Loutro

Loutro is a small seaside village situated approximately 71 km south of Chania, at the end of Cape Mouri. It is believed that this was the site of the ancient city of Phoenix and was the ancient port of Anopolis. Later, it became a winter port for Chora Sfakion, due to the fact that the enclosed bay and the small island at its entrance create a natural harbor where ships can be safe even in very bad weather.

You can stay at Loutro and use it as a base for visiting surrounding beaches, either by taxi boat, canoe or on foot. You can visit the magestic beach of Glyka Nera east of the village. Moreover, you can canoe or walk till the adjacent unorganised pebbly beaches of Timios Stavros and Pervolaki that are located 1km east of the village, just before Glyka Nera. However, if you want to stay at Loutro, the small beach in front of Loutro and the longer beach right after the east end of the village, called Keramos, are a very good choice, especially when wind from South is strong. The beaches are pebbly, well-organised and the water is always calm and has an amazing deep blue and green color. Moreover, you could visit the closeby beaches of Likos, Finikas and Marmara. There is a boat that leaves every day to Marmara and Glyka Nera.

Loutro is a place for those people who want something different. A small picturesque fishing village in south west Crete, not yet spoilt by mass tourism. For example there are no big hotels with swimming pools. There are no overcrowded streets, restaurants and beaches, there are no cars! 

The only access is by boat or as you wish, by foot (1.5 hour hard trekking from Chora Sfakion). There are daily routes to/from Chora Sfakion, Sougia, Gavdos island, Paleochora and Agia Roumeli.

What to do in Loutro

Once in Loutro, enjoy walking in the scenic, unspoilt mountain countryside with its valleys and gorges. Firstly, you could visit the Koules of Loutro and admire the old endemic palm trees dispersed in the area. You could also climb to the beautiful village and plateau of Anopolis. You have to climb 2000 feet on a 2000 year old mule track, which you must take very easily, one foot in front of the other, sticking to the zigzag path, taking regular stops, especially if you are not walking in the shade. Allow just under two hours up to Anopolis where there is a very good choice of tavernas. You could also explore the Aradaina Gorge, the Imbros Gorge or the Samaria Gorge or make a day trip by boat to the island of Gavdos, the most southern tip of Europe and try to get a glimpse of escorting dolphins. Moreover, if you are a keen snorkeller, you might meet seaturtles that are very frequent visitors of Loutro.

Photos

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