Whitewashed houses and beautiful buildings rise above the waterfront, with the sea forming their natural backdrop.

Agios Nikolaos, often called simply “Agios” by the Cretans, is the cosmopolitan capital of the regional unit of Lasithi. It is a peaceful and attractive coastal town, built at the site known as Mandraki on the western side of the Gulf of Mirabello. Its present name comes from the Byzantine Church of Saint Nicholas, located west of the town.

In antiquity, the site of the modern town was occupied by Lato pros Kamara, the port of the ancient city of Lato, near Kritsa. During the Byzantine period, the area was known as the Diocese of Kamara, although the settlement remained relatively small for many centuries. Agios Nikolaos developed considerably during the 20th century and gradually became one of Crete’s best-known holiday resorts, appreciated for its beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere and picturesque setting.

The landmark of Agios Nikolaos is the picturesque Lake Voulismeni, a small lagoon in the centre of the town connected to the sea by a narrow channel. Its deep waters have inspired numerous legends, including the belief that the lake is bottomless. According to local history, German troops threw military equipment into its waters before leaving the area in 1944. A walk around the lake is one of the most enjoyable experiences in the town.

Other attractions include the neoclassical buildings, the marina, the islet of Agii Pantes, where protected Cretan wild goats live, and Kitroplatia, with its waterfront tavernas. The lively pedestrian streets are lined with shops and cafés, while the numerous stairways reflect the steep terrain on which the town was built.