Aghios Nikolaos Holidays

Aghios Nikolaos is a picturesque port facing Mirabello Bay. Its cosmopolitan buzz contrasts with lazy beach life, and the overall feeling is laidback and peaceful. Its focal point is the circular Lake Voulismeni, an ancient freshwater sinkhole that was later connected to the ocean. Local myth says that the Greek goddess Athena used to bathe here, but swimming is no longer allowed. The good news is that you can swim at the resort's Blue Flag beaches. The water’s edge is lined with pastel-coloured tavernas and pavement cafés where you can chow down on Cretan dishes like fried snails, or stop for ice cream.

Aghios Nikolaos is surrounded by Blue Flag beaches and small coves. Kitroplateia is a small pebble and sand beach next to the marina, while the town beach at Ammos offers a wide range of watersports from snorkelling to parasailing. A 20-minute walk will take you to the long white sands of Almyros, backed by eucalyptus trees.

For history buffs, Aghios Nikolaos is home to an archaeology museum. Here you'll find relics up to 6,000 years old from sites in eastern Crete. The Ethnological Museum has local materials, including Renaissance musical instruments. The boat trip to Spinalonga Island is perhaps the most interesting outing from Aghios Nikolaos. There was a leper colony in a Venetian fortress here right up until 1957. Many of the colony’s buildings have been restored, and you'll get great views of the boats sailing in while walking around the walls. Some daytrips include time to stop and look around Elounda and swim off other islands on the way back, so it's worth shopping around.