Explore holidays in Agios Nikolaos & The Gulf of Mirabello
Agios Nikolaos & The Gulf of Mirabello is one of the most sought after enclaves of Crete. Here you'll find Elounda, a pretty waterfront town hosting some of the island's most exclusive hotels and restaurants and regular ferries across to the former leper colony Spinalonga, a disconcertingly beautiful island with a fascinating history made famous by Victoria Hislop's novel The Island. A little further east, fashionable Agios Nikolaos is a lively town with an abundance of charm and a fabulous selection of restaurants and shops around the harbour.
If you're after a more tranquil and traditional take on Cretan life, the enchanting village of Mochlos lies tucked away at the most easterly edge of The Gulf of Mirabello. Our portfolio here celebrates the road less travelled, transporting guests from the mainstream to a blissfully undeveloped part of Crete that's often overlooked. Mochlos holds a unique identity along this illustrious coastline; a timeless waterfront idyll with a charming collection of cafés and tavernas harbouring the soul food of a simpler life. Whether you choose our Simpson Hotel or one of our luxurious villas, a stay here offers the best of all worlds - combining authentic charm, warm hospitality and easy access to many of the island's highlights, including the breathtaking gorges and caves of eastern Crete and the mountain communities of the beautiful Lasithi Plateau. You can also extend your stay and enjoy a few nights in Athens as part of your Greek odyssey? One of the world's most ancient cities, with a vibrant culture and fascinating history, it's the perfect addition to any holiday in Crete. To find out more, please visit our Short Stays in Athens page.
Whether you're seeking an expansive beachfront home close to all the action, or a tucked away base by the sea, you'll find something to suit in Agios Nikolaos & The Gulf of Mirabello. View our handpicked collection of villas today or take a look at our delightful Simpson Hotel in Mochlos.
A selection of our holidays in The Gulf of Mirabello & South East Crete
* Prices include seven nights’ accommodation, flights and transfers/car hire, based on the lowest rate for maximum occupancy.
Our guide to Agios Nikolaos & The Gulf of Mirabello
Overview
Introduction to Agios Nikolaos & The Gulf of Mirabello
Stars of the North
Named by the Venetians, who always had an eye for the finer things, Mirabello means ‘beautiful view’ – and the striking blue of this sheltered bay, presided over by Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, certainly lives up to its name, with the latter’s beaches and flourish of luxury hotels also winning it celebrity approval. And yet Elounda remains undeniably Greek, both in its architecture and connection with the past. Snorkel over the sunken ruins at nearby Olous and let history catch up with you. Agios Nikolaos, meanwhile, has its own story as the birthplace of Cretan tourism and from lakeside dining to tempting boutiques, its appeal remains undeniable.
Take a detour into village life
The antidote to Elounda’s high-society, charming Plaka, loved for its seafood, is just a ten-minute drive away – or a walk along a pretty coastal path. And it's just one of many traditional villages, each with a story to tell. There’s Viannos, which rose from the ashes after the German occupation; Sissi, the pleasant surprise at the end of a winding road, and Vrahassi, a few kilometres east of Sissi, near the well-preserved Agios Georgios Vrahassiotis Monastery. High up on the Lassithi Plateau, you’ll also find, Tzermiado and Katharo, which come to life when the shepherds arrive in May.
Get back to nature
The Gulf of Mirabello is threaded with walking trails including sections of the famous E4 trail, which you can pick up around the Ha Gorge, a deep ravine near the long, straight road connecting the north and south of the island. The domain of experienced climbers and canyoners, it’s one of Europe’s most beautiful gorges; rich in wildlife and home to Mastoras, Greece’s highest waterfall.
However, going below ground has its advantages too. There are a number of caves hiding another world within their dark interiors. In the case of Milatos Cave, also known as Rapas, these hidden treasures include a little whitewashed church.
A coastal village gem
Mochlos is a bougainvillea-bright highlight of the north east coast, with an excellent selection of tavernas and bars wrapped around the little beach. Descending from the main road that links Heraklion to Sitia in the Far East is like stepping back in time to a simpler life untouched by mainstream tourism.
The locals are famously welcoming and there’s a sense of creative, spontaneous hospitality in the hand-painted signs and colourful chairs and tables of the inviting cafés and restaurants. The laid-back, bohemian vibe doesn't take long to cast its spell and simply soaking up the atmosphere while sipping a drink by the water will always be a wonderful idea.
