Best things to do in Agios Nikolaos

According to local legend, the goddess Athena regularly bathed in Lake Voulismeni. Renowned internationally for its curative powers, the lake is located in one of Crete's more relaxed seaside towns. The circular body of water is 64 m (210 ft) deep and only 134 m (440 ft) wide. Fed from below by a natural hot spring, the water maintains a constant temperature around 25 C (77 F), and contains high levels of elements that relieve ailments like neuralgia, arthritis, and sciatica. Before you have a dip, hike to the top of the surrounding cliffs, which offer sweeping views over the treetops and out to the sea.

A vanished culture comes alive at Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which holds the remains of the 3,000-year-old Minoan civilization. The museum's famous collection of artifacts spans more than five millennia, from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The museum's twenty rooms display the most important and representative finds uncovered at several different excavation sites on Crete, including an enigmatic clay disc from the second millennium BCE. Its meaning and purpose have been disputed since its discovery in 1908; the disc remains one of archaeology's most famous unresolved mysteries. For a better understanding of the lost culture represented here, opt for a guided tour of the collection plus a visit to the archaeological sites near the city.

Built over a Neolithic town, The Palace of Knossos represented the ceremonial and political center of Minoan civilization on Crete. English archaeologist Arthur Evans made his name by working on the excavation and partial restoration of this ancient palace for over three decades, beginning in 1900. The palace complex contains a maze of living spaces, workshops, banquet halls, shrines, and storerooms, built around a central square sometime between 2000 and 1350 BCE. To gain a glimpse into the wealth and sophistication of the Minoan culture, hop on a bus in nearby Heraklion and join a guided tour of the palace's labyrinthine corridors, so vast they gave rise to the popular legend of King Minos and the Minotaur.

The Church of Panagia Kera is a Cretan Byzantine church, located 1 km from the village of Kritsa, in the Dikte Mountains. It contains the finest-preserved Byzantine-era frescoes in Crete, and for that reason, has become one of the most culturally and historically significant churches on the island.
The Late Greek word ‘Panagia’ is defined as ‘Virgin’ in English, and is among the titles of the Virgin Mary in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Although no founding date for the Church of Panagia Kera has been established, historical consensus agrees that the oldest parts of the church, the central nave, its vaulted roof and dome, were constructed and painted in the 13th century. The side-aisles of the church, its western entrance, and the belfry and the buttresses supporting the church, were later built and painted during the early to mid-14th century. The frescoes in Panagia Kera date back to the Paleologian Renaissance, due to their vivid, bright colors. According to local tradition, the church contained an icon of the Virgin Mary, which was believed to have miraculous powers. During the period of Byzantine Iconoclasm, it was removed to Constantinople, but was later returned. In 1498, during the Venetian occupation of Crete, a Greek trader stole the icon, which was later transported to the temple of Saint Alfonso on the Esquiline Hill in Rome. Panagia Kera was later renovated by the Managgaris family in 1722, and in 1732 the icon of the Virgin Mary was repainted in the church by an unknown artist.

Discover the wild side of Crete at Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre, which displays both local sea life and exotic reptiles. Founded in 1995, this natural history museum provides a safe home for animals injured in the wild, as well as unwanted pets. The aquarium features 15 tanks, two pools, and several terrariums which serve as recreated natural habitats for various species of snakes, sea turtles, frogs, lizards, and fish. You can have your picture taken with most of these wild animals, or learn about their feeding and breeding habits from the staff. Join a daily guided tour to gain insight into the local efforts to protect and care for Crete's native wildlife.

Get close to hundreds of species of Mediterranean sea life at CRETAquarium. Relevant for both kids and adults, the aquarium houses sharks, turtles, eels, jellyfish, and more. The aquarium opened in 2005 and is operated by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. Pick up an audio guide to learn about the animals in each tank and their natural habitats.

Spinalonga (Kalydon) sits as a rocky islet floating in the blue waters of the Gulf of Elounda. The region's 16th century Venetian rulers carved this rock out of Crete's coastline and then built a fortress on it to protect the gulf from hostile ships. The old fortress, apparently as impregnable to the passage of time as it once was to would-be invaders, still dominates the islet and attracts nearly 30,000 annual visitors. Split your time on the little island between the Venetian fort and one of several beaches, which are lapped by shallow, calm waters. There are no tourist facilities here, so bring your own food and water.

Welcome To Our Cretan Olive Oil Farm

You will experience the way we were producing traditional Cretan products such as olive oil, wine, raki, pottery and traditional textiles in a unique environment.

You can be a part of the Traditional Product Produce Revival.

Gain an understanding of Cretan history through exhibits spanning from the Byzantine era to World War II at Historical Museum of Crete. Founded in 1953 in a neoclassical building formerly known as the House of Kalokerinos, the museum showcases the Nikos Kazantzakis collection, featuring the study and library from the author's home in Antibes, France, manuscripts of his works, and first editions of his books in various languages. Two of the finest exhibits are the only paintings by El Greco in Crete: The Baptism of Christ (1567) and View of Mt. Sinai and the monastery of St. Catherine 1570). Ceramics, sculptures, coins, jewelry, and a wide range of heirlooms highlight the everyday life on Crete during various historical periods. Rent an audio guide for more information about each exhibit and take a break with a sea view at the cafe deck.