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Aghios
Nikolaos, the administrative centre of the prefecture of Lasithi, is a
modern town built on the north western point of Mirabello bay,
on the Northeast coast of
Crete. It is the islands most established tourist resort, with life
centred around a working port and busy yachting marina. Aghios Nikolaos
is a
cosmopolitan resort with
a busy nightlife
and an abundance of restaurants, bars. and shops. |
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Aghios Nikolaos
once had the deserved reputation as a party town, but things have
quietened down a little since then and these days the town is just as
likely to attract couples, both young and a little older. Despite the
crowds and the still very busy nightclubs, the town has managed to retain
a charm which is a far cry from the image of its recent past. |
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The
Voulismeni lake in the middle, of Aghios Nikolaos is a particularly
attractive part of the town. At one time the waters of the lake were
stagnant, then in 1867 a channel was cut connecting it to the sea. Locally
the lake is often described as "bottomless" but one measurement estimated
it to be 64 meters or 210 feet deep. It is said that nearing the end of
World War II, the German army, on leaving the island dumped a number of
tanks into the lake never to be seen again. Due to its picturesque
location, expect to pay a little more for your refreshments in the coffee
shops, restaurants and bars that line its edge. |
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 In
Hellenistic times Aghios Nikolaos was the port for Lato, then a powerful
city. The harbour was still in use during Roman times and in the first
Byzantine period, although its importance had greatly diminished. After
this period there are few records of the towns history until 1206 when the
Genoans built the fortress of Mirabelo. The fortress was destroyed during
an earthquake and all traces of the fortress has since disappeared. The
town is now named Aghios Nikolaos
after
the old domed
church with a single nave, dedicated to
Saint Nicholas, which stood on the
small peninsula in the harbour. |
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 For
those who like to keep fit during their holiday, Aghios Nickolaos has a
wide variety of water sports on offer, there are also a number of
basketball, volleyball and tennis courts. If you enjoy horse riding, there
is a well equipped riding school, and the area around Aghios Nikoiaos is
ideal for walking. Summers on Crete can be very hot, so when taking any
exercise, always have a bottle of water with you to avoid dehydration, and
remember that an excess of alcohol can also have a dehydrating effect on
the body. |
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