Weather Lowdown
The temperatures start to drop when September rolls around in Agios Nikolaos, a resort in the country of Greece. The cooler autumn temperatures set in, with an average daily temperature this month of 21°C (about 70°F), very pleasant for being outside. The Meltemi winds are still blowing during time but starting to calm, creating nice breezes to cool you off.
The lows drop to 15°C (around 59°F), but typically you'll only see those temperatures in the early morning, late evening, and overnight hours. The highs still reach up to 27°C (about 81°F), extra nice for autumn, especially when compared to the weather in the UK during this same time. With the daytime temperatures cooling off from summer, you'll want to pack a light jacket or sweater for the evening hours. During the day, summer clothes, like short-sleeved shirts, shorts, and capris, still work.
You have nearly three hours less sunshine each day this month, compared with August. September typically gets 9 hours of sunshine each day. Even with the sun shining fewer hours, you'll still want to bring along your sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from getting sunburnt. The rainfall chances increase, but only slightly, with 26 mm falling on average over the month. The area sees around 7 rainy days each month, so any rain that does fall is usually light and short-lived, so if you forget your umbrella, you should be okay.
The ocean water still feels great if you want to jump in and swim around. The average temperature this time of year is 24°C (about 75°F), ideal for trying your hand at some water sports too. The waters of the Sea of Crete are great for stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing, and kite-surfing. It's also a great time of the year for laying out on the volcanic sand of the beaches and soaking in the sun rays while you can.
Where to Stay
At the Hotel Victoria, guests are treated to Cretan-style accommodations with awesome views of Mirabello Bay. The hotel provides guests with easy access to Ammoudi beach to enjoy the last warm days of September, as well as numerous water activities and other Agios Nikolaos attractions. Every room in the hotel has television, telephone, mini fridge, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and private bathroom, as well as a sea view or a garden view.
The Dessole Resort and Hotel has 311 rooms for guests to enjoy a peaceful vacation away to Agios Nikolaos. The resort has two sections, the Mirabello Beach Hotel and the Mirabello Village, connected by picturesque bridge. The hotel portion is a six-story building with 176 rooms and the village part has 135 private bungalows. All the rooms have private bathroom, air conditioning, satellite television, telephone, and a balcony or terrace.
With beautiful decorations and a quiet setting, the Hotel Palazzo Arhontiko Apartments is only a two-minute walk from town, where you can access the numerous restaurants, cafés, bars, and stores. The hotel sits on Kitroplatia Beach and has 10 suite apartments, some of which have ocean views with private bedrooms and bathrooms, separate living room area with television and satellite, and kitchen and dining areas with microwave oven, mini-fridge, and coffee machine.
Things to Do
The temperatures in Agios Nikolaos are starting to cool off come September, making it an ideal time to try some more active excursions like hiking. The walking tours from Elena Cretnik take you to sites all over the island of Crete and provide interesting tidbits on the history of the area. Tours last anywhere from five to seven hours and some include extra activities like swimming.
Sail Crete offers half-day sailing trips around Mirobella Bay on one of the company's two sailing catamarans. The tour includes time to stop for snorkeling and swimming, as well as optional stops for pictures and enjoying the local sites. You can bring your own picnic lunch and snacks or enjoy the snacks, beer, cold drinks, and fresh fruit that Sail Crete offers.
If you're looking to take home a souvenir for a friend or yourself, visit Melissa Traditional Products near the town center of Agios Nikolaos. The store stocks all kinds of authentic Cretan items including olive oil, chocolates, wine, cosmetics, and perfume. If you're not sure what you're looking for, the staff can help you find just the right gift and answer any questions you have about the products.
Hit the Beach
Greek for "sand", Ammos Beach is aptly named thanks to its expansive area filled with soft, warm sand. It sits south of the marina in Agios Nikolaos so you can see the boats coming and going. If you need a lounge chair or umbrella, they are available for rent. Numerous restaurants and cafes in the area provide options for food as well.
Even though it sits in an isolated area of town, Gargadoros Beach is still a popular spot for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. The water is calm, clear, and warm making it ideal for swimming, especially for young kids. In September, the water temperature averages 24°C (about 75°F). Several hotels are in the area, as are a number of restaurants.
Eating and Drinking Out
The very authentic Portes Restaurant is tucked away in the center of Agios Nikolaos and offers diners a true meze experience. The owner himself often sits down with each table, finding out what they like and tailoring their small plates to their tastes. Wash down your meal with a glass of red or white wine that complement the Greek food perfectly.
Family-run, the Ofou To Lo restaurant overlooks the ocean and has views of the mountains. The food on the menu is mainly Greek and Mediterranean with lots of fresh seafood dishes. With large portions, affordable prices, and fresh ingredients, it's no wonder that Ofou To Lo is popular with locals and tourists who wander north of the town to find it.
If you need a change of pace from the many, many Greek and Mediterranean restaurants in the area, check out La Strada. The restaurant is open for lunch through late night and serves authentic Italian pizza, pasta, fresh bread, and salads. You can also pick from the wine menu full of white, reds, blush, and sparkling wines. It's a great place to stop for lunch or dinner or come in for a nightcap.
