Decor / 15.12.2023

Loutraki is a Greek resort with thermal springs. What is worth seeing in Loutraki? Loutraki is such a sea

From Athens You can always take a day trip to the town Loutraki located on the shore Gulf of Corinth Ionian Sea. For a weekend trip, the most suitable distance from the capital is just under 100 km along an excellent three-lane highway.

The city itself, in terms of architecture, does not represent anything historical or interesting - a typical Greek urban development of modern times, but the location is right on the shore, balneology (mineral water flows from the tap and right on the street), the presence of a casino, 7 Orthodox monasteries, a lake with a sea water, ancient excavations of the temple of Hera are doing Loutraki an attractive place for Athenians.

In addition, there are not many places in Greece where a city (and not a resort village) is located right on the shore and you can leave the house a couple of steps and start swimming. Therefore, by the way, housing prices are higher than the usual level for Greek resort real estate and are quite close to capital prices (say, 2000-3000 euros per sq.m. even at the beginning of the crisis in Greece). Many Athenians, instead of a country house, just have an apartment there, especially since the town is small and even from the outskirts it’s still no more than a 15-minute walk to the sea. However, Russians are also acquiring real estate there :)

In recent years Loutraki has also become a popular place to accommodate tourists from the countries of the former USSR - tour operators, in addition to the above, appreciated the geographical location - equidistance from popular archaeological excavations and historical places: Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplion, Olympia, Delphi etc. Therefore, the presence of the Russian language in the city is felt: taverns and souvenir shops with inscriptions in Russian, advertisements for a fur store are also in Russian, etc. There is an "Arbat" store with Russian goods (around the corner of the "Gran Elit" hotel). German speech can be heard from other foreigners on the streets.

But it’s better to see it once, of course. So, some photos (all clickable) of the town Loutraki and other attractions in the area (most of the photos were taken on October 4 and 11, 2009).

Exit towards Loutraki from the Athens - Corinth highway (before the Corinth Canal)

Road with eucalyptus trees Loutraki from the highway Athens-Corinth, the entrance to the city and the central street of Loutraki (filmed from a car while driving, so the quality is not very good). The Russian flag on the street is no longer an accident :)

It is worth noting that in summer travel along the main street is very difficult, there is a lot of traffic. Therefore, if you need to head towards the hotels "Pappas", "Posidonas" or towards the lake, Temple of Hera And Perahora, then you should choose the route along the new ring road. While a small section is not yet ready, you need to get to the blue and white building of the Ivi mineral water plant and immediately turn right, soon the fresh asphalt of the surrounding area will appear.

Oh, all the familiar faces! ... The inscription reads "There is only one leader!"

Construction of a new building balneological hospital V Loutraki already finished. The construction of an outdoor swimming pool is in full swing and should be completed by the summer of 2010. The establishment is municipal, so the prices are divine (or divine?). If I remember correctly, a dip in a radon pool is 5 euros, the same + a sauna is 9 euros.

Examples of new architecture in Loutraki: houses at the entrance to the city and a city high-rise building

Fisherman's pier and cruise ship in Loutraki, which carries tourists to Corinth Canal

Park at the end of the embankment Loutraki, there is a children's playground and cafes and taverns start from there (in one of the photos you can see the monastery of the Prophet Elijah high on the mountain)

The spring is “two-faced”, with mineral water on one side and tap water on the other. Tap water in Loutraki is also mineral, only purified. Those. It’s simply delicious drinking water, but the presence of salts is felt in mineral water.

Embankment and beach Loutraki, with a blue flag for cleanliness, by the way

Loutraki embankment and Achilion hotel

In the end Loutraki at the exit near the old balneology building there are waterfalls with mineral water, a cafe nearby, a large parking lot and a view of the city

After passing the waterfalls, you leave Loutraki towards the monasteries, Perahora village And Lake Vulyagmeni past the Posidonas Hotel. The road is a normal Greek country road: slightly winding narrow asphalt with these views:

On the way there will be a complex of two taverns “Eden” and “Panorama”, and a cafe “Egli”, made in the original style. The taverns offer a wonderful view of the Corinthian Gulf and Lake Vouliagmenis; in the evening the taverns are beautifully illuminated.

After passing the taverns, there will be a fork to Perahora and to the right up to the monasteries. During the day, only the monastery of St. Potapius is open, the rest are closed for lunch. Therefore, depending on the time of day, you can choose: go straight to the monasteries or first to the village of Perachora, to the lake, lighthouse and temple of Hera.

Perahora- a fairly large and pleasant-looking village. The story goes that next to the Temple of Hera there was an ancient city, which is now under water, and it was located opposite Corinth on the opposite shore of the bay, the Corinthians called it “pera choir” - “the city further / the city opposite.” One of the delights of Perahora is the presence of a local shop right on the road olive oil producer, which, by the way, is held by the head of the district administration (unless, of course, he lost his post after the last local elections). Finding the store is very easy - at the entrance there will be a U-shaped fork: right into the village, left towards the lake and the Temple of Hera, go left and immediately after the fork there will be a store. Inside you can find good quality olive oil, many types of olives, many of which are prepared according to unique recipes, olive oil soap, as well as other local products: honey, wine, capers, herbal teas, etc. The man really loves Russians and his occupation, so he treats them with his products and gives small gifts to clients. In a word, we stocked up on oil, honey and giant white olives with garlic and moved on.

