Kritsa, a charming small town situated in Eastern Crete, is a popular tourist destination due to its traditional Cretan lifestyle. Located near Agios Nikolaos city, Kritsa boasts of scenic narrow streets, blooming yards, textile shops, traditional coffee shops, folklore collections, and Byzantine temples, making it an open folklore and historical museum about Crete.
Visitors can take a leisurely stroll down the town’s narrow streets, hike in the Kritsa Gorge, and visit the folklore museums. The town’s Byzantine monuments are adorned with beautiful frescoes, with the most famous being Panagia Kera. Additionally, Kritsa has been a filming location for the movie “Christ Recrucified,” starring Julie Dassin and Melina Merkouri.
A visit to Kritsa promises a glimpse into the iconic Panagia Kera Church. This church, steeped in religious and historical importance, beckons thousands every year. Inside, you’ll discover a tapestry of antique murals and relics. The central aisle, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, showcases the church’s oldest paintings, each unique in style. Later additions brought in two more aisles, each narrating distinct religious tales through their art.
As you meander through Kritsa’s quaint lanes, a smattering of cosy shops unfolds. From authentic Cretan treats to traditional crafts, there’s a treasure trove waiting for souvenir hunters. Dive into these charming bylanes, and you might just stumble upon the perfect keepsake in one of the many artisanal stores.
Situated in Kritsá, 10 km from Lake Voulismeni and 10 km from Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa), Casa Villaggio Kritsa features air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. This apartment is 11 km from Agios Nikolaos Port and 38 km from Lixnostatis Folk Museum.
The 2-bedroom apartment features a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with oven and microwave, and 1 bathroom with a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are available in the apartment.
Aquaworld Aquarium is 40 km from the apartment, while Labyrinth Park is 44 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 61 km from Casa Villaggio Kritsa.
Situated in Kritsá, 10 km from Lake Voulismeni and 9.2 km from Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa), Philoxenia Luxury Apartment features air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. The property has quiet street views and is 10 km from Agios Nikolaos Port and 38 km from Lixnostatis Folk Museum.
The holiday home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
Aquaworld Aquarium is 41 km from the holiday home, while Labyrinth Park is 44 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 61 km from Philoxenia Luxury Apartment.
from
€111
/night
Located in Kroústas and only 12 km from Lake Voulismeni, Traditional Windmill-Milos provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. With garden views, this accommodation offers a balcony.
The holiday home with a terrace and sea views features 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the holiday home.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 12 km from the holiday home, while Agios Nikolaos Port is 13 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 65 km from Traditional Windmill-Milos.
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony, Villa Rahati is set in Kroústas. This property offers access to a terrace and free private parking.
With free WiFi, this 2-bedroom villa offers a flat-screen TV, a washing machine and a kitchen with a dishwasher and oven. Towels and bed linen are offered in the villa.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Lake Voulismeni is 12 km from the villa, while Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 12 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 65 km from Villa Rahati.
Situated in Agios Nikolaos and only 4.4 km from Lake Voulismeni, Villa Anatolli hill features accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The property was built in 2015 and features air-conditioned accommodation with a patio.
The country house with a balcony and sea views has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchenette with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with a bath. Towels and bed linen are available in the country house.
The country house offers a picnic area. Barbecue facilities are provided and guests can also relax in the garden or on the sun terrace.
Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 4 km from Villa Anatolli hill, while Agios Nikolaos Port is 5.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 60 km from the accommodation.
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€135
/night
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, pool view and a patio, Amina villa is set in Agios Nikolaos. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
At the villa guests are welcome to take advantage of a fitness room. Guests at Amina villa can enjoy fishing and hiking nearby, or make the most of the garden.
Lake Voulismeni is 3.6 km from the accommodation, while Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 3.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 59 km from Amina villa.
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€164
/night
Visit one of the most beautiful gorges on the east side of Crete, the Kritsa Gorge, with professional adventure guides.
Enjoy the special nature while on this short but challenging hike. See striking canyons and cliffs, unique plant species, and spectacular views.
