A Few Days in Crete: Staying in Agios Nikolaos and Exploring Elounda

On our recent trip to Crete, we stayed in Agios Nikolaos, enjoying time at our hotel and exploring the surrounding area. With views over Mirabello Bay, walks around town and an afternoon in Elounda, there was plenty to enjoy without needing a packed itinerary.

Our base was InterContinental Crete, where we stayed in a sea-view room with our own private plunge pool. The outlook over Mirabello Bay was one of my favourite things about the stay, and I’d definitely recommend a sea-view room if you’re considering this hotel.

The hotel is modern and stylish, with a relaxed, grown-up feel. I liked that it didn’t feel like a huge, sprawling resort, and its location made it easy to combine relaxing at the hotel with getting out and about.

There are two infinity pools overlooking the sea, with day beds for lounging and taking in the views. The rooftop pool is for guests aged 14 and over, which is useful to know if you’re travelling with younger children. There’s also a beautiful spa and wellness area, along with stylish bars and restaurants.

Some rooms and suites come with private plunge pools, so it’s worth checking the room options if you’d like one. Ours was a lovely extra, although the water was cold during our stay! For me, the room, the bay views and the convenient location were the hotel’s biggest highlights.

The hotel was around a five- to ten-minute walk into Agios Nikolaos, so it was easy to pop into town without arranging transport. We spent time wandering around and exploring, which made a lovely change from relaxing by the pool.

One of the town’s best-known features is Lake Voulismeni, which connects to the sea through a narrow channel. The lake and harbour area, with cafés, bars and places to eat nearby, provide a lovely setting for a wander and a stop by the water.

Being so close to town meant we could head out for dinner, drinks or a little mooch around the shops whenever we fancied. That flexibility was something I really appreciated.

We also caught the local bus from Agios Nikolaos to Elounda. It only cost a few euros and was an easy way to see somewhere different without hiring a car.

We spent a few hours wandering around before stopping for a couple of cocktails overlooking the sea, followed by lunch. Sitting by the water was one of those simple holiday moments when you’re happy to take your time and enjoy the surroundings.

Elounda was a lovely little place to explore, and the visit fitted comfortably into an afternoon. After lunch, we caught the bus back to Agios Nikolaos.

What I enjoyed most was being able to explore at our own pace. We could relax at the hotel, walk into town or venture a little further by bus, depending on how we felt that day. The views from our room and those leisurely cocktails by the sea are two things I’ll particularly remember.