Perahora, "olive shop"

If from Perahora you drive a little in the other direction into the mountains above the village, you can enjoy another beautiful view, and also admire the wild cyclamen flowerbeds under the olive trees

We return to Perahora and continue our journey towards the lake, about 10 kilometers. The lake was once freshwater, but then a narrow channel opened, which now connects the lake with the sea and the water is, of course, salty. The reservoir has two names - Lake Vulyagmenis(not to be confused with the lake of the same name, located in the Athens district of Vouliagmeni) or Lake Iraeu(after the name of the excavations of the temple of Hera, which in Greek are called Iraeo or in Russian Heraion). However, in antiquity the lake was called by another name, “Eschatyotis”. The lake is large and beautiful surrounded by green mountains. When in Loutraki When the wind blows, everyone comes here to swim.

There are several fish taverns around the lake, the first two are found immediately at the point where the road reaches the lake shore. Others are further away if you go to the side Temple of Hera, going around the lake on the right. The largest tavern on that side (by the way, open in winter) is called “Lindo”.

You can feed the schools of anchovy plying along the shore with bread and see the “fish mayhem” - the struggle for their daily bread :)

Loutraki, Vouliagmenis Lake, Lindo Tavern

There is another smaller tavern next to Lindo's, open in the summer and on weekends the rest of the year. To visit it, drive around "Lindo" from above.

In front of the tavern there is a small boat dock and a small man-made decorative rock with variations on the Greek maritime theme :) In the distance you can see a small church near the canal connecting the lake with the sea.

The beach of the lake in front of the Lindo tavern is sandy, very pleasant with sun loungers and umbrellas. Two local seagulls can keep swimmers company. Water sports are also available.

Admire the tiny church located right on the seashore and painted in the blue and white colors typical of the Cyclades islands

And sit down for coffee at the coastal bar-restaurant Ypanema

Very nice place, good music, eucalyptus trees, tables next to the sea. True, the prices are at the level of Athens, but the place is very pleasant, you don’t want to leave there. Nearby there is an organized beach with umbrellas and sun loungers, a volleyball court, and water sports. There is parking for clients.

Loutraki is located at the base of a small peninsula, on the edge of which in the very west on Cape Melagavi, as you might guess, stands a lighthouse built in 1897. The southern and northern shores are visible Gulf of Corinth, mountains of Boeotia, Loutraki and Corinth in the distance. It’s a very beautiful place, many people come and sit there for a long time on the edge of the rocks, relaxing. It is especially beautiful in the evening, before sunset.

Under the lighthouse on the shore of a small bay there are excavations Temple of Hera that's why the place is called Herayon(Iraeo in Greek). The place itself is very beautiful and the excavations are interesting; you can see a stone cistern and the bases of the columns of the temple, or rather, two temples. Above the excavations there is a small church of St. John, like a balcony. There is a small beach under the excavations. Somewhere near the shore in the sea there should be a sunken ancient city. Apparently, for this reason, a free diving championship was held in this place a couple of years ago. By the way, when you live in Greece and see ancient excavations all the time, it’s somehow difficult to be impressed by new ones (especially after the Acropolis, Corinth, Delphi, Olympia). But you don’t want to leave this place, there is some kind of energy point here, a unique combination of antiquity, Orthodoxy, sea and rocks. After staying there for some time, you notice that other people are also in no hurry to leave this place. Yes, admission is free, by the way.

Well, now to monasteries, of which in the area Loutraki 7 pieces: St. Potapius, St. John, St. Gerasim, St. Stephen, St. Nicholas, Holy Trinity and Prophet Elijah. The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is located to the right of Loutraki, if you look from the Corinth Canal, St. Nicholas and Stephen somewhere above the road to the lake, perhaps the dirt road leads there, next time we’ll find out. And the other four monasteries are located above Loutraki, an asphalt road leads there. The first ones on the way are nunneries located opposite each other. St. Gerasim(to the right of the road) and St. John(left).

Monastery of St. John small, in the church there are copies of the icons of the Mother of God and the Birth of St. John, the originals of which are on Mount Athos, there is also one old icon of the Mother of God, blackened by time. To the right of the entrance is a church bench. The monastery closes at lunchtime from 14-30 to 16-30.

The most important thing is that the monastery is an Old Believer and representatives of the modern Greek Church do not favor schismatics, as well as vice versa.

Monastery of St. Gerasim Kefalonia is much larger in area and is located on the edge of a cliff with a beautiful panoramic view of the Corinthian Gulf. At the very edge of the monastery courtyard there is a platform on which stands a large cross, which is visible from afar and is illuminated at night. There are two churches in the monastery, one larger, the other smaller. The bell tower, unlike what is generally accepted for Greek churches, is built directly on the ground in the form of three arches, through which you can see the sea and Lake Vouliagmenis. There is a large church shop.

The Peloponnese Peninsula is rich in attractions. One of them is the town of Loutraki. Located surrounded by mountains, it is known throughout the world for its healing springs. The picturesque coast of the Gulf of Corinth and the peak of Gerania make this city truly enchanting.

Loutraki is the center of the Loutraki-Perachora district. The city's 197 thousand square kilometers area is home to 21 thousand people. Loutraki is 84 kilometers away from Athens; the resort is closest to Corinth (4 kilometers).

Since the city was recognized as a medical resort (1925), it still remains the most popular Greek health resort.

The local climate is healing in itself. The purest untouched nature welcomes guests. The mild Mediterranean climate, fresh sea air - everything worked out ideally for a city where people come for treatment. The hot Greek sun warms the earth 340 days a year, the hottest period is July. In winter, Loutraki will not be caught off guard by snowfalls or frosts, and therefore tourists will enjoy their holiday even in February. The holiday season begins in May and ends in October.

