Google Chrome thinks enlarging my pictures, some links and sometimes scrolling through the pages is a popup. If you want to navigate my website than please allow "popups".

Located 65 km from Heraklion, on the south coast of Crete lies a secret: the small village of Tsoutsouros. Together with Lagada / Makrigalos and Tris Eklissies it belongs to our favorite destinations. The village can be reached from the capital following the route Heraklion - Peza - Arkalochori - Skinias - Kato Kastelliana - Tsoutsouros. If you come from the west you can also take the exit to the south in the town of Ano Vianos and then follow the route along the coast via Keratokampos and the cozy fishing village of Kastri. Ano Vianos with its cozy village square, churches and restaurants is worth a visit on its own. It is not far from the main road, about a kilometer away and you can see it from the car on the right hand side if you come from the west.

On the route from Ano Vianos south to the coast and the village of Keratokampos you will drive past a small Byzantine church (the Agios Georgios church with frescoes dating from the 15th century,the first one dating from 1401 AD) on your right hand side and a bit further down the route you will pass the tiny Holy Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Agia Moni. The village is situated in a valley and consists of only the church, some monk cells and a couple of houses. According to tradition, the monastery was built by nuns that came from Cyprus and who used to live in a monastery on the coast at Keratokampos. Due to regular attacks by pirates, they felt forced to live further inland and then set up the monastery in Agia Moni. In its small church there are some icons and a tiny remains of a frescoe that dates from the 15th century, nothing spectacular but a nice place for a stop. The only monk of the monastery lives in the dilapidated house opposite the church and asks a few euros (three or four, I can't remember) per person to view the church from the inside and to be able to restore his own home. You will receive a prayer card from him en he will tell you a little bit about the history of the monastery.

The village of Tsoutsouros is built on the ruins of the ancient city of Inatos, which used to be the harbour of the city of Priansos (near Kastelliana, north of it, at 12 kilometers distance). Remains of Greek and Roman times have been unearthed, but nowadays nothing much of its ruins can be seen. Excavations have stopped and many objects have been stolen and sold abroad. We didn't see any trace of the ancient city of Inatos. In a nearby cave some statuettes were found that are now on display in the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion.

Mainly a fishing / farming community of about 100 permanent residents, Tsoutsouros can be reached after a long and winding, but mostly spectacularly beautiful road through the mountains. Tsoutsouros has a very large and mostly sandy beach with plenty of privacy (only in the beginning of the beach, near the small fishing harbour it is mostly pebbles). A few beach chairs and umbrellas were spotted in 2015, but the main part of the beach has stayed unspoiled. The long beach ends in a lagune with another small beach. Here on the hills there is a forest of the rare white beach lilies. Just around the corner from the harbour you find yet another quite large and sandy beach. Here there are a couple of beach chairs and umbrellas for rent.

People that are going to explore the surroundings will find more small and secluded beaches. East of Tsoutsouros there are a couple that can be reached on foot. From the end of the smaller beach there is a walking route that leads westwards to the nearby village of Maradakis with its beautiful pebble beach and its tranquility. There is a tavern here and the possibility to get a small boat back to Tsoutouros. The walk takes about 45 minutes. From here it is possibly to continue walking to the next beaches.

Tsoutsouros is the heaven in the municipality of Arkalohori to the south of Heraklion. An unexpectedly picturesque and exquisite place with a small fishing harbour, sparklingly clean sea and a big sand beaches. Not so well known by the tourists, but popular with the Cretans themselves you might find yourself on a beautiful and completely empty beach during the weekdays (like we sometimes do). If there is nobody there you have the opportunity to swim in the nude both when you visit Tsoutsouros. You just walk to the end of the large beach, next to the lagune, where you are out of sight from everybody. It is also easy here to go into the sea, since there are usually no hight waves and the water is shallow. Only at the moments that a group of tourists comes by from the so-called Jeep Safari - a local excursion - it becomes a little busier in the village, but you know that they will disappear again and that peace and quiet will return.

Most of the houses in Tsoutsouros are built along the coastal street, just by the long sandy beach. While most houses are new there are still some of them preserving the old traditional character, especially at the center of the village. A lot of the houses are covered with bougainville and other kinds of flowers. There are plenty of taverns and supermarkets, but out of high season a lot of them are closed. In the street behind the harbour on a small square stands the Agios Panteleimonas Tsoutsouros church. It is a small pink coloured church with a simple bell tower. In a side street on the western side of the village (if you walk towards Maradakis) is the small white Agias Pareskevi church. This church is indicated from the boulevard with a sign.

On both beaches of the village of Tsoutsouros there are a limited number of beach chairs and umbrellas for rent and you will find a couple of showers to wash off the salt from the sea (see update 2015: just a few beach chairs - see at the bottom of the page the movie of the beach that I made in the beginning of 2015). Tsoutsouros really stole my heart: one of the best places in Crete.

For all hotels, apartments and studios in Tsoutsouros - click here.

This is where we have stayed in 2017, the Apollon Studios in Tsoutsouros. They are located right on the beach (at one of the few parts of Tsoutsouros where there are also some sunbeds and umbrellas). We have had a good time here and are planning to return in 2018 and then stay for a little longer (did that!). We also returned in 2019 and the years after that (with exception of the corona times), sometimes for three or four days, sometimes for a week, and this usually two times a year) The studios are simply furnished but they are large and clean, and if you're on the front you have a wonderful view. In the back you look out over a mountain and a couple of houses (also a nice view). Kostas runs the hotel with his father and mother and they are super friendly. It is in a very quiet location. For the price you do not have to leave it because it's really cheap. Below is the Apollon Tavern (quiet!), and here you can also eat good and very cheap food (for example, we ordered fish and got a plate with 4 medium sized fishes for five euros).

