Agios Nikolaos, Chalkidiki
Agios Nikolaos
Άγιος Νικόλαος | |
|---|---|
UTC+3 (EEST) | |
| Postal code | 630 78 |
| Area code(s) | 23750 |
| Vehicle registration | XK |
Agios Nikolaos (Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος, meaning Saint Nicholas) is a village located 110 kilometers south-east of Thessaloniki on the Chalkidiki peninsula in Macedonia, Greece.
Geography
The village Agios Nikolaos itself is 2 km inland from the Singitic Gulf. However, its territory is quite extensive. To the north-east it borders the village of Pyrgadikia at Salonikiou Beach (8 km from Agios Nikolaos). To the north it borders the village of Metangitsi. In the west and south-west it is neighboring the village of Nikiti (9 km from Agios Nikolaos). To the south it borders the village of Sarti at Armenistis Beach (28 km from Agios Nikolaos).
Landscapes
Agios Nikolaos' landscapes show a substantial variability.
In the plains east and south-east of the village agriculture predominates with olive trees as the main cultivated plant. Toward the south, rises the Itamos mountain range of Sithonia and is completely covered with pine forest. Towards its northeastern extension (Salonikiou Beach) significant parts of the village territory are covered with forests. In all parts of the village territory plains or smooth hill segments are devoted to agriculture.
On the beaches there are
The highest point within Agios Nikolaos territory is mount Karvounas (height approx. 550 m) in the south-west (Vourvourvou).
Settlements
A couple of coastal settlements belong to Agios Nikolaos, these are:
- Vourvourou – located 10 km south-east. Vourvourou is a village near Agios Nikolaos, in the Chalkidiki peninsula of northern Greece. It is best known as a holiday destination. Close to Vourvourou are the beaches of Karidi and Fteroti. Diasporos island is very close to Vourvourou.
- Salonikiou Beach – located 8 km north-east. Salonikiou is the area around the beach of Salonikiou on the northeast coast of Sithonia, between Ormos Panagias and Pyrgadikia. The closest village is Metangitsi (4 km inland). Most of the buildings in the region are private villas but there are some studios and apartments to rent. The beach is more than 1 km long.
- Halkidiki. Considered as being a part of Agios Nikolaos, the port of Ormos Panagias is located just a few kilometres to the south. The amount of accommodation and restaurants that have been built around this harbour has made it grow into somewhat of a village on its own, built around an existing old church. Even though it is not officially recognized as a village, Ormos Panagias is considered a Halkidiki resort in its own right that attracts many people. Tourist boat tours of Mount Athosand it's monasteries leave from this port.
Population
The community of Agios Nikolaos, which includes the settlements of Agios Nikolaos, Vourvourou, Salonikiou Beach, and Ormos Panagias, has 1,965 residents (2021 census)..
During the summer holiday period, the population may rise to 10,000.
Economy
Traditionally, inhabitants of Agios Nikolaos had two economic mainstays: agriculture and fishery. Agriculture was mostly devoted to olive trees (and olive oil production), wheat, and winery. Fishery was limited to the waters of the Singitic Gulf.
Since the 1980s, tourism replaced fishery and agriculture as economic mainstay. Inhabitants have built own hotels, homes, and pensions or sold-off their agricultural land for real estate purposes. Concomitantly, living standards have risen significantly.
History
The
The village's history dates back to the 14th century when inhabitants moved inland from the sea because of repeated attacks by
Agios Nikolaos fell under
After the 1950s, peaceful times returned and the Agios Nikolaos area saw a tourism boom from the 1980s onwards which increased prosperity in the region. Many villagers built summer homes in the coastal areas of Ormos Panagias and Vourvourou.
Infrastructure
Public facilities
Agios Nikolaos has following public facilities:
- police station
- health center (equal to a very small hospital)
- pharmacies
- post office
- ATM
- radio station
- volunteer firefighters station
Agios Nikolaos does not have a bank. The nearest bank is located in Nikiti (9 km away).
Transportation
Agios Nikolaos lies adjacent to the road leading from
There is no link to a
Ormos Panagias serves as port of Agios Nikolaos. Daily cruises to Mount Athos' west coast take off from that port. It serves also as home port of the village's fishery boats.
Air traffic is managed by the
Architecture
Agios Nikolaos is primarily a
Sightseeing
Ancient remains in the area are not noteworthy. However, one may want to take a look at:
- watch towerat Pyrgos Beach (only ruins visible)
- Ancient Mega Teichos at Vourvourou (Livari)
- The village of Agios Nikolaos has traditional architecture
- The central square (πλατεία) of Agios Nikolaos is surrounded by restaurants and cafes and is especially busy on summer nights.
Agios Nikolaos is full of noteworthy
- Salonikiou Beach
- Pyrgos Beach
- Livrochio Beach
- Latoura Beach
- Lagonisi Beach
- Livari Beach
- Vourvourou Beach
- Karidi Beach
- Zografou Beach
- Galana Nera, a beach located between Diaporos and Agios Isidoros.
Beside the beaches, the bay of Vourvourou has approx. 9 islands giving it a lagoon appearance.
- Diaporos Island, largest island, partially inhabited
- Agios Isidoros, the most eastern island
All islands and islands' beaches can only be reached by boat.
References
- ^ a b "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ "Agios Nikolaos village | Halkidiki". Retrieved 2020-03-05.
Places adjacent to Agios Nikolaos, Chalkidiki | ||||||||||||||||
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