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South West Crete
South West Crete Information
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Opening hours
Greece
Mon & Thurs 9am - 8pm
Tues, Weds & Fri 9am - 5.30pm
Sat 9am - 4.30pm
Sun 11am - 3pm
Cyprus
Mon-Fri 9am - 5.30pm
Sat 9am - 4.30pm
South West Crete holidays
Paleochora • Loutro
The spectacular south-west coast encapsulates the best of Crete – dizzy mountain scenery, a sparkling sea and some fine beaches. In fact a winding drive through the mountains is the only way in to Paleochora other than by sea.
There are plenty of restaurants and cafés above the sea or in the main street. In the summer evenings there is a positively cosmopolitan atmosphere, as both roads are sealed to traffic.
The main beach is of fine golden sand and stretches for nearly a kilometre – it affords superb swimming. Inland offers wonderful walking – try Agia Irini gorge as an alternative to popular Samaria.
Holidays In South West Crete
Boats run to the foot of Samaria (if you are on a two-centre holiday Paleochora/Loutro, change here n.b. min. 6 hour connection – walk a little up the gorge, swim, have lunch!), to Sougia (another gorge here), remote Elafonissi island, or simply for spotting dolphins. During high summer Paleochora can be windy. In the early season, there is the bonus of countless wild flowers up in the hills.
Unrealistically pretty and quite tiny (pop.100!), you can only reach Loutro on foot or by boat – there are no roads and no cars! Guarded by steep mountains, Loutro is set in a sheltered bay. Half-a-dozen waterfront restaurants serve an amazing variety of dishes, and there are a couple of café-bars and small shops. Canoes can be rented to explore nearby sea caves and beaches, and a small boat runs to others. Of course this is superb walking country and the hotel is happy to give further information.
Much of the time Loutro is peaceful, but it does get busy at weekends and in the high season. For a complete break in an idyllic setting, you could do no better.
Loutro transfer note: Includes 20 mins. by ferry (unescorted, tickets provided) and there will be a short wait at Chora Sfakion harbour. You will need to carry your baggage the short distance to the jetty, on/off the boat and to the hotel (1 minute).
