Visiting Loutraki Greece

posted by Stacie on March 21, 2023 // 50 Comments »

Visiting Loutraki Greece

Loutraki Greece, is a beautiful town in the Corinthian Riviera located on the Greek mainland about 81 kilometers (50 miles) west of Athens. It is a popular resort town known for its beaches, thermal spas, food and sightseeing. An ancient town stood in its spot named Thermae, meaning hot springs in Greek. The spas quickly became famous and renowned for their healing and relaxing properties. Visiting Loutraki Greece is a must for any traveler.

Modern day Loutraki was born from increased settlement and tourism to the thermal spas in this beloved Greece city. Loutraki means bath-house or spa in Greek. An earthquake destroyed the town in 1928, and the entire town was rebuilt. The rubble from the destroyed buildings was used to build a large park.Loutraki is a popular tourist destination for Greeks. Its proximity to Athens makes it an ideal weekend getaway spot.

Events and Festivals

The town is home to several festivals throughout the year including an annual carnival starting every spring at the beginning of the Pre-Leneon Season and ending on Clean Monday. The city celebrates with live music, great food and special events. There is a grand parade, a treasure hunt and magnificent fireworks and on Clean Monday, there are special foods prepared along with kite flying. Another festival, honoring the Virgin Mary, takes place on September 8th and continues for three days with traditional folk music and an open-air bazaar. The local bazaar offers food, drinks and activities for children and gifts.

Things to Do

Like many Greek resort towns, beaches and cultural experiences are the main draws. The thermal springs, which have been famous since antiquity, also attract many seeking to benefit from their healing properties. We visited an indoor Loutraki Thermal Spa where we got to experience the healing properties for ourselves and it was such a relaxing experience.

Loutraki Greece, also boasts mountains and forests. The Geraneia Mountain range runs along the north and east sides of the city. The mountains contain over 950 different plant species. There are many trails perfect for day hiking. The mountain range is also ideal for biking or picnics.

The gorgeous Vouliagmeni Lake and the Corinth Canal offer breathtaking views. Often bungee jumping is available at the Corinth Canal. The city has activities for everyone, from nature bike rides to swimming to boating including a nearby waterpark. A variety of watersports, fishing and diving are also popular choices. Near the Corinth Canal is the ancient Diolkos which is a paved pathway on which ships were passed from the Corinthian Gulf to the Saronic Gulf.

There are several museums and cultural centers including the ruins of the ancient city of Corinth are nearby to explore. As with many Greek towns, you will find churches, ancient temples and monasteries to visit. Even eating out is a culinary adventure. Be sure to try some traditional Greek dishes such as saganaki or seasonal vegetable stews. We visited the Kalielaion Oil Press where the owner welcomed us and showed us exactly what he does. We tried many of the local olive oils wines, cheeses and fresh seafood as one should when visiting the Mediterranean.

Tip: Ask around for the best tavernas, the locals always know the best spots.

We ended our day with a visit to a traditional candy maker for Loukoumi which has been compared to Turkish Delight. Seeing the process and breathing in that sugar was a culinary first for me. I really enjoyed it!

Where to stay

Loutraki also has the first casino built in Greece, which was built in the late 1920s. The city is still well known for its casino, which is one of the largest in Europe. 5-star Hotel & Casino Resort, Club Hotel Casino Loutraki was built in 1995 and features 255 rooms, 18 suites, two maisonettes plus a conference center. The casino offers a luxurious gaming room area of 5.000sq.m. on 2 levels, equipped with 82 tables, 714 Slot Machines, 35 terminals electrical roulettes and two separate rooms for VIP clients, the VIP room and the VVIP-Tholos.

The Club Hotel Casino won several awards: The Carl Faberge award for service quality, the Green Key Eco Label award for eco-friendly hotel facilities. They are 5-star certified by Eurocert and an accepted member of the Great Hotels of the World – Premium Collection.

Where to eat

Lido fish tavern sits on the Vouliagmeni Lake where you can swim, relax and enjoy the fruits of the sea. We enjoyed grilled and fried fish, calamari, grilled octupus, traditioal Greek salad and more.

Paladar Eatery & Lounge is modern take on fresh, Greek foods with a culinary twist. The food was creative and delicious. The wine list was vast and the decor was beautiful.

Visit Loutraki today

This wonderful area of Greece is often overlooked by European and American tourists. Since it is conveniently situated on the Corinthian Riviera, one of the most beautiful areas of Greece, visiting Loutraki Greece should definitely be on your list of places to explore. It has a rich history, steeped in tradition and wonderful foods.