Loutses is a small village built at the foot of the mountainous mass of mountain Pantokrator in a verdant surrounding with a beautiful view of the mountain and of the shores of Albania. Loutses is a destination which combines both mountain and sea, because in just a few minutes, you can find yourself at the beautiful beaches of Kalami and St. Spyridon beach. In the village you will find super markets, a tavern and a coffee shop. There are only a few rooms to rent if you wish to stay.
In Loutses you will also find a cave, one of the least visited of the island, called Grava. It is located deep in a hollow with impressive vertical inner walls. Access to the interior of the cave is quite easy and the spectacle you will see once you are inside the cave will certainly impress you.
Very close to Loutses is also situated the preserved settlement of Old Perithia where you can take a stroll among the old stone houses and enjoy delicious food in the traditional taverns. You can also visit the lagoon of Antiniotis which is one of the most important ecosystems of the island. If you want more intense rythms and bigger crowds on your vacation, near Loutses you can find the resorts of Acharavi and Kasiopi, where there are many commercial shops and tourist lodgings
Megali (Ano) Grava Loutson cave also called the Big Upper cave or Peristerograva (Cave of the pingeons) is situated near the village of Loutses at an altitude of 478 metres. After a steep descent alongside imposing vertical walls, you’ll reach the entrance of the cave. The path requires extra attention in winter due to slitheriness. Inside the cave the surface is completely flat and the roof is full of geological formations. If you are inside the cave and look up to the opening of the cave from where the sunlight enters, you will be impressed by the sense of isolation and serenity this dark cave offers.
The entrance to the cave is 60 metres wide and approximately 15 metres high. Just behind the entrance you’ll find the main room of the cave, 100 metres long, 70 metres deep and approximately 60 metres high. On the left, between the entrance to the cave and the horizontal floor of the main room, two corridors with impressive stalactites are located. One of them is called ‘The white stalactites’. The corridors are 20 metres long, 3 metres wide and approximately 3 metres high.
This post is also available in: Čeština (Czech)
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