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AGIOS NIKOLAOS-CRETE
info for all the villages

Municipality
of Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece
is known for
the amazing beauty
of its villages.
The villages
of the Municipality
of Aghios Nikolaos are:

Pines village,

Pines is situated above Pano Elounda on the road to Neapoli, with its windmills and traditional architecture. It is approximately five minutes from Elounda Schisma by car.

Plaka village,

Plaka is a traditional fishing village, with amazing view to
the Spinalonga Island. Plaka is famous for the good quality fish restaurants near the sea and small hotels and tavernas. The beaches are small but uncrowded. Tourist boats depart from Plaka to Spinalonga
on a daily basis.
The one way boat passage requires approximately
ten minutes.

Vrouchas village,

Visiting Vrouchas
is rather like stepping back
in time – the village is refreshingly untouched by commercialism,
and remains largely undiscovered
by tourists.
Like many small villages on the island, Vrouchas has a beautiful mountain setting, surrounded by olive groves and wooded hills.
This part of the island is steeped in history - according to legend, this part of Crete was the birthplace of the most important
of Greek gods, Zeus. There are several villas to rent in and around the village and a few traditional tavernas.

Skinias village,

On the northwestern edge of the municipality is located the district of Skinias which, according to the 1991 census is composed of the settlements of Saint George, Baltos or Bartos, and Hontobolakus.

Loumas village,

On the plain of Loumas there are the two settlements of Pano and Kato Seles - the name means 'nape of the hillside'. Views here are superb and take in a magnificent panorama of the Cretan Gulf. From Seles there is a dirt track, which runs down to a small rocky beach, which is excellent for sun bathing - take a blow up mattress or lilo as the compacted sand is very hard!

Lenika village,

Village is located half way (4,5km) between the two seaside towns of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda on the highest point
of the road.
In the village are the ruins
of a temple
to Aries
and Aphrodite.

Limnes village,

At the edge of the plain of Mirabello, under “Maha Hill”, the village of Limnes is located. Its name probably originated from
the geographical phenomena of the many lakes which form after rainfall, resulting in a fertile and productive agricultural area.
It is the village with the greatest number of houses, many of which have been abandoned in recent times.

Zenia village,

Located at a height of 750m, ten kilometres west
of Aghios Nikolaos, beyond the cultivated valley
of Drasi.

Mesa & Exo potami

The most mountainous villages of the region lie
on the road to
the Lassithi Plateau.
These settlements were built in the ravines and on the slopes of Mount Selenas (names for the moon or 'selini'). Hundreds of large and small springs
of clear fresh water irrigate the plains where lush vegetation includes apple and walnut trees, vineyards
and a variety
of vegetables.

Potami village,

This village
is reached
by travelling through a beautiful wooded area of pines, which were included in the Venetian census
of the 16th century.
In spring time the area is a paradise for orchid lovers.

Katharo village,

A wonderful place
for botanists and bird watchers, this Plateau is reached by continuing to climb from Kritsa. It was here that scientists discovered fossils of elephants and dwarf hippopotamus, although today the visitor will see only large flocks of goats and sheep.
In early summer, the Plateau is covered with the snow-like blossoms of the hundreds of fruit trees planted here and in autumn the vines are weighed down with large clusters of black and white grapes.
There are several traditional tavernas.

Tapes villages,

This is one of the oldest villages
of the area -
it has been continuously inhabited since Minoan times,
for proof of this takes a look
at the ruins in
the Kasteras area.

Kroustas village ,

It is build on a hill 520 meters above the sea level. Kroustas is known for its magnificent view over the Mirabelo bay of the east Crete. It is also known for its traditional cuisine including myzithropites (special cheese pies) and aiga vrasti
(boiled goat). Characteristic
of Kroustas is the smell of Raki distilery in October, the dry but cool summers, the dry and rocky landscape and the old ladies with the black scarfs and the wrinkled faces. What could you buy from Kroustas? Pure food like honey, almonds, wallnuts, myzithra (soft sour cheese) and raki (localy distilled spirit).

