Agios Nikolaos, Crete Travel Guide | Oikies Luxury Apartments

Lake Voulismeni

"The Lake of Agios Nikolaos, also known as Voulismeni or Vromolimni, is located in the center of Agios Nikolaos, being the trademark of the city, with a total perimeter of 500m. A walk around the picturesque lake is a very nice experience, although human interventions have altered much of its initial form. Concrete piers have been built in a section around the lake, where small boats are moored, while in some places columns have been placed from the ancient town Lato pros Kamara, which was located here. The boats have access to the sea through a shallow canal 60m long and 12m wide, which was opened in 1870."

— CretanBeaches

5 minutes walk from Oikies.

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Kitroplatia Beach

"Kitroplatia is located 200m west of the picturesque Lake Voulismeni, in the heart of the city Agios Nikolaos. There is a small stone – paved square which hosts some of the finest taverns in the city. In front of the big tamarisk trees of the square there is a small beach with sand and pebbles in places. Here you will find umbrellas and showers. Next to it there are many options for accommodation, food and drink. It is a perfect choice for children and anyone looking for a beautiful and clean beach, close to all amenities of a city."

— CretanBeaches

2 minutes walk from Oikies.

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Ammos Beach

"Ammos Beach is located 500m south of the Agios Nikolaos lake. It is a long beach which starts near the city's marina, at Nearchou Street. It runs near the stadium of the town and extends to the south, till the Municipal Beach. The part near marina is a beautiful beach with umbrellas, sunbeds, showers, water sports, restaurants and hotels around it. It is located near the city center and its stores. The water is shallow, ideal for little kids and the sea is usually flat."

— CretanBeaches

9 minutes walk from Oikies.

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Ammoudi Beach

"Ammoudi is located just 1km north of Agios Nikolaos city centre, in a large and well protected bay. It is a small sandy beach with shallow waters, which is preferred both by locals and visitors. It is formed among large tamarisk trees and picturesque buildings, offering many options for accommodation and eating around. The beach has also water sport facilities."

— CretanBeaches

18 minutes walk from Oikies.

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Amalthea's Horn

When Rhea gave birth to Zeus, she hid him in a cave on Mount Ida in the island of Crete. It was there where goat Amalthea nourished Zeus with her milk until. One day, as young Zeus was playing with Amalthea, he accidentally broke off one of her horns. To make up for it and as a sign of gratitude, Zeus blessed the broken horn, so that its owner would find everything he desired in it. It became known as the Horn of Amalthea or the Cornucopia, an eternal symbol of abundance.

The sculpture was designed and created by Nikos and Pantelis Sotiriades in 2000.

2 minutes walk from Oikies.

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The Abduction of Europa

The legend suggests that Zeus, the father of all gods, fell in love with a beautiful princess named Europe. He took the form of a white bull and approached her while she was playing with her friends. All her friends were captivated by the beauty of the robust and friendly animal and began caressing it. Then Europe tried to ride on his back. Then the bull rushed into the sea and took her to Crete in spite of her weeps.

The sculpture was designed by the Cretan film director Nikos Koundouros and was created by sculptors Nikos and Pantelis Sotiriades.

3 minutes walk from Oikies.

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Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos

The Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos was inaugurated in 1969 and is considered one of the most significant in Crete. It houses collections of very important archaeological findings from the entire region of eastern Crete, extending from Malia to the distant Zakros.

Findings are exhibited in chronological order from the Neolithic period until the end of Roman times. Its showcases include more than 1,500 pots, as well as the oldest gold and bronze findings in Crete. Due to maintenance, the museum currently houses periodic exhibitions only.

11 minutes walk from Oikies.

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Folklore Museum of Agios Nikolaos

The Folk Art Museum of Agios Nikolaos was established in 1978 by the Cultural Association of Eastern Crete. It is located in one of the busiest streets of Agios Nikolaos, next to the Tourist Information Bureau in Lake Voulismeni.

The Museum houses authentic items of Cretan art and reflects the island’s old traditional life. This unique collection mainly consists of traditional textile handmade items, with incredible embroidery and designs. The Museum also houses holy icons, wooden artifacts, and manuscripts.

11 minutes walk from Oikies.

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Agia Triada

The Cathedral of Agia Triada is located in the center of Agios Nikolaos. It is a Byzantine, three-aisled, cruciform church with a dome. Its middle aisle is dedicated to Agia Triada, the northern to the Three Hierarchs, and the southern to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary.

Two chapels were added to the original church, mainly serving as confessionals. The church is filled with frescoes, representing two trends of Byzantine Hagiography: the Cretan and the Macedonian. In 2001-02, a mosaic was placed on the façade of the church of Agia Triada, in the narthex of Trimorfos.

7 minutes walk from Oikies.

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Panagia Vrefotrofos

This particularly elongated church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the old part of the city of Agios Nikolaos is the result of two successive expansions to the west of the original single-aisled vaulted church. The original church and its first extension bear two layers of frescoes, of which the oldest -dating back to the early 14th century- is traced mainly in the eastern part, with scenes from Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The second layer, indicative of the so-called academic style of the second half of the 14th century, is traced only in the arch of the westernmost part of the church.

7 minutes walk from Oikies.

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