Agios Nikolaos, Crete

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

Coordinates: 35°11′N, 25°43′E

Agios Nikolaos (Άγιος Νικόλαος)

Map of Greece, position of Agios Nikolaos highlighted

19,462 source (2001)

317.8 km²

61 /km²

±10 m

721 00

28410

ΑΝ

Lake Voulismeni at the center of the town

Agios Nikolaos (or Aghios Nikolaos, Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a coastal town on the Greek island of Crete. It is east of the island's capital Heraklion, north of the town of Ierapetra and west of the town of Sitia. In the year 2000 the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos which includes part of the surrounding villages counted about 19,000 inhabitants. Agios Nikolaos is the capital of the nomos (province) of Lasithi. It sits partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara.

The name Agios Nikolaos means Saint Nicholas. The stress lies on the third syllable of the word "Nikolaos". Note that Agios Nikolaos or Ayios Nikolaos (alternative transliterations of the Greek Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a common place name in Greece and Cyprus since Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and of all of Greece.

General information

Agios Nikolaos is probably best known as a tourist town that serves as a hub to the twenty or so small villages and farms that make up that part of Lassithi. Tourist attractions include the small lagoon Lake Voulismeni, small beaches in the town, the tiny island Agioi Pantes, the archaeological museum, the local flora exhibition “Iris” and numerous fairs.

Tourism is mainly west european with Greek tourism concentrating in mid August.

The lagoon features a small park with a trail, traditional fishing boats, ducks, pigeons, an amphitheatre and many cafès .

Agios Nikolaos is accessible from the mainland and the whole of Europe through Nikos Kazantzakis airport and many daily ferry services in Heraklion. Two ships connect Aghios Nikolaos daily with the ports of Piraeus and Dodekanisa.

Recently the town became host of a department of a Technological Educational Institute (TEI) with tourism related courses.