Kritsa & The Surrounding Area.
Getting Around
Car rental and travel company in Aghios Nikolaos where you are able to book tickets for local excursions or further away. Ferry and plane tickets also available.
Byron Travel & Car Rental also arrange tickets for travel and excursions during your stay. We recommend Byron for car hire and travel as they are a family run firm that have been operating in Aghios for many years. Their service is excellent and although not the cheapest car hire, the cars and insurance provided are first class.
Byron Travel
4 Akti KoundourouByron Travel & Car Rental also arrange tickets for travel and excursions during your stay. We recommend Byron for car hire and travel as they are a family run firm that have been operating in Aghios for many years. Their service is excellent and although not the cheapest car hire, the cars and insurance provided are first class.
There is a local bus service from Aghios Nikolaos to Kritsa several times a day. The buses are more frequent in the summer months and the fare to Aghios Nikolaos is approximately 1.80 euro p.p. each way. You buy your tickets from the mini market on the left hand side just down the road from the bus top on the square From Aghios Nikolaos bus station, you can catch other buses to all other area's of the island.
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Central Bus St. Nicholas station
There is a local bus service from Aghios Nikolaos to Kritsa several times a day. The buses are more frequent in the summer months and the fare to Aghios Nikolaos is approximately 1.80 euro p.p. each way. You buy your tickets from the mini market on the left hand side just down the road from the bus top on the square From Aghios Nikolaos bus station, you can catch other buses to all other area's of the island.
Food Scene
The food and service at Agadiko is excellent. This Terverna stays open all year round and is a favorite of ours. In the summer months it is full of locals and tourists and in the winter you can enjoy whatever is being cooked in the wood burner / oven. Be sure to ask what the specialty is before choosing from the menu. You can also go there for a drink where you will be served with a meze of whatever is being cooked that day. Definitely serves the best food in Kritsa.
Agadiko
KritsotopoulasThe food and service at Agadiko is excellent. This Terverna stays open all year round and is a favorite of ours. In the summer months it is full of locals and tourists and in the winter you can enjoy whatever is being cooked in the wood burner / oven. Be sure to ask what the specialty is before choosing from the menu. You can also go there for a drink where you will be served with a meze of whatever is being cooked that day. Definitely serves the best food in Kritsa.
Platanos is owned by Manolis and his Wife Poppy. You will always receive a warm welcome here and their choice of small dishes is very good. Try a selection to share like the locals instead of ordering a main meal. Also remember to ask if they have any specialties cooking. Platanos is open from April - end of October and Manolis is a musician so you may turn up when he and some of his friends decide to have a music evening. It is probably the most picturesque terverna in the village of Kritsa and it is also great for a drink out. Manolis also owns the small Cafe opposite where many of the locals choose to eat food from the restaurant.
Plátanos
KritsotopoulasPlatanos is owned by Manolis and his Wife Poppy. You will always receive a warm welcome here and their choice of small dishes is very good. Try a selection to share like the locals instead of ordering a main meal. Also remember to ask if they have any specialties cooking. Platanos is open from April - end of October and Manolis is a musician so you may turn up when he and some of his friends decide to have a music evening. It is probably the most picturesque terverna in the village of Kritsa and it is also great for a drink out. Manolis also owns the small Cafe opposite where many of the locals choose to eat food from the restaurant.
This is another one of our favorite restaurants, situated by the Lake in Aghios Nikolaos. It is always full so it's best to book a table in advance rather than have to wait in line for a table to become free. This place is buzzing with locals all year round and they are joined by many tourists in the holiday season. Be warned the portions are huge so you may wish to share a main course. Despite its location where many of the restaurants are over priced, Karnagio is very reasonably priced. If you are looking for a lively night this place is a must. Great place to go with friends, or celebrate a birthday where they are happy to make a cake and let fireworks off over the lake just for you. Despite its popularity, the service is very good and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable.
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Karnagio
24 Kon/nou PaleologouThis is another one of our favorite restaurants, situated by the Lake in Aghios Nikolaos. It is always full so it's best to book a table in advance rather than have to wait in line for a table to become free. This place is buzzing with locals all year round and they are joined by many tourists in the holiday season. Be warned the portions are huge so you may wish to share a main course. Despite its location where many of the restaurants are over priced, Karnagio is very reasonably priced. If you are looking for a lively night this place is a must. Great place to go with friends, or celebrate a birthday where they are happy to make a cake and let fireworks off over the lake just for you. Despite its popularity, the service is very good and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable.
