Loutro the hidden village in the South and Glyka Nera Beach
Description
This excursion will bring you decades back to the forgotten fishermen village of Loutro that is so close to the famous gorge of Samaria, but no road leads there. You will start your day taking the road to the beautiful high plateau of Askifou. Stop in small village for a coffee break and enjoy the land life atmosphere before heading to the South coast of Crete. On the way you will have a stunning view over the Imbros gorge and the Libyan Sea. You will reach the harbor of Chora Sfakion, where a private taxi boat awaits you. You will soon reach the fisher village of Loutro – no cars, no mopeds or trucks disturb the silence. This small village is connected to the outside world only twice a day with a ferry boat connection. Enjoy the time at the beautiful small bays with swimming, strolling through the narrow streets of this beautiful place or relax in a small fish tavern at the port. In the afternoon, the taxi boat will take you back and the bus will bring you to your hotel.
Tour Options
Itinerary
After your pick up you will visit the Sfakia village.
You will reach the harbor of Chora Sfakion, where a private taxi boat awaits you. Explore Glyka nera beach.
After the ride over the crystal-clear sea, you will soon reach the fisher village of Loutro – no cars, no mopeds or trucks disturb the silence. This small village is connected to the outside world only twice a day with a ferry boat connection and for that it is a common secret for people looking for few days of peace.
Return back to Sfakia, and from there, back to your pick up place.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up from specific hotels and meeting points in selected areas
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for travelers with sea sickness
Reviews(25)
So… there is a lot to say about Loutro. The village is very pretty, with its white houses, its blue shutters, and above all a sea with absolutely magnificent colors. On the other hand, you have to know what to expect: Loutro essentially boils down to a succession of hotels, restaurants, and bars. As for swimming, we were quite disappointed. There is practically no real public beach in the village. The few developed spaces are occupied by lounge chairs and umbrellas, installed right next to each other. When arriving by boat, the village is on the right. On the left, by walking along the rocks, it is possibly possible to find a small spot to put your things down. To be more in the quiet, I recommend going up above the last restaurants located on the left when arriving by boat. You can find a small chapel there as well as a large table, perfect for having a picnic with a superb view. You can also see the remains of an ancient Greco-Roman site, some of the stones of which were unfortunately reused over time to build Loutro. From this spot, it is also possible to continue on foot along the trails to reach other places and villages on the coast. In summary: Loutro is worth seeing for its setting, its colors, and its spectacular arrival by boat $16 round trip. But, in our opinion, spending an entire day there is of little interest, especially if you are looking for a quiet beach or an authentic Cretan village. A few hours are more than enough to discover the place. $3.50 for a 25cl bottle of Coke, $2 for a 1l bottle of water, $3.30 for a scoop of ice cream
Dear Magali A, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed experience. We’re pleased to hear that you appreciated the beauty of Loutro, its stunning turquoise waters, and its unique setting on the Cretan coast. We would like to kindly note that access to the sea is available throughout the village and the surrounding area, and the use of sunbeds and umbrellas is entirely optional. Many visitors choose to swim directly from the waterfront or relax on the rocks and nearby spots without using the organized beach facilities. Loutro is a destination that many guests enjoy not only for swimming, but also for its peaceful atmosphere, scenic walking paths, and spectacular coastal views. We appreciate your observations and are glad you had the opportunity to discover this special corner of Crete and share your perspective with future travellers.
It was a very nice excursion with 6 family members. The two of us were already there last year. Our Mr. Tarek Blah from Cretan Tour and Schauinsland advised us very well and we booked several excursions. Again and again. He makes a great effort and is always there for us guests. We can only recommend it 🤗🙃
Dear Steffi, Thank you for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed your time on the island and that Tarek helped make your holiday even more special with his advice and support. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again soon!
Stayed here a few nights. Lots of swimming in the beautiful water. lovely village! We also really liked that there was a shop to buy sunscreen, drinks and snacks. We enjoyed and love coming back to this village.