After a walking about 8 kilometers, enjoy small local snacks and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on a beautiful beach, where you can take a refreshing swim.
Enjoy a perfect day that offers a combination of exercise and relaxation.
The ideal way to discover the island of Crete is with a private tour. Share a car and enjoy a full day with your group. Embark on an incredible island adventure with your friends or family, after planning the tour together with your professional guide. Beginning with pickup at your accommodation in Elounda, Agios Niklaos, Ierapetra, Malia, Crete, Hersonissos, or Ammoudara, the world is your oyster.
Settle into a comfy and luxurious Land Rover Discovery equipped with 6 seats and air conditioning. Discover local sites, hit the beach, or simply drive around taking in panoramic views. Perfect for a wedding trip or a birthday, relish in total privacy and the utmost luxury. Included in the tour is a fresh, high-quality dinner at a local taverna.
In this interactive Walking tour & Cretan food tasting, we will walk the coastline of Agios Nikolaos passing through Taurus Zeus with Europe and the horn of Amalthea telling the Greek myths, beaches and sightseeing continuing inside the town showing you local spots, telling information about area(shared also via email & maps) and we will enjoy a meal with 4 different meze(like tapas) talking about everyday living, general facts about Crete’s culture and traditions, sightseeing’s and myths.
Walking is about 40 minutes easy walking, about 2klm.
After we will visit the most famous restaurant in lake of Agios Nikolaos having a meal with 4 different meze(each person) that you can choose between fish or meat menu.
Water & one drink is included, wine, raki, beer or a soft drink.
Vegetarian or vegan menu can be arranged.
Changes in menu can be adjusted upon request.
Feel free to contact me for more information.
Visit Santorini on this full day-trip from the island of Crete. After pick-up from your hotel, head to the harbor and begin your sightseeing boat tour on the Cretan Sea.
Upon arrival, see the white houses of Fira that lie high above the edge of the crater, and decide whether you would like to spend more time on this volcanic island. Wander the small town of Fira or visit the picturesque town of Oia.
Enjoy the leisurely Greek lifestyle and visit a taverna or two. Relax on the beach, enjoy the day by the sea, and simply leave your cares behind.
Discover the beauty of the island of Santorini on a bus and catamaran tour from Heraklion or Agios Nikolaos. Capture pictures of the classic blue and white houses in Oia and have some free time to explore Fira in the shadow of the Santorini volcano.
Enjoy the convenience of being picked up directly from your accommodation. Sit back and relax on the air-conditioned bus transfer to the high-speed catamaran in Heraklion harbor.
Sail across the Mediterranean to the island of Santorini. Hop off the boat to take a tour of the beautiful island in a comfortable and climate-controlled bus. Listen to live commentary about the history of one of the most romantic destinations in Greece.
Travel to the village of Oia at the northernmost tip for magnificent views of the typical blue and white houses across the hillside and stunning views of rolling hills meeting the sea.
Continue to the capital at Fira and have some free time to browse the shops or enjoy a drink at a bar with views of the volcano and the returning boat in the evening. Cruise back to Heraklion and transfer back to your hotel.
Spinalonga, the last leper colony in Europe, is located in Elounda from where we take the boat for Spinalonga island. Originally, Venetians fortified the islet in 1579, by building a fortress with 40 cannons and they are actually the best preserved walls in Europe.
It used to be a leper colony from 1903 until 1957, where epers could have a better life, medical help and economical support. The ruins of the market street with the shops, the hospital and many small houses in which lepers lived isolated, can be explored individually.
Leaving Spinalonga Island, we have free time to explore the unique Elounda village or go for swimming in the crystal clear waters of Elounda Bay your pita gyros take away.
Before we take the road back to Heraklion, we will visit Ag. Nikolaos, a town with 14.000 inhabitants which is built on the side of the Gulf Mirabello. In the center of Agios Nikolaos is the lake Voulismeni, probably created by an earthquake. Where, we can have a coffee break or a walk around the lake, which gives you a great view from above, over the center and the harbor of Agios Nikolaos. Next to the lovely harbor are shady thee-lined streets filled with shops give you the opportunity to do some “serious shopping”.
