Preveli Beach
Παραλία Πρέβελη
A palm-fringed beach at the mouth of a gorge, where a freshwater river meets the Libyan Sea. It is one of the most famous scenic spots on Crete's south coast.
Preveli Beach sits at the mouth of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, downstream of the Megalopotamos River. Along both banks of the river grow Cretan date palms, a rarity in Europe. You can row along the river or wade into the palm grove. The river water is cool and the sea is a deep blue. From the car park above, it takes about 20 minutes to descend the steep stone steps. The climb back up is tiring, and you should bring water, especially at midday in the heat. You can also reach the beach by boat from Plakias or Agia Galini. There are no large facilities on the beach, only simple snack stalls and umbrella rentals. Arrive early in summer when it's crowded. It is about 40 minutes by car from Rethymno, and it is often combined with the Preveli Monastery above in the same itinerary.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Preveli Monastery
- Kato Preveli Monastery
- Kourtaliotiko Gorge
- Schinaria Beach
- Ammoudi Beach (Plakias)
- Damnoni Beach
- Triopetra Beach
- Myrthios