Loutráki: Beaches, Churches and Thermal History

If you’re looking for a hotel in Loutráki, the town offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: the long central beach, windsurfing, churches and thermal history. Loutráki’s history as a popular tourist destination dates back to the 1930s. Consider whether beaches and water sports or religious and archaeological sites will play a bigger part in your trip. This way, when choosing your destination, you can decide whether to focus on the coast or also explore the town’s history and the wider municipality.

Getting to Loutráki

KTEL intercity buses connect Loutráki with Athens, Corinth and nearby towns. Before travelling, check the operator’s latest information on routes and timetables, as both can change. These connections provide practical options for getting there; use the current timetable when planning your journey.

Beach and water sports

Loutráki’s central beach is 3.5 km long and stretches from the Corinth Canal to Loutráki Coastal Park. At the pebble beach, you can swim and sunbathe; facilities and conditions may vary. Windsurfing is popular at the beach in both summer and winter. If this activity is a key part of your trip, check the conditions for the period you plan to visit.

At Loutráki’s artificial waterfalls, you can relax over a coffee or drink, listen to the water and look out to sea. The site combines coastal views with the sound of water, offering a different experience from the beach and windsurfing.

Thermal history

LOUTRAKI THERMAL SPA is located in Loutráki, on the northern shore of the Gulf of Corinth. In antiquity, Loutráki’s thermal waters were known as “Thermae”; the town’s name is believed to refer to thermal baths above the hot springs. Loutráki’s thermal history therefore encompasses both a present-day local landmark and a historical interpretation of its name.

Churches and festival tradition

Agios Ioannis and Agios Fanourios are churches in Loutráki. The Byzantine Church of St. Andrew is also in the town. The Holy Church of Panagia Giatrissa stands in the centre and houses the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. The churches offer different religious points of interest: Panagia Giatrissa is easy to identify by its central location and the icon, while Agios Ioannis and Agios Fanourios, along with St. Andrew, are other named churches in the town.

In honour of the miraculous icon, Loutráki celebrates a three-day festival every year starting on 8 September. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the specific dates for the year in question. The connection between the church, the icon and the festival date offers a special point of interest if you’d also like to plan your trip around religious traditions.

Archaeological heritage in the wider municipality

The Heraion of Perachora is located in the wider municipality. Its remains include an unusually designed temple of Hera, an L-shaped stoa, a large cistern, dining rooms and the remains of a possible second temple. The Heraion is also associated with an unusual ground plan dating to the 6th century BC. This archaeological context complements Loutráki’s churches with a different theme: the focus here is on temple remains, the ground plan and other architectural remains.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Killini, Ano Tríkkala, Aghios Petros, Psari, Nerantza, Stymfalia, Sofiko, Velo.

See the main travel overview: Corinth.