Difference between revisions of "Agios Nikolaos"
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'''Agios Nikolaos''' (or Aghios Nikolaos, [[Greek language|Greek]]: Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a coastal town on the [[Greece|Greek]] island of [[Crete]]. | '''Agios Nikolaos''' (or Aghios Nikolaos, [[Greek language|Greek]]: Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a coastal town on the [[Greece|Greek]] island of [[Crete]]. | ||
| − | It is east of the island's largest city [[ | + | It is east of the island's largest city [[Heraklio]], north of the town of [[Ierapetra]] and west of the town of [[Sitia]]. In the year 2000 the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos which includes part of the surrounding villages counted about 19,000 inhabitants. Agios Nikolaos is the capital of the [[prefecture]] of [[Lasithi prefecture|Lasithi]]. |
The name ''Agios Nikolaos'' means ''Saint Nicholas''. The stress lies on the second syllable of the word "Nikolaos". | The name ''Agios Nikolaos'' means ''Saint Nicholas''. The stress lies on the second syllable of the word "Nikolaos". | ||
Revision as of 22:16, February 10, 2006
Agios Nikolaos (or Aghios Nikolaos, Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a coastal town on the Greek island of Crete. It is east of the island's largest city Heraklio, north of the town of Ierapetra and west of the town of Sitia. In the year 2000 the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos which includes part of the surrounding villages counted about 19,000 inhabitants. Agios Nikolaos is the capital of the prefecture of Lasithi.
The name Agios Nikolaos means Saint Nicholas. The stress lies on the second syllable of the word "Nikolaos".
Note that Agios Nikolaos or Ayios Nikolaos (alternative transliterations of the Greek Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a common place name in Greece and Cyprus since Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and of all of Greece.
It is easy to reach the town by bus. There is a regularly scheduled bus service along the northern coast of Crete, and it takes one hour and a half to get from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos.
There are several small beaches near the inner town (see picture). Also, there is a small lake near the harbour, Lake Voulismeni, along which there are terraces.
The archeological museum has artifacts from the Minoan era. There is a folk museum in the city as well.
Agios Nikolaos also has a golf club a few kilometres north situated near the grassy hills of the north and forests in the middle. Hotels are near the golfcourse.