Perhaps the most famous of all the palm tree forests of Crete, since its unique, exotic charm is admired by thousands of visitors every year.

It is a 45-mins drive from Rethymno, a very pretty and comfortable ride to the south. You need to pay 2€ for parking and then it’s a 20-mins rather steep descent on foot, which you will have to walk back up again. Once you reach the bottom, make sure you get inside the forest and walk along the designated pathway. On your right hand side is the Megalos Potamos river, coming from the Kourtaliotiko Canyon and ending at the beach, in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea.

Tip: avoid visiting during high season and peak times of the day, as it will most probably be very crowded and not as enjoyable. There’s a cafeteria that operates right on the beach during high season, where you can buy refreshments, light snacks and use the bathroom.