The sea waters here are warm and calm, so vacationers with children do not have to worry about safety. The sea warms up to 26 degrees. Summer is a great time to enjoy the fresh azure surface. A complement to the charming picture of Loutraki will be the pine aroma that permeates the air

Story

The territory of Loutraki has been known for a long time. In ancient times, here was the city of Thermae, where people from various parts of Greece came to the hot springs. It was believed that this place was loved by the Olympian gods. The city and all its springs were patronized by Artemis Thermia (that is, “hot”). The current name of the city also arose thanks to sources: the meaning of the Greek word “Loutra” is “therapeutic baths”.

The modern city gained wide popularity and its colorful history in 1847. It was then that the healing qualities of the waters of Loutraki, as well as the beneficial effects of bathing in the springs, became known to the Italians. The renewed interest in the territory led to the settlement of the land by Greek settlers and the founding of a city here.

The Corinth earthquake of 1928 almost razed Loutraki to the ground. Several buildings survived, located on the headland between the current park and the hot springs. The city was rebuilt, however, given the seismic activity, the builders used modern technologies to protect the buildings from destruction. Simple structures were erected, mostly two-story. These buildings are now located in the central area of the city. The ruins from the earthquake, as well as the soil that came down from the hill, were used to create a park on the northern coast of Loutraki. A hydropathic hospital, traditionally round in shape, was also erected at that time. The inside of the room is decorated with rich mosaics. 1981 brought a new wave of damage. After this, Loutraki was restored again.

Another calling card of Loutraki is the casino. The first gambling establishment was built in 1930, and the current one has been operating since 1995. Club Hotel Casino Loutraki is one of the largest European entertainment complexes. The mountainside where the casino is located offers a wonderful view. So tourists over 23 years old will have something to do besides getting healthy.

Resort city

The rejuvenating effect of the waters of Loutraki was familiar back in the days of the gods of Olympus. They loved to spend their holidays here, bathing in healing springs. Perhaps this was the reason for their longevity. Following the era of the gods, the era of people began who appreciated the living power of water. Under the Romans, baths were built where residents bathed. The Byzantines built temples near the springs, where priests treated diseases. Scientific confirmation of the healing properties of the waters only increased the popularity of Loutraki, and the active development of the resort began.

The spring water is rich in magnesium and sodium and has a pleasant taste. The temperature of the springs exceeds 30 degrees. You can use water for drinking without limiting the amount, but you can drink it directly from sources. The unique chemical composition and effect on the body makes Loutraki water truly alive. Local water therapy helps with diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system, problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The sources also have a beneficial effect on those suffering from liver failure, kidney stone disease, and are used for gynecological, skin, and joint diseases. The modern hydropathic clinic is equipped with modern devices for carrying out various water procedures.

Excursion holidays

The centuries-old history of Loutraki lures here those who seek to learn more about the history of the ancient state. The atmosphere of the city streets, buildings, buildings - everything is saturated with the air of the past. The tourist immediately finds himself in the rapid whirlpool of local life. Natural beauty and the crazy rhythm of the city, the memory of the past and modernity are intertwined here. This mixture fascinates the traveler, immersing him in an atmosphere of mystery and mystery.

The Loutraki excursion program takes tourists into mythical stories. The labyrinth of the city, where past and present coexist, leads to iconic landmarks, weaving the path into Arianda's tangle, leading him to revelations and discoveries.

The best place to start your walk and get to know the city is from the Temple of Hydra. The legendary monument towers over the city, shrouded in the greenery of Perahora. The enchanting picture is complemented by the lighthouse of Cape Malagavi, which served as a guiding star for Greek sailors. The Temple of Hydra begins its history in Roman times of Loutraki, but historians have still not been able to find out more precise dates for the construction of the structure. Such mystery only further lures travelers to the ruins of the monument. The beautiful mosaics of the temple, as well as marble slabs, have been preserved to this day.

The next stop on the excursion will be the lagoon at the Gulf of Corinth. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient civilization here. The preserved vases and household utensils tell the life story of the inhabitants of the ancient Bronze Age settlement.

The temples of Poseidon and Helios deserve special attention. The population of the city says that the deities clashed here in a bloody battle, trying to divide power over the area. Having divided the possessions of Loutraki, Poseidon and Helios erected monuments to themselves. The Temple of Poseidon has been the center of religious life since the 11th century BC, being a precious treasure that attracted foreigners. During the reign of the Romans, they erected a large-scale monument to the god of the sea.

Perahora is a real historical treasury. The northern territories of Loutraki, surrounded by the peaks of Gerania, were a place of veneration for Hydra. In the 10th century she was canonized and worshiped. Modern Perahora is a small settlement fraught with numerous mysteries of the past.

The most famous beach in the city is Loutraki Beach. The pebble gray surface contrasts brightly with the clear water of the Ionian Sea. The northern part of the beach has mineral springs, so you can combine relaxation with wellness. The territory is quite narrow, but tourists love this place very much. You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas. Coming from the beach, you can stop by one of the local cafes, bars, and restaurants serving delicious local cuisine. All kinds of seafood deserve special attention. They are caught directly from restaurants, so there is no doubt about freshness. Pair your meal with local wine to maximize the resort atmosphere. The eastern influence on the cuisine of the area adds bright colors to the seemingly familiar dishes of Greece, and the hospitality of the townspeople makes the warm lands even more comfortable.

