Just above the bustle of Hersonissos, Koutouloufari is one of the prettiest traditional villages on this stretch of Crete - a cluster of old stone houses, narrow flower-filled alleys and family tavernas with sweeping views down to the sea.
What Koutouloufari is known for
- Traditional characterRestored stone houses with arched doorways and vine-shaded courtyards, along cobbled alleys draped in bougainvillea.
- Tavernas with a viewFamily-run tavernas serving authentic Cretan cooking - slow-roasted lamb, wild greens and handmade pies - with the sea as a backdrop.
- A quieter baseThe calm, more authentic counterpoint to lively Hersonissos right below, while still only minutes from the coast.
- Easy to exploreWander the old village lanes, and it is an easy hop to the Cretaquarium and the Lychnostatis Open-Air Museum nearby.
Getting there from Malia: Koutouloufari sits in the hills above Hersonissos, around 8km west of Malia - a short drive or taxi, and an easy add-on to a day exploring the Hersonissos area.
