'Pretty, peaceful Koutouloufari offers a traditional slice of village life, all within easy striking distance of vibrant Hersonnisos.'
Set on a hillside above buzzing Hersonnissos, this placid little village doesn't rush you into unwinding. Instead, its picturesque streets and rustic atmosphere let you chill out gently, slowly. So you can really relish the journey from burnt-out 9-to-5er to sun-burnished, carefree holidaymaker. Oozing Greek character from every corner, it's a lovely place to potter around with plenty of cute gift shops and friendly tavernas all accented by breathtaking vistas over Hersonnisos and the shimmering Aegean below. When you fancy lazing on the beach, it's a matter of eeny, meeny, miny, mo. Either head downhill straight to Hersonnisos' chain of little sandy beaches or venture further west. Here, the beaches get successively bigger and less crowded, making them perfect for a full day's sunbathing and swimming, picnic in tow. Remember, no visit here would be right or proper without sampling Crete's rich history, provided on a plate nearby. Check out the legend-swathed Minoan ruins at Knossos and follow up with a peer around Heraklion's fascinating archaeological museum. Take a boat excursion from Hersonnisos to visit some offshore isles. Or if you're feeling energetic, pick up the gauntlet of a walk through the incredible Samaria Gorge. The 18-kilometre hike through this pine-scented canyon will leave you exhausted but completely at one with the world. Even when the evening takes over here, the pace stays charmingly relaxed, with the restaurants providing the perfect venue for moonlit dinners with friends. In fact, night times are so appealing here, that tourists from Hersonnisos have a habit of turning up here to sample its easy-going pace. Why not return the favour if you're in partying mood? The bright lights of Hersonnisos' clubs and bars packed harbour are just a mile away. You really do get the best of both worlds here.
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Recommended Koutouloufari hotels and apartments
Koutouloufari hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Koutouloufari include Ariadni Apartments, Astra Village Apartments, Petra Village Apartments, Romantica Apartments and Silvia Apartments.
More Crete holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Crete? Our Crete holiday destinations include Aghia Marina, Crete, Agios Nikolaos, Akrotiri, Almeritha, Apokaronas, Chania, Elounda, Gerani, Gouves, Gulf Of Mirabello, Hersonissos, Horafakia, Istron And Kalo Chorio, Kalives, Kamilari, Kamisiana, Kolymbari, Koutouloufari, Livadia, Lyttos Beach, Maheri, Maleme, Malia, Nea Kydonia, Palekastro, Panos Stalos, Piskopiano Village, Platanias, Prina, Rethymnon, Stalis, Veni and Vrouchas.
Beaches
The nearest beach is in Hersonissos, approximately one kilometre away. The beaches here are small and tend to get crowded in high season, so it is advisable to move west of Hersonissos where there are large sandy stretches of beach, with far fewer people on them.
Eating out
Greek menus usually offer a wide range of starters such as taramosalata (smoked and pureed cod's roe) and tzatsiki (yogurt, cucumber and garlic) served with a basket of bread. Dolmadhes - stuffed vine leaves with rice are also a very tasty starter. Dessert is very different in Crete, where pastries and other sticky treats are accompanied by a thimble full of raki.
Nightlife
Koutouloufari offers a variety of tavernas, bars, coffee shops and restaurants. For livelier evenings, head into nearby Hersonissos where there is an excellent choice of bars along the waterfront. There is also a reasonable selection of nightclubs, where you can dance until the early hours.
Shopping
Shopping-wise, you can definitely pick up the essentials in Koutouloufari. For a wider choice, try Hersonissos where there is a good supply of minimarkets, bakeries and shops selling indigenous herbs and spices. If you are looking for gifts there is nothing quite like some Cretan pottery and crochet work.
Local information
There are several fascinating historical sites to visit in Crete. The most interesting of these is the remnants of the Minoans, an ancient civilisation who built beautiful palaces, created intricate jewellery and lived harmoniously until they were destroyed by a giant tidal wave, believed to have happened as a result of the earthquake on Thira (modern day Santorini).
Location
30km east of Heraklion
Transfer time
1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes
Recommended
Luxury