Paradosiako is a big favorite of our's and does wonderful meza dishes. Apart from the usual dishes available, there are some unusual ones to choose from and when we go there, we choose 4 or 5 starter dishes to share. Very reasonably priced and excellent value for money.
This restaurant is opposite the free car park next to the port where the cruise ships dock. if you are walking along the port towards where the pleasure cruises leave from, continue along the road towards the coach parking area and follow the road right around the corner. You will see a large car park to your left and Paradosiako is the first restaurant on your right.
Paradosiako
Paradosiako is a big favorite of our's and does wonderful meza dishes. Apart from the usual dishes available, there are some unusual ones to choose from and when we go there, we choose 4 or 5 starter dishes to share. Very reasonably priced and excellent value for money.
This restaurant is opposite the free car park next to the port where the cruise ships dock. if you are walking along the port towards where the pleasure cruises leave from, continue along the road towards the coach parking area and follow the road right around the corner. You will see a large car park to your left and Paradosiako is the first restaurant on your right.
Lato is opposite the bottom square in Kritsa and is run by Dimitri. The food is excellent and the service very friendly. It is one of the cheapest tavernas in Kritsa and very good value for money, well worth a visit.
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Latṓ
LatousLato is opposite the bottom square in Kritsa and is run by Dimitri. The food is excellent and the service very friendly. It is one of the cheapest tavernas in Kritsa and very good value for money, well worth a visit.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a wonderful cafe to enjoy a coffee, drink or snack. George the owner and his staff are very friendly and efficient. You can sit and enjoy a wonderful view of the sea or even take a break from sunbathing on the beach for lunch. Open all year round and one of our favourite cafes. Highly recommended.
Deja Vu
11 Akti Papa Nikolaou PagkalouThis is a wonderful cafe to enjoy a coffee, drink or snack. George the owner and his staff are very friendly and efficient. You can sit and enjoy a wonderful view of the sea or even take a break from sunbathing on the beach for lunch. Open all year round and one of our favourite cafes. Highly recommended.
Sightseeing & Places to visit.
Trips from Aghios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka village are available to Spinalonga Island. If you choose to visit the Island, I would recommend booking a boat trip from Aghios Nikolaos that includes a guide when you arrive at the Island. Trips are available from the port in Aghios Nikolaos for around 16 euro's per adult (price in 2017). Be warned once you reach the Island it cost's another 8 euro's per adult, to enter the Island. I thoroughly enjoyed the last trip I took that included a guide but there are no guide books once you reach the Island so you really don't know what purpose the buildings served as you walk around the Island. This is why I highly recommend a guided tour.
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Nisida Spinalonga
Trips from Aghios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka village are available to Spinalonga Island. If you choose to visit the Island, I would recommend booking a boat trip from Aghios Nikolaos that includes a guide when you arrive at the Island. Trips are available from the port in Aghios Nikolaos for around 16 euro's per adult (price in 2017). Be warned once you reach the Island it cost's another 8 euro's per adult, to enter the Island. I thoroughly enjoyed the last trip I took that included a guide but there are no guide books once you reach the Island so you really don't know what purpose the buildings served as you walk around the Island. This is why I highly recommend a guided tour.
Panagia Kera Church is 1 km before the village of Kritsa on the road from Aghios Nikolaos. It contains the finest-preserved Byzantine-era frescoes in Crete, and for that reason, has become one of the most culturally and historically significant churches on the island. You can walk from the village through the olive groves which is a lovely circular walk back to Kritsa.
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Panagias Keras Church
Panagia Kera Church is 1 km before the village of Kritsa on the road from Aghios Nikolaos. It contains the finest-preserved Byzantine-era frescoes in Crete, and for that reason, has become one of the most culturally and historically significant churches on the island. You can walk from the village through the olive groves which is a lovely circular walk back to Kritsa.
I have included Kritsa in our recommended places as it is such a beautiful place to spend a morning walking the narrow alleyways. I have included directions for a walk around the village which will be in the house upon your arrival.
