The Litsa apartments are basic, typically Greek, self catering apartments. As far as we could see they were the only apartments with its own pool in Ag. Nikolaos. There were 3 blocks of apartments. The oldest overlook the pool with the other 2 more modern apartments set slightly further back. We were based in the older apartments.
The apartments were basically one room with a side shower and toilet room. The rooms were in pretty good order and very clean with the usual fridge, double cooking ring and for the first time in Greece, a toaster! There was also an electric kettle but it didn’t work. As the older blocks didn’t have air conditioning an electric fan was provided. Despite being on the lower floor there was a raised balcony overlooking the pool. The beds were OK, but the mattresses had seen better days.
The cleaners came round on Sundays and Wednesdays to clean the rooms and change the towels and sheets, which we found more than adequate.
The blocks are set in well maintained gorgeous gardens with lots of colourful flowers and the obligatory tribe of cats. Also at the end of the drive as a tap providing fresh spring water meaning there was no need to buy water from the supermarket for drinking.
The Litsa is about a 5 minute walk to the harbour front with the bulk of the tavernas and supermarkets, with a slight incline on the return trip but nothing too strenuous.
The apartments are probably amongst the better ones we have stayed in in Greece and would highly recommend them.

Agios Nikolaos (and the surrounding area)

The resort is a small working fishing village which still contains more locals than holidaymakers. The main focus is around the very picturesque harbour, where the locals have a small market every morning selling the mornings catch. Surrounding the harbour is a selection of tavernas, bars and a couple of shops.
Our favourite restaurant was called “The arches” and is run by an Albanian family. The food is fantastic with plenty of fresh fish dishes and specialist Albanian options, and all at a reasonable price. There are about 6 or 7 other tavernas and to be honest the food was pretty good at all of them and the prices similar.
The town beach, called Patanzi, is a good 20 minute walk to the south of town, and in fairness it isn’t the best beach I’ve been on. It’s a mixture of sand and pebble and there are free sunbeds to use (at least they were free when we visited), but there was quite a bit of litter on the beach and the bins provided were overflowing. Also the sea quickly sloped into deep water which meant not much room for paddling and not really suitable for young kids or weak swimmers. There are, however, two swimming coves in the centre of the village, the nicest being just off the path to Stoupa with its own small chapel next to caves and rock pools.
For self catering holidaymakers the village has 3 supermarkets, a bakery and a butcher. Surprisingly for such a small place it also has a post office, a 24 hr medical centre and a pharmacy, but does not have a ATM. One of the bars which tends to attract the local youngsters provides an internet service. You can also hire bikes from the bakery! Another nice feature is the fact there are taps dotted around the village providing fresh spring water, negating the need to buy gallons of the stuff from the supermarket.
As well as the neighbouring villages described below we also did organised excursions to Mystras, Monemvasia and The Diros Caves which were all excellent.
Ag Nik is a very laid back place and I’d say my favourite resort of all the places in Greece we have stayed. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a get away from it all relaxing holiday.

[Stoupa] Stoupa is a 40 minute walk from Ag Nik along a nice paved coastal path. I was a bit disappointed with Stoupa. It did have two nice clean beaches and a good selection of bars, shops and tavernas but just didn’t seem to have much soul for my liking. It seemed very much a purpose built resort although it’s supposedly an old town. A better choice for somewhere to stay if the beach is your main priority but I’m glad we chose Ag Nik.

[Kardamyli] Unfortunately on the day we caught the bus to Kardamyli the weather was atrocious (first rain of the summer!!). However, the “new town” looked to be a pretty place with a nice square and a good selection of bars and tavernas. We were told that the beach was good but due to the weather we didn’t get to it. Instead we did a fantastic walk through old Kardamyli, which had a small museum, along the Viros Gorge to Ag Sophia with its lovely Church and fantastic views back down to Kardamyli. The walk isn’t too strenuous and was worth it even in the poor weather. I would guess this would be a great place to base yourself for a holiday.

[Trachila]We cycled to Tachila from Agios Nikolaos in about half an hour. It was a very pleasant cycle with stunning coastal scenery and walled caves. There were a couple of stiff climbs though.
Trachila is a very quiet picturesque fishing harbour with a couple of harbour front tavernas. It was well worth the journey, seeming as though you were stepping back in time to a simpler age when entering the village.
On the return ride we tried to stop in Ag. Dimetrious with its tower house for a drink but were unable to find a taverna despite there seeming to be quite a few holiday rental places in the village.