Agios Nikolaos

NOW 17 °C

Next 5 days

  • MON 21 °C
  • TUES 21 °C
  • WED 21 °C
  • THURS 17 °C
  • FRI 16 °C

Climatic Data

Source: National Observatory of Athens /meteo.gr

Agios Nikolaos (“Ag Nik” as the British visitors love to call it) is the capital town of Lassithi. Here, the bottomless salt lake Voulismeni dominates the area. A narrow channel of water connects the lake with the sea, while an imposing backdrop of red rock and trees adds to the natural beauty of the scenery. A small pine tree park lies above the lake, and a stone path leads to its southern section to a cute small harbour for fishing boats.

The city boasts interesting Archaeological, Folklore, and Natural History museums, Byzantine churches, a well-organised marina, bustling pedestrian streets (ideal for leisurely walks), and traditional squares with buzzing cafés and restaurants.
Panoramic view of the town of Agios Nikolaos, with the traditional houses and the illuminated port at night

Unique Experiences

During your stay here, pay a visit to:

  • The island of Agioi Pantes that houses a breeding facility for the Cretan wild goat (kri kri).
  • Almyros wetland, a passage for migratory birds.
  • Istro, 11 km S, is famous for its consecutive beaches at Karavostassi, Áyios Panteleimonas and Voúlisma (Hrissí Aktí).
  • Kritsa, 11 km SW, is a picturesque village built on the feet of Mt. Kastellos with a marvellous view to Mirabello bay. Its traditional architectural features are impressively preserved through time. Here was actually shot in 1956 the famous Jules Dassin movie “Christ Recrucified”.
  • Pachia Ammos, 20 km SE, is an old commercial port at the junction of Agios Nikolaos-Sitia-Ierapetra.
  • Explore the east part of Crete.

Filming in Ag. Nikolaos

FILMING IN GREECE

HE WHO MUST DIE (1957)

Based on the novel "Christ Recrucified" by Nikos Kazantzakis, the story is set during the 1920s in a Turkish-occupied Greek village shortly after World War I. The priest assigns roles in the upcoming traditional Passion reenactment to the leading citizens of the village, but some of the villagers begin to defy the priest's moral authority.

DIRECTOR: JULES DASSIN
FILMING LOCATION: AGIOS NIKOLAOS

IMDb

THE MOON-SPINNERS (1964)

A teenage girl arrives for a holiday in Crete with her aunt, a musicologist who wants to make recordings of Cretan Folk music.The owners of their hotel, however are unwelcoming and their behaviour soon arises young girl's suspicions that they are involved in some criminal enterprise.

DIRECTOR: JAMES NEILSON
FILMING LOCATION: AGIOS NIKOLAOS

IMDb
© Getty Images/ Ideal Image

LA FEMME FARDEE (1990)

On the occasion of a musical cruise a small society coming from different horizons of the great and petty bourgeoisie will play the dangerous game of passions that will liberate some and destroy others. Based on the novel of Françoise Sagan, the film features Jeanne Moreau, Jacqueline Maillan and Andre Dussollier.

DIRECTOR: JOSE PINHEIRO
FILMING LOCATION: AGIOS NIKOLAOS

IMDb
BY CAR
To reach Agios Nikolaos you have to go to the port of Heraklion or Sitia. The duration of the journey by road from Heraklion or Sitia to Agios Nikolaos is 1 hour and 1 hour and 20 minutes respectively.

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Ferry routes