Preveli, on the south coast of Crete, offers a beautiful bay where turquoise, clear water meets a pristine beach. Here the river Megalopotamos flows into the sea and forms a freshwater lagoon there. In addition, there is a lush palm forest that stretches along the lagoon into the gorge that the river has carved into the rock.
»You should not miss a visit to this magical place. The ocean is great for swimming and snorkeling, and there are hiking trails with breathtaking views.”
If that’s not enough to satisfy your wanderlust, you can visit the beautiful Preveli Monastery, which offers magnificent panoramic views and an exciting insight into Greek history.
How to spend a wonderful day on the exotic Preveli Beach and its unique surroundings, we will tell you in this article and give you the most important tips for your trip:
#1 Getting to Preveli
You will reach Preveli by rental car, by public bus or by boat from Plakias, Damnoni or Agia Galini. For those who find the long journey too far, a guided tour to the beach and the monastery of Preveli is a good idea, more information can be found here: Preveli Tours
A direct access to the Preveli Beach is not possible. However, you have two options for approaching the beach by car: from the west or from the east. However, both options require you to walk to the beach.
Distances to Preveli
› Chania – Preveli: 90 km (1.5 hrs)
› Rethymno – Preveli: 35 km (50 min.)
› Heraklion – Preveli: 115 km (2 hrs)
› Ierapetra – Preveli: 167 km (3 hrs 15 mins)
› Paleochora – Preveli: 156 km (2.5 hrs)
By car to Preveli
From Rethymno: Preveli beach is located about 40 km south of Rethymno and can be reached via the well-developed road. The scenic tour is a beautiful nature experience with unique views. You can check our partner Discover Cars* in advance for your Preveli rental car:
A special highlight is the drive through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. It is worth making a stopover here. The drive from Rethymno to Preveli beach takes about 50 minutes without a stop.
From Plakias: Plakias is the nearest major coastal town and is about 10 km from Preveli beach. The road between Plakias and Preveli is paved throughout. The route passes through the towns of Kampos and Lefkogeia and offers beautiful views of the beautiful bay of Plakias. The travel time from Plakias to Preveli takes about 20 minutes.
What is the parking situation on site?
Follow the road to the Preveli Monastery to the end, where you will come to a large parking lot. At the edge of the cliffs above the bay, a large guarded parking lot has been created especially for bathers. For a small fee (2024: €2 per day) you can park here. From the Preveli car park, a path leads directly down to the beach.
The steep footpath leads over 400 steps to the beach and takes 30 to 40 minutes. For the descent or ascent, we strongly recommend sturdy shoes. In addition, the path is completely in the sun, so you should definitely take sun protection and enough water with you.
As a reward for the descent, there is a spectacular view over the beach, the lagoon with its palm grove and large parts of the south coast. If all this is too strenuous for you, you can also enjoy a magnificent view from a plateau on the eastern edge of the parking lot without breaking a sweat. Attention, no barrier.
Parking at Drymiskiano Ammoudi Beach
For easier access, turn left at the historic Preveli Bridge in front of the monastery and follow the signs to the beach of Drymiskiano Ammoudi, the neighboring beach of Preveli. There is also a large parking lot here.
From here, an easy and short path leads to Preveli Beach in five minutes. With this option, you won’t have the spectacular view from the top that the other trail offers, but you’ll be on the beach faster and more effortlessly.
By bus to Preveli
The KTEL public buses depart from the central bus station in Rethymno three times a day during the season, running to Preveli (with a change in Plakias). The journey costs about 5 euros and takes about 1.5 hours in total. The bus stops about 2 km behind the Kato Preveli Monastery.
From here you have to follow the road to the parking lot above the beach (western access). The earliest bus from Rethymno to Preveli departs at 10:30 a.m., the latest return trip is at 7:00 p.m. In the high season, it is recommended to buy the bus ticket a few days in advance online or at the bus station in Rethymno.
The bus from Plakias to Preveli runs up to six times a day. The earliest bus leaves at 10:30 AM and the latest return trip from Preveli to Plakias is at 7:00 PM.
→ Current timetables and bus routes to Preveli can be found on the website of the bus company KTEL Chanion – Rethymnou – Archiki: e-KTEL
💡 Crete Travel Guide: In the travel guide of Michael Müller Verlag you will find an informative chapter about South Crete and Preveli Beach: View on Amazon*
By boat to Preveli
From Plakias, Damnoni beach and Agia Galini, small excursion boats depart several times a day to the palm beach of Preveli, there in the morning and back in the late afternoon. A return ticket for the boat trip from Plakias to Preveli beach costs around €18 for adults and €9 for children..
