Preveli Palm beach was on my must see list since 2020. It was planned to go there in our last day on the island, but my driver wanted to lay like a lizard in the sun on the Rethymno beach. And I couldn’t blame him, after driving all the way to Kissamos (for the Balos and Gramvoussa day trip) and almost 7hrs to Elafonissi and back.

Knowing it was quite far from where I stayed last summer and driving there was no option, I booked a day trip. It included only Preveli beach, with only one stop at Skaleta (on both ways) for coffee, cigarette and toilet.

Preveli is one of the landmarks that appear on almost every flyer or presentation about Crete (of course, next to Vai, Arkadi, Balos, etc). It is located in the Rethymno prefecture on the southern coast of Crete, just 35 km from Rethymno city. Although it is a short distance, that you might cover in 30 mins, it can take you up to 1hr to get from the city to the beach. And you’ll see why in a couple of lines 😊 

Preveli Palm Forest is the second largest palm forest on the island, after Vai, part of Natura 2000 program. The species of palm trees is endemic to Crete and it lies where the Preveli river meets the Libyan Sea. Looked from above, the beach is where the river’s estuary should have been, judging by its shape (estuary is formed at seas with strong tide, as it “invades” the river – the best example is Tejo, in Lisbon. If the sea has weaker tide, a delta is formed – The Nile or the Danube Delta, for example). The river starts at Kourtaliotiko Gorge – which can be visited and you can bathe in it, bear in mind that it is cold as ice, as the areas where the river is not that rushed is inside a cave. You can hike all the way through the gorge to the beach, it is a 3km hike, pretty much in straight line.

How to get there: 

1. Best way is by car. The road is in good conditions and you can stop and admire the breathtaking views of the mountains at your pace. Be careful to stop in designated areas, as the road has only 1 lane for each way and there are a lot of turns with low visibility.

 If you are lucky, like I was, you can see the Cretan eagles flying above the peaks <3. 

There is a big parking lot at the top of the hill, make sure you secure the car and that the handbreak is in very good condition. The parking has many reclined areas.

2. By bus. During summer season, in July and August, there are regular buses that go from Rethymno to Preveli. Make sure you don’t miss the last one on your way back, as there is no taxi station there and you might sleep under the stars for the night

3. By boat. Starting early June there are a lot of daily trips to Preveli from Agia Galini or from Plakias. You can either rent a boat and go there with your small group of friends or you can book a ride with a bigger vessel and other tourists as well 😊

4. By day trip. There are 2 types of day trips: by bus or by boat organized by local travel agencies. As I have severe sea sickness, I went there by bus. Some take you from your hotel to one of the ports I mentioned at pt 3 and from there they take you to Preveli by boat. If you go by agency and bus, make sure you are at the meeting point on time! We picked up someone who was left behind by their tour operator and had to get to Agia Pelagia

Things to know before you go:

· It is a secluded beach, still untouched by human greed. So there are no sunbeds or umbrellas, the only shadow you will get is from the palm trees and oleanders. If you arrive by boat, you can rent them on board

· Bring food and drinks with you. There is a taverna there, but I swear I had the worst frappe ever. They also sell food, mostly fast-food and grilled/fried. Prices are a little above the average, but hey, they are the only ones there 😊 water is subject to regulated price by law, so you won’t pay more than 0.5E on a small bottle.

· From the parking lot to the beach, you will have to descend the hill, which is not that easy. Wear sunscreen, hat and comfortable shoes (no flip-flops). Have water with you on both ways (as you will have to climb back). Be very careful in the heat, look where you put your feet. Many people fainted or injured their ankles on the way down or up. Do not walk off the beaten path! I know the view is breathtaking, but a cool insta-story can cost you an injury or, God forbid!, your life. 

· There is a viewpoint where you have a bird-eye view of the area, you can stop there for pictures

· Wear special shoes when going for a swim. The beach is pebbled and you have to cross the river to get to the sea 😊

· You can have a walk through the forest and feel like you are in a completely different part of the world 

· The sea is much colder here, because of the river. Also, after heavy rainfalls in the mountains, it can be really muddy

· Smoke only in designated areas! Smoking is prohibited in the palm forest, as in 2010 a fire devastated it.

· Take your trash with you! And I cannot stress this enough! 

· It is very busy and crowded in the summer months, so try to arrive as early as possible to secure your spot in the shadow.

Once you get there, sit back, relax, take IG worth pics with heart of Preveli and listen to the nature’s sounds: the waves, the wind, the seagulls.