Agios Nikolaos, capital town of the district of Lasithi, is one of the most highly developed tourist towns in Greece.
It lies along the west of the Mirabello bay, a jagged inlet with many islets and outcrops. The climate in the area is mild with extremely low humidity and therefore an ideal place to relax and recharge. The sea in Agios Nikolaos is outstanding and the surrounding area of the city is renowned for its sandy beaches and beautiful bays.
The attraction of the city is the small Voulismeni lake that formed itself within an old volcano crater, set at the foot of the cliffs in the centre town. According to the legend Athena herself used to bath in its waters. The circular lake that is 64 m deep and has a 137m diameter was only recently connected to the sea via a canal opened at the end of the 19th century. It is an especially picturesque site with many open-air cafes and restaurants along the bank where they drink the “saumada” a traditional drink made of almond milk. Small boats leave the harbour to visit the Venetian fortress of Spinaloga, set on the homonymous island a rocky islet that used to be a leper colony up to the late fifties.
Every summer the town of Agios Nikolaos organizes cultural events, music and dance events, theatrical performances, shows and exhibitions. During Naval week, artistic swimming, water skiing and wind-surfing contests take place. Agios Nikolaos is a holiday destination to fit everybody’s needs. The archaeological sites and the historic feel about the place make it a great spot for those looking for a cultural holiday; at the same time it is a lively meeting point for those who love fun, a paradise of peace and quiet for those who want to relax and an ideal summer resort for those after a beach holiday. Agios Nikolaos also possesses the second finest Archaeological Museum in Crete, where splendid archaeological findings from throughout the Prefecture of Lasithi are exhibited.
It is accessible by bus or car from Iraklion. There are boat connections all year round from the port of Agios Nikolaos to Piraeus. During the summer there are also connections with the islands of Cyclades and with the islands of Kassos, Karpathos, Kos. Tours to Santorini are organized during the summer. It is served by the airports of Iraklion and Sitia as the town doesn’t have its own.