Our last stop is at the olive factory in Malia and taste the famous Cretan olive oil.
Situated 6km southeast of Agios Nikolaos, along the old route that links Agios Nikolaos to Sitia and Ierapetra, is Ammoudara Beach. This developed area boasts a variety of hotels, rental properties, taverns, and restaurants. There’s a beautiful sandy beach fronting the tourist settlement, with crystal-clear, light-blue waters. Thanks to its eastward orientation, the beach typically enjoys calm seas as the prevalent winds in Crete blow from the west. Beachgoers can enjoy amenities such as umbrellas, sunbeds, and water sports facilities.
Ammoudara provides an ideal setting for family vacations, but the beach’s small size can lead to it feeling somewhat crowded. For those seeking a less populated spot, heading west to the expansive Almiros beach might be a good alternative.
Almyros beach (Almiros) is located 2.5km south of Agios Nikolaos and 12 km from Elounda. It is shaped near the exit of Almiros River, which empties on the south part of the beach. Next to the beach, the protected wetland of Almiros hosts several rare birds, towering eucalyptus trees, reed and some palm trees.
The beach is quite long – 300 m – and very well-organized. It is sandy and the water is shallow and usually calm, making it ideal especially for young children. There are a lot of trees behind the beach, and to the east, you can see the pretty Thrypti Mount. The entrance to the water is very smooth. This beach is suitable for different categories of people, lonely travellers, relaxation getaway lovers, families with children, seniors etc. It is partially crowded during the high season. The area has a few canteens, while there are also many options for water sports. The sea water is very cold in some places due to the river that flows all year round. On the south side of the beach, there are small hotels and apartments.
To reach the beach from Agios Nikolaos city centre, if you do not have a car, you should walk the pedestrian street (5 ‘) which runs along the rocky coasts north of the beach. The pathway starts from Gargadoros beach, which is located 5 minutes south of the town’s marina.
The picturesque Listi Spilios, situated 7km south of Agios Nikolaos along the old road to Sitia and Ierapetra, has become a bustling tourist spot over the years with a variety of accommodations, ranging from large hotels to smaller lodges. The beach is characterized by its rocky terrain and sandy patches, with a charming smaller beach nestled to the north of the main area. Unfortunately, recent extensive alterations by a major hotel in the vicinity have significantly changed the original rocky nature of the coastline, including the construction of a pier to retain sand. Visitors can enjoy amenities like umbrellas, a snack bar, water sports and a beach volleyball court. The quieter western side of the beach, boasting lush vegetation due to nearby freshwater springs, provides a serene escape.
The beach’s intriguing name, Listi Spilios, translates to ‘Robber’s Cave’ in Greek. This stems from a tale from the Middle Ages when the primary road used by locals to commute to island cities ran through this area. On the beach’s west end, there’s a petite peninsula home to several small caves, which, as the legend tells, were used as hideouts by robbers who targeted travellers on the road.
Beti beach is nestled just a kilometre away from the bustling city of Agios Nikolaos, and a mere five-minute stroll from Almyros beach. This small slice of paradise often remains undiscovered by the typical crowd, providing an idyllic retreat for those in search of tranquillity.
This diminutive yet delightful beach, embraced by the natural landscape, boasts soft, sun-kissed sand that warmly greets your feet. Thanks to its sheltered location, Beti beach is often protected from the region’s wind and waves, making it a calm oasis amidst the vibrant surroundings. A visit to Beti beach gives you an opportunity to savour the serene ambience, far removed from the usual throngs of beachgoers, adding an element of seclusion to your Cretan beach adventure.
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 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 Havgas Gorge, situated near the village of Kalamafka and just 12km north of Ierapetra city, is one of several gorges with the same name scattered across Crete. Other examples include the Havgas Gorge in the Lassithi Plateau, Plaka, and Kavoussi. The Havgas Gorge is nestled between the Megali Korfi (1103m) and Kokies (993m) peaks, and its stream, the Kapsous, serves as the primary tributary of the Kalamavkianos River that empties into the Stomio beach of Gra Ligia.
