Agios Nikolaos is a charming small town nestled in Mirabello Bay, Crete. The town and the nearby Elounda resort are home to the island’s most luxurious hotels and restaurants. The port hosts the most luxurious cruise ships and private yachts. Agios Nikolaos and its surroundings attract world-renowned film and music stars, heads of state, and ambassadors.
Historical Background
Named after Saint Nicholas (or Nikolaos in Greek), the town of Agios Nikolaos (where “agios” means “saint”) is located by the picturesque Mirabello Bay. Despite being frequented by global celebrities and often referred to as the Greek Saint-Tropez, the town exudes a simple charm. Initially a fishing village, it has transformed into a resort with a cozy beach, a small harbor for fishing boats and yachts, and the former freshwater lake Voulismeni (now connected to the sea), where, according to legend, goddesses Athena and Artemis bathed.
Town Attractions
Agios Nikolaos is full of stairs and steps, offering ever-changing views as you ascend and descend. The most beautiful view of the town and part of Mirabello Bay can be seen from a pine-covered park above Voulismeni, accessible via a stone path from the port. Here are some recommended spots to visit:
Voulismeni Lake
Originally a freshwater lake, Voulismeni was the site of the first ancient Greek Dorian settlement during the Bronze Age, which later grew into Agios Nikolaos. For a long time, the lake was thought to be bottomless until its depth was measured in the 20th century – 48.8 meters. A canal connecting the lake to the sea was dug in the early 20th century, transforming the lake into a kind of bay. Today, cafes, restaurants, and taverns surround the lake, offering picturesque views and delicious food.
Museum of Cretan Folk Art
Founded in 1978 in the old port authority building, the museum showcases Cretan art (weaving and embroidery), household items, paintings, icons, books, and musical instruments. It also houses weapons from the Ottoman and Balkan Wars, donated by General Ioannis Alexakis.
Sculpture “Horn of Amalthea”
A symbol of Agios Nikolaos, this sculpture represents the horn of Amalthea. According to myth, the goat Amalthea raised Zeus, who blessed her broken horn, making it a Cornucopia, or horn of plenty. Created by local sculptors Nikos and Pantelis Sotiriadis from glass and iron, the sculpture has stood by the resort’s shore since 2000.
Sculpture “The Abduction of Europa”
Designed by Cretan film director Nikos Koundouros and sculpted by Nikos and Pantelis Sotiriadis, this sculpture depicts the myth of Zeus, who transformed into a gentle white bull to abduct the Phoenician princess Europa. The sculpture stands near Agios Nikolaos port, symbolizing the mythological event that led to the naming of the European continent.
Church of the Holy Trinity – Agia Triada
The main church in the town center, built on the foundations of an old Byzantine temple. This three-aisle, cross-shaped church with a dome is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, with additional aisles dedicated to the Three Hierarchs and the Virgin Mary. The church is adorned with frescoes from Cretan and Macedonian iconographic schools, and its main façade features a mosaic added in 2001.
Central Resort Street – Roussou Koundourou
Named after the Greek resistance fighter and pioneer of free radio, Roussou Koundourou, this street connects Agios Nikolaos port with the town’s central square, dedicated to the prominent Cretan politician Eleftherios Venizelos. It is a hub for purchasing original souvenirs, clothes, artworks, and jewelry. Shops and pharmacies catering to locals are open on specific days and hours, while tourist shops operate daily during the tourist season.