Preveli is located approximately 35 km south of Rethymno and 10 km east of Plakias, making it one of the most famous and picturesque beaches on the southern coast of Crete. Known for its unique setting at the mouth of the Kourtaliotikos Gorge, where the Grand River (Megalos Potamos) flows into the sea, the beach offers a stunning combination of natural beauty and tranquility. Although the area suffered severe damage in a fire in 2010, the palm grove has remarkably recovered.

The beach is especially famous for the large colony of Theophrastus palm trees that line the banks of the Grand River, creating a tropical feeling in the area. The river forms a small lake, about 500 meters long, which provides cool water year-round. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the river under the shade of the palm trees, with the option to explore the canyon or swim in the cool ponds formed in the gorge.

While the beach remains relatively undeveloped, with no umbrellas due to its protected status, it still attracts thousands of visitors each year, especially in the summer. The beach itself is a mix of sand and pebbles, and the water remains refreshing due to the river’s cool flow. On the eastern side of the beach, you’ll find a beautiful rock formation resembling a heart. There is only one small café/snackbar at the beach. The food is overpriced and not great quality. The toilets and changing facilitities are connected to the café. Therefore, they are only open for use when the café operates, wich is from june till september.

Preveli is not only renowned for its natural beauty but also for its historical significance. The nearby Preveli Monastery, after which the beach is named, is a 16th or 17th-century men-only monastery dedicated to St. John the Theologian. The monastery complex consists of two parts: the old and the new, known as Piso and Kato Monastery, respectively. The old monastery, located a few meters south of the historic stone bridge of Preveli, is abandoned, but the new monastery remains active.

Accessing Preveli beach can be done in a few ways:

1. From the West (Plakias): Drive to the Monastery of Preveli, following the signs. Approximately 1.5 km past the Kato Monastery, you’ll find a large parking area. You will need to pay 2 euros for the day. From there, a path leads down to the beach, which takes about 15-20 minutes to walk, but be prepared for a steep ascent on the return journey.

   Park here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qeqLnoH63d2NHDjv5

2. From the East (Drimiskiano Amoudi): You can also drive along a paved road that leads to a short 5-minute walk to the beach. However, this route doesn’t offer the spectacular cliff views from the west side of the beach.

   Park here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pN4MYXEtdSx3BqVbA

3. By Boat: Small boats operate from Agia Galini and Plakias, providing an alternative and scenic way to reach the beach.

Important: please respect nature and stay on the footh paths.

You can also find more information in the blog article.