Boasting a waterfront location, Candia Park Village features 4-star accommodation overlooking the Mirabello Bay. It has 3 pools, 2 private beaches with sun beds and umbrellas, and a children’s club.
The air-conditioned rooms of Candia Park are spacious and decorated with a traditional touch. They all include a well-equipped kitchenette with dining area, and have a satellite TV and hairdryer. Their furnished balcony enjoys sea or garden views.
Guests can relax by the 3 pools, set on 2 levels, including a children’s pool and a hot tub. The more active guests can engage in a variety of sports, such as tennis, basketball, diving or windsurfing. A range of rejuvenating massage treatments can be also enjoyed.
Agapi restaurant serves local and international dishes by the pool, while the outdoor Fili tavern offers Cretan cuisine right by the sea. Candia also includes 2 bars and a traditional Greek coffee house.
The hotel is a 5-minute drive from the neighbouring towns of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda. Free private parking is available on site.
Havania
Find below list of things to do near Candia Park Village:
This is a seated food tasting rather than a walking tour. Over 2 hours at the Faedra Beach restaurant at Ammoudara, just west of Agios Nikolaos, a host takes you through five Greek and Cretan dishes served as separate courses, opening with a shot of tsikoudia alongside Cretan rusks and fresh tomato. Kamaratos SA run it from €55, and vegetarian and vegan versions are available.
The evening is built around five dishes, each served and explained in turn.
First comes the welcome: tsikoudia, the Cretan grape spirit, poured with rusks and fresh tomato. Second comes the sequence of five plates drawn from the everyday Greek and Cretan repertoire, mezedes, casseroles, ladera and mageirefta, the slow-cooked dishes that Greek households actually eat. Named dishes on the list include fava, taramosalata, fasolakia and stuffed peppers, tomatoes, courgettes and aubergines. Third comes dessert, and the tasting closes there.
Wine is poured through the meal. The point of the format is breadth: five smaller plates cover more of the cuisine than one main course does, and the host explains the ingredients and the cooking method behind each.
The tasting stays in one place, on the coast west of the town.
The €55 covers the whole tasting at the table.
Included:
Not included:
We recommend this one for what it is, and we want to be exact about that, because the old page title on this site said walking tour and the experience is not one. You sit at a table by the sea for two hours and eat.
What earns it a place is the choice of dishes. Fava, taramosalata, fasolakia and stuffed vegetables are home cooking rather than taverna showpieces, the ladera and mageirefta that Greek families cook on ordinary weekdays and that most visitors never get a proper run through. Being talked through five of them in sequence, with the reasoning behind the ingredients, is a genuinely different thing from ordering mezedes off a menu.
The single review on record is a strong one. A German guest who took it in October 2023 wrote that their host Manos was great, that they learned a lot about Greek food philosophy, ingredients and culture, that the staff were very kind and that the food was very delicious.
That single review is also the caveat, and it is a real one.
One review is not evidence of consistency. Five stars from one guest tells you far less than four stars from two hundred, and this listing has no volume behind it. Treat the rating as a promising signal rather than a proven record.
The format is fixed, so check it suits you. There is no walking, no market visit and no cooking, if you want a tour of Agios Nikolaos on foot, this is not that, and if you want to cook, a cooking class is the right booking. Dietary requirements are worth flagging when you book, since the vegetarian and vegan versions are arranged rather than standing.
Confirm your dietary needs early, arrange your own transport, and pace the first shot.
The meeting point is the Faedra Beach resort at Ammoudara, west of Agios Nikolaos. The tasting runs 2 hours and seats you at the seafront restaurant for the whole of it.
Come hungry rather than after lunch, five courses plus dessert is a full meal, not a snack.
The tasting runs 2 hours, seated at one restaurant for the whole session.
No, it is a seated tasting at a seafront restaurant, with no walking element despite the older listing title.
Five Greek and Cretan dishes are served as separate courses, followed by dessert.
Both are available on request, so state your requirement at the time of booking.
Tsikoudia is the Cretan grape spirit poured as a welcome here, served alongside rusks and fresh tomato.
