Agios Nikolaos information

Besides the vocabulary differences, spoken Greek in Crete and especially in Agios Nikolaos  is also distinguished by its distinct accent.

Music

 As distinct as its people,  the local cretan music  is obvious  up until today present in all social events.Cretan traditional music has  a unique sound  coming  from a unique instrument, the "lyra". Lyra is played with a bow like a violin. Another instrument which contributes to the unique sound is the "lute" which is played like a guitar and provides the vigorous rhythm of the songs.Mantinades are one category of songs that speak of age old concerns of love and death and are popular  throughout the whole island and of course Agios Nikolaos .Enjoy the local music, and live the life through the  life of the locals and make the most of all that Agios Nikolaos has got to offer you.

Cretan food  is rumoured to be the most delicious food  of the mediterranean.Besides traditional Greek dishes and cretan mezedes you will find in the majority of Agios Nikolaos restaurants  a variety of international dishes.Be aware  that for the Cretans , food is not just a human need but it is  a way of life and that is obvious to the numerous restaurants and tavernas spread all over the  area .Try "Chohlious" (snails)  which are fried and boiled,"ntakos" which is dried bread coated with olive oil and crushed tomato, "kolokythokeftedes" ,fried zuchini patties, "xygalo" which is a kind sour milk, and "gamopilafo".The tastes generates from the simplicity of the dishes and the freshness of the ingredients  which makes eating out a real Also don’t hesitate to try  a dish of local Sitia olives. Besides all these local dishes, try the famous greek salad   (horiatiki). If you are offered by the restaurant holders “raki” don’t be impressed! Be aware that just about every home and restaurant  in Crete produces its own raki, which is a strong alcoholic drink made of the grapes harvested in mid-August.It is usually taken in a small shot glass in small sips, and its potency varies from home to home.It is usually served with slices of cucumber, bread and xygalo (sour milk), and chohlious.