Preveli Beach: More Than Just a Famous Postcard

Visiting Preveli Beach in Crete

There are beaches, and then there is Preveli. You’ve probably seen the photo: a ribbon of turquoise water, a shock of green palm trees, a river snaking its way to the Libyan Sea. It looks almost unreal, like a piece of Africa dropped onto the south coast of Crete. But Preveli is more than just a pretty picture. It's an experience. It’s the feeling of cold river water on your ankles and hot sun on your back. It's the sound of thousands of palm leaves whispering in the wind. Getting there takes a bit of effort, which is why it has kept its wild heart.

Table of Contents

• What Makes Preveli So Special?

• How to Get There: The Two Paths

• What to Do When You Arrive

• Food, Drink, and Where to Stay

• A Few Insider Tips Before You Go

What Makes Preveli So Special?

It’s the strange mix of everything. You have a proper sandy beach that opens onto the deep blue of the Libyan Sea. But turn around, and you’re in a different world. The Grand River, the Kourtaliotis, finishes its journey through its massive gorge here, pooling before it meets the salt water. And along its banks is the second-largest palm forest in Crete, a dense jungle of native Theophrastus palm trees.

The feeling is unique. You can swim in the warm, salty sea, then walk a few meters and plunge into the shockingly cold, fresh water of the river. The place feels ancient and a bit magical.

How to Get There: The Two Paths

Getting to Preveli Beach in Crete is part of the adventure. You can’t just drive up to it. You have two main choices, and they offer very different experiences.

The Adventurous Route: Drive & Hike

So, you want the classic route. Point your car towards Preveli Monastery and just follow the signs for the beach parking. If you're coming from Heraklion airport (HER), you're looking at about 100 km, which is nearly two hours of driving. From Chania (CHQ), the distance is similar, but the roads are twistier, so plan for a bit over two hours. Honestly, booking a solid SUV rental car in Heraklion Airport is the best way to do this trip properly and have the freedom to stop when you want.

From the car park at the top of the cliff, the famous view unfolds below you. Take your photos. Then, prepare for the walk down. It’s a steep stone path with over 450 steps. It’s not technically difficult, but it is tiring, especially on the way back up in the afternoon heat. Wear proper shoes, not flip-flops.

The Easy Way: By Boat

Look, if the idea of that hike makes your knees ache, don't worry. There's an easier way. All summer long, little boats chug back and forth from the nearby villages of Plakias and Damnoni. The trip itself is worth it—you get to see the wild coastline from the water, and they drop you off right on the sand. It's the perfect solution if you've got kids with you or just don't fancy the climb.

What to Do When You Arrive

Preveli isn’t a place for just lying on a towel. You have to explore it.

• Walk the Forest: This is the main event. Follow the path inland along the river. After a few minutes, you’re completely surrounded by palm trees. It’s cooler here, and the light filtering through the leaves is beautiful. You can walk for a good kilometer up the river.

• Swim in the River: Find a deep pool in the river and jump in. The cold water is an incredible feeling after the hot sun. In some places, you have to swim through the river to continue your walk up the gorge.

• Rent a Pedalo: There are usually paddle boats for rent on the beach. It’s a fun, slightly cheesy way to see the lower part of the river without getting wet.

• Find the "Heart" Rock: A little way up the path into the palm forest, look for a rock formation in the cliffside that looks like a heart. It's a popular photo spot.

Food, Drink, and Where to Stay

There is a small, simple taverna right on the beach serving basic food like souvlaki, salads, and cold drinks. It’s convenient, but don’t expect gourmet food. Remember to bring cash, as their card machine may not always work.

For a proper meal, it’s better to head to Plakias or one of the villages in the hills above, like Myrthios, where the tavernas have incredible views.

There are no hotels at Preveli itself, which is a good thing. To keep the vibe of this trip, you could look into The Best Agrotourism Stays in Crete, finding a traditional guesthouse in a nearby village. Otherwise, the town of Plakias has plenty of options for rooms and apartments.

A Few Insider Tips Before You Go

• Listen to this one, it's important. Between 11 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon, Preveli gets swamped with tour boats. It completely changes the vibe. If you want to experience that quiet, magical feeling, you have to beat the crowds. Get there before 10 AM to have it almost to yourself, or wait it out and stay until the last boats chug away into the sunset.

• A word of warning if you're hiking: whatever you carry down, you must carry back up that steep path. So, don't pack your whole house. But be smart about it. The things you absolutely must have are water (and I mean lots of it, at least 1.5 litres each), sunscreen, a hat, and a few snacks to stop you from getting hangry on the climb back up. It's nesecery.

• Respect the Area: The palm forest is a protected ecosystem. Don’t leave any rubbish. Don’t light any fires. The area suffered a devastating fire years ago and is still recovering.

• Check the Wind: The south coast can get very windy. Check the forecast. On a very windy day, the boat services might be cancelled and the beach won't be as pleasant. If you plan to stay longer than a day, you might be interested in our 5 Best Beaches on Southern Crete which covers some great nearby spots on the south coast.