One review, rated five stars, from a German guest in October 2023, a small base to judge it on.
Check dates and prices for the Greek and Cretan food tasting in Agios Nikolaos.
Journey back in time and explore the ancient civilizations of Crete on a private full-day tour to Spinalonga. Drive along the north coast of the island and get an amazing view of the Selinari gorge on the way to the small fishing village of Elounda, known for its gorgeous beach.
Board a boat to the small island of Spinalonga, and learn the local history dating back to Ancient Greece. Take a guided tour of the island to explore how it served as a natural defense for the ancient city of Olous and was later used by the Saracens as a hide-out for their pirates. Discover the remains of the Venetian fortifications and learn more about the period of Ottoman rule.
Proceed to the sandy Bay of Kolokitha where the boat will be anchored. Enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters and feast from a BBQ lunch. Return to Elounda to take the bus to the pretty town of Agios Nikolaos, where you can browse the shops and visit the bottomless lake.
Before heading to Spinalonga the first visit is an olive oil park where you can experience first-hand the standardization of extra virgin olive oil, table olives, and olive paste.
You will be able to taste the authentic Greek product, which is famous worldwide for its great taste and nutritional value, as well as other authentic Cretan products like “raki” and honey.
After your first stop, you reach the capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos. You can discover the pretty city on your own, stroll through the shops, or relax in one of the countless cafes next to the picturesque bottomless lake of Voulismeni.
You continue your journey to Plaka, a small fishing village directly opposite Spinalonga. Here you will have plenty of free time to enjoy lunch or a refreshing swim. Moreover, from there you can take a 15-minute boat ride that takes you to the well-known island of Spinalonga.
The history and the culture of the island of Spinalonga became one with human tragedy over time. It has been an important place throughout history for the ancient Greeks, as a natural protection for the city of Olous, for the Saracens as a hiding place for their pirates, for the Venetians as a fortress, for the Turks as a settlement and for a long time the island served as a leper colony.
After your self-guided tour at Spinalonga, approximately 90 minutes, you’ll return to Plaka. There you have plenty of time to enjoy a coffee or your lunch, before going back to the hotels. An amazing trip with many destinations that you definitely should not miss!
Additional important information about the pickup and drop-off handling:
Pickup areas and times are as follows:
Ammoudara Beach road at 8 a.m.
Heraklion center 8:05 a.m.
Karteros 8:20 a.m.
Kokkini Chani, Gournes 8:25 a.m.
Kato Gouves 8:30 a.m.
Analipsi 8:40 a.m.
Anissaras 8:50 – 8:55 a.m.
Hersonissos, Piskopiano, Koutouloufari 9 – 9:05 a.m
Stalida, Stalis 9-9:10 a.m.
Malia 9:25 a.m.
Sissi 9:40 a.m.
This private boat cruise charters a motorboat and skipper from Agios Nikolaos harbour for 4 hours, taking you along the Mirabello coast to Spinalonga, Kolokytha and the hidden bays in between. The charter is priced per boat rather than per person, starting at €400 for groups of up to 9 depending on which of the five boats you take. Mirabello Boats runs it from 1 April to 31 October.
The skipper sets the route on the day, working from the wind and what you want to see, and the standard run covers three stops between Agios Nikolaos and the Elounda lagoon.
First comes Agioi Pantes, the small island off the harbour mouth with a chapel on its high point, where Cretan wild goats, the kri-kri, live freely. Second is Spinalonga, 800 metres off the coast, where the 16th-century Venetian fortress is viewed from the water rather than landed on. Third is a swim stop at Kolokytha, and often a second one at Agriomantra, a quiet cove backed by tamarisk trees.
Snorkelling gear comes with the boat, and the Elounda lagoon is the best of the water for it. Boats carry Bluetooth speakers, so the soundtrack is yours.
The cruise works the Mirabello bay between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, and three of its stops have their own page here.
The charter covers the boat, the skipper, drinks and snorkelling kit, and it leaves out fuel, food and transport to the harbour.
