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Preveli beach near Plakias in Crete

Preveli beach, or Palm beach, is one of the most photographed beaches in all of Crete, and pictures from here are often used to market Crete. Rightly so, because if you stand above the beach and look down on it, the view of the beach, the river and the palm forest is absolutely stunning. Preveli is located about 32 km south of Rethymnon, and about 10 km east of Plakias.

The palm beach Preveli in southern Crete.

The palm beach of Preveli in southern Crete. Ammoudi beach is visible behind the cliff.

When you drive to Preveli you come to an old stone bridge where the road splits, one road goes to Ammoudi beach (which you can read about further down) and the other to Preveli beach. Just after the stone bridge, the abandoned Moni Kato Preveli monastery is on the left. The monastery is also called Agios Ioannis and is from the 16th century. The monastery was the original Moni Preveli, but was abandoned because the site was not safe enough. Instead, the monastery Moni Piso Preveli was built a few kilometers to the south. Kato Preveli was burned down by Turks in the 19th century.

The old stone bridge where the road to Preveli and Ammoudi beaches divides.

The old stone bridge where the road to Preveli and Ammoudi divides.

The abandoned monastery Moni Kato Preveli along the road to Preveli beach.

Moni Preveli has played a major role during several wars and occupations, including during the Second World War when the Allies hid in the monastery before fleeing to Egypt. The monks provided both shelter and food for the soldiers. They also helped organize the escape to Egypt. The soldiers were picked up by submarines that docked off Preveli beach. Something to think about when lying on the beach sunbathing. The monastery is open every day from April 1 to October 31.

Moni Preveli monastery is located above the parking lot above Preveli beach.

The parking lot above Preveli beach in southern Crete.

The beach is reached via a path that begins at a large parking lot not far from the monastery.

It costs 5 € to park the car. The parking lot is open between 10.00-18.00 every day. If you come at other times of the day, it costs nothing. (The money goes to the restoration of Moni Preveli monastery). The descent to the beach takes between 10-20 minutes from the parking lot. If you stay in Plakias, you can go here by beach boat instead.

The lookout point above Preveli beach in Crete where many stop and photograph the beach.

The lookout point above Preveli beach where many stop and photograph the beach.

The beach is pretty nice, but it is not the beach itself that makes the beach, if you understand what I mean. Unless the river Megalo Potamos had its outflow at the beach, and if it hadn't grown palm trees along the river, the place would not have many visitors. There are better beaches nearby. The beach is also usually dreadfully overcrowded during the summer. If you can get here early in the morning, it is preferable. At the beginning of the beach there is a snack bar selling drinks and basic food.

The path that leads down to the Preveli beach in Crete.

The path that leads down to the Palm beach.

The palm beaches of Preveli and Ammoudi near Plakias in southern Crete.

Soon down at Preveli beach. Ammoudi beach is visible behind the cliff.

The taverna at Preveli beach in southern Crete.

The taverna at the beach.

The cliff and the palm trees at Preveli beach in southern Crete

In the picture you do not see any palm trees, but the rock in looks almost like a palm tree. :-)

The rock that looks like a heart at Preveli beach.

The rock that looks like a palm, or a heart as many say.

The palm beach Preveli in southern Crete near Plakias.

Preveli beach with the heart-shaped rock.

Some of the many beautiful palm trees along the river at Preveli beach in Crete.

Some of the many beautiful palm trees along the river.

The palms - which are of the same specie as the palm trees at Vai beach in eastern Crete - give the beach a sense of the Caribbean. But sadly that was not the case during a few years, because on August 22, 2010, the palm forest burned down. The fire started in four different places and therefore it is believed that it was a pyromaniac that set fire. I have seen pictures of the burnt down forest and it was not a beautiful sight. Many thought that the fire was the end for Preveli beach. Luckily the nature usually heals itself quite well, and that is what Mother Nature did here.

The river Megalo Potamos in Preveli is lined with palm trees and flows onto the beach.

The small river Megalo Potamos is lined with palm trees and flows through the beach into the sea.

Swimming up the river Megalo Potamos in Preveli on Crete is a cool and very cold experience.

Swimming up in the river is a cool and very cold experience.

Now the palm trees stand and sway in the sun as if nothing has happened. You only see traces of the fire, if you did not know it you would not notice anything. There is a marked path along the river which is nice to follow. Maybe you want swim in the cold water?

The taverna at Preveli beach lies under the tamarisk trees.

The water of the river Megalo Potamos is almost as cold as that of the river Styx near Parga.

The water from the river is very cold. Almost like in the river Styx near Parga.

The beach after Preveli is called Ammoudi beach. In my opinion it is not as spectacular as Preveli beach. It takes about 10 minutes to walk between the beaches of Ammoudi and Preveli. The advantage of Ammoudi beach is that there is a tavern, a mini market and a pension called Dionysos Tavern & Rooms, and you can book it here.

Ammoudi beach near Preveli beach in southern Crete.