Preveli Beach

Preveli Beach is possibly the most famous of Crete’s beaches. Situated at the mouth of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, this is where the Grand River flows into the Mediterranean. It has a tropical landscape with a number of Theophrastus palm trees which line the river for around 500 meters before it empties into the sea.

The beach itself is a small crescent flanked by cliffs with the lush green of the gorge behind. The shallow river runs across the beach, emptying in the far western corner and whilst the sand is coarse and pebbly this means the water is even clearer. As well as exploring the backdrop and river beyond, be sure to find the rock that is shaped like a heart. The beach is well sheltered from the wind and waves, so you won’t need umbrellas or wind breaks.

There was a big fire at Preveli in 2010 which much of the area behind the beach, however the iconic palmgrove has mostly recovered.

You can access Preveli beach from the east or the west, and it has a large parking lot. The path leads down through the cliffs on the west side of the beach, and you will want to have your camera with you. Nearby is an historic monastery for men only that was founded in the 16th century.

You should definitely see this fascinating and unique beach at least once in your lifetime.