A walk along the Embankment is also a stunning sight. Hotels and sanatoriums lead to it. The endless expanses of the sea, kilometers of beaches, combined with the warm Mediterranean climate, create ideal conditions for relaxation. Local residents often swim even in winter, when the air temperature drops to minus 10 degrees. For those who are not ready for extreme sports, there are milder options: stock up on a cup of coffee from nearby cafes and take a walk, or sit down at a table in one of the restaurants overlooking the sea.

The peculiarity of local beaches is that tourists do not have to pay money for sunbeds and umbrellas. At least in their material terms. The payment is a cup of coffee or tea, a glass of water or juice, purchased at local cafes. The equipment usually belongs to such establishments, so you need to order something from the menu from the waiter - and you can enjoy your vacation all day long. What’s also interesting is that you don’t even need to leave the sea to place an order, because the waiters come by themselves.

The beautiful and modern city of Loutraki (Greece) is the most famous resort of the Peloponnese, located on the shores of the Gulf of Corinth. It is famous for its healing thermal springs, Europe's largest casino, environmentally friendly beaches and developed tourist infrastructure.

The city is home to about 12 thousand people (by Greek standards, this is a fairly large settlement). Among them there are quite a few Russian-speaking citizens: they have even registered an official community that teaches Russian and organizes cultural events.

During the season, Russian speech can be heard everywhere here: tourists from the CIS love this city very much. And for good reason: an important advantage of the Loutraki resort is its convenient location in relation to the main attractions of Greece. Ancient Corinth is 22 km away, Mycenae is 50 km away, Epidaurus and the Acropolis are an hour's drive, Olympia and Delphi are 140-200 km away. If you wish, you can easily combine a beach and health holiday with an educational one.

How to get to Loutraki

Budget accommodation options in Loutraki.

Sights of Loutraki

There are not many attractions in the city itself, but a large number of interesting places are located near the resort: therefore, tourists are offered a variety of excursions.

The Loutraki embankment is the main place in the city where tourists and locals like to walk. Hotels have been built along the embankment, and there are numerous restaurants, bars with alcoholic drinks and music clubs. This part of the city is never sparsely populated.

The most striking entertainment place in Loutraki is the casino, which is one of the largest in Europe. Casino Loutraki operates in a hotel that is surrounded by a green park with 75 thousand plants. In addition to the casino, this place boasts a luxurious spa center. The hotel was awarded a special prize by Carl Faberge, and it is sure to be mentioned when the most interesting sights of Loutraki are listed.

According to scientists, on the site of this ancient sanctuary (6th century BC) there used to be a temple dedicated to the goddess Hera. Now the attraction is ruins on the coast of a picturesque bay, not far from the famous lighthouse rising on Cape Malankavi.

The area of the rectangular sanctuary is almost 320 square meters. m. The most interesting thing here is the area for sacrifices, which is decorated with triglyphs (slabs of stone with longitudinal grooves in the shape of triangles). This landmark of Greece may be familiar to you from the film “300 Spartans”.

Lighthouse in front of a cliff

In the 19th century, a lighthouse appeared on Cape Malagavi, which saved ships and boats from colliding with a rock. It was easy to miss it in bad weather, so a lighthouse was built 100 meters from it - made of white stone with an emerald dome. The lighthouse has become a symbol of the city; it can often be seen in tourist photos of Loutraki.

The monastery of St. Potapius was built on a mountain - at an altitude of 1 km from the ground. From here you can admire a magnificent view of the coast and the city of Loutraki. You can climb to the monastery by 144 steps. It is believed that as long as you climb them, you get rid of sins.

It was no coincidence that the convent was built on the mountain: Saint Potapius lived in a cave in these places, devoting himself to God. Now there is an altar carved in that cave. It’s worth visiting here if only for the ancient Byzantine frescoes dating back 800 years.

The main attraction of Loutraki is the thermal springs. These are the underground waters of Loutra, which rise to the surface near Mount Vora from a great depth - about 3 km. Passing through the rock, the waters are filled with microelements and beneficial substances that give them healing properties.

The mineral composition of the thermal water in Loutraki is no different from the famous resort of Vichy in France. Bathing and drinking such water restores the digestive system, heals the heart, cleanses the skin and has a beneficial effect on the reproductive system in women. The water temperature in the thermal springs of Loutraki reaches 37°C. The flow rises from the ground at a high speed (approximately 650 m3 per hour), which provides ideal conditions for spa centers.

In addition to open springs with thermal water, the city has large hydropathic clinics: Loutraki Thermal Spa and Loutra Loutrakiou. These complexes have several swimming pools, jacuzzi baths, saunas and steam baths. Special medical procedures are available for an additional fee.

Spa center in Loutraki

The main place in the city where you can fully enjoy the thermal waters is the large spa center (address Georgiou Lekka, 24). It is located in the northern part of the resort, near the waterfall. This is a modern center with a large jet pool and many treatment rooms. Here you can not only swim, but also order different types of massages. Before swimming in the pool, you need to undergo a short examination by a local doctor.

Thermal waterfall

You can swim in thermal water not only in a spa center or hotel, but also in nature - under a real waterfall. Driving from Loutraki towards the village of Perechora, you will see the slopes that surround the waterfall. There are excellent conditions for walking here. In the evening, the waterfall is beautifully illuminated, and nearby there is a cafe with a terrace offering panoramic views of the coast and the city.

The water temperature in the pool under the waterfall is 32 degrees. Tourists who have been here say that when traveling to Greece, the city of Loutraki is a must-see, if only for the sake of this wonderful thermal waterfall.

