Loutro, Crete
Loutro, Crete: A famously beautiful coastal village in south Chania known all over Europe, with a magnificent beach and great natural surroundings.
Loutro, Crete, is a small coastal village of unique beauty and charm. Loutro is considered, by many visitors to Chania, one of the most picturesque coastal villages in the Mediterranean.
Loutro is located on the coast of South Crete, in the region of Sfakia, Chania. It is close to the capital of the region, Hora Sfakion.
There are no roads suitable for vehicles that lead to Loutro. There is only a small dirt road through which you can get there on foot. The only practical way to get to Loutro is by boat from the nearby villages of Hora Sfakion and Agia Roumeli.
Loutro, Crete – a small village full of authentic coastal charm
In Loutro, all the traditional houses of the village are built around the small beach and the jetty where the boats dock. Above the village, the characteristic 600 metres high cliff, form a very scenic landscape, as Loutro lies in the narrow space between the high rocks and the sea.
As there is no access for cars to Loutro, there are only a couple of cars in the village, which are used to transport goods from the boats to the local stores. The village is a pedestrians’ paradise, unique in Crete.
The beach of Loutro is small but truly magnificent. It has crystal-clear water, it is generally warm, and it is protected by the winds. Most of the visitors here in Loutro spend the biggest part of their visit lying on the wonderful beach.
But the village of Loutro is also very interesting. With its small, traditional, white houses, so characteristic of the authentic Greek Islands atmosphere, surrounding the beautiful beach, it’s a place that impresses at first sight.
There are good amenities for travellers in Loutro including taverns, cafés, mini markets and rooms for rent. Just keep in mind that there is no bank or ATM machine here, so it’s essential to have some money in cash for your everyday needs.
Loutro, Crete – a small coastal village with thousands of years of history
Loutro was inhabited from the ancient years. It was a harbour of the ancient Anopolis, which was located at the top of the mountains above Loutro. The name of the village, which means “Bath” in Greek, came from the baths that were here at that time.
The ancient town which lied at the location of modern-day Loutro was called Phoenix. Today, a location near Loutro village is called Phoenix for this reason. Phoenix flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, until it was conquered by the Saracen pirates and was used as a base for their attacks.
When the Venetians conquered Crete, they ousted the pirates and built a small fortress in Loutro, the ruins of which are still visible today. Then followed the Ottoman occupation of Crete, during which the Ottomans built another fort above the village, also recognizing its strategic location. This fortress was built in an effort to suppress the 1866 revolution of the local population in Crete against the Ottoman occupation. During these troubled years, the harbour of Loutro was frequently used as a base for the local revolutionists. In fact, before the 1866 revolution, Loutro was the base of the great 1770 rebellion, led by the great local revolutionist Daskaloyiannis, and also the place where the 1821 uprising was declared in Crete, in the year of the Greek revolution against the Ottomans.
Loutro, Crete, is a small village on the south of Sfakia region in Chania, which stands out for its authentic, everlasting coastal beauty. When you are in West Crete, try to find some time to experience its unique atmosphere. Loutro is truly one of the most beautiful and authentic coastal villages in Greece.