Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is a small harbor town on Crete's northeast coast, built around Lake Voulismeni and known for boat trips to Spinalonga.
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Agios Nikolaos is a town on the northeast coast of Crete, the largest island in Greece. It sits on the Gulf of Mirabello, and a narrow channel links the sea to Lake Voulismeni, which lies in the middle of town. Fishing boats and cafes line the water, and the lake shapes the town's look. Offshore, Spinalonga was a leper colony and is now a historic site reached by boat. Inland, the Lasithi Plateau is known for its windmills and farmland.
Plan the town around harbor evenings, boat outings and day drives. You can base yourself here for a few days, then use a car to reach coastal villages or the Lasithi Plateau. Quieter bay villages such as Elounda, north of town, suit a calmer stay. Late spring and early autumn are the best times to go, when the weather is warm and midsummer crowds thin. Two or three days in town plus one or two day trips is a practical plan.
Agios Nikolaos in five
- Use Agios Nikolaos as an east Crete baseSpinalonga, Elounda, Kritsa, Gournia and the Lasithi Plateau are all within an hour. The center is walkable, with a harbor, a lake and a town beach.Elounda
- Fly into Heraklion, then drive about an hourHeraklion airport is the usual gateway, about 65–70 km west by the northern highway. Buses link the two, so check the KTEL timetable if you do not rent a car.Iraklio
- Book a Spinalonga boat early in summerThe fortress island is reached by short boat rides from Elounda and Plaka, and from Agios Nikolaos on longer cruises. Mornings are cooler and less crowded.
- Plan a Lasithi Plateau or Kritsa loop for a cooler dayThe plateau and the village of Kritsa sit inland, with mountain roads and a cooler climate. A drive of a few hours works if the beach is too hot.
- Choose the town for evenings, Elounda for calmAgios Nikolaos has restaurants and bars around the lake. Elounda is quieter and pricier, with small bay beaches and resorts.Crete travel guide
Need to know
- Airport
- Heraklion (HER), about 65–70 km west; Sitia is smaller and further
- Getting there
- Road from Heraklion about 1 hour; KTEL buses; no direct ferry from Piraeus
- Getting around
- Walking in town; car or bus for Elounda and the east
- Best base
- Agios Nikolaos for evenings; Elounda for calm and boats
- Time needed
- 2–3 days; a week with a car around the east
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Mild, showersJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Mild, showersFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild, flowersMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, flowers
- AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Spring, EasterAprilClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, Easter
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Warm, quieterMayClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Warm seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, busiestAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busiest
- SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Warm sea, calmerSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calmer
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Warm, fewer boatsOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, fewer boats
- NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Mild, showersNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Mild, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Agios Nikolaos, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Agios Nikolaos
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 66%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 15%
Agios Nikolaos
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°18°15%Monday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Tue26°16°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed24°15°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu19°15°8%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri17°13°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat16°13°3%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun17°13°3%Sunday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 10:35 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Eloundaabout 15–20 minutes by carBay villages, boats to Spinalonga and the Olous ruins.Read the guide
- Spinalongaabout 20–30 minutes by boat from Elounda or PlakaA Venetian island fortress that later served as a leper colony.
- Iraklioabout 1 hour by roadKnossos, the archaeological museum and the old harbor.Read the guide
Before you go to Agios Nikolaos
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Rules for Agios Nikolaos, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU visitors are fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's current EES guidance before you travel.
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire anywhere in Greece.
- Archaeological sites and museums on Crete have their own opening hours and ticket rules. Check them on the site or with the venue before you go.
Plan around Agios Nikolaos
Athens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideCrete travel guideSplitting a trip between the east, center and west
Read the guideEloundaQuiet bays, Spinalonga boats and resort stays
Read the guideIraklioKnossos, the museum and the main airport
Read the guideHaniaThe western Crete base with a Venetian harbor
Read the guideAgios Nikolaos FAQ
Is Agios Nikolaos worth visiting?
Yes, as a lively base for the east. The lake and harbor are pretty, and Spinalonga, Elounda and the Lasithi Plateau are close. Skip it if you want an old Venetian town, which Hania has more of.
Agios Nikolaos or Elounda: where should I stay?
Agios Nikolaos for restaurants, walkable evenings and a lower cost. Elounda for quieter bays and resorts, with a car or taxi for dinner. Both are only about 15 minutes apart.
How far is Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion airport?
About 65–70 km, usually around 1 hour by road. Buses also run between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, which suits travelers without a car.
How many days do you need in Agios Nikolaos?
Two or three days cover the town, a boat to Spinalonga and a beach. A week works if you drive around the east, adding Sitia, Vai and Ierapetra.
Is there a beach in Agios Nikolaos?
Yes, small town beaches such as Kitroplatia and Ammoudi sit near the center. Larger sandy beaches are a short drive away. Check water quality and crowds in July and August.