Best things to do in Koutsouras in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Koutsouras is a coastal village on the south-east coast of Crete, in the Lasithi region, about 20 km east of Ierapetra on the main road to Makry Gialos. Koutsouras lies in a valley of pine trees, greenhouses and olive groves on the southern slopes of Mount Thripti, with its beach directly below the village. It carries more everyday services than a village of its size usually does: a police station, a pharmacy, a clinic, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. That is what makes it workable as a base rather than a stop.
The resort of Makry Gialos begins 2.3 km east, so the bars and harbour of a larger place are within walking distance while prices here stay lower. Three gorges cut down from Thripti within 6 km, and the coast on either side holds a run of small beaches, several reachable only on foot or by boat.
Things to do in and around Koutsouras
Five outings lie within about 6 km, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim below the village. The beach starts 200 m from the centre and is covered in the section further down this page.
- See the Minoan villa at Plakakia. The excavated villa stands 1.8 km east on the way into Makry Gialos.
- Walk into Makry Gialos. The fishing village and resort 2.3 km east takes its name from the Greek for “long beach”, and its small harbour is the centre of the surrounding municipal unit.
- Hike the Orino Gorge. The canyon opens 4.1 km away below Orino village, where springs on the Abelia plateau between the Thripti and Papouri mountains feed one of the steepest rivers in Crete. The water runs through the village square before dropping into the gorge, which is followed along the riverbed.
- Walk the Pefki Gorge. Also called Anegyrous, it runs 4.5 km with a 300 m drop between entrance and exit, starting south of Pefki village 5 km away and finishing at the Aspros Potamos settlement.
Beaches in and around Koutsouras
Koutsouras has its own beach plus 4 more within 4 km, and they differ sharply in how easy they are to reach.
- Koutsouras lies 200 m from the centre, the village’s own shore below the coast road.
- Kalamokanias sits 2 km east on the western side of Makry Gialos, under Katovigli hill above the harbour. The name comes from the black-winged stilt, a red-legged migratory bird like a small stork that feeds in the streams here.
- Maheridia is 2.2 km away, three beaches below high cliffs with clear water. Only the easternmost can be reached from land, by two paths hidden in thick pine wood; the others need a boat.
- Mavros Kolimbos stands 3.3 km west, also called Agios Panteleimon, a small settlement with rooms and a few tavernas above a beach of dark grey pebbles and usually calm water.
- Lagoufa follows 3.6 km east just past the end of Makry Gialos main beach, two coves beside the larger hotels. The first has fine golden sand, shallow blue water, umbrellas, bars, showers and water sports.
Where to eat in Koutsouras
Eating splits between the village itself, where everything sits within 500 m, and the wider choice around Makry Gialos 2.3 km east.
- M.G. Coffee & Snack is 100 m from the centre.
- Big Blue Beach Bar stands on the beach, 200 m out.
- Kaliotzina and Lichoudes are both 400 m from the centre.
- Tavern Agyrovoli sits 2.3 km east in Makry Gialos.
- Grillhouse Makis and Gusto lie 2.5 km east.
Getting to Koutsouras
Follow the south-coast road east out of Ierapetra and Koutsouras arrives after about 20 km, with Makry Gialos immediately beyond it. The village sits directly on that road, which makes it straightforward to reach by car and keeps it on the bus route along this coast.
Arriving from elsewhere on the island means a longer drive than the map suggests, because the route crosses the mountains rather than following a coast. Our page for Makry Gialos next door gives the road distances for this stretch: about 25 km from Ierapetra, 33 km from Sitia and 60 km from Agios Nikolaos.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Koutsouras in Crete?
Koutsouras lies on the south-east coast of Crete, about 20 km east of Ierapetra, in the Lasithi region on the road towards Makry Gialos.
Does Koutsouras have a beach?
Yes: the beach lies 200 m below the village centre, and 4 more sit within 4 km, from the organised sand at Lagoufa to the cliff-backed coves of Maheridia that need a boat.
Is Koutsouras a good base?
Koutsouras carries the services of a much larger place: a clinic, a pharmacy, a police station, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. Makry Gialos and its harbour lie 2.3 km east, so the resort is within reach without staying in it.
Which gorges are near Koutsouras?
Three gorges come down off Mount Thripti within 6 km. Orino, 4.1 km away, follows one of the steepest rivers on the island; Pefki, 5 km away, runs 4.5 km with a 300 m descent; and the Ahlia gorge lies 5.4 km off.
How far is Koutsouras from Makry Gialos?
Makry Gialos begins 2.3 km east of Koutsouras, close enough to walk along the coast road, and the beaches between the two villages fill most of that stretch.
Where Koutsouras is
Best things to do in Koutsouras in 2024 is located at Koutsourás. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