Included:
Not included:
The fuel arrangement is the one to read twice. Consumption is measured at the end and billed then, so the headline charter price is not the final price.
We recommend this charter to people who have already seen Spinalonga from a ferry and want the coast on their own terms. We rate the Mirabello bay as the most interesting stretch of water in eastern Crete, and the difference between a scheduled boat and a private one here is not luxury, it is the ability to stop where the water is empty rather than where the timetable says.
The review record is small, at 8 ratings and a 4.75 average, so we are reading it as indicative rather than settled. Within that sample the same points repeat. The skippers are named personally and praised by name, which in our experience is the clearest signal a small operator is running things properly. Several guests describe abandoning the listed itinerary to stay longer at a bay they liked, and the skipper simply agreeing, that flexibility is what you are paying for. One group had their date rearranged free of charge when the weather made the open-water crossing unwise, which tells you how the operator handles a bad forecast.
Two things we would raise before you book.
The fuel is billed separately and metered at the end of the trip, so the price you see is a floor rather than a total. A 300-horsepower nine-metre boat burns considerably more than a 30-horsepower five-metre one over the same four hours, and that gap lands on your bill, not the charter fee.
The second point is the sample size. Eight reviews is not enough to detect a recurring problem, and we would treat a 4.75 across 8 bookings with more caution than a 4.4 across 3,000. Nothing negative recurs in what is published, but there is not much published.
Match the boat to your group, book the morning slot, and settle how fuel is charged before you leave the pontoon.
The meeting point depends on which boat you book, so check the voucher rather than assuming the main harbour. The season runs 1 April to 31 October, and the fleet covers 1 to 9 guests across five boats, from a 5.3-metre 30-horsepower motorboat to a 9-metre 300-horsepower one.
Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen. Food is not provided, so either eat before you board or plan the Elounda stop around lunch.
The charter runs 4 hours, which covers Agioi Pantes, the Spinalonga viewpoint and one or two swim stops.
The price is per boat, from €400, and it covers up to 9 guests depending on which vessel you choose.
No, fuel is metered and charged at the end. Consumption is measured after the trip, so a larger engine raises the final bill even over the same four hours.
The cruise views Spinalonga from the water rather than landing. For a landing you need the scheduled boats from Elounda or Plaka instead.
Snorkelling equipment comes with the boat, and the Elounda lagoon and Kolokytha are the two stops where it is worth using.
The boats operate from 1 April to 31 October, with morning departures the more reliable choice in midsummer.
Check dates and prices for the Agios Nikolaos private boat cruise with skipper.
Discover the highlights of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka on this multi-stop trip from Heraklion. Take in the sights from onboard a ferry and savor a BBQ or tavern lunch. See Spinalonga Island, the Lake of Voulismeni, and more.
Meet your local guide, and make your first stop at Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello. This place is famous for its picturesque lake, explored by the ocean researcher Jaques Cousteau. Walk along the city on your own or relax at a cafe.
After that, drive to the harbor of Elounda where you’ll get on a ferry to visit the Island of Spinalonga. This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it served as a natural guard for the ancient city of Olous.
Choose to join a guided tour or explore the island by yourself. If you don’t want to visit the archaeological site, you can join a 1-hour boat trip to a secret location and dive into the crystal-clear water (cost not included). After visiting Spinalonga, depart for one of the nearby bays.
Get plenty of time for swimming and enjoying BBQ served on board. The menu includes pork BBQ, greek salad, feta cheese, bread, seasonal fruit, wine, and Fanta. If your trip is on a Sunday, you’ll get to enjoy dinner in a tavern instead of having BBQ on board.
After a short drive, reach Plaka, a small fishing village. Plaka was the ferry port of the leper colony, whose history was documented in a book and a Greek television series.
The last stop of the day is the capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos. Relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni or explore the local shops. Enjoy a refreshing swim before heading back to your accommodation.
10:30 Departure from Elounda with the boat
11:10 Arrival Kolokytha
12:45 Departure from Kolokytha
13:10 Arrival Spinalonga
14:45 Departure from Spinalonga to Elounda
15:00 Arrival Elounda
15:45 Olive oil tasting – Arrival Agios Nikolaos
16:45 Departure Agios Nikolaos – back to the hotels
18:30 Arrival Heraklion.
