Located on the Greek island of Crete, Agios Nikolaos welcomes guests with warm, dry summers with low humidity and moderate, mild winters with relatively low precipitation compared to the UK. Most of the island, which is part of Greece, enjoys a Mediterranean climate throughout the year, but some of the mountainous areas inland do receive snow in the winter months, especially at the higher elevations.
It's a coastal town on the northern edge of the island, tucked into the cove of Mirabello Bay and the forecast all year round is pretty amazing, especially compared to the rest of Europe. With 300 days of sunshine a year, it's no wonder that many mainland Europeans flock to the island resort for holidays away at any time of the year.
A unique feature of the resort is the Sweetwater Lake that sits in the center of the city and is connected to the ocean by a small canal. Lake Voulismeni is exceptionally deep, about 64 meters, compared to its width of 137 meters, and in 1870 the canal was dug to connect it to the Sea of Crete. The lake has a park area, amphitheater, and numerous cafes popular with locals and tourists alike.
The city also sits on land that includes ruins of the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara. It acts as a gateway to about 20 small villages and farms in the area known as Lassithi. The resort has several beaches that draw in visitors and many people enjoy taking the ferry across the way to the island of Spinalonga, a former Venetian fortress which acted as a leper colony.
Spring
Spring is a good time to visit the resort before the crowds of summer visitors. It's also a great time to try more active outdoor doings like hiking or mountain biking before the heat of the summer kicks in. The daily temperature during March, April and May sees averages between 9°C and 18°C (about 48°F to 64°F), with the cooler temperatures at the beginning of the spring, quickly rising by the end of May.
The rain amounts have started to decrease from the winter months, with 36 mm to 46 mm of rainfall coming over 9 to 10 days in each month. You'll have plenty of time to explore the resort during the day, with an average of 8 to 11 sunshine hours during each day in the spring. The ocean water during will still be pretty chilly, averaging 14°C to 18°C (about 57°F to 64°F), but it is quickly starting to warm up for the summer months.
In the spring months, a dry, hot wind blows across the island, creating some uncomfortable dryness in the resort but not problematic enough to prevent people from visiting and still enjoying themselves.
Summer
One of the most popular times to visit the resort, summer offers warm temperatures and low rainfall. In the months of June, July, and August, visitors can expect average daily temperatures between 23°C to 25°C (around 73°C to 77°C), very pleasant and ideal for enjoying the beaches in the area. July and August are the hottest months in the year, with highs that can reach up to 31°C (about 88°F).
The summer months experience low rainfall, with most of the rain for the year falling between October and April. Summer rainfall averages between 21 mm to 32 mm, with 4 to 6 days of rain each month. The sun comes out in the summer and is out to stay, with 12 hours of sunshine each day, lots of time to get out on the beach and soak in the rays.
The water temperatures are very comfortable for swimming and water sports, averaging 22°C to 25°C (about 72°F to 77°F). In August, the sea water reaches its highest temperature, going up to 25°C (around 77°F). Comfortable breezes blow through the area in the summer, making the warm temperatures feel even better and providing some relief from heat of the sun's rays.
Autumn
With the kids back in school and adults back to work after summer break, the crowds die down in Agios Nikolaos, making it an excellent time to visit. The still-pleasant temperatures at the beginning of the season also help to make autumn a good time of the year for a holiday on the island of Crete.
North and northeast winds rule this time of year, bringing in cooler temperatures across the Sea of Crete. The average daily temperatures run 11°C to 21°C (about 52°F to 70°F), with the temperatures dropping quickly once you get into late October and early November. In September, the ocean temperatures still hang around 24°C (about 75°F), but quickly drop to 18°C (around 64°F) come November.
The rain chances are starting to increase during the months of September, October, and November, but visitors will still get drier conditions compared to a typical UK autumn. The rainfall averages between 26 mm and 58 mm, with November the rainiest month out of the year. The rain falls over 7 to 10 days each month. Guests on the island still get 7 to 9 hours of sunlight each day.
Winter
Even with the dropping temperatures and increased rain amounts, Agios Nikolaos is still a great place to get away for a holiday. The crowds have thinned out and visitors will still have better weather than a typical UK winter! The average daily temperature during December, January, and February drops to 5°C to 7°C (around 41°F to 45°F). January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 5°C (about 41°F).
The average rainfall for the resort in the winter is 37 mm to 53 mm, slowly tapering off in February. The rain falls over 8 to 11 days each month, so guests can still expect more dry days than rainy ones. During this time, the area has 5 to 6 hours of sunshine each day.
The ocean temperatures are pretty chilly, only averaging 14°C to 16°C (about 57°F to 61°F). So, unless you have the proper wet or cold suits, you might want to stick to the sand and just dip your foot in.
Weather Hazards
The Meltemi winds, also called the Etesian northern winds, blow through the south of Greece during the summer months creating dry conditions for the island and its resorts. The winds are typically strongest during the afternoon, dying off in the evening hours, but at times, the winds last for several days in a row.
The Meltemi winds don't pose a danger, but more of a hindrance to enjoying a day out on the beach. If the winds get too strong, it does affect some of the ferries and yachts that sail in and out of the resorts. Typically, however, most tourists won't notice anything different, but simply enjoy the strong breezes that help keep the temperatures pleasurable.