Mesa + Exo Lakonia,

Situated at the south end
of the municipality
of Aghios Nikolaos, the area was inhabited in Minoan times,
as can be seen
by the settlement ruins at Fioretzides village.

Prina village,

This village
is reached by travelling through a beautiful wooded area of pines, which were included in the Venetian census
of the 16th century.
In spring time the area is a paradise for orchid lovers.

ELOYNDA TODAY

In Elounda today there are 2,200 inhabitants in six settlements, the majority of whom live in Skisma,
and are involved in the tourism business. An event which played an important role
in the promotion of Elounda was the filming there
of the Disney film
"The Fringes of the Moon", in 1964.
It is from this time that tourism commenced,
but at a gentle pace.
The major push in the development of the tourism industry began with the arrival of Eleni Nakou
and the brothers Spiros and George Kokotos. In 1969, the construction
of the luxury hotel, The Elounda Beach, started. This was followed
by the building
of the Asteras,
The Elounda Mare,
Porto Elounda, The Elounda Peninsula and The Elounda Rock hotels. These luxury hotels annually accommodate prominent representatives of the world’s social, economic and political life.

The people of Elounda, working in cooperation, have brought their athletic and cultural associations
to the highest levels. The Development Association
of Elounda has been
in operation since 1975, and does valuable work
on the promotion of the local culture of the area. There is a Cretan Dance and Musical Instrument School, and Eloundans successfully organize
a Traditional Fish Festival that takes place
in Pano Elounda, and since 1998, a concert
in Spinalonga where popular Greek artists perform. Since 1992,
the important promotional newspaper "Elounda"
has been published.
The Athletic Association "Korfos Elounda" was founded in 1979 and plays a leading part in recent years in Lassithi football, gaining many distinctions.

CRETANS SECRET
of longetivity

For Cretans,
the secret of longevity
is very simple.
They eat anything
that their rich soil produces! They consume a lot of fruit, vegetables, greens, fresh produce, legumes, cheese and bread.
They scent the taste
with marvelous herbs
like oregano, they make desserts with natural sweetening materials,
honey and molasses,
and accompany their meal with excellent local wine.
In Crete are many restaurants and taverns
that offer traditional cretan recipes, using only pure, natural local ingredients. There are also traditional stores, from where you can buy authentic products
of the Cretan earth.

So don’t miss,
during your stay in Crete, to taste all the island’s traditional recipes.

AGIOS NIKOLAOS-CRETE
info for all the beaches

Kitroplatia Beach
Blue Flag Awarded

Location: In the town of Agios Nikolaos
Description:
A wonderful sandy beach in the center of town, surrounded by restaurants and hotels.
Nearest village: Agios Nikolaos

EOT Beach
Blue Flag Awarded

Location: In the town of Agios Nikolaos
Description: A pristine sandy beach with shallow water fully serviced and has all the amenities and facilities for enjoyable bathing and water sports.Also has the only mini-golf course in town, food services, snooker, ping-pong, a nearby football pitch and basketball court, an athletics course and a competition-sized swimming pool.
Nearest village: Agios Nikolaos

Ammos Beach
Blue Flag

Location: In the town
of Agios Nikolaos
Description:
A wonderful
sandy beach
in the center
of town,
also close
to the central
shopping area.
Nearest village:
Agios Nikolaos

Ammoudi Beach
Blue Flag

Location:
In the town of Agios Nikolaos
Description:
A small sandy
and deep water beach,
fully organized,
with sports facilities and food services.
Nearest village: Agios Nikolaos

Havania Beach
Blue Flag

Location: 2km outside
of Agios Nikolaos,
along the beach road
to Elounda
Description:
A wonderful
sandy beach, fully
organised offering
all desirable beach facilities.
Nearest village:
Agios Nikolaos