Route:128 km
Duration:app. 11 hours
Stay in Spinalonga:1 ½ hours
Stay in Kolokytha Bay-Beach:1 ½ hours
Stay in Agios Nikolaos:app.1 hour
ESSENTIALS:
•shoes for the sea
•sun protection
•hat
* Remarks:Please notify us in advance, if you are vegetarian or if you do not eat pork at all, as we have to preorder another lunch for you.
Board a comfortable air-conditioned semi-submarine vessel at the port of Agios Nikolaos. Discover marine life which inhabits the coastal waters of Agioi Pantes Island. Learn more about the flora and fauna you will see from the onboard audio guide.
See many different species of colorful fish as the boat crew feeds them. If you are lucky, you may spot curious sea turtles, dolphins, and seals who sometimes choose to investigate the vessel.
In the second part of the tour, take a seat on the main deck of the boat in order to admire the spectacular views of Agios Nikolaos Bay. Feel the sea breeze as you cruise through the bay before heading back to the port.
Find below list of beaches near Candia Park Village:
As you head north from Agios Nikolaos towards Elounda, the final beach you’ll find is Katsikia Beach also called Candia beach. This spot gets its name (Katsikia means “goats”) from the numerous goat pens that used to dot the area in the past. The town of Agios Nikolaos also has a similar history, as it was once called Mandraki, meaning “goat pen.”
Katsikia (Candia) is a lovely beach, featuring a mix of sand and some scattered stones. It’s tucked away in front of the Candia Park Village hotel, making it a sort of hidden gem. If you’re planning to visit, you can either walk through the hotel or follow the road around it to reach the beach. It’s a peaceful, charming spot that’s definitely worth exploring when you’re in the area.
Havania Beach, a picturesque bay located near Agios Nikolaos on the route to Elounda, exudes an irresistible charm. With its fully-equipped municipal beach offering ample parking, a food canteen, and lifeguard facilities, it’s an ideal spot for family outings and peaceful vacations. The proximity to the city guarantees easy access to all necessary amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay. Moreover, it’s conveniently reachable from Heraklion, whether you’re arriving by air or sea.
With its pristine, tranquil waters and a mix of sandy and pebbled shoreline, Havania beach stands out as a haven for both locals and tourists. The bay area houses a range of hotel complexes and other lodging options, with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mirabello. Unlike other local beaches blocked by waterfront hotels, Chavania’s accessibility is a major plus. The nearby Mirabello and Candia beaches provide alternative locations to set up base.
The area surrounding Havania Beach is rich in attractions, guaranteeing a delightful variety for all. Just 10 km away lies the village of Plaka, from where you can ferry to the historically significant Spinaloga Island. Recently popularized by Victoria Hislop’s novel, “The Island”, Spinaloga was a leper colony from 1909 to 1957, but its history stretches back to ancient times. A journey inland leads to the villages surrounding Mount Dikti, offering a challenging but rewarding road trip. Discover meat tavernas, fresh air, lush plateaus, and numerous archaeological sites. For those preferring the east, the quiet coastal villages towards Sitia offer secluded beaches and serenity.
Just a short 2km journey north of Agios Nikolaos, you’ll find the inviting Hotel Mirabello. Sitting right across from the hotel, you’ll be delighted by the sight of two gorgeous sandy beaches nestled in the Mirabello bays.
The first beach boasts a safe harbour with docks and a quaint little marina, while both are decked out with everything you need for a great day under the sun – umbrellas, comfy sunbeds, refreshing showers and a lively bar.
Between the beaches, there’s a tiny man-made peninsula sprinkled with tamarisk trees. It’s a perfect spot to catch a break from the sun or enjoy a peaceful stroll. No matter where you are in this coastal paradise, you’re bound to have a good time!
