Weather Lowdown
As the year winds down in Agios Nikolaos, the days start getting shorter and the temperatures start plummeting. November brings sinking temperatures and the most rainfall this area in the country of Greece receives out of the year. The average daily temperature for this time of the year sits around 11°C (about 52°F), cool but still an improvement for many areas of Europe during the end of autumn. The crowds have all thinned out, so if you don't mind a little cold, it's a good time to have a quiet holiday away.
The low temperature drops down to a chilly 7°C (around 45°F) and the highs reach up to 15°C (about 59°F). When visiting the resort this time of the year, you'll want to bring along a coat or jacket, as well as long-sleeves shirts, sweaters, and pants. Some of the inland mountain areas start getting snow this month, so if you plan on exploring those parts, be prepared with snow boots, warm gloves, and a winter hat.
Similar to the nearby resort of Kritsa, the town gets about 7 hours of sunshine each day, still enough time to get outside to see some of the area attractions. Be sure to bring along an umbrella or poncho, because this month sees more rain than any other month. The area gets about 58 mm of rainfall over the course of the month, with the rain falling over 10 days on average.
The sea water temperatures have cooled down quite a bit this month, only reaching an average ocean temperature of 18°C (about 64°F). Unless you're feeling exceptionally brave or have a high cold tolerance, you'll probably want to avoid the water. The winds have died down as well this month, so even though it's colder, you won't have to contend with strong breezes making it feel even cooler.
Where to Stay
A smaller, intimate hotel in the town of Agios Nikolaos, the Pergola Hotel has sweeping views of the blue waters of Mirobella Bay and sits just above the beach. As a guest, you can access the beach with deck and lounge chairs, swimming pools, bar and lounge, and shuttle bus service. Many of the rooms have balconies to enjoy the view and you also get free Wi-Fi, satellite television, and free breakfast.
The Artemis Beach Hotel has a quiet setting and 13 guest rooms, making for a peaceful holiday away to Agios Nikolaos in November. Each of the rooms is simply decorated and includes a private bath, refrigerator, telephone, and a balcony or terrace with ocean views. The hotel has lots of great amenities like reception desk, pool, bar, café, playground, television lounge, and breakfast area next to the pool.
A four-star hotel created to resemble an authentic Cretan village, the Mistral Mare Hotel is only 300 meters from the beach. The standard rooms come with air conditioning, private bathroom, private balcony or terrace, and mini fridge. Or, you can upgrade to the Golden Wing with superior rooms with sea views and lots of extra amenities. The hotel also offers an all-inclusive package that includes three meals a day.
Things to Do
While the town of Agios Nikolaos is set up in such a way that you can easily walk pretty much everywhere you want to go, you can also rent a car from Sixt and see the sights around the town. The company offers rentals by the hour and the day and you can choose from compact cars, 4X4 vehicles, sports cars, and convertibles to travel around the island of Crete.
Head inside during the cool November weather and heat things up at Cube Bar, one of the hottest clubs in Agios Nikolaos. Located nearby the lake and other restaurants and bars, Cube Bar is a great place to end the night, dancing till the early morning hours. Each night, a DJ spins the tunes and the bar offers drink specials throughout the week as well.
Since it's cold already, you should explore the chilly recesses of Dikti Cave, part of the Ditki mountain range on the island. Outside the cave is a large parking area and the cave entrance has stairs to help you get down into the cavern. You do have to pay for both parking and the entrance ticket, but you get to see amazing underground sites and rock formations.
Eating and Drinking Out
Serving a traditional mezedes, or small plates, menu, Paradosiako has two locations. One is in Agios Nikolaos and one is in nearby Elounda, located north. The dishes are all prepared using Cretan olive oil, local produce and meats, and fresh seafood. The large restaurant can accommodate bigger groups and families and can help with birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations.
Chez Georges, a café and cocktail bar, consistently earns top honors as one of Agios Nikolaos' best restaurants. Set high above the lake and the bay, the restaurant has outdoor seating with panoramic views. The menu includes snacks, sandwiches, and small plates, as well as coffees, wines, and cocktails. It is open from breakfast to late night, so you can stop anytime of the day.
When you need a quick snack or dessert after dinner, stop by Gelato.It with handmade Italian gelato, waffles, pancakes, and specialty espresso coffee. You can also get freshly-squeezed juices and bougatsa, a Greek pastry that's perfect for breakfast. The kids will love all the different flavors and parents will appreciate the free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating with beautiful views of the ocean.
