Greece
Preveli Beach
A palm forest meets the Libyan Sea where a river carves through Crete's southern cliffs.
The river meