 – 60 minutes by car or taxi.

Alternatively the distance from  near Sitia is about.

By bus
Local bus service with modern air-conditioned buses.

Elounda, Kritsa, Sitia, Heraklion (and from there, Knossos), Malia and Hersonnisos are easily accessed with a regular bus service which is very good value.

By scooter
Scooters are readily available. Wearing crash helmets is compulsory. Do not ruin your holiday by receiving a large fine.

By hired car
You will not normally need a 4 x 4 to negotiate the roads, most of which are paved. Some places and rental properties are less accessible. Beware of damage to the underside of the hire car on rough tracks.

By taxi
Excellent value. Invariably will be a large, clean and air-conditioned Mercedes. Most drivers speak basic English and have none of the bad habits of many Med taxi drivers (loud local music, smoking en route, etc.)

By quad
Not designed for use on the road, these cause traffic congestion and impatience, leading to many accidents and occasional deaths. Think very carefully before hiring one and using it on the roads.

See
Recommended are the boat trips which are fascinating and have amazing value (do not spend more than €10); they also usually include an ocean swim.



Do
Visit 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.

Buy
Locally produced fruit and vegetables at the market on Wednesday morning. The tomatoes are superb.

Thyme honey. The bees here take the pollen from thyme and the subtle flavour is transferred to the honey.

Eat
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 "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. Patriko towards Elounda, at Amoudi Beach. Lovely fresh fish and meats. Great Greek ambiance.

Drink
Modern cafe bars on the right of the harbour include "Molto" and "En Plo".



"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.