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Destinations
Points of Interest
Agios Nikolaos
The area of Agios Nikolaos covers a long stretch of the north eastern coast and a
hinterland
that rises to the tremendous rocky ranges of the Dhikti mountains. The
actual town of Agios
Nikolaos is the administrative capital of the region of Lassithi,
and has a population of around
10,000 people. Agios Nikolaos became the first real
tourist resort in the early 1970's, on the
island, and was known for being a noisy and
lively resort. Times have changed, and Agios
Nikolaos now enjoys the reputation of
being an upmarket destination for many nationalities
and its romantic setting and lake
area make it a perfect place for couples of all ages. There has
been much "beautifying"
of the town in the past few years, and a large well equipped marina
has been
constructed. The marina hosts many national and international sailing competitions
and regattas in the summe months and is a popular destination for yachtsmen.
The town takes its name from the small Byzantine church of Saint Nicholas, situated
on a
small peninsula near the Venetian harbour called Mantraki. The church is a
beautiful example
of classic Byzantine architecture and was built between the 7th and
9th century, during the
Iconoclastic period. Many of the original frescos decorate the
interior. The church is open to
visitors all year round. The town also houses an
archaeological museum, folklore museum,
cinema, and many cultural events are held in
the summer months.
Legend has it that the Goddess Athena once bathed in the lake Voulismeni, the focal
point of
the town. Today the lake is ringed by tavernas and cafes, and has many
caiques, brightly
painted traditional fishing boats moored around the edges.
In Hellenistic times, the old Venetian harbour (Mantraki) was a flourishing port, for
the Dorian
city of Lato, 6km to the west of the town. The town thrived during the
Roman occupation,
and the Venetians later built their fortress at Mirabello inland of
the old port to guard
the
harbour of Porto di San Nicolo.
Agios Nikolaos and the surrounding area has more "Blue Flag" beaches than anywhere
in
Greece. The clear, crystal water is perfect for snorkeling and swimming and the
beaches range
from long sandy beaches such as Almyros, to small rocky coves where
you can enjoy total
solitude. The nearby resort of Istron has three wonderful beaches
and is only a short distance
from the town by car or bus. When weather conditions
permit Istron, Kalo Horio is also a
popular wind surfing destination.
Istron is a small resort 9km from the centre of Agios Nikolaos. Istron still holds the
feel of a
traditional village and has some of the best sandy beaches in the area. The
villages of Kalo
Chorio and Pirgos lead up to a mountain back drop and enjoy fabulous
views of sea and
mountain ranges. There are many wonderful walking trails to be
found around this area.