Tour Description

Preveli Beach & Palm Forest
Preveli is located about 35km south of Rethymno and 10km east of Plakias. Beach of Preveli, also known as Lake Preveli or Phoenix, is located at the exit of the imposing Kourtaliotis Gorge, where the Great River (“Megas Potamos” in Greek) flows. It is certainly one of the most famous beaches in south Crete, accepting thousands of visitors every summer.
During the 60s and 70s, Preveli used to be a favorite destination for the hippies. On the banks of the Great River there is a large colony of “Theophrastus” palm trees, which give the region a sense of a tropical landscape. The river, forming a small lake, 500m long, before emptying into the sea, has water all year round. You can walk along the river, under the shade of palm and other trees, and start ascending in the beautiful canyon. You can swim in the cold ponds formed in the gorge. A big fire in 2010 burnt almost everything of this paradise, but the palmgrove recovered and still remains a heaven on earth.
At the exit of the river, a sandy beach with pebbles and sand is formed, with sea water being very cool due to the river. In the eastern part of the beach, there is a beautiful rock reminding of a heart. The beach is not well organized because the area is protected (belongs to NATURA network), without any umbrellas. Staying overnight is officially prohibited.

Kourtaliotis Gorge & Plakias Village
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful gorges of Crete. Inside, the Kourtaliotis River flows, crossing its 2.5 km in length and its towering slopes that reach 600 meters in height. The gorge is an important biotope, since rare species of birds of prey live in the caves formed on its slopes.
Plakias Village, lies on the south coast of Rethymno. Plakias used to be a small village in the early 1900s’ but during the times it grew substantially, becoming one of the largest cities in south Crete. Especially, during the 60s beaches of Yialia, as the beachfront of the wider area is called, were a favorite destination for hippies. Now it’s a popular resort and a base for visiting the natural beauties of the region. Plakias has a 1300 metre long sandy beach and there are several other beaches within walking distance.