Palm Forest Hike in Preveli from Rethymno, Crete

Preveli and the palm beach walk

Our guide/driver will pick you up from your hotel at around 8:30. After a 40 minutes drive towards the hinterland, we will reach the area of the famous Preveli Monastery and the equally (or more) famous Palm-tree beach of Preveli nearby.

This walk aims to make you discover one part of the south coast of Crete (about 30km south from Rethymno), hike through fantastic natural and preserved landscapes, surrounded by hills, olive groves and mountains, but also to swim in the pristine waters of the Libyan Sea.

The hike can be divided in three parts:

• The first one will take us to the Palm Beach and its river coming from the mountaineous heart of Crete. It will take us about 1h30-2h to reach it, whereas we walk through fields and close to the walls of the gorge that we can sometimes see down below. The arrival on the south coast that many people would call "the other Crete" or "the real Crete" is always magical! Blooming thyme scents, amazing scenery views and a sense of freedom are guaranteed!
• The second part is a bit more relaxing as it includes a "mandatory" swim in the clear and blue Libyan Sea! There, we also have the possibility to walk along the river of Preveli, along its banks surrounded by palm trees. Of course, natural pools of sweet water are available to be enjoyed!
• For this last part, we leave the Preveli beach for another 1hour walk to finish our loop, through pastures, using the shepherds' tracks for some more adventures! We eventually reach our vehicle and then drive to a nearby taverna for a late and well-deserved lunch.

Notes

• Walking distance: 4 km
• Walking duration: 2 hours
• Pick Up Time: 08:30
• Return Time: 18:00
• Terrain: River and Rocks
• Include lunch: Yes

Highlights

• Explore the mythic scenery of Preveli beach 
• Hike through a palm forest
• Swim in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan sea
• Enjoy a swim in the refreshing river of Preveli
• Have snacks to fuel up with energy during your walk and a full lunch at the end
• Be assisted by a knowledgeable guide throughout the hike