If you’re journeying from Agios Nikolaos, you’ll find the quaint Ormos beach just beyond the Ammoudi beach. This tucked-away cove, nestled between the majestic Minos Palace Hotel and Cape Nissi, is a hidden treasure. Its shoreline, speckled with pebbles and sand, primarily serves as a dock for boats, which makes it less popular for swimming. However, it offers a well-equipped playground that the little ones will love.
At the nearby Cape Nissi, there’s the historic Saint Nicholas Byzantine church, which lends its name to the town of Agios Nikolaos. A scenic coastal road starts from Katholiko and takes you all the way to Cape Nissi’s rocky end, home to World War II pillboxes. And from here, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the nearby islands of Agii Pantes (All Saints) and Mikronissi.
Inside the Minos Palace Hotel premises, there’s a beautiful sandy beach. Well-maintained by the hotel and open to everyone, this beach is a sun-seeker paradise. But remember, it might be a little hard to spot from the main road!
Find below list of gorges near Candia Park Village:
The Adrianos Gorge originates from the Adrianos village. There are areas within the gorge where large rocks obstruct the pathway, making navigation challenging, but achievable (it takes approximately 3 hours to traverse). In close proximity to the gorge, you can explore the Maridon and Atziganospilios caves.
The river that courses through the gorge is a segment of the Skoulikaris or Xeropotamos River. This river collects water from the Potami village valley and, after covering several kilometers, it finally drains near the Agios Nikolaos town stadium.
The Kritsa Gorge, located 9.5km southwest of Agios Nikolaos, begins near the charming village of Kritsa and concludes at Tapes village. This 4 km long gorge, at some points, is only 1.5m wide. It is fairly easy to navigate, with a few areas requiring caution, where large rocks need to be climbed over. However, it is not advisable to visit the gorge following rainfall, as the resulting ponds can obstruct the paths.
The canyon’s entrance near Kritsa is striking. The mountain is split in two, creating the narrow Havgas passage (Havgas is a common term for gorges in East Crete). In addition to the main trail that begins near Kritsa’s stone bridge, there is an alternate path that starts in the village itself.
Close to the trailhead, you’ll find a large rock that can be scaled with relative ease. Beyond this point, the canyon becomes even more breathtaking, with slender passages and towering walls that block out sunlight. This natural wonder is particularly beautiful in spring when flowers are in bloom and water levels are low. The walls eventually recede, revealing a picturesque valley filled with olive groves. If you continue along the riverbed for approximately 1.5 hours, you’ll arrive at the lovely village of Tapes, where you can relax at the local coffee shop.
The Mavrogiannis Gorge, also known as Skinias Gorge, originates from the vicinity of the Skinias village in the Mirabello province. Following a winding path, it culminates at the stunning Avlaki beach in Vlychadia. This dry canyon is characterized by magnificent rock structures throughout its length. Although the gorge transports water from the Areti Monastery region, it is predominantly dry.
The undiscovered Kouroukoulos gorge originates from the abandoned village of Agalianos, located in the Merambelo district of Lasithi prefecture. The old trail from the village leads us to the Lagos stream, which is suitable for hiking along its entire length. Initially, the terrain is dominated by oak trees, but as we get closer to the sea, the vegetation changes to brushwood and oregano.
To the west of Kouroukoulos lies the Patsopoulos Gorge, separated by a thin strip of rugged, rocky land known as Spathi. From the peak of Spathi, one can enjoy views of both canyons. Just before reaching the sea, the two canyons merge into one. The Kokkinos Detis (Red Cliff), a spot of exceptional beauty in the gorge, is home to a variety of rare, mostly endemic, plants that thrive in rock crevices.
Close to the sea exit, there is a quaint chapel dedicated to St. Luke, a local hermit who was fatally struck by an arrow in the canyon. Beneath the chapel lies St. Luke’s cave, from which “holy” water drips. A little further on from the chapel, the gorge opens out onto the pebble-filled Kouroukoulos beach, boasting a captivating underwater landscape. On the beach’s eastern side, a sea cave beneath the cliff leads to the delightful pebble beach of Kakia Naspa (Evil Landslide), an excellent spot for swimming.
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