Car Rental Agios Nikolaos
The charming capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos, is a loved holiday destination in Crete and is mostly for those who prefer calm holidays in a traditional atmosphere. The city's name came from the Byzantine church located in the bay of Agios Nikolaos. During the Dorian era, approximately in the third century BC, Agios Nikolaos was called Kamara, and it was established in the vicinity of the ancient city of Lato. From this period, statues, inscriptions, and many tombs have been found in the area. All artifacts, statues, and relics are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos. A nice sightseeing tour you can do in Agios Nikolaos is to the Ancient City of Lato and the stone-built Marnellides Windmills. With your car rental in Agios Nikolaos, you can drive to multiple destinations and villages at any time of the day. Browse through our large selection of holiday cars and benefit from daily or weekly offers with no hidden fees attached. What’s more, Imperial offers 24/7 roadside assistance and a no excess policy so as to enjoy your stay in Agios Nikolaos without worrying about insurance and safety.
Agios Nikolaos overlooks Mirabello Bay, where once stood a Venetian castle that was destroyed during the Ottoman era. The Archaeological Museum displays numerous findings and ancient objects from the Minoan era to the Roman and Ottoman times. It is near Agios Nikolaos Port where you will find many seaside tavernas, shops, travel agencies, tourist amenities, as well as the Horn of Amalthea. The myth behind the Horn of Amalthea is very intriguing. When Zeus was born and had to be hidden from his father, Kronos, in the cave of Diktaion Adron, Amaltheia was the goat that fed him with honey and her milk. Strong as he was, baby Zeus accidentally broke off her horn while playing, and since then, that horn has provided an endless supply of food, just like Amaltheia provided for the young god. Since then, the horn of Amaltheia (also known as Cornucopia) has been a symbol of wealth, abundance, and nourishment.
From Agios Nikolaos Port, you can take the ferry to some Cyclades islands as well as to other port towns of Crete and nearby islets such as Agioi Pantes. A nice evening stroll around the Agios Nikolaos Port is certainly not to be missed and is ideal for watching the sunset and taking photos of the splendid views. If you want to dine in a restaurant by the port, Piato Restaurant specializes in Greek and Cretan cuisine and offers gourmet dishes, homemade desserts, and local wines. Creative tastes and unique culinary experiences await you in Agios Nikolaos' traditional tavernas and gourmet restaurants!
Car Hire Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos offers all kinds of activities for those interested in nature excursions, boat tours, sightseeing options, and endless swimming and sunbathing. One of the highlights of Agios Nikolaos is Voulismeni Lake, a small lagoon connected to the port through a canal built in the 18th century. There are two urban myths associated with the Lake: that it is bottomless and that it is connected to the volcano of Santorini. The other myth states that the Greek goddesses Athena and Artemis would bathe here.
On Agios Haralampos Hill, you can walk atop the park of pines and tamarisks just above Voulismeni Lake, where you will admire the panoramic view of the city. A stone-built path starts from this park, meanders between the trees, and ends at the south side of the Lake, where small fishing boats are moored. Agios Nikolaos city center, where you will find shopping, dining, and accommodation options, is on 28th October Street and near Eleftherias Square. In general, Agios Nikolaos is best visited by car because of its various surrounding beaches and things to do in the inland villages. Activities and options for holidays are abundant here, so renting a car is the way to go if you want to be flexible during your stay. Try Imperial Car Rental's reliable and secure services and drive around Agios Nikolaos with your friends or family. Take a look at our website and choose the vehicle of your preference, which we can deliver for free at any location in Agios Nikolaos.
Apart from its city life and the port and lake area, Agios Nikolaos is full of beaches suitable for all tastes. Kitroplatia and Ammos beaches are the ones closest to the port and city center. Not only does Kitroplatia Beach have its restaurants and cafes along the shoreline, but it's also one of the few beaches in Crete with a town center by the sea position. Take a leisure stroll around the square and along the opposite side of the town to reach the marina, where yet another waterfront area is full of life and things to do. You should definitely stop at Kimzu Sea Lounge for excellent cocktails and snacks. Kitroplatia Beach continues to Agios Nikolaos Marina and becomes one with Ammos Beach. Gargadoros is another small and tranquil beach near the city center. On the city's outskirts, you will find Havania Beach, one of the quietest beaches of Agios Nikolaos. A little further in the opposite direction, you will find the sandy beaches of Almyros and Ammoudara. Almyros is a lovely sandy beach with a smooth declining coastline and a stream flowing into the sea. It has shallow and clear waters and enough space for putting your towel and umbrella if you don’t want to rent one from the beach bar.
Agios Nikolaos Rent a Car Near Me
From Agios Nikolaos, you can enjoy several boat tours or rent a boat and discover hidden coves, islets, and secluded rocky bays. For example, the famous fortified island of Spinalonga is a must-do boat tour from Agios Nikolaos. The island of Spinalonga is one of the most interesting cultural attractions in Agios Nikolaos. The island, famous as the official leper colony of Greece from 1903 to 1957, is visible from Plaka, a fishing village north of Agios Nikolaos. From here, you can see the walls of the Venetian fortress that was built in the 16th century and surround Spinalonga, as, at that time, the island protected the bay of Mirabello from attacks. The walls of the fortress are the first thing you will notice when arriving by boat in Spinalonga. After you arrive and wander around Spinalonga, you will still see the ruined houses of the leper colony, the school, the hospital, and other community structures with up to 400 patients. If you follow a 1.5 km path, you can walk around the island's perimeter and reach the church of Agios Georgios and the island's cemetery, where a plaque commemorates those buried there.
Another must-do day trip with your car is to Rodanthi Museum and Kritsa Gorge, located in the mountainous areas north of Agios Nikolaos. Kritsa Gorge is a wonderful gorge with breathtaking views and untouched nature. It is a relatively easy hike, so you can also go there with your children. It is a 4 km hike loop, and the hiking terrain mostly consists of loose, large rocks you have to climb at points, but there are metal ladders in the rocks and even a rope at one point to assist you. Rodanthi Museum is a unique museum dedicated to local medicinal plants and herbs and the history of Crete and Agios Nikolaos. It is a well-organized and well-thought-out museum. There are so many plant samples and books, and the most knowledgeable man is there to walk and talk you around. It is a fascinating history of the life of a family in the village and of the relationship between people and plants, both medicinal and herbs. Chat with the welcoming owner and his family, drink oregano tea and botanical raki, and explore this unique and fascinating collection of botany, herbalism, and history.