Loutro Crete

Loutro,
Crete: One of the most beautiful coastal villages in Greece, 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 Crete, one of the most picturesque coastal villages in the
Mediterranean.

Loutro,
Crete,
is located on the coast of South Crete, in the region of Sfakia. It is close to
the capital of the region, Hora Sfakion.

There are no roads suitable for
vehicles that lead to Loutro, Crete. 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, Crete, 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, Crete, is small
but truly magnificent. It has crystal-clear waters, 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, Crete, 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, Crete, 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 from 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, 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,
Crete, is truly one of the most beautiful and authentic coastal villages in Greece.

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