... the best way to explore is on foot!
The capital of the Lassithi prefecture is called Agios Nikolaos and has about 8.500 inhabitants. The city is protected by mountains and is located on a small peninsula on the west side of Mirabello Bay.
Because of the warm climate and the always calm sea, the city developed into a well-known holiday resort. The tour of Agios Nikolaos leads past Eleftheriou-Venizelou-Platz to the port, where there is lively activity during the summer months.
Right next to the harbor, only separated by a small bridge, is the freshwater lake Voulismeni. Like a cobalt blue giant eye surrounded by rocks, it lies there with its almost 140 m diameter. "Bottomless", "sunken" and "dirty" lake was the name of the more than 60 m deep waterhole among the locals, until it was connected to the harbor by a canal in 1867, thus refreshing the water. According to mythology, the goddess Athena is said to have bathed here. Today, however, you can no longer swim in the small lake, only the small fishing boats still dock.
The numerous alleys around the lake and the harbor offer a huge range of shops, from jewelry stores with wonderful treasures to simple vegetable shops - there is (almost) nothing here that is not available.
In Agios Nikolaos itself, the range of beaches is rather meager, but outside the city there are beautiful bathing bays - e.g. Almiros Beach in the north and Havania Beach in the direction of Elounda.
However, if you want to get to know the real Ajios, as the place is called by the locals, you should bring two things: time and comfortable shoes, as everything within the village can be reached on foot. Even the most passionate drivers will come up with this solution relatively quickly.