Almiros Beach

Blue Flag Awarded Location:
2km outside
of Agios Nikolaos,
along the road
to Kalo Chorio
Description:
One of the most
significant seaside
resorts in the area.
The entire area
is wooded with
eucalyptus trees,
reeds and rushes
which grow
in the source waters
of the fresh
water river
which runs
into the sea.
The endless sandy
beach of Almyros
is magical and offers
the visitor all
the comforts
and facilities expected
of a fully organized
beach resort.
Nearest village:
Agios Nikolaos

Ammoudara
Beach
Blue Flag Awarded Location: 3km outside
of Agios Nikolaos,
along the road
to Kalo Chorio
Description: A small
well-organized
sandy beach,
it is ideal for diving
and water sports,
and located
next to restaurants
and shops.
Nearest village:
Agios Nikolaos

Elounda Beaches

Elounda
Public Beach
Blue Flag

Location:
just next
to the port
of Elounda
Description:
It is a fully
organized facility,
ideal for water sports,
with restaurants
and cafes nearby,
where thousands
of visitors gather
every year.
Nearest village:
Elounda

Driros BEACH

Location:
3km outside of Elounda,
along the road to Plaka
Description:
A wonderful sandy
beach planted all over
with reed,
well organised
with amazing view
to Spinalonga.
Nearest village:
Plaka and Elounda Plaka
Blue Flag Awarded Location:
7km from Elounda
Description:
pebble beach
with pristine waters,
uncrowded near
the good quality
fish restaurants
of Plaka, with amazing
view to Spinalonga.
Nearest village:
Plaka

Kalo Chorio
Beaches

Voulisma BEACH
Blue Flag AwardedLocation:
just outside
of Kalo Chorio
Description:
This is the largest
well-organized
municipal beach
of Kalo Chorio.
Its immense
and extremely
clean sandy beach
is ideal for relaxing
and having fun
in the sand.
Surrounded by
tavernas, cafes
and supermarkets
at a short distance,
it gathers thousands
of visitors every year.
It is an ideal place
for sea-sports
and beach fun.
Nearest village:
Kalo Chorio

Karavostasi
BEACH

Location:
just before
the entrance
of Kalo Chorio
Description:
This well-organized
municipal beach
is ideal for a cool swim
and fun in the sand.
Surrounded by locust
trees and olive trees.
Nearest village:
Kalo Chorio

Aghios
Panteleimonas
BEACH

Location:
in the center
of Kalo Chorio
Description:
It is an enchanting,
well-organized municipal
beach that is ideal
for relaxation and fun,
and a meeting place
for lovers
of water-based activities.
It is surrounded by reeds
and local trees,
and on the sand hills
grows the
self-promulgated
Minoan sea-lily.
Nearest village:
Kalo Chorio

BLUE FLAG STATUS
for Greek beaches

AN BLUE FLAG
AWARDED BEACH
MUST HAVE:

-A beach
with crystal-clear waters
- Good organization and safety
- An environmentally, friendly place

The "Blue Flag" is the international symbol of quality of a well organized beach.
The "Blue Flags Program" is a Program for Environmental Sensitivity and Protection of The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that occurs every year on a grand scale in over 35 countries in Europe and other places around the world.
In Greece, the representative for the program is the Greek Environmental Society for Nature Protection, the oldest environmental organization in our country that has been active in environmental education and the protection of nature since 1951.
The awarding of Blue Flag status to a beach is no easy task. The beach must fulfill 27 strict criteria in relation to the cleanliness of the sea and the beach itself, the organization of the beach and the safety of its visitors, the protection of nature and the environment.
For a marina there are 22 criteria.
The municipality of Agios Nikolaos has had to this day, the largest number of awarded beaches in the region, and for the first time this year (2004), the marina was also awarded the Blue Flag.
The managing organizations of the awarded beaches and marinas are the Public Enterprise for Tourism Development of Agios Nikolaos (DETADAN), the Community of Elounda for Tourist Development (KEPANEL), the Public Enterprise of the Marina Agios Nikolaos (DEPAMAN) and also the many excellent hotels in our area

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