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your lovely experience. It’s great to hear how much you enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and the relaxing atmosphere, especially the crystal-clear water and the charm of the village. Moments like these truly make the destination special. We’re glad you had everything you needed to enjoy your stay comfortably and hope this wonderful place stays with you for a long time.
We had a lot of fun that day, and this place is definitely recommendable. We are happy to recommend you, Mr. Tareck Blah. He did not promise too much. Thank you very much for that!
Dear Emily, Thank you very much for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience and that everything lived up to your expectations. We truly appreciate your kind words about Tarek, whose professional support clearly made a positive difference. At Cretan Holidays, we always aim to create smooth and memorable experiences. We would be happy to welcome you again on another Cretan Holidays excursion!
Thank you for the wonderful day in Loutro, as promised. We are happy to recommend you, Mr. Tareck Blah and look forward to more adventures with you. Relaxed greetings from Georgioupolis.
Dear Gaby, Thank you for your lovely feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed a beautiful day in Loutro. Your photos are wonderful and really capture the charm of the day! We look forward to welcoming you on more Cretan Holidays adventures in the future.
The bus ride through the mountainous middle from Georgipouli to Hora Sfakion was pleasant and entertaining with lots of information from our guide Tarek. The boat trip to the freshwater bay and then on to Loutro and back was an extra highlight because of the beautiful view of the coast and the sea. Bathing in the beautiful sea and the special impressions of Loutro were definitely worth this trip. The very good organization and the competent and very friendly accompaniment by our tour guide Tarek we would like to emphasize especially.
Dear Olaf, We’re delighted you enjoyed the scenic journey and the beautiful coastal views of this excursion. The charm of Loutro and the crystal clear waters make it truly unforgettable. It’s wonderful to hear that Tarek’s friendliness and professionalism made your day even more enjoyable. We’d be happy to welcome you again soon on another Cretan Holidays experience!
I'm glad we went there. Cramped crowded on the beach. We found a small piece of cake to lay out the towel on and the snorkeling was ok. Ate the best gyro pita ever! Lots of small shops and restaurants. Definitely worth a visit to this beautiful place only accessible by boat or hiking
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your experience, it’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed this beautiful destination, which truly feels like a hidden gem with its boat only or hiking access. We're glad you found a spot to relax and enjoyed the local flavors and vibrant atmosphere. We hope to welcome you again soon on another Cretan Holidays excursion to explore even more of Crete’s natural beauty!
We had a wonderful day on the south coast of Crete, where we started from the port of Chora Sfakion towards Loutro. The stopover at the freshwater beach , is particularly suitable for diving and snorkeling. For bathing lovers we recommend not offering an umbrella, and prefer to have a drink or a snack in the small tavern after bathing, as the stay of almost two hours passes quickly. Continuing along the imposing south coast through the turquoise sea to Loutro is a special experience. Even from a distance Loutro welcomes us with its blue and white painted houses. The typical lunch, in one of the taverns directly at the port in nice company, made this excursion a highlight of our Crete holiday. Special thanks go to our tour guide Mr. Tarek Blah.
Dear Thomas, We’re delighted to hear you had such a wonderful day along Crete’s south coast. The scenery and crystal clear waters truly make this excursion special, and it’s great to know you enjoyed both the stops and the atmosphere in Loutro. Thank you as well for your kind words about Tarek! We’d love to welcome you again soon on another Cretan Holidays experience!
Very well organized from pickup to arrival. The beaches were wonderful and also the boat trips very nice. Loutro is unfortunately a bit full otherwise really a very nice village.
Dear Fabian, We’re pleased to hear you enjoyed the beauty of this excursion and found everything well organized. Exploring Crete’s coastline is always a special experience, and we’d be glad to welcome you again on another Cretan Holidays journey.
Absolutely thrilled!!! Unique impressions and great organization. The guide is very nice and helpful.
