Lake Voulismeni in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, is one of the most remarkable natural wonders on the island. This nearly circular pool is reputed to have been the bathing place of the goddesses Artemis and Athena, while the locals claim that it is bottomless and is connected to the deeper regions of the underworld. None of that is true, of course, but the real story of the lake is no less impressive.

Agios Nikolaos is a small town located on the eastern end of Crete, on the shores of the Gulf of Mirabello. The town has numerous treasures to explore, such as the 13th-century frescoes in the church of Panagia Kera, the exposed remains of a Roman villa in the middle of the town, and the island fortress and former leper colony of Spinalonga. However, the lake of Agios Nikolaos is one of the city’s greatest treasures.

Known by the locals simply as “the lake,” this natural wonder is nearly circular. The lake is surrounded by cliffs, making it a popular spot for tourists to enjoy the area’s beauty. The locals claim that the lake is bottomless and connected to the deeper regions of the underworld. While this is just a myth, the real story of the lake is still impressive. It is much deeper than any part of the adjacent sea for many kilometres offshore.

The first recorded measurement of the lake’s depth was made in November 1851 when the British naval surveyor Captain Thomas Spratt determined that it was 210 feet deep at the centre (64 meters). The lake fills a deep funnel-shaped sinkhole formed when an ancient cave grew so large that it could no longer support the weight of rock above it.

Visiting Lake Voulismeni in Agios Nikolaos, Crete is an experience not to be missed. This stunning natural landmark provides a picturesque relaxing, swimming, and sightseeing setting. Whether looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, the lake and its surroundings have something for everyone.