Loutro is a small seaside village situated approximately 71 km south of Chania city, at the end of cape Mouri. It was the site of the ancient town Phoenix and was the port of ancient Anopolis. Later, it became the "winter" port for Chora Sfakion, due to the fact that the enclosed bay and the small islet Fanari at its entrance create a natural harbor where ships can be safe even in very bad weather.
You can stay at Loutro and use it as a base for visiting surrounding beaches, either by taxi boat, canoe, or on foot. You can get a small ferry to the majestic beach of Glyka Nera east of the village. Moreover, you can canoe or walk on the E4 trail to the adjacent unorganized pebbly beaches of Timios Stavros and Pervolaki and then continue to Glyka Nera. However, if you want to stay in Loutro, the small beaches in front of Loutro are a very good choice. Moreover, you could either walk or catch a boat to the closeby beaches of Likos, Finikas and Marmara.
Loutro is a place for those people who want something different. A small picturesque fishing village in southwest Crete, not yet spoilt by mass tourism. For example, there are no big hotels with swimming pools. There are no overcrowded streets, restaurants and beaches, there are no cars! The only access is by boat or as you wish, by foot (1.5-2 hour trekking from Chora Sfakion). There are daily ferries to/from Chora Sfakion, Sougia, Gavdos island, Paleochora and Agia Roumeli.
What to do in Loutro
Once in Loutro, enjoy walking in the scenic, unspoiled mountain countryside with its valleys and gorges. Firstly, you could visit the fort Koules above Loutro and then reach Finikas small port. Among the older buildings that you can see in Loutro, you will find the Old School used as the seat of the Chancellor of Sfakia in 1821, and the very old Church of Panagia, next to the school and admire the high Cretan date palm trees. In ancient times, habitats of the area were believed in Cretan-born Zeus and Apollo in Delphi. If you want some meters south of the village you will see the ruins of the Castella fort and later you will see part of the ancient town Phoenix and the temple of Apollo.
You could also climb to the beautiful village and plateau of Anopolis; you have to climb 2000 feet on a 2000-year-old mule ascending a zigzag track and reach Anopolis in almost two hours, where there is a very good choice of taverns. You could also explore the gorge of Aradena. Moreover, if you are a keen snorkeler, you might meet sea turtles that are very frequent visitors of Loutro.
The village was named ("Loutro" means "bath" in Greek) after the baths which have been found in the area and from which water was directed to nearby Anopolis.
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Glyka Nera Beach 
Glyka Nera (meaning "sweet water") is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, with deep blue water color and nice pebbles. In 2003, the beach was ranked among the best 20 in Europe by London Times. This is located 4 km west of Chora Sfakion and 75km south of Chania. This is called like this because of the fresh water that gushes from the pebbles!
Samaria Gorge 
The Samaria Gorge is the longest trekking gorge in Europe and also the most famous of all. Thousands of tourists flock here daily in the summer season to walk from the top to the bottom. For many visitors, it is the sole purpose of their visit to Crete. The length of the gorge reaches 18km and takes almost 4-7 hours to hike from Omalos to Agia Roumeli, depending on trekking speed.
Loutro is a small seaside village situated approximately 71 km south of Chania, at the end of Cape Mouri. It is believed that this was the site of the ancient city of Phoenix and was the ancient port of Anopolis. Later, it became a winter port for Chora Sfakion, due to the fact that the enclosed bay and the small island at its entrance create a natural harbor where ships can be safe even in very bad weather.
The deepest gorge in Chania is the gorge of Aradena. The 138-meter-deep gorge is ideal not only for sightseeing or hiking but for bungee jumping as well. Trekking inside the canyon till the exit on the majestic Marmara beach is an unforgettable experience for those who attempt the descent of the canyon.
Marmara (meaning marbles) or Dialiskari beach is a nice secluded small pebbly bay shaped near the exit of the imposing Aradena Gorge, in Sfakia region. It is located 85km south of Chania and 5km west of Loutro. It is the beach where the ramblers of Aradena Gorge rest. However, visitors coming from Loutro do usually visit the place.
Trail E4 Agia Roumeli - Loutro - Sfakia 
Finikas (or Phoenix) is a small harbor near Loutro of Sfakia, located 83km south of Chania. The bay is hidden 700m west of Loutro and the E4 European path crosses the area.
The two beaches of Perivolakia (Small Perivolaki and Large Perivolaki) and the beach of Timios Stavros are three adjacent coves, located 2.5km west of Chora Sfakion and 74km south of Chania. The beaches are located in a very mountainous area, in the middle of the distance between Glyka Nera beach and Loutro, just next to the European footpath E4.
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