Beaches of Loutraki

The resort of Loutraki in Greece is located on the Ionian Sea coast, surrounded by picturesque mountains and pine forests. Most of the city's beaches are covered with pleasant small pebbles, and as a result, the water in the sea is especially clean and clear. For the cleanliness and well-groomed nature of the coastline, the city has been awarded the prestigious UN Blue Flag several times. This award is given only to the best and most environmentally friendly beaches in the world.

The beaches of Loutraki delight not only with their cleanliness and picturesqueness, but also with their developed infrastructure. Lovers of active recreation and water sports will have plenty to do here. On the coast there are volleyball courts, they offer diving and surfing, riding the waves on a catamaran and other entertainment.

Weather and climate in Loutraki

The resort has a pleasant temperate Mediterranean climate, so the weather remains mild even in summer. The sultry heat and stuffiness here is rather an exception. The maximum air temperature in the summer months is generally 28-29 degrees Celsius. In autumn the air cools to +22 °C.

You can relax in Loutraki (Greece) even in winter: at this time, lovers of walks without the scorching sun come to the resort. During the winter months, daytime temperatures reach approximately 16 degrees Celsius. At the same time, the water temperature in the thermal springs reaches +34 °C: therefore, a holiday in the Greek city of Loutraki is possible in any season. Moreover, many hotel complexes invite guests all year round.

Go to the page of real estate in Loutraki for rent and sale

Geographically they are located in Attica, but administratively they belong to the prefecture of Corinth and are already considered the Peloponnese. Loutraki resort is a modern developed tourist center. It is not like most Greek coastal towns and is not what you would call a traditional fishing village, although the fish in these Blue Flag waters are delicious. It developed, first of all, as a hydrotherapy center. Even 2500 years ago, the healing properties of underground mineral springs were widely known. Water with a temperature of 30-31 degrees C comes to the surface from a depth of 750 m. Baths have existed here since ancient times. Thermal springs and Loutraki mineral water helps with liver failure, digestive disorders, urolithiasis and cholelithiasis, gynecological diseases, and joint diseases.

Attractions near Loutraki

The surrounding area of Loutrak is rich in attractions. 16 km northwest of Loutrak lies Lake Vouliagmeni, which is connected to the sea by a narrow man-made channel. On its banks, ruins of settlements from the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC were found, including the remains of boats, indicating that families of farmers and fishermen lived here at that time. At the very tip of Cape Gereon (or Melagavi) on the very shore there is a sanctuary of the Earth Goddess Hera, near Lake Vouliagmeni. The most ancient settlements were here in the 7th millennium BC. But the most remarkable buildings here were built in the classical ancient period - in the 5th century BC. This is the sanctuary of Hera. The remains of the temple of Hera Acreus (Hera on the Edge) and Hera Limenya (Hera on the Lake) have been preserved. The sanctuary of Hera Acreus stands almost right next to the water (it should be remembered that the sea level was then 5-6 meters lower). Parts of the columns and the outlines of the halls are also visible on the shore. Opposite Cape Omnia there are four islets called Alkionides Islands Zoodochos Pigi (Living Spring), Daskaleio, Glaronissi (island of seagulls) and Prassonissi.
In Greek mythology, the giant Alkyonidis had seven daughters. When their father was killed by Hercules, the daughters threw themselves into the sea and were turned into islands by the sea goddess Amphitriti (wife of Poseidon). Remains of buildings, fragments of ancient ceramics, and parts of a protective wall were found on the islands.

A little away from Loutrak, on the way to the city of Corinth, next to the Corinth Canal, there was a stone road for moving ships from the Gulf of Corinth to the Saronic Gulf - Diolkos. They were moved on special platforms on wheels by slaves. This is reminiscent of a small section of the road, left untouched on the bank of the canal as an archaeological site. They say that olive oil was also used to move ships. The Corinth Canal in this place looks very picturesque, green thickets along the banks, small taverns. Another attraction in the Loutrak area is a Roman villa built on the border of eras. Along the central alley that leads to the city of Loutraki, turning right halfway and following the road leading to the Theological Lyceum, after 3 km you come to a natural elevation. Here archaeological excavations have revealed the ruins of a luxurious Roman villa. The villa was surrounded by a carefully built complex of baths. A large number of marble details and parts of mosaics were discovered in its premises. On the slope of Mount Gerania, which closes Loutraki from the north, the monastery of Agios Potapios stands right in the middle, visible from Loutraki beach. You can visit the monastery with a tour group or on your own by car or municipal bus. From there you have a beautiful view of the coast and the city of Loutraki.
Further, the coast turns at a right angle, forming a peninsula, in the center of which is the village of Perahora, and on the other side a number of picturesque small villages - Pissia, Strava and others. On the road to Strava in Malagari you will find the monastery of Agios Nikolaos o Neos, built in the 10th and 11th centuries AD and the oldest Byzantine structure in the region.

The city of Loutraki is very well-groomed, geometrically correct, with many shops and boutiques, sports and entertainment facilities, schools, and supermarkets. The highway leads here from the capital; from the center of Athens you can get there by car in an hour. Loutraki Casino has been around since 1932 and is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. The two-kilometer Loutraki beach is small-pebble, there is always water here clean. The climate is very comfortable; Loutraki is surrounded on both sides by mountains covered with pine forests untouched by fires. Picturesque Christian monasteries are scattered on the slopes.

