Getting Here Where to Stay Beaches Sight Seeing e-Guides

Loutro Village and Beaches

Loutro Λουτρό is a tiny inaccessible seaside village in the south of Crete, sparkling white next to a turquoise green and blue bay, with the harsh sandy mountains rising up behind her.

Located 75 km from Chania, bus connections to Sfakia then boats to Loutro Crete are the only way to get here, except for hiking in.

A little village with that indescribable Mediterranean feeling of freedom, white light and space.

The tight little harbour of the village makes it a safe port even in bad weather conditions, its inaccessibility means there are no large hotels, no crowds and no cars!

Swimming is enjoyable between April and November. Within walking distance are beaches such as Loutro Bay Beach, Ilingas Beach and Timios Stavros Beach. By boat visitors can swim at the incredibly beautiful Glyka Nera Beach, which means sweet water, and Marmara Beach.

There are plenty of little pensions offering domatia, there are cafés and restaurants, a mini market and internet is available. Why not unhook from the world, though, and just relax in the sun?

If you have had enough of lazing around in the sun, canoes can be hired, you can snorkel and dive, even take a dive course...

Nearby are a few Venetian ruins, dotted around the limani. Also a beautiful white-washed chapel framed perfectly against the blue sea for photographers.

Then for the walkers and hikers there are endless explorations in the mountains and gorges of Crete. Hiking gorges nearby are Aradena Gorge, Imbros Gorge, and Samaria Gorge, you can take a boat to Agia Roumeli to begin your walk.

Serious hikers can walk up the steep hill to the ancient village of Anopolis, high in the hills, and be rewarded with stunning views over the Libyan Sea.

From the village you can visit Gavdos Island by ferry, via Sfakia.

Sitting down to your evening of happy dining and meeting people, you look out over the pristine bay and the sunset. Try the local fresh cuisine such as fresh greens, salad, tsatsiki, fried courgettes, octopus, squid, red mullet, swordfish, and lamb or fish souvlaki. Don’t forget your tsikoudia and have a great night! Stin iyia sas!

Here is a short video of the beautiful village...

Visitors can arrive in to the village by ferry from Paleohora and Sougia, and by ferry, private charter or taxi boat from Sfakia in the south of Chania prefecture of Crete. See here for more details of ferry transport within Kriti.