The capital of Lasithi Prefecture is Agios Nikolaos, which stands built on the site of ancient Latus towards Kamara, in the picturesque Mirabellos bay, which was named after the Venetian castle that was destroyed by the Turks. Its name derives from the Byzantine chapel located in Agios Nikolaos bay, also known as ‘Madraki’, as there were many stockyards with goats in the area.
Stroll through the center of the gate you can admire the elegant neoclassical buildings. In the center of the town you can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos, north of the lake, at 74 Paleologou Street. The museum was founded in Agios Nikolaos in 1970 and houses a rich collection of archaeological finds from Lasithi prefecture. In the museum’s 8 halls, archaeological treasures are exhibited covering the period from the Neolithic [6,000 BC], to the Minoan [3,000 BC] to the Roman [1st-2nd Century AD]. You can also visit the Folklore Museum.
Lake Voulismeni is the main attraction of St. Nikolaos and has been associated with various myths.
The best known is that the lake was bathed by the goddess Athena and the goddess Artemis Vritomartis. The lake is set in a beautiful natural environment, with many cafés and restaurants. A small park with pine trees above Lake Voulismeni offers a panoramic view of the city.
Α unique event that happens every year on the lake is the burning of Judas during the celebration of the Resurrection.
Taking the boat you can visit the island of Spinalonga.
Spinalonga is a small island that closes from the north of Elounda Bay in the Mirabello Province of Lasithi Crete. Due to its location the island was already fortified from antiquity in order to protect the entrance to the port of the ancient city of Olous. On May 30, 1903, the decision was made to make Spinalonga an island of lepers. On October 13, 1904, 251 patients, 148 men and 103 women were transferred.
After 1913 Crete united with Greece and more and more sick people came to Spinalonga, and later received patients even from other countries and was designated as an International leper colony.
Eventually in 1957 it closed because patients using antibiotic drugs were cured. After 1957 for several decades it remained unused and after the interest of many tourists began to systematically renovate and repair buildings, Venetian fortifications, old houses, roads, etc.
Thousands of visitors each year visit this beautiful islet with boats departing every hour from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka, located just 800 meters from the shore.
Also on that particular island was the Mega series, The Island. Based on her homonymous book by Victoria Hyslop.