Agios (or Ayos) - Nikolaos is a small city on the island of Crete, which is the capital of one of its regions. It is located in the northern part of the island.
First of all, Agios Nikolaos attracts tourists with the purest sea and magnificent beaches. However, some travelers are concerned about the question - what can I see in a particular place? Do not have to limit ourselves to only a beach holiday?
Immediately, I will immediately assist anyone who wondered about Agios Nikolaos - just the place where you can not only be in the sand, but also to get acquainted with Crete culture and discover new attractions.
First, some museums are located directly in the city, so you don't even have to go anywhere, secondly, other interesting places are located next to this area, so Agios Nikolaos will become a convenient starting point for your trips.
I will start, perhaps, with attractions that are right in the city.
Old city
First of all, everyone who loves the old streets and would like to enjoy walking among vintage houses, it is worth stroll through the old town. It is not very big, but quite pleasant.Useful information for tourists!
Agios - Nikolaos is located in the mountainous terrain, so, walking along the old town, you will constantly have to rise or descend - therefore, the elderly, children, and not very hardy people should be careful and not to overestimate their strength. In general, in the old town an incredible number of stairs - some of them were even designed by famous architects.
Lake Vulismen
One of the unique attractions that you do not meet in other resorts is a freshwater lake, which is located in the city. With the sea, it is connected by the canal, but, oddly enough, the water is not mixed and the water in the lake continues to remain fresh.
Lovers of beautiful views and walks will advise walking along the lake embankment.
Ethnographical museum
Those who love museums and those who are interested in someone else's culture should recommend the Ethnographic Museum. There you can see national clothes of Cities and tools of labor that they used in agriculture. In addition, in the museum you will admire the old black and white pictures of the city and can understand how it looked before.Useful information for tourists
Address
ODOS Paleologou 2
Schedule and prices for entrance tickets:
The museum is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 14:00, the entrance ticket will cost you three euros.
Archaeological Museum
Those who are interested in history and excavations can be advised to visit the Archaeological Museum, especially since it is in him one of the largest collections of archaeological values found in Crete. Exhibits located in the museum belong to the most different periods - from the era of Neolith to Laterimskaya.
The most interesting exhibits are the burial gifts, a vessel in the form of a bird, as well as a skull with a golden olive wreath, which, by the way, was found next to Agios Nikolaos. An interesting fact - a silver coin was in the mouth of the deceased, which was minted at the beginning of our era. Scientists suggest that this coin was supposed to serve as a bootman paid, which (according to beliefs of the ancient Greeks) transported the stimples dead across the river.
Useful information for tourists:
The museum is located near the city center, so it is quite possible to walk.
Address
Odos Paleologou, 74, Agios - Nikolaos
Schedule and prices for entrance tickets:
The museum is open to the visit from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 15:00, the entrance is completely inexpensive - only three euros.
Next, I will go to the sights that are not in the city, but to which you can easily reach.
Spinalonga
Not far from Agios Nikolaos is the island called Spinalong.The main attraction is the fortress built in the 16th century by Venetians who wanted to control the entrance to the bay.
A fact that can scare some tourists - in the 20th century, or rather from 1903 to 1955, the lepers lived on the island (that is, there was leprosarium there). Unfortunately, often patients lived in bad conditions, which is very sad. In any case, leprosarium was closed in the middle of the 20th century. Some tourists scares this fact as they are afraid to get sick. According to doctors, the ride on the island can not represent any danger to tourists, the probability of sick is zero, so that there is absolutely nothing to fear.
As mentioned above, the main attraction of the island is a fortress. The entrance is in charge - about two euros per person. Tourists can also inspect the Church in the territory of the island. In addition, spinelong from the observation deck offers a magnificent view of the sea and surroundings, there you can make excellent photos of the landscapes around you.
Useful information for tourists!
Spinelong has some features that are better to know in advance - firstly, it is impossible to swim there. Secondly, there are no stores on the island itself, no cafes, nor restaurants, so be sure to capture water with you and (if necessary) food. A small cafe works on the pier, however prices are very high there (which is understandable - there is no competition completely). And finally, thirdly, take care of the comfortable shoes and the availability of the head of the head - after all, the sun is uncompressed.
City of Gurnia
Just 20 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos, you can plunge into the atmosphere of antiquity - there is the city of Gurnia, which was allegedly built in the second century BC. Of course, at the moment you can see the ruins of the city, but something still has been preserved. Only the first floors of buildings reached this day, but it was also found objects for which the life of the epoch people can be restored. In the center of the city there was a palace, from which, unfortunately, almost nothing left.
In general, if you love an ancient story - visit the Gurnia, but it seems to me, it is worth visiting with a guide, so that he told about her or at least read some information before traveling, otherwise you can see only incomprehensible ruins, What is not very interesting.