Hotels near Preveli Beach and Palm Forest

Preveli sits on the Libyan Sea south of Rethymno where the Megalopotamos river meets the sea, surrounded by a rare grove of Theophrastus palm trees - one of only two native palm forests in Europe. The beach is reached down 245 stone steps from the upper car park, or by a 30-minute boat ride from Plakias. Walk inland 200 m up the river under the palm canopy to find natural pools and a small waterfall. The Preveli Monastery, 4 km uphill, played a key role in Allied evacuations during the 1941 Battle of Crete and now houses a small museum (entry 3 EUR).

Pro Tip: Wear sandals you can swim in - walking up the river through the palm forest is the highlight, not the beach itself.