Preveli Palm Beach

About

River-mouth beach with a palm forest, below the historic Preveli monastery.

Preveli is one of the most unusual beaches in Crete. The Megalopotamos river flows out of the Kourtaliotiko gorge and meets the Libyan Sea here, and its banks are lined with a forest of Cretan date palms. You can swim in the sea, then wade up the cool river under the palms, past small pools and rocks. A fire in 2010 damaged the forest, but it has recovered remarkably well.

Most people reach the beach by a steep path of around 400 steps from a parking area above, which takes about 20 minutes down and longer back up. In summer, boats also come from Plakias and Agia Galini. There's a small canteen in season, but otherwise the area is natural and protected.

Above the beach, the Preveli monastery played a heroic role in 1941, when the monks helped hide Allied soldiers and get them off the island by submarine. It is worth combining both in one trip. Come in the morning before the heat and the boats arrive, and wear sandals that can get wet for the river walk.

Getting there

From the car park above the beach, a stepped path leads down (allow ~20 minutes back up). Boats also run from Plakias and Agia Galini in summer.

On the map

35.15251, 24.47346 · See on map