In summer, Loutraki is filled with a large number of local and foreign tourists. They say that there are now more Russians here in the summer than Greeks. From here you can easily reach by car the archaeological reserves of Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae, as well as the resort of Methana and the islet of Poros. Water sports and trips on sailing and motor boats are very developed in Loutraki.

I decided to go to Greek resorts on my own to see the sights of the resort of Loutraki, appreciate the local beaches, find out where you can have lunch in Loutraki inexpensively and what shopping is like here; if you want to know more, read the story about how to relax in Greece without the help of travel agencies

I had already visited the resort of Loutraki several years earlier, when I was traveling around Greece as part of a tourist group. We were then placed on the edge of Attica, instead of being taken directly to Athens - I think the cheap hotels in Loutraki overwhelmed all other options with offers that were profitable for the travel agency. In my opinion, it would be more correct to live in the Greek capital, because an outing to the Peloponnese is easy to make from there, and an extra day of rest in anticipation of a whole week on the Chalkidiki peninsula did not help the weather, especially since the beaches in Loutraki are the same. But it turned out the way it turned out...

A new visit to the famous resort was intended to combine business with pleasure: I could stay in Athens and get from there to Corinth, and then move deeper into the Peloponnesian Peninsula, but I wanted to simultaneously collect more information about where to eat in Loutraki, what kind of shopping there is, and what are the attractions? Therefore, in the evening I set sail from the capital to the west.

To get from Athens to the resort of Loutraki, you will need a minimum of effort: buses between these two cities run regularly, about once an hour, sometimes even more often; The bus schedule to Loutraki becomes denser in the evening, only on Sundays there are significantly fewer flights.

In addition to direct buses, there is also an alternative option to get from Athens to the resort of Loutraki: flights towards Corinth leave from the capital's bus station every half hour, and if you get off near the Corinth Canal, then from the terminal there it is easy to catch a commuter bus to Loutraki. The trip will then take a little longer and cost a little more, but it will be possible to explore such a wonder of the world as the famous canal. Let me add that a bus trip to Loutraki from Athens cost me 8.50 euros; I easily bought a ticket at the ticket office of the Athens bus station right before departure. Perhaps in the summer season everything is not so simple, especially if you need to go on a weekend when there is a reduced schedule, so it is better to keep this nuance in mind...

Traveling by bus to Loutraki from Athens takes about an hour and a half, almost half of this time is spent leaving the capital on the highway. Then things go much better, and all that remains is to stare out the window at the flickering landscapes of Greece. True, I drove in the evening, when mostly lights were visible from the landscape, but the views of Attica remained in my memory from the last trip.

When the bus from Athens arrived in Loutraki, made a difficult maneuver and stopped, at first I did not believe that we had arrived: from my point of view, such a famous and large resort should have had a large terminal. Even when the driver turned off the engine and began to look expressively into the cabin, I was still staring out the window, doubting and looking for the bus station.

I found the Loutraki bus station only the next morning, when, during a walk, I went to the place of the previous landing. It turned out that the intercity terminal is a tiny room with an area of four by five meters, inside of which there are five seats and an information desk. There is no luggage storage at the bus station of the Loutraki resort, nor is there a ticket office: tickets must be purchased directly from the driver upon boarding. So there is no need to go inside the building at all, since the schedule of flights from Loutraki to Athens, Corinth and other cities of Greece hangs on the stand at the entrance.

Judging by the map, the Marko Hotel I booked was located next to the bus station, and this proximity was one of the factors that prompted me to choose this particular place. Hotels in Loutraki are a dime a dozen, almost every second building is a hotel, and all the rest rent out rooms. Due to the abundance of offers, it is difficult to make the right choice; you need to analyze the reviews very carefully and not rely on pretty pictures alone. At one time, I saw enough bright photographs in the booklet of a travel agency that promised fabulous living conditions, and then the group was accommodated in the sad memory of “Mitzitras”, which left very bad memories. Judging by the current advertisement, they managed to renovate the hotel, covered up the cracks in the rooms and changed the shabby plumbing, but I still have a disgust for this place to this day - passing by, I involuntarily shuddered...

Things were much better with my new residence: the Marko hotel is located in the very center of the Loutraki resort, only 1 block separates it from the sea. The reviews for it were good, and the stories of tourists did not let me down, all the descriptions turned out to be correct. I had at my disposal a large room with air conditioning, all amenities and a balcony - this is a standard set for local rooms. Another thing is that it was winter outside, albeit a Greek one, but still winter, so I just stuck the tip of my nose out onto the balcony and immediately slammed the door - it wasn’t enough to cool the room, and so it was not possible to warm it up completely. Yes, the size of the room played a cruel joke in this regard: immediately after arriving, I turned the air conditioning on full blast, switching it to heating mode, but the air for the most part remained cold, and I only felt comfortable on the bed, directly under the flow of heat from the air conditioner.

This state of affairs somewhat upset me, because I was the only guest that night and, it seems to me, the hospitable hostess could well have kept some of the joyful smiles for herself, but turned on the heating a couple of hours before my arrival, especially since I indicated when booking, approximately when I expect to get from Athens to the resort of Loutraki.

But at breakfast, the Greek woman took care of me, bringing me a lot of food, including an omelet, sausage, sandwiches, and delicious coffee. I’m not sure that in the summer, when tourists fill the resort, the breakfasts of the Marko Hotel will be as plentiful, but in any case I liked the meal, and I wrote favorable reviews of this hotel.

