|
| ISLANDS A-Z | CRETE | CYCLADES | DODECANESE | EASTERN AEGEAN |
| IONIAN | SARONIC | SPORADES | MAINLAND | ABOUT US |
Loutro in southern Crete |
 |
|
Loutro, near Chora Sfakion in southern Crete, is a pretty unique place. The village is completely free of motor vehicles, and that is extremely unusual. Sure, there are many car-free villages in Greece, but almost all car-free villages can be accessed by cars. Loutro is accessible only by boat, or on foot. (The islands of Hydra and Telendos are also car-free.) As you understand, it is wonderfully quiet in Loutro. The village set beautifully at the foot of a mighty mountain.
Loutro. Chora Sfakion is behind the mountain to the right.
Loutro in southern Crete. The port to the left and the beach to the right.
It's a small village with almost no streets. The waterfront - lined with hotels, pensions, tavernas, bars, cafes and shops - is the heart of the village. Loutro is a former small fishing village, but today it is on the whole adapted for tourism. Although it is low-key tourism.
The hike to Sweetwater beach starts roughly in the middle of the picture.
Loutro early in the morning. |
|
There is nothing to do but eat, drink, sunbathe, swim, hike and laze. If you like reading books, you can hardly find a better place to do it. Sometimes you need to rest your brain from impressions, and then Loutro is the ultimate place.
Breakfast with a view in Loutro.
You reach Loutro by boat from Chora Sfakion, located approximately 75 kilometres southeast of Chania, and about 65 kilometres southwest of Rethymnon. To get to Chora Sfakion you either go with your own transport or by bus from Chania and Rethymno. You can also go to Loutro by ferry from Agia Roumeli, Sougia and Paleochora.
A taxi boat from Chora Sfakion heading to the port of Loutro.
The beach in Loutro.
I really appreciate peace and quiet, so for me Loutro is a paradise. But I can imagine that many people think that Loutro is too quiet, perhaps even boring. So if you like hustle and bustle, Loutro might not be for you. However, I think everyone should give Loutro a chance, just because it is such a unique place. Imagine sitting in a taverna located right next to the sea, enjoying good Greek food without hearing cars or scooters. The only sounds heard come from the sea, and from some tavernas playing quiet Greek background music. |
|
The evenings in Loutro are magical.
It is not easy to choose taverna since most of them serve good food and have the same inviting location. If I have to pick a favourite, it's Taverna Blue House owned by the two brothers Vangelis and Georgos. I have eaten here many times and I have never been disappointed, rather the opposite. Taverna Notos is also a very good taverna.
Pretty much all the restaurants in Loutro are by the sea.
Also the days are magical in Loutro.
Sunset in Loutro. Chora Sfakion can be seen to the right of the Daskalogiannis ferry.
The Daskalogiannis car ferry services Chora Sfakion, Loutro, Agia Roumeli, Sougia and Paleochora.
The insanely beautiful sunset in Loutro. |
|
At the centre of the waterfront is a pebble beach that is okay. Sunbeds are available for rent during the summer. To the right of the ferry dock are several bathing places with rocks, the water is lovely and perfect if you like snorkelling. Just like from Chora Sfakion, you can go by taxi boat to nearby beaches, such as Marmara and Sweetwater beach.
The narrow beach in Loutro.
The beach in Loutro during low season.
The rock bath to the right of the harbour in Loutro.
Here it is perfect for those who like to snorkel.
The famous E4 path passes here and therefore many hikers have Loutro as their base. But you don't have to be an experienced hiker to walk the E4, at least not parts of it. It is very nice to walk from Loutro to Phoenix, Lykos and Livaniana on the other side of the hill.
ACCOMMODATION IN LOUTROTo really get to know Loutro, and to experience the magical evenings and mornings, not to mention the sunset, one should stay overnight. There are many hotels, and most are good, and all have a perfect location. You should book your accommodation in advance if you are going to stay in Loutro. Below are suggestions for good hotels in Loutro.
Book Daskalogiannis Hotel here »Book Loutro Holidays here »Book Villa Niki here »Book other hotels in Loutro here » |
WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT LOUTRO |