Tickets can be purchased online or at the Smerna Cafe Bar opposite the old port of Plakias. More information can be found on the provider’s website: LB Ferries
A drive from the port of Agia Galini to Preveli Beach is also an option with Sactouris Daily Cruises. The day trips include a small snack and the stay in Preveli is about 3-4 hours, but are quite expensive at around €40 per person.
Best time to visit Preveli
The beautiful jewel in the south of Crete has unfortunately long since been discovered by tourism. The beach and lagoon are therefore almost always well visited. Especially in the peak tourist season from July to August, it is worth arriving early to get a parking space and avoid the crowds.
The best time to visit Preveli beach is outside the peak tourist season, in the months of May, June, September and October. At this time, temperatures are usually warm enough to enjoy the beach and lagoon. With a bit of luck, you will only have to share the beautiful scenery with a few other visitors.
#2 Guided tours to Preveli
Through our partner GetYourGuide* you can book guided excursions to Preveli from various locations on Crete such as Rethymno or Heraklion. If you want to discover a little more of the surrounding area, you can join one of the Jeep safari to Preveli. Here you can find out about the tours to Preveli and book directly if necessary:
➲ To the organized jeep safari*
➲ To the guided tour from Rethymno*
➲ To the guided tour from Heraklion*
#3 Interesting facts about Preveli Beach
The unique combination of lush palm forest, a river that has carved an imposing gorge into the rocks, as well as the freshwater lagoon and the turquoise sea make Preveli beach a real magnet for visitors.
The Megalopotamos River carries water all year round and nourishes a palm forest containing hundreds of Phoenix theophrasti specimens. The water comes from the mountains and at the end of the gorge it turns into a long swimming lake, separated from the Libyan Sea only by a sandy and pebble beach.
At the edge of the palm grove you will find the small chapel Ekklisia Agios Savvas, which is usually guarded by a family of geese. In addition, there is a rock on the beach that is called the Love Rock because of its heart shape.
The beach of Preveli and its surroundings are protected by nature reserves. Therefore, there are no sunbeds and umbrellas at Preveli beach. At the mouth of the river, under shady trees, is the easy Tavern of Preveli situated. Here you can fortify yourself with drinks and snacks at slightly higher prices.
Preveli Hikes
Legend has it that the mythological king Odysseus stopped in Preveli on his way to his homeland of Ithaca. You can still explore the region in his footsteps today. In addition to the hike from the parking lot to the beach, there are other beautiful trails around Preveli for those who want to see more of the area.
Palm Forest Trail and River Hike
This path leads from the beach upstream into the gorge through the lush green palm grove to the rapids, where you can swim in small pools of water – depending on the water level – wonderfully.
The path winds through the Palm forest of Preveli, is easy to walk on and therefore well suited for families with children. When the water level is low, you can continue hiking in the riverbed to Kato Preveli (about 4 km).
→ A review of the Preveli Hike can be found on the blog Everyone can be outside
Circular hike around Preveli
The circular hike is much more demanding and overcomes a few meters in altitude, but offers beautiful viewpoints over the gorge. The tour starts at the Venetian Bridge in Kato Preveli and runs (east or west) along the gorge to Preveli beach. The length of the circular hike is about 8 kilometres.
The hike can be done both clockwise and counterclockwise. On the western side of the river, more spectacular views open up and the trail is better signposted, so many hikers only visit this part of the river. Conclusion: We fully recommend the circular hiking trail to Preveli Beach.
Hike to Kourtaliotiko Gorge
If you can be picked up at the viewpoint of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, you have the option of continuing the tour until there. However, this additional section is more for the adventurous. You can find more information about the gorge below in point #5.
#4 Preveli Monastery
In Preveli there are actually two monasteries to visit: the lower monastery (Kato Preveli) and the upper monastery called Moni Piso Preveli. The lower monastery is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, where mainly younger monks carried out agricultural work.
More interesting is the upper monastery dedicated to St. John the Divine (Theologos), which is located about 2 km from Preveli beach. Surrounded by a sparse coniferous forest, it was built on a stony hill and offers a unique view over the Libyan Sea.
Indications indicate that as early as the end of the 10th or beginning of the 11th century, during the second Byzantine epoch in Crete, a monastery was built on the site of Kato Preveli. The oldest mention of the monastery dates back to 1594 and is engraved on the bell of the monastery.
The monastery, in the Venetian style typical of Crete, was probably founded by a feudal lord named Prevelis. It played a crucial role in World War II, as the monks living there hid soldiers and helped them escape.
On the access road and in the entrance area of the monastery there are several memorial stones commemorating the events during the Second World War. Today, the convent is a place of silence and an important pilgrimage site on Crete. In the monastery you will find a typical Orthodox main church and a small museum with many treasures.