This stunning canyon boasts unique rock formations, sculpted by rare geological events. Many of these rocks are adorned with nature’s own “artwork”, etched over time by the elements. Despite its relatively short length, the gorge offers an easy and enjoyable walk along the riverbed, even for novices. The area’s altitude of around 500m provides the perfect environment for a lush pine forest. Regrettably, repeated fires have caused the forest to diminish in size. Nevertheless, the area is worth a visit, and visitors are sure to be charmed by the sight of small pine trees sprouting from the rocks, akin to bonsai trees.
The gorge’s depth extends to 300m. At one spot, two narrow rocks form the entrance to a series of caves that served as a refuge for Cretan rebels and Allies during the German Occupation. The locals refer to this area as the “Chinese Landscape”, due to the smooth rocks dotted with bonsai-like trees. Adjacent to the gorge’s exit, visitors can explore the village of Kalamafka with its inviting taverns and babbling water. Additionally, nearby attractions include an ancient olive oil mill and the churches of Saint John and Saint Anthony.
Situated between the peaks of Katharios Lakkos and Katharia Kefala in the Dikti Range, Havgas Gorge is a prominent long gorge on the Lassithi Plateau. The gorge is nourished by the Megalos or Xenikos river, which springs from the Katharo plateau, courses through the Lassithi Plateau, and then vanishes into the sinkhole Chonos. The water resurfaces from Fleves springs at Kastamonitsa or a man-made water pipe at Gonies and ultimately drains into the Aposelemis dam lake. The name “havgas”, along with its variants, is typically used to refer to gorges in Eastern Crete.
Spanning about 4 km, Havgas Gorge provides a leisurely walk, especially at the exit where it widens and showcases striking landslides on its flanks. As you advance, the gorge abruptly tightens, leading to the scenic Neraidokolimbos lake, situated at the foot of a charming waterfall with a round boulder. According to local folklore, the gorge’s fairies used to bathe in this lake.
Next to Neraidokolimbos is the Plystra side gorge, recognized for its successive waterfalls that flow into the main stream of Havgas. Above the gorge, there is a singular waterfall named after Plystra, known to drip water even during the dry summer months. As per the legend, this is where fairies used to wash their clothes.
The gorge, a part of the E4 trail, offers a tranquil landscape due to the lack of crowds. It is home to a variety of trees, mainly maples and holm oaks. The river is seasonal and only flows following substantial rain or snow, whereas Neraidokolymbos lake retains water throughout the year.
Travelers usually start their journey from the exit point near the reservoirs of Agios Georgios village. Another alternative is to commence from the Katharo plateau and descend along the riverbed. However, reaching Neraidokolymbos may necessitate a jump into the water or retracing one’s steps.
Kritsa is a small town located in Eastern Crete, close to Agios Nikolaos city.
Kritsa is known for its traditional Cretan lifestyle, scenic narrow streets, blooming yards, textile shops, traditional coffee shops, folklore collections, and Byzantine temples. It is like an open folklore and historical museum about Crete.
Visitors can take a stroll down its narrow streets, hike in the Kritsa Gorge, and visit the folklore museums. They can also admire the beautiful frescoes in the Byzantine monuments, with the most famous being Panagia Kera. Some scenes of the movie “Christ Recrucified” were also filmed there.
Yes, Kritsa is a great place to visit if you are interested in experiencing traditional Cretan lifestyle and history. It is a beautiful town with many things to see and do.
The average temperature in Kritsa town ranges from 15°C to 30°C, depending on the season.
Kritsa town is located in the eastern part of Crete, about 10 km from the city of Agios Nikolaos.
The nearest airport to Kritsa town is Heraklion International Airport, which is about 70 km away.
Kritsa town is known for its traditional architecture, narrow streets, and beautiful churches. The most popular attractions in Kritsa town include the Panagia Kera church, the Kritsa Gorge, and the Folklore Museum.
Yes, Kritsa town is a great place to visit for a family vacation. The town has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and there are plenty of activities for families to enjoy, such as hiking, swimming, and exploring the local culture.
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