Kritsa is said to be the biggest village on the Island of Crete. Not only is Christina's House situated their but the village its self is very quaint and beautiful. There are many good quality shops in the village selling local produce, home made glass ornaments, good quality leather goods and boutique 's. You can enjoy strolling around the village and stop off to enjoy a coffee or meal at one of the many cafe's or terverna's.
Kritsa is also only 4 klms from The Ancient Town of Lato a visited archaeological site which is considered the best preserved town of the classical - Hellenistic period in Crete and one of the most complete in Greece.
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Kritsa
I have included Kritsa in our recommended places as it is such a beautiful place to spend a morning walking the narrow alleyways. I have included directions for a walk around the village which will be in the house upon your arrival.
Kritsa is said to be the biggest village on the Island of Crete. Not only is Christina's House situated their but the village its self is very quaint and beautiful. There are many good quality shops in the village selling local produce, home made glass ornaments, good quality leather goods and boutique 's. You can enjoy strolling around the village and stop off to enjoy a coffee or meal at one of the many cafe's or terverna's.
Kritsa is also only 4 klms from The Ancient Town of Lato a visited archaeological site which is considered the best preserved town of the classical - Hellenistic period in Crete and one of the most complete in Greece.
A visit to Lato is well worth while. You will marvel in how this city was built and how the huge stones were moved there. The views from Lato are breath taking.
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Ancient City Of Lato
A visit to Lato is well worth while. You will marvel in how this city was built and how the huge stones were moved there. The views from Lato are breath taking.
Nostos Cruises do daily trips to various places including Spinalonga. The cruise includes a guide on the way to the island who also accompanies you while you are on the island. On the way over, you stop off for a swim in one of the beautiful coves. There is also a restaurant on the boat serving a variety of drinks and refreshments. Tickets are available from the port in Aghios Nikolaos and also ByronTravel in Aghios Nikolaos along the sea front. They also do a trip to include a BBQ on the beach.
Nostos IV Cruising
6 Akti KoundourouNostos Cruises do daily trips to various places including Spinalonga. The cruise includes a guide on the way to the island who also accompanies you while you are on the island. On the way over, you stop off for a swim in one of the beautiful coves. There is also a restaurant on the boat serving a variety of drinks and refreshments. Tickets are available from the port in Aghios Nikolaos and also ByronTravel in Aghios Nikolaos along the sea front. They also do a trip to include a BBQ on the beach.
This is a wonderful boat trip to take from Aghios Nikolaos Port on a glass bottom semi submerged boat. The trip last's approximately 1.5 hours and gives anyone who is'nt a diver a chance to see the wonderful marine life in the sea. The trip also includes a tour of the beautiful coast line around Aghios Nikolaos town. Well worth the money and enjoyed by our guest's.
Semi submarine
5 KoundourouThis is a wonderful boat trip to take from Aghios Nikolaos Port on a glass bottom semi submerged boat. The trip last's approximately 1.5 hours and gives anyone who is'nt a diver a chance to see the wonderful marine life in the sea. The trip also includes a tour of the beautiful coast line around Aghios Nikolaos town. Well worth the money and enjoyed by our guest's.
This is a wonderful place to visit if you have children and want a break from the beach. It is very educational and interesting and open until the end of October. Please check the website for opening times and prices. My Grandchildren loved visiting the Aquarium where we spent several hours there. You can include this in a visit to Heraklion if you wish. The turning to the Aquarium is approximately 14kms before Heraklion and it is located not far from the National Highway.
Masks must be worn inside at all times (this does not apply to children who are 4 years old and under.)
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Aquarium Aquaworld et Centre de Sauvetage de Reptiles
7 Filikis EtiriasThis is a wonderful place to visit if you have children and want a break from the beach. It is very educational and interesting and open until the end of October. Please check the website for opening times and prices. My Grandchildren loved visiting the Aquarium where we spent several hours there. You can include this in a visit to Heraklion if you wish. The turning to the Aquarium is approximately 14kms before Heraklion and it is located not far from the National Highway.
Masks must be worn inside at all times (this does not apply to children who are 4 years old and under.)
Walking
This is one of our favorite walks taking you 4 klms along the gorge and back to Kritsa village along the top of the gorge to join an old minion path that brings you back to the entrance. It is a beautiful walk especially during the spring time. During the hotter months it is recommended to walk the gorge early morning or late afternoon.
