Explore Loutraki Greece: Top Things to Do
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If you’re looking for a place close to Athens where you can enjoy all the relaxing pleasures of an authentic Greek resort, take a look at Loutraki. This popular seaside town features a long pebble beach and a lively promenade lined with taverns, bars, and cafés. Let’s take a closer look.
Why Loutraki is so popular
Loutraki – The Ideal Base Near Athens and the Airport
Loutraki is just over an hour’s drive from Athens International Airport and about an hour from the city center, making it an ideal seaside base for your Greek holiday.
Here, you can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the coast while still being close enough to visit Athens for a day of sightseeing, shopping, or cultural experiences. Whether by comfortable intercity bus (around €10 one way) or with a private transfer, getting to and from the capital is quick and easy.
Loutraki Beach & Seaside Promenade
Loutraki is a beautiful destination for swimming and sunbathing. The town’s long central beach boasts crystal-clear blue waters and vibrant pebbles. It has been consistently awarded the prestigious Blue Flag every year since 1987, a testament to its cleanliness and quality.
Along the scenic coastal road, you’ll find numerous cafés and bars. Sun loungers and umbrellas are often provided free of charge with the purchase of a refreshing drink or coffee. If you’re a fan of water sports, you’ll find plenty of options to keep you active, including windsurfing, jet skiing, and sailing.
Don’t miss the breathtaking Loutraki sunset. After a day at the beach, take a leisurely stroll along the scenic promenade, lined with countless taverns, cafés, and restaurants. As night falls, Loutraki comes alive: its vibrant seaside bars and clubs offer an enchanting, upbeat atmosphere that makes for an unforgettable evening.
Natural Thermal Springs of Loutraki – Wellness by the Sea
Loutraki’s thermal springs have been renowned since ancient times. The mineral-rich water, full of beneficial elements and trace minerals, is widely used for therapeutic drinking treatments. You can try it yourself—for free—at the small thermal spring outlet in the town’s park, marked Ιαματικόν (Therapeutic).
Loutraki Thermal Spa Center
Modern Loutraki Thermal Spa offers a selection of relaxing and beauty treatments with the life-giving power of Loutraki’s thermal water.
Loutraki Thermal Spa Facilities:
- 2 indoor heated pools with Thermal Water, waterfalls, and jet hydro-massaging
- 1 indoor swimming pool with cool water
- 1 outdoor pool with hydro massaging and waterfall
- 2 Caracalla-type personal cabins with hydrotherapy bathtubs with thermal waters.
- 10 personal bathtubs of thermal water for hydromassage from multiple sprinklers.
- 2 specially designed halls with heated mud therapy layers.
- Sauna and 2 Steam rooms/Hammam
- Gym
- Massage Rooms
The most popular basic services of Loutraki Thermal Spa:
- Hydromassage in swimming pools (20 min) — € 13
- Hydromassage in swimming pools, sauna, or hammam (60 min) — € 20
- Hydromassage in swimming pools, sauna, and hammam (90 min) — € 25
- Aqua aerobic (45 min) — € 10
Loutraki Casino & Club Hotel Loutraki
The casino in Loutraki is one of the largest and best-known in Greece and Europe. It features 1,000 modern slot machines, 35 electronic roulette stations, and 87 live game tables. Available games include Blackjack, Roulette, Punto Banco, and various poker table games. Two private and well-appointed areas, the VIP Zone and the VVIP Hall “Tholos”, are available for guests seeking a more exclusive experience.
The casino is located within the Club Hotel Casino Loutraki, the city’s leading 5-star hotel. The hotel features a mixed sandy and pebble beach, as well as a wellness area with an indoor thermal pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and hammam.
Places to Visit near Loutraki
Corinth Canal: A Marvel of Engineering
An extraordinary attraction that you simply must visit! The Corinth Canal stretches for 6 kilometers, with its steep limestone walls rising nearly 80 meters high. It connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea, making it one of the most impressive engineering feats of modern Greece.
While thousands admire the canal from the bridges above, the real magic is experienced from the water. A boat trip through the Corinth Canal offers spectacular views from below—a truly unforgettable perspective. For thrill-seekers, the canal is also a popular spot for bungee jumping, offering a heart-pounding free fall between its towering cliffs.
Monasteries and Churches of Loutraki
Loutraki is also known as a destination for religious visitors and pilgrims. The Gerania Mountains are sometimes referred to as the “Holy Mountain” of southern Greece due to the large number of monasteries and chapels scattered across the area.
One of the most notable is the Monastery of Osios Patapios, home to the miraculous relics of the saint. Located at an altitude of 700 meters, it requires climbing 144 steep steps to reach the entrance. However, the effort is well rewarded: the monastery’s terrace offers a sweeping panoramic view of the region, including the Corinth Canal, the green mountain slopes, and the red rooftops and whitewashed houses of Loutraki below.
Other nearby monasteries, such as Profitis Ilias and Agios Gerasimos, also offer peaceful settings and impressive views over the Corinthian Gulf.
The Church of Our Lady of Prathi is one of the oldest churches in the Peloponnese, set in a peaceful pine forest. Within the city of Loutraki, you’ll also find several historic churches, including Agios Ioannis, Agios Fanourios, and the Byzantine Church of St. Andreas.
