Loutraki: Oldest Spa in Greece

In July 2023, we visited Loutraki, a charming small town located about 70 km from Athens on the Gulf of Corinth in the Peloponnese region. The town is famous for its natural springs and therapeutic spas. The name "Loutraki" comes from the Greek word "loutro," meaning "bath," and this town is also known as the oldest spa in Greece!

Spending a summer holiday in this delightful town also provides an opportunity to explore Athens, the capital of Greece. We took advantage of this and enjoyed our time in the city. You can read more about our experiences in a separate post.

Additionally, you can visit the Corinth Canal, although we didn't have time for that excursion during our trip. However, we caught a panoramic view of the canal from the Geraneia Mountains, and there’s always a chance to go back! 😊

View - Corinth Canal from Monastery of Saint Patapios

The Corinth Canal is a waterway that links the Gulf of Corinth to the beautiful Aegean Sea! It’s named after the charming city of Corinth, located near Loutraki. Stretching 6.3 kilometers long and about 23 meters wide, this canal separates the Peloponnese peninsula and the mainland of Greece, making the Peloponnese peninsula technically an island!

Loutraki streets

Loutraki streets

Loutraki streets

Loutraki streets

Loutraki Beach

The beach is about four kilometers long and pebbly. While the water can get a bit dirty in the afternoon, which can affect the overall experience, there are plenty of positives to enjoy! You’ll find some fantastic seafood restaurants serving delicious meals at fair prices, and markets are conveniently nearby. Plus, exciting excursions, like trips to Athens and the stunning Blue Lake, are available!

The beach itself is really well-organized, with thermal water showers available. You can rent sunbeds for just the price of a drink, and many bars and restaurants are lining the shore. The sunsets here are simply breathtaking!

If the water quality improved a bit, this would truly be the perfect vacation spot!

Loutraki Beach

Loutraki Beach

Loutraki Beach

Snack at a beach bar in Loutraki

Snack at a beach bar in Loutraki

Loutraki beautiful sunset

Beach Park Loutraki

This is a small beach located right next to Loutraki Beach. It is not organized and offers no natural shade, so it is mostly frequented by locals later in the afternoon and in the evening. The sea has a fantastic color, and the sunsets are beautiful as well.

Beach Park Loutraki

Beach Park Loutraki 

Loutraki beautiful sunset

Flampouro Beach

When it comes to beaches, we have visited Flampouro Beach several times. It’s a beautiful beach located just 6 kilometers from Loutraki, which is about a 10-minute taxi ride away. Flampouro is a stunning pebbly beach that is never too crowded.

Flampouro Beach

Flampouro Beach

Flampouro Beach

It's a well-organized beach with umbrellas, sunbeds, and showers. A lovely beach bar serves tasty seafood, and the water is crystal clear.

View from Flampouro Beach Taverna

Squid at a local Flampouro beach taverna

 

Excursion:

Monastery of Saint Patapios;

Perachora village;

Blue Lake Lake Vouliagmeni;

The Heraion of Perachora;

Melagavi Lighthouse

 

Monastery of Saint Patapios

As part of a one-day trip, we visited the Monastery of Saint Patapios, located in the Geraneia Mountains near Loutraki. This nunnery offers a stunning view of the Corinth Canal and the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

The road to the Monastery of Saint Patapios- detail

Saint Patapios was born to Christian parents in the 4th century AD in Thebes, Roman Egypt. At a young age, he chose to live as a hermit in the desert. Many people visited him for his advice and sought his healing abilities when they were sick. Today, his relics are preserved in this Monastery.

Even centuries after his death, these relics are believed to possess healing powers, making the Monastery a popular destination for the faithful seeking relief from various illnesses.

Helena (Jelena) Dragaš, also known as Saint Hypomone, played a key role in transferring his relics to this Monastery. She was the empress consort of Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos and the mother of the last two emperors, John VIII Palaiologos and Constantine XI Palaiologos. Renowned for her beauty, purity, wisdom, and sense of justice, her skull is also cherished as a holy relic in this Monastery.

Entrance to Monastery of Saint Patapios

Monastery of Saint Patapios

Monastery of Saint Patapios

Perachora Village

Perachora is a charming little village located about 7 km northwest of Loutraki, right at the foot of the Geraneia mountains. One of the village's highlights is its delightful virgin olive oil, and most locals make their living from olive processing. Our guide shared that every November and December, the entire community comes together to harvest the olive trees—what a wonderful tradition!

While we were there, we visited the Kalieleon olive oil mill, a cozy little factory where we tasted some amazing olive paste. We couldn’t resist picking up some extra virgin olive oil and lovely olive soap to take home.

Perachora Village olive soaps

Blue Lake / Lake Vouliagmeni

Vouliagmeni, also known as the "Blue Lake," is a stunning lagoon with a sandy beach surrounded by charming taverns. Although our guide referred to it as the Blue Lake, it is important to note that it is not a freshwater lake but a seawater lagoon.

The water is beautifully crystal-clear, and the sand is lovely—not the kind that muddies the water. 😊 Our experience was further enhanced by the sea anemones we observed in the shallows.

Lake Vouliagmeni

The Heraion of Perachora 

Just a short distance from the beautiful Blue Lake (Lake Vouliagmeni) is a charming little bay and an archaeological site called the Heraion of Perachora - a sanctuary for the goddess Hera.

In this part of Greece, the goddess Hera was highly respected, and her temple was built next to the sea.

The ancient Greeks viewed Hera as the protector of marriage and married women; she was also Zeus's beloved wife.

There’s an interesting legend about how Zeus won her over! He didn’t have an easy time at first, so he decided to pull a little trick. Zeus transformed into a poor, helpless bird, and when Hera spotted him, her heart melted with compassion. This clever move allowed Zeus to get closer to her, and before long, they became husband and wife.

The Heraion of Perachora 

Melagavi Lighthouse

If you're in the Vouliagmeni Lake area, you should definitely visit the lighthouse. It’s a wonderful experience.

The Melagavi lighthouse, also known as the Heraion lighthouse, was built in 1897 and renovated in 1947. It is closed, has no lighthouse keeper, and turns on and off automatically. The Greek Navy owns it.

Melagavi lighthouse

View from Melagavi Lighthouse

The view is incredible and breathtaking!

Loutraki is a charming destination primarily frequented by Greeks, yet it holds plenty of appeal for international travelers as well. Its close proximity to Athens, the capital of Greece, makes it an even more enticing spot for a summer vacation.