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Kritsa Gorge
This is one of our favorite walks taking you 4 klms along the gorge and back to Kritsa village along the top of the gorge to join an old minion path that brings you back to the entrance. It is a beautiful walk especially during the spring time. During the hotter months it is recommended to walk the gorge early morning or late afternoon.
The beautiful Plateau of Katharo is a wonderful place to visit. It is smaller than Lasithi Plateau but much less commercial. Coaches are unable to visit Katharo due to the road that you take from Kritsa 16 klms up into mountains before arriving at the plateau at the top which is either asphalt or in parts concrete so suitable for a normal car or people carrier. It stretches out in front of you with the most amazing scenery. There are only 3 small taverna's on Katharo where you can enjoy a coffee or lunch after you have explored this wonderful place by walking the E45 pathways where you can take a short or longer walk to bring you back to where you started. We recommend you only drive onto Katharo if you have a 4 wheel drive as the roads are unsuitable for a normal car. The drive back down is equally rewarding with the bay of Mirabella stretching out in front of you.
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Katharo
The beautiful Plateau of Katharo is a wonderful place to visit. It is smaller than Lasithi Plateau but much less commercial. Coaches are unable to visit Katharo due to the road that you take from Kritsa 16 klms up into mountains before arriving at the plateau at the top which is either asphalt or in parts concrete so suitable for a normal car or people carrier. It stretches out in front of you with the most amazing scenery. There are only 3 small taverna's on Katharo where you can enjoy a coffee or lunch after you have explored this wonderful place by walking the E45 pathways where you can take a short or longer walk to bring you back to where you started. We recommend you only drive onto Katharo if you have a 4 wheel drive as the roads are unsuitable for a normal car. The drive back down is equally rewarding with the bay of Mirabella stretching out in front of you.
Just a short drive to the next village from Kritsa is Kroustas where The Pine Bee Forest is. It is accessible by a good asphalt road on the right hand side just before the school as you drive through Kroustas. It is approximately 5kms from the village of Kroustas along this road.
There are 3 choices of walks you can take with stunning scenery and breathtaking views. If you want an easy walk follow the stone track opposite the picnic area which takes a total of about 1 hour. You have to walk back the same way but you pass some stunning scenery. Both the green and blue walks start off by the information board 25 meters before the picnic area but some of the markers are hard to see and both walks do not have actual path's. There is a lot of climbing up and down slope's on uneven ground so good shoes are a must and the longer blue walk would take about 3-4 hours. The view's are stunning and well worth the climb if you are a confident walker. Several archaeological ruins are within the forest which you pass by whilst enjoying your walk.
This is a place to visit anytime of the year as the trees give shelter from the winds in the winter and the heat of the summer. One of my favorite places to spend a few hours taking in the natural beauty this gem of a place has to offer.
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Kroustas Pine Bee Forest
Just a short drive to the next village from Kritsa is Kroustas where The Pine Bee Forest is. It is accessible by a good asphalt road on the right hand side just before the school as you drive through Kroustas. It is approximately 5kms from the village of Kroustas along this road.
There are 3 choices of walks you can take with stunning scenery and breathtaking views. If you want an easy walk follow the stone track opposite the picnic area which takes a total of about 1 hour. You have to walk back the same way but you pass some stunning scenery. Both the green and blue walks start off by the information board 25 meters before the picnic area but some of the markers are hard to see and both walks do not have actual path's. There is a lot of climbing up and down slope's on uneven ground so good shoes are a must and the longer blue walk would take about 3-4 hours. The view's are stunning and well worth the climb if you are a confident walker. Several archaeological ruins are within the forest which you pass by whilst enjoying your walk.
This is a place to visit anytime of the year as the trees give shelter from the winds in the winter and the heat of the summer. One of my favorite places to spend a few hours taking in the natural beauty this gem of a place has to offer.
Not only is Christina's House situated in Kritsa but it is a beautiful village to walk around. We provide guest's with details of a walk around the village exploring the quite alleys and returning via the main street and also we have some details on personal walks we enjoy in the olive groves and the mountainside which you can see from the roof terrace.
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Kritsa
Not only is Christina's House situated in Kritsa but it is a beautiful village to walk around. We provide guest's with details of a walk around the village exploring the quite alleys and returning via the main street and also we have some details on personal walks we enjoy in the olive groves and the mountainside which you can see from the roof terrace.