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Agios-Nikolaos

Agios-Nikolaos is situated at the eastern end of Crete and is the capital of the Lassithi prefecture. It serves as the main hub for Eastern Crete, but there is plenty for tourists to do in and around the town. In the summer months the town doubles its population, giving it an upbeat atmosphere.

The town is centred around tourism and there are many resorts and hotels in the vicinity catering to package vacations. There are planty of restaurants and tavernas to sample in the town, but the best value and more authentic cuisine is found away from the waterfront. There are also numerous clubs and bars in the town for those tourists wanting to party.

The town’s main tourist attraction is Lake Voulismeni. A site where Artemis once washed her hair in the lake’s blue waters. Connected to the sea by a narrow canal, the lake has many eateries and coffee shops on its shores, and it’s a lovely place to pass an afternoon. Around the town, the lighthouse at the entrance to the port and the chuch of Agios Nikolaos at the top of the hill has some lovely frescoes.

For those looking for more than a city visit, around Lassithi there are a number of ancient Minoan sites worth visiting. Crete was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and home to some of the most sophisticated tribes of the ancient world. The town of Kritsa, four kilometres out of Agios Nikolaos is the gateway to Ancient Lato, one of the islands few Dorian sites.

Once out of Agios Nikolaos, the best of the prefecture can be experienced. The better, sandy and less croweded beaches are found away from the town. The Minoan site of Zakros is further to the east and is a remarkable set of ruins now partially submerged. With a car or scooter the region has many small towns away from the tourist traps which show Greek country life at its best. There also a number of small islands off the eastern coasts that can be visited by hire boats for those who want to get away from it all.