This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Located in Tsoutsouros in the Crete Region, 42 km from Heraklio Town, Apollon boasts a sun terrace and views of the sea. Hersonissos is 38 km from the property. Free WiFi is provided . All units have a TV. All units include a kitchenette fitted with a fridge and stovetop. There is a private bathroom with a bath or shower in every unit. Towels and bed linen are offered. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar and restaurant. The property also offers packed lunches. Agios Nikolaos is 45 km from Apollon, while Malia is 37 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 40 km from the property. Couples particularly like the location - they rated it 8.4 for a two-person trip. This property is also rated for the best value in Tsoutsouros! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.

Check availabilities and prices & book Apollon in Tsoutsouros - click here.

Offering unobstructed views over the Libyan Sea, Lyttos is a self-catering accommodation located in Tsoutsouros Village. Free WiFi access is available. The studios and apartments will provide you with air conditioning, and a kitchenette with a mini oven and fridge. There is also a TV, and a bathroom with a shower. At Lyttos you will find barbecue facilities. We speak your language!

Check availabilities and prices & book Lyttos Apartments & Studios in Tsoutsouros - click here.

Situated right on the beach of Tsoutsouros, Edelweiss features a snack bar. It offers air-conditioned studios overlooking the Libyan Sea or the mountains. A kitchenette with cooking facilities and fridge is included in all studios at the Edelweiss. Each has a TV and a private bathroom with toiletries. Breakfast is served in the dining area. Coffee, drinks and ice creams are served at the snack bar until late in the evening. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available on the beach. Free Wi-Fi access is possible in public areas. Restaurants and cafes are within a 3-minute walk. Heraklion is a 40-minute drive away. We speak your language!

Check availabilities and prices & book Edelweiss in Tsoutsouros - click here.

The beachfront Triton Hotel is just 10 metres from Tsoutsouros Beach. It boasts a seaside cafe-bar, free Wi-Fi in public areas and air-conditioned rooms overlooking the mountain or Libyan Sea. Tastefully decorated, all the guestrooms at Triton are soundproof. Each includes a TV and mini fridge. A hairdryer can be found in the private bathroom.

The hotel features an a la carte restaurant. The cafe-bar offers snacks, drinks, coffee and unlimited sea views from its terrace. A Continental breakfast is served daily. A variety of cafes, minimarkets and taverns serving fresh fish are located close to Triton Hotel. It is 55 km from Heraklion International Airport and the city of Heraklion. Free private parking is located on site. We speak your language!

Check availabilities and prices & book Triton Hotel in Tsoutsouros - click here.

Zorba's is located on the seafront, a little bit at the end (east). We have actually just ordered a cappuccino. This was very nice, large cup of coffee, warm, with whipped milk and a it was served with a bottle of water. Just exactly as you want it. The service was also very friendly. In 2017 we were back and we also had dinner here. We ordered the sardines and the goat in the oven. The sardines were very good, the goat could have been more tender. The French fries and the Greek salad were okay. Service was still wonderful and friendly.

Our verdict: an 8,5 out of 10

Inatos is situated near the harbour in Tsoutsouros. Here we had breakfast (8 euro per person 2017). One of the things served was an omelette. De coffee was good and the bread was fresh.

Our verdict: a 7,5 out of 10

This tavern is also located in the harbor of Tsoutsouros. We order the Greek salad, a crepe with bananas and chocolate, a pita giros with chicken and fries and a fresh orange juice. The portions are big, the food is tasty and the service is very friendly.

Our verdict: an 8 out of 10

This tavern is located at the western beach of Tsoutsouros at the wonderful accommodation where we also stayed a couple of days. We ordered the tzatziki, a fish plate, a Greek salad and French fries. All dishes taste very good, especially the fish (and really cheap, only 5 euro in 2017). The fries are crispy and the wine is good as well. The owners are extremely hospitable and friendly.

Our verdict: an 8,5 out of 10

Sarakina Fish Tavern is located on Tsoutsouros Beach. On Tripadvisor this restaurant gets pretty much the best reviews of all the eateries in the village. We order the tzatziki, the Greek salad, the house wine and a "lambouka" fish. Everything is fine, including the friendly service. The house wine tastes very good. We found this restaurant somewhat pricey for Greek concepts (70 Euro in total in 2018).

Our verdict: an 8,5 out of 10

Taverna Anna is also located on the beach of Tsoutsouros. Anna is a sweetheart that tries to make everybody happy. Perhaps the nicest woman in the village. We order a Greek salad, a tzatziki, the house wine, a mousaka and a gemista (stuffed tomato and paprika).

Our verdict: a 7,5 out of 10

Mouratis Taverna in Tsoutsouros, in the south of the island of Crete, is situated at the beach. We once stayed overnight here, because on top of the taverna they rent out some very nice apartments. There is a small menu here with simple food and the view is off course to die for. Normally we pick something like and omelette special (with ham, French fries, tomato and paprika), a Greek salad (tomato, cucumber, feta cheese, paprika, fresh herbs and olives). The food is good and inexpensive. On the other hand the bread is not always fresh and there is no good coffee (just nescafé).

Our verdict: an 8 out of 10