Abduction of Europa Statue

Agios Nikolaos


The myth of the Phoenician princess Europa being abducted by Zeus in the guise of a bull finds expression in a monumental statue at the end of a ho-hum car park near the port, off Akti Themistokleous.

Designed by the late film director – and local boy – Nikos Koundouros, it shows a buxom beauty perched atop the beast while cradling an orb in one hand and a dove in the other.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Agios Nikolaos attractions

1. Folk Museum

0.2 MILES

This modest museum near the lake houses a well-curated collection of traditional handicrafts (especially textiles, costumes and embroidery), alongside…

2. Minotaur Mural

0.28 MILES

Walking along the waterfront on Akti Koundourou, keep an eye out for a superb perspective mural depicting the Minotaur on a zigzagging staircase (next to…

3. Agia Triada Church

0.33 MILES

Right in the town centre, Agios Nikolaos' main church is a three-aisled Byzantine construction dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The mosaic above the main…

4. Ancient Lato

3.99 MILES

The fortified hilltop city state of Lato is one of Crete’s best-preserved non-Minoan ancient sites and worth the trip for the rural serenity and stunning…

5. Church of Panagia Kera

4.47 MILES

This tiny triple-aisled church on the main road shelters Crete's best-preserved Byzantine frescoes. The oldest in the central nave (13th century) depict…

6. Voulisma Beach

4.65 MILES

Wedged into a crescent bay about 12km east of Agios Nikolaos, this ribbon of fine golden sand is lapped by shallow and usually calm, Caribbean-clear water…

7. Kolokytha Beach

5.04 MILES

On the eastern shore of Spinalonga Island, Kolokytha is a small but lovely sandy cove with a view over to Kolokytha Island. Tour boats drop their…

8. Gournia

6.88 MILES

The Late Minoan settlement of Gournia lies 19km southeast of Agios Nikolaos. Comprising a small palace and residential areas, it was built between 1600…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "greece/crete/agios-nikolaos/attractions/abduction-of-europa-statue/a/poi-sig/1624549/359425",
      "destination": "Agios-Nikolaos",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Greece",
      "city": "Agios-Nikolaos",
      "position": "superzone"
    }