Palm grove in Preveli Beach - Crete
Crete, Greece
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Preveli Beach – Crete
Parking (2€)
Free
15′
8.5/10. Very crowded
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8/10
Preveli beach is a beach in the south of Crete, quite popular thanks to its palm grove and the mouth of the Megalo Potamos River into the sea. It is also worth noting the crystal-clear color of the sea. All of this creates an incredible landscape.
How to get there
It’s located about 45 minutes from Rethymno and 15 minutes from Plakias by car. The roads are quite good, so you can even make it with a Fiat Punto. You can park in the parking lot located at the top of the gorge (here), with a fee of €2 for cars and €1 for motorcycles. Another option is to park at the nearby beach (here, free) and walk up and down the gorge (5-10 minutes, less demanding).
If you don't want to drive, there are buses from Rethymno that go to Preveli (village) and stop 5-10 minutes away from the car parking area (~5€ one way, here). There are also buses from Plakias following that route (~€2 one way). You can check the schedules on the ktel website.
Lastly, you have the option of taking a boat from Plakias (~€10 one way) or Damnoni. Finikas offers 3-4 daily departures that drop you off directly at the beach. However, be cautious about the return trip, as it may be canceled in case of rough seas.
Once at the parking lot, it will take you about 15 minutes and a lot of stairs to reach the beach. Be careful as the terrain can be a bit slippery due to erosion. Along the way, you'll find several viewpoints where you can take incredible photos of Preveli Beach. You can also catch distant views of Triopetra (more info here) and Agios Pavlos (more info here).
Beach - River - Palm grove
The beach has dark-colored sand and can be divided into two areas. The one closest to the shore is made up of small pebbles, while the rest is fine sand. There is a spacious shaded area provided by the trees. However, during the summer months, it tends to be crowded, so you may struggle to find a spot.
One of the main attractions is walking through the palm grove that extends along the river. During the stroll, you'll come across several points to access the river if you wish to continue the walk along the water. You can also walk/swim upstream from the beginning (it's not very deep, and the current is minimal), but we recommend wearing water shoes.
If you continue further, you'll reach areas with deeper pools where there is usually less people. Keep in mind that the water is significantly colder than the sea. Don't forget your snorkel mask as you may spot various fish and even some tortoises.
On the beach there is a cantina with tables and chairs where you can order drinks and some basic food such as salads (7€), dakos (5€), or chicken (9€). However, truth be told, there is a restaurant between the parking area and the road that is more worthwhile. Among other facilities, you can also find a restroom, a shower, a changing room , and a craft store with bracelets and necklaces.
On the left side (facing the sea), there are stairs that lead to a nice viewpoint. Additionally, you'll come across a small chapel that is permanently closed.
Near the beach, you can visit the Preveli Monastery (here). In this area, you'll also find the Kourtaliotiko waterfalls. We definitely recommend it! Take a look at our post: Kourtaliotiko waterfalls in Crete.
Preveli is a charming beach. The palm grove and the river offer many possibilities, allowing you to spend several hours without getting bored. The main issue is that it tends to be crowded. It's advisable to try to avoid July and August, and also to arrive early in the morning.
Comment if you have any question!
