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Loutraki or Xylokastro? The comparison

Both are seaside towns on the Corinthian Gulf with pebble beaches and Blue Flags — but they suit different holidays. Here is the honest comparison.

	Loutraki	Xylokastro
Character	Spa town: thermal springs (in antiquity it was called Thermae) and one of Europe’s largest casinos.	Quieter seaside town; a pine forest (Pefkias) runs right down to the beach.
Beach	Long pebble town beach; Blue Flag 2026 for Loutraki 1, Loutraki 2 and Loutraki-Boutsi.	Pebble beach of about 2 km; Blue Flag 2026 for Xylokastro-Pefkias, and Sykia next door.
Nature nearby	Perachora peninsula, Lake Vouliagmeni and the Heraion; the Geraneia mountains behind.	The Pefkias pine wood (1,760 m long, 80–220 m wide); Mount Ziria and Trikala behind.
Without a car	No railway station — reached by KTEL coach.	Railway station on the Kiato–Aigio line (change at Kiato for the suburban railway to Athens).
Distance	About 81 km from Athens, a few km from the Corinth Canal.	About 30 km north-west of Corinth.
Best for	Spa, nightlife and casino, short trips from Athens, the Perachora peninsula.	A slower beach holiday, shade under the pines, a base for the mountains of Ziria.

In short

Choose Loutraki if you want thermal springs, life in the evening and to be close to Athens. Choose Xylokastro if you want a calmer beach with pine shade, the train, and the mountains of Ziria within reach. They are not far apart, so you can easily see both.

Online at: https://visitcorinthia.com/en/experiences/loutraki-or-xylokastro/
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Printed on: 11/10/2026