Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Beach · Rethymno, Creta
Praia de Preveli
Preveli beach, on Crete's south coast: the Megalopotamos river descends through the Kourtaliotiko gorge amid a grove of Cretan palms and forms a freshwater lagoon before reaching the sea.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Praia de Preveli
Preveli is the best‑known beach on Rethymno's south coast. The Megalopotamos river emerges from the Kourtaliotiko gorge and flows between palm trees to the sea, forming a freshwater lagoon behind the strip of sand and shingle. The palms are Phoenix theophrasti, the Cretan palm, which exists only in Crete and a few spots in Turkey; Preveli's palm grove is one of the largest on the island.
You can walk upstream in the river, in the shade of the palms, with water up to your knees, and swim in both the lagoon and the sea, which is deeper and sometimes has waves. Facilities are minimal: a simple beach bar in summer and no sunshades on the sand.
Car access ends at a parking area at the top of the cliff; from there a stone staircase descends to the beach in 15–20 minutes, and the climb back up is harder. In season boats run from Plakias and Agia Galini and land directly on the sand, avoiding the stairs.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From half a day to a full day.
Best time
From May to October for swimming. Early in the morning the beach is empty and the lagoon is mirror‑like. In July and August the parking fills up around midday. In autumn the river's flow is lower.
How to get there
It's about 35 km from Rethymno, a one‑hour drive on the southern road, passing the Preveli monastery; parking is at the top and the walk down takes 15–20 minutes. In season boats run from Plakias and Agia Galini. There is no direct bus.
Tip
Water shoes, because of the shingle and river stones. Bring water and a snack. If you want to avoid the stairs you can go by boat from Plakias. Keep the river clean — it is a protected area.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Praia de Preveli
Are the palms of Preveli native?
Yes. They are of the species Phoenix theophrasti, the Cretan palm, which occurs almost exclusively in Crete.
Is the descent to Preveli beach difficult?
It's a stone staircase of 15–20 minutes from the parking area to the sand. The return, uphill, is tiring in the heat. By boat from Plakias there is no staircase.
Can you swim in the Preveli river?
Yes. The freshwater lagoon behind the beach is shallow and calm, and you can walk up the river in the shade of the palms. The sea is deeper and can have waves.
Does Preveli have facilities?
Little: a simple bar in summer and no beach umbrellas on the sand. Bring what you need.