The Church of Agioi Theodoroi, a post-Byzantine monument, is particularly significant—it gave its name to the wider municipality.
The surrounding region is home to many other noteworthy churches. Among them are the Church of Agia Paraskevi in the village of Pissia, Taxiarches Church in Perachora, Agios Georgios near the Heraion sanctuary, and Agios Nikolaos by the Heraion Lagoon.
Each year, on September 8th, Loutraki celebrates the miraculous icon of the Holy Lady “Giatrissa” (the Healer) with a three-day religious fair. Faithful Orthodox Christians from across Greece visit Loutraki to honor the icon and take part in the celebrations, which combine spiritual devotion with local tradition.
Vouliagmeni Lake (Heraion)
This picturesque blue lagoon is located just 16 km from Loutraki, near the archaeological site of Heraion, from which it takes its name — the Heraion Lagoon (also known as Limni Vouliagmenis).
A 5 km paved road runs along the shoreline, making it ideal for walking, running, or cycling. The lagoon is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of 40 meters, a length of 2 km, and a width of about 1 km. The beach is sandy with a gentle entrance into the water, making it a perfect spot for swimming and relaxation.
The lagoon’s waters are connected to the Corinthian Gulf through a narrow channel and are naturally renewed by the tide approximately every six hours. The water is known for being particularly warm, allowing for swimming well into the autumn months.
It is an ideal destination for families, offering plenty of opportunities to unwind. Visitors can enjoy water sports, explore the picturesque chapel of Agios Nikolaos, have a coffee at the local café, or savor fresh seafood at the nearby tavern, all while enjoying a serene, almost paradise-like setting.
In recent years, the lagoon has also become a popular venue for sports and social events, including weddings and christenings, all held in the peaceful ambiance of the sea.
Where History Meets the Sea: Heraion and Melagavi Lighthouse
The Heraion of Perachora was an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Hera. It is located in a small cove of the Corinthian Gulf, at the tip of the Perachora Peninsula. In addition to the temple of Hera, which features an unusual construction style from the 6th century BC, archaeologists have uncovered several other structures. These include an L-shaped stoa, a large cistern, dining rooms, and the remains of a second possible temple.
Nearby stands the Melagavi Lighthouse, also known as the Heraion Lighthouse. Built in 1897 on the Agrilaos Peninsula, facing the Gulf of the Alkyonides Islands, the lighthouse was renovated in 1947. Its structure is T-shaped, with a rectangular stone tower, and it is considered a fine example of classical lighthouse architecture.
Melagavi is widely regarded as one of the 10 most beautiful lighthouses in Greece. It is also one of the most photographed landmarks in the region, with thousands of images shared by travelers on Instagram.
Cave of Seals Beach
The Seal Cave (Spilia tis Fokias) is one of the most pristine and untouched natural spots in the Corinth region. Tucked into the steep coastal cliffs, this hidden cave has remained largely unknown for years, preserving its wild and unspoiled character.
Due to its remote location and difficult access, the area has seen little human impact. The cave can be reached either by boat or via a challenging trail through a pine-covered landscape. Located about an hour from Loutraki, just across from the Alkyonides Islands, the Seal Cave is a peaceful retreat into nature and a rare glimpse of Corinth’s raw coastal beauty.
Rental Villas and Apartments in Loutraki
Loutraki is an exceptional destination for summer holidays, offering a variety of experiences for travelers. We provide a wide selection of luxury villas, cozy holiday houses, and apartments in this beautiful area.
Book a villa for your 2025 or 2026 holiday in Loutraki now. Booking in advance allows you to select a property that meets your specific preferences, such as beachfront access or a private pool. Additionally, early booking deals and discounts can help reduce the cost of your holiday.
Hotels to stay in Loutraki
Looking for a hotel in Loutraki? Discover the best options at great rates and choose the one that suits you best.
How to get to Loutraki
Flight to Athens
To get to Loutraki you should book a flight from your country to Athens International Airport (IATA code: ATH). The Athens airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” serves international and domestic flights and is located 30 km from the city center. We typically purchase airline tickets on the AVIASALES website which is one of the largest online search engines for flights all over the world. This service helps to compare airfares from hundreds of airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems and book the cheapest tickets available.
Loutraki is located 110 km away from Athens Airport. You can book a comfortable transfer with an experienced driver through us, or rent a car directly at Athens Airport.
Transfer from Athens Airport to Loutraki
Whether visiting Greece for the first time or returning, having a reliable transfer service waiting for you at the airport is essential. It provides peace of mind, ensuring you’ll reach your destination without the hassle of long taxi queues, potential overcharging, or unnecessary delays. With us, the price of your transfer is transparent and all-inclusive—covering fares, VAT, and any legal fees—so there are no surprises. We offer professional transfer services with experienced drivers and a modern fleet of vehicles. All our cars and minivans are new, spacious, and equipped with air conditioning to ensure a pleasant journey.
Athens Airport Car Rental
You can rent a car from the Athens airport office. To find the perfect car for your trip, we recommend checking DISCOVER CARS. It is a leader in online car rental reservations. It compares car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip. Many other websites hide fees and extra costs from you. Discover Cars includes all mandatory fees, taxes, and extras in the quoted price. So there won’t be any surprises when you arrive at the rental desk.
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Updated: July 2025
