Best things to do in Koutsounari in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Koutsounari is a seaside hamlet on the south coast of Crete, about 9 km east of Ierapetra in the Lasithi region. Koutsounari sits on a green hill among olive groves and pine trees, a kilometre north of the South Cretan Sea coastline. The village stands close to Agios Ioannis, with the Thripti Range behind it.
Sitia airport lies 33.2 km away and Agios Nikolaos 22 km north-west. Koutsounari works as a quiet beach base rather than a resort centre, with tavernas and hotels along the shore road, the 5 km Long Beach of Agios Ioannis a kilometre south, and two walkable gorges behind.
Things to do in and around Koutsounari
Six outings sit within 9 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Koutsounari Long Beach. The shore a kilometre south runs 5 km, with the coarse grey sand typical of southern Crete and tamarisk trees along much of it; the Long Beach page covers each stretch.
- See the Roman fish tanks. The Vothoni Roman fish tanks sit 1.3 km from the village and take a short stop.
- Swim at Ferma. A string of tiny bays begins 2.6 km east, and the largest, Livadi, has fine pebbles and clear deep water; the Ferma beaches page covers the rest.
- Walk up the Mylonas gorge. The Mylonas gorge ends 3.4 km away at Kakia Skala beach, where two ascending trails start; the easy one takes 20 minutes through the pine-wooded side, along the old concrete ditch that once carried water to Koutsounari.
- Hike the Ahlia gorge. The Ahlia gorge starts 5.8 km away west of Skinokapsala village and runs under pine trees to Ahlia beach, between sandstone walls wide enough to need no canyoning gear.
- Spend a day in Ierapetra. The southernmost city of Greece lies 8.3 km west, and its harbour holds the Venetian Kales fortress and the boats out to Chrissi Island, as the Ierapetra guide sets out.
About Koutsounari village and its setting
Koutsounari village is a seaside hamlet rather than a town, perched on a hill among olive groves and pine trees. Koutsounari keeps the coastline a kilometre below, so the rooms and eating places spread along the shore road while the settlement stays up the slope.
The Thripti Range stands behind the village and shapes the country around it. Water once ran from that range to Koutsounari along a concrete ditch through the Mylonas gorge, and its lower part now serves as a walking trail. The Ferma area 2.6 km east is green with dense pine forest, a contrast to the arid landscape of eastern Crete, while Ierapetra 8.3 km west is described as the sunniest and warmest part of the country, where swimming often lasts until late autumn.
Beaches in and around Koutsounari
Koutsounari’s own beach is the Long Beach of Agios Ioannis, a kilometre south of the village and 5 km from end to end. Koutsounari shares this coast with 4 more beaches inside 5 km, which differ sharply in shelter and access. The Long Beach is broad and quiet, its sand coarse and grey, and its length can make it look deserted.
- Ferma lies 2.6 km east, a small coastal town with a string of tiny bays. Livadi, also called Ferma beach or Xerokamara, is the largest, with fine pebbles, clear deep water and steep cliffs; it is unorganised and reached by two stairways from the hotels.
- Katharades sits 3 km west, a chain of small beaches running from the Peristeras suburb of Ierapetra to the Koutsounari coastline. The area also goes by Paplinou, after the ancient Panagia Paplinou monastery, and erosion of the conglomerate soil has left rock shelters and unusual formations.
- Giorgakis is 3.5 km east in the Ferma area, ringed by tall cliffs and reached by stairs from the Ferma Solaris Hotel. Fine pebbles, rocks and natural caves line the shore, and a low rock splits it in two.
- Agia Fotia lies 4.3 km east, a small bay at the mouth of a stream off the Thripti mountain. Plane trees cover the stream and conglomerate cliffs ring the bay, the sand is coarse and greyish, and beach bars, taverns and hotels stand behind it.
Where to eat in Koutsounari
Eating around Koutsounari means tavernas and seaside restaurants along the shore road, most inside 2 km.
- Lab Coffee & Snack serves coffee and snacks, 900 m out.
- Pelagos Sea Side Restaurant stands on the shore, 900 m out.
- Kakkos Bay Taverna cooks taverna food, 1.1 km away.
- Steki Taverna-Pizzeria has taverna dishes and pizza, 1.6 km away.
- Maestro Traditional Restaurant, 2.9 km away, serves traditional cooking.
- Agia Fotia Cretan Restaurant is by Agia Fotia beach, 4.2 km east.
Getting to Koutsounari
Drive east out of Ierapetra on the coast road and Koutsounari arrives after about 9 km, the Katharades bays lining the route. Ierapetra, 8.7 km west, is the nearest town and the port for the Chrissi Island boats. Agios Nikolaos lies 22 km north-west, Sitia 32.7 km away.
Sitia airport sits 33.2 km from the village. A car helps here, because the gorges, the coves towards Agia Fotia and the town beach at Ierapetra all sit a short drive apart.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Koutsounari in Crete?
Koutsounari lies on the south coast of Crete, about 9 km east of Ierapetra and 22 km south-east of Agios Nikolaos. The hamlet belongs to the Lasithi region and sits a kilometre inland from the South Cretan Sea, below the Thripti Range.
Does Koutsounari have a beach?
The Long Beach of Agios Ioannis runs a kilometre south of Koutsounari for 5 km, one of the longest in Crete. The sand is coarse and grey, tamarisk trees break up the shore, and the length of the beach keeps it feeling empty.
How far is Koutsounari from the airport?
Sitia airport is 33.2 km from Koutsounari and the nearest airport to the village. Agios Nikolaos lies 22 km north-west.
Is Koutsounari windy?
The Katharades beaches 3 km west of Koutsounari count among the windiest places in Crete. Their bays stay hidden from the main road despite running close to it, which keeps visitor numbers low.
Can you walk a gorge from Koutsounari?
Two gorges lie within 6 km of the village. The Mylonas gorge, 3.4 km away, cannot be descended from Saint John village because a tall waterfall blocks the route without canyoning gear, so walkers start at Kakia Skala beach. The Ahlia gorge, 5.8 km away, needs no gear and fills with waterfalls of 5 m to 8 m when the Thripti Range feeds its river in winter.
Where Koutsounari is
Best things to do in Koutsounari in 2024 is located at Koutsounari. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