- Opening hours Preveli Monastery: daily End of March to end of October from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., admission 3 € for the museum
#5 Places to visit near Preveli
In addition to the Preveli beach and the Preveli monastery, there are also many more Crete Attractions in the surrounding area, which are especially interesting for individualists:
Preveli Bridge
The bridge was built in 1850, long after the Venetian occupation of Crete. Although it has no function today, it can still be walked. The Gefyra Preveli (Greek for bridge) leads over the Megalopotamos, which later flows into the Libyan Sea via Preveli Beach.
Directly at the bridge the good summer tavern Gefyra Taverna Cafe, supplies the hungry passers-by while overlooking the river. Next to the old bridge, a new, simple car bridge was built. The road first passes through an ancient olive grove and then winds its way to the sea to Drymiskiano Ammoudi.
Crete Island Map: This map includes all Crete Highlights, 298 Places to Visit & Insider Tips, 94 beaches & bays, as well as personal recommendations for 117 restaurants & cafes. Ideal for holiday planning and local navigation. Can be used for smartphone, tablet and PC/Mac. Click here and start using it right away: To the Crete Map
Kourtaliotiko Gorge
On your way to Preveli, you should definitely make a stop at the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Coming from Rethymno, there is a public car park on the left. From here, you can hike to the Orthodox chapel of Agios Nikolas and continue to the waterfall (depending on the water level).
The gate marks the beginning of the trail, which is beautiful and well maintained, but has many steps. Majestic griffon vultures often circle over the gorge. Be careful with a lot of wind and rainfall: the wind blows through the gorge and there is a risk of rockfalls and flooding.
On the right side of the road at the upper end of the gorge, if you’re coming from Rethymno, you’ll find the church of Agia Kiriaki, which is built into the rock. It’s a great photo opportunity! Unfortunately, there is no direct parking here. A few meters further on the left side, two to three cars can park on the side of the road.
✓ Full coverage & unlimited mileage included
✓ Free cancellation until 24h before pickup
✓ Best price guarantee via Discover Cars
Pottery of Asotomas
If you drive through the sleepy village of Asottomas, you will see the Pottery Hydria with beautiful self-made crockery and decorative items. It is a family business, the dishes are even shipped worldwide. The very good quality and the friendly service are worth a visit.
→ More information about the Pottery near Preveli at: Hydria Pottery Workshop
Time Out in Lefkogeia
In Lefkogia there is a supermarket where you can stock up on water and snacks for your beach visit or hike. Nearby you will find the charming little Cafe LefkoGia, which invites you to linger with its yellow chairs. Perfect for a short break or a Freddo Cappuccino to go!
Swimming stop in Damnoni
If you haven’t had enough of the beach and sea yet, we recommend a stop in Damnoni, where there is a beautiful bay with a beautiful sandy beach and calm waters depending on the direction of the wind.
If you want, you can stay in the 4-star hotel Hapimag Resort Damnoni (Link to Booking.com*) directly on the Damnoni Beach. By the way, the neighboring beaches Mikro Ammoudi and Klisidi are very popular with nudists.
#6 Hotels near Preveli
Due to the isolated location, there are almost no overnight accommodations in the immediate vicinity of Preveli Beach. Nevertheless, especially those seeking peace and quiet will find some chic holiday villas or holiday apartments above the beach in the region.
Where to stay in the area
Dionyssos Rooms Preveli, Drymiskiano Ammoudi
The only recommended place to stay not far from Preveli is a family business with an attached tavern in Drymiskiano Ammoudi. The rooms are simple and functional, very cheap in low season (from €60). Breakfast is available on request for an extra charge. More information on Booking.com*:
➲ Book Dionyssos Rooms Preveli*
Chrysa Villa, Agia Fotini Kerames
About 2.5 km from the beach of Preveli, the hostess Eleni rents out two tasteful villas for 4 people with a pool high above the sea. The prices are fair for the size and equipment of the house. A place of peace and relaxation far away from the hustle and bustle. More information on Booking.com*:
If you are looking for a good tourist infrastructure with classic hotels and apartment complexes as well as numerous cafés, restaurants and supermarkets, you will find it in Plakias. Although the resort of Plakias is no longer an insider tip, it is still quite quiet here even in summer.
→ Our recommendations for studios and hotels in Plakias (Links to Booking.com*):
→ More articles and numerous Crete travel tips can be found here:
- Island of Crete – The island at a glance
- Crete Resorts
- Crete Highlights
- Best Crete Hotels
- Crete Beaches
- Crete Holidays – 11 Important information
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About the author:
My name is Rebecca and I am an absolute Greece lover. In the past few years, I have visited many places around the world, but Greece is my absolute heart place. Since my first island-hopping holiday on the Dodecanese Islands six years ago, Greece has captivated me. I work as a yoga teacher in both Germany and Greece, which allows me to spend several months a year in my favorite country. That’s why I’m happy that I can now share my experiences and my love for this beautiful country, which now feels like my home, with Ella and Tom on their blog.
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