According to the trip plan, I was supposed to spend about half a day seeing the sights of Loutraki, and then move to Corinth. I was able to fulfill my plans one hundred percent, laying the foundation for success with a visit to the local tourist office. It is located in a pavilion at Eleftheriou Venizelou 40, and they issue free maps of the Loutraki resort. With the help of such a map, I instantly determined where the most interesting places were. In addition, the tour office offers a large selection of excursions in the surrounding area, so if anyone wants to get from Loutraki to Blue Lake or go somewhere else, he can get comprehensive information at the office.

One of the most popular entertainments for tourists who are bored with a leisurely holiday in Loutraki is a sea cruise. Excursions depart by sailing from the city pier, which is located just north of the city center; finding this place is not at all difficult, it is the only one on the entire coast. The choice of cruises from Loutraki is not too wide; vacationers can either go to see the Corinth Canal or simply take a ride along the Aegean Sea. The 2-hour journey is expensive, costing €24 per adult and half that for a child, so families will have to fork out a bit of extra cash. Despite the high prices, tourists who want to take a cruise from Loutraki flock to the boats, and in the summer they operate at full capacity - I was fortunate to see this personally.

Now it was winter, and all the local ships were lazily swinging at anchor near the port. Almost the dead season reigned on the city embankment, which I remembered as a noisy and cheerful area. Yes, with the onset of warm days, resort life changes, and life on the coastal strip begins to be in full swing. There are a great many establishments concentrated along the coast - restaurants, cafes, clubs of Loutraki stretch from north to south in an endless line, the atmosphere of the sea facade attracts thousands of people, at least in the summer it’s like that. In winter, the resort looked completely different; only rare passers-by came across me during my walk. The pleasant park that ends the embankment in the north also looked deserted - the benches there were lonely waiting for guests, and the fountains did not work at all, not to mention the lighting that transforms them in the evenings. In the summer, I remember I really liked this piece of the city...

But I didn’t like the beach of the Loutraki resort at all. I don’t like pebbles at all, preferring sand, but here I had to not only walk on the pebbles, but also lie right on them. Some hotels in Loutraki provide their guests with free umbrellas and sunbeds on certain sections of the beach, but Mitzitras was not one of them. As far as I remember, renting sunbeds and umbrellas on Loutraki beach cost 7 euros per day - the price of a good lunch. In general, then I was greedy, especially since the program of the excursion trip to Greece did not provide for a completely free day for rest; the maximum that was able to be squeezed out of it was five hours after the outing to the Blue Lake. What I also didn’t like was the crowds: around four o’clock in the afternoon, the beaches of Loutraki looked like a seal chase from the Animal Planet series, people naturally lay side by side, almost on top of each other’s heads...

The beaches of Loutraki can take credit for the extraordinary purity of the water; the sea is so transparent that at a quick glance it is difficult to discern where the shore ends. This transparency is all the more surprising because the Loutraki beach is not equipped with toilets - there are showers there every fifty meters; Apparently, vacationers use the services of coastal hotels and cafes.

The resort's attractions are few in number; Loutraki is still intended for a beach holiday; for the sake of archaeological monuments, it is better to go to its neighbors in Corinth. The landscapes are also sparse; most of the buildings are utilitarian and do not shine with beauty. The most attractive, perhaps, is the triangular square of March 25, named after the date of the start of the Greek uprising against Turkish rule; Beginning in 1821, the independence movement finally led Hellas to success after centuries of Muslim yoke. The twenty-fifth of March often appears on maps of Greek cities, so in Loutraki the best ensemble was named in its honor. An additional beauty of the square is given by a colonnade with a fountain, which looks elegant during the day and fantastic at night when its lighting is turned on.

From the square on March 25, the streets diverge in different directions; if, with your back to the sea, you move along one of the buildings going deep into the interior, the main temple of the resort will soon appear ahead. The Church of St. John looks like a cathedral, but is not a cathedral, despite its large size. The dimensions are large, but the appearance is somewhat faded, and if you ignore the bell tower to the left of the facade, the building could well be mistaken for an administrative building. There are some hints of the Greek style, and yet, in my opinion, a brighter, more memorable temple should have been built.

In general, I liked other attractions of Loutraki more, especially the Church of St. Mary. As the information booklet I picked up at the tourist office told me, under its arches is kept a miraculous icon, to which, without exaggeration, the entire Christian community prays. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to see the relic with my own eyes, because a service was going on inside, and I considered it tactless to break into it. Well, the church pleased me with its pleasant appearance; it is designed in the Byzantine style typical of these regions. The building is exceptionally harmonious, and I definitely recommend getting to it, even if it’s a half-hour hike in the heat - it’s a long way from the beaches of Loutraki to the corner of Georgiou Karaiskaki and Panagias streets. In the end, if necessary, you can relax culturally next door, in the small garden that adjoins the church on the right - there are benches there, and it’s damn nice to sit in the shade of the trees...

Having examined the main attractions of the Loutraki resort, it’s time to move on to the topic of daily bread, that is, to clarify the question of where you can eat inexpensively. I got acquainted with some local establishments on my last visit, and my new visit added to the collection of useful catering outlets. In my opinion, the prices in establishments along the embankment are greatly inflated, and the search for a place where you can have a cheap lunch in Loutraki is best done to the east of the main city artery Eleftheriou Venizelou - the further from the sea, the easier and more affordable it is.

For example, Paul’s cafe is located right on the seashore, and its tables offer a marvelous view. Here you will find soft sofas, beautiful interiors, and 2.5 euros for a cup of coffee - about twice as expensive as in other places. If you move a little to the side from the embankment, then here it is, the “Olimpic” cafe on Leoforos G street. Lekka, near the city park. There the same coffee costs one and a half euros...

So I wouldn’t recommend having lunch right next to the sea promenade: it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to eat cheaply there. The price tags of restaurants located among urban areas look completely different. Let's say, the Rotopoula establishment is located just a block from the sea, on Konstantinou Kanari Street, and the cost of food there is quite low. This is a typical local tavern in style, where you can taste Greek cuisine. So, a portion of meat in a restaurant costs about 6.5 euros, fresh fish costs 8.5 euros. In summer, waiters set up tables right on the street, which makes the meal especially enjoyable.

Various eateries offer good chances to have lunch in Loutraki inexpensively. Near the bus station, I noticed an establishment called “Goody’s”, where they serve good sandwiches with meat and vegetables. Each portion, which can thoroughly strengthen your strength, costs 4 euros, but if you take a set of a sandwich, a bag of fries and a drink, you will have to pay only 5.50 euros In addition, there are temporary special offers on a number of items, so you can eat even cheaper.

Also interesting in this regard is the “Woody” snack bar, located not far from the beach. There you can actually buy a plate of meat and potatoes for 8 euros or grab a whole grilled chicken for 17 euros, which can feed three or four people. You can look for this place where you can have an inexpensive lunch in the very center of Loutraki resort on Lamprou Katsoni Street.

Let me add that there are many small bakeries and pastry shops scattered around the town; they look like a scattering of dots on the map. Prices are quite low for resort conditions; So, a fresh loaf costs 1-1.30 euros, cakes will cost about 2.5-3 euros. You can also buy water, juices and other drinks in local bakeries, but I personally believe that if there is anywhere to buy food in Loutraki, it is in supermarkets - there is more choice and lower prices. You won’t have to look for the right place for long: right on the main street Eleftheriou Venizelou, house 59 is occupied by the Spak office. I singled out this grocery supermarket for the abundance of ready-made salads in the Greek spirit; they cost 2.50 euros for a 250 gram package. The assortment of juices was also good, there is a section for fresh fish, semi-finished products are in demand: many tourists who come on holiday to Loutraki on their own prefer to rent apartments with a kitchen and cook for themselves - this is a good help for them.

Another useful point is located right on the main square of the resort. True, seeing above the house 30 Plateia Eikostis Pemptis Martiou the alluring inscription “Carrefour”, do not delude yourself: this is not a supermarket in the general sense of the word, but rather its pale copy or, more correctly, an imitation. In the store you can buy inexpensive food and drinks, but the choice will be very limited; cheeses, sausages, semi-finished products, and Greek wines are presented very sparingly. The prices are also not so attractive, “Spak”, where everything is much cheaper, definitely wins here, and, in my opinion, you need to buy groceries in Loutraki there, even though you have to walk a few blocks south of the center.

I also suggest taking a closer look at the Galatios shopping center at Agiou Ioannou 15, almost next to the Church of St. John. There, on the second floor you can buy clothes and shoes made in Greece, and the lower premises are occupied by a supermarket. In terms of prices, it is similar to “Spak”, some are even cheaper, some, on the contrary, are more expensive. I note that in the sales area there is a large section of perfumes and cosmetics, where skin protection products and after-sun lotions can be bought cheaper than anywhere else in the resort of Loutraki.

It’s interesting that many locals don’t like supermarkets, preferring to visit small private shops, even if the prices are higher there. What pushes them to do this is the desire to communicate: no matter how you pass by a tiny store, you see the same picture, when the seller and the buyer are leisurely chatting away, choosing vegetables or fruits. It is clear that in large retail outlets there is no such atmosphere, and the Greeks really like to talk “about life”...

Many, of course, are interested in the question of where to buy souvenirs in the resort of Loutraki. Personally, I think the best option is the Dipilos store at the very beginning of Thodi street, next to the fountain and colonnade. Prices there are a little higher than in Athens, but quite reasonable for a resort. For example, magnets cost 2 euros, and there is a wide selection of them. The assortment of mugs and spoons is also good, there are plates with views of Greece, for 3 euros you can buy a small lighthouse in the Greek spirit, small columns of the Corinthian or Ionic order cost about the same. In a word, it is quite possible to buy souvenirs at the resort of Loutraki; you don’t have to go to Athens or anywhere else for this. Oh yes, the seller in front of me communicated quite well in Russian with a married couple who came in, and although his language is not perfect, it is quite possible to communicate with him.

For memorabilia, I can also recommend the Glamor store, which sells beautiful jewelry and jewelry in the Greek style. Handbags made of genuine leather also attract attention with their good quality and relatively low prices. The shop is located at Karaiskaki Georgiou 22.

In general, shopping in the resort of Loutraki is not bad, I didn’t even expect so many shops - on the last visit, the interests of the tour group were mainly limited to the beach and nearby restaurants, we didn’t even really see the sights of Loutraki, we simply didn’t have time to visit the eastern part of the city. But the prices are lower there and the selection of things is huge; I can remember that next to St. Mary's Church there are a lot of outlets where you can buy summer clothes, swimming trunks, swimsuits, beach slippers and even large umbrellas - since sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach of the Loutraki resort are paid, it is reasonable to invest 8-10 euros in your own umbrella and install it anywhere, fortunately it is not forbidden to do so.

This is what I am theorizing: unfortunately, it was winter outside, and that day I was not able to properly enjoy the Greek sun. The sun greeted me a little later when I went

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