- Start
- Rethymno
- Driving
- About 100 km round trip
- Stops
- Spili, Kourtaliotiko, Preveli, Plakias
- Needs
- A car, water, good shoes
Spili
Stop in Spili, 30 km south, for coffee by the lion-head fountain.
Kourtaliotiko gorge and Preveli
Continue toward Preveli through the Kourtaliotiko gorge, with cliffs up to 600 m; a stairway leads down to a chapel and springs. Preveli monastery stands above the sea and played a role in both the 1821 revolution and the evacuation of Allied soldiers in 1941.
Preveli beach, where the Megalopotamos river runs through a palm grove to the sea, is reached by a steep path from the car park (around 15–20 minutes down, longer back up) or by boat from Plakias or Agia Galini in summer.
Plakias
End the day in Plakias, 10 km west, with a swim at Damnoni or Plakias beach and dinner by the sea before the hour's drive back.
Tips
The Preveli path is hot and steep: carry water and wear proper shoes. If you prefer an easier swim, skip Preveli beach and go straight to Damnoni.
Questions before you go
How far is Preveli from Rethymno?
About 35–40 km, roughly 50 minutes.
How do you get down to Preveli beach?
By a steep path from the car park or by boat from Plakias or Agia Galini.
Is Spili on the way to Preveli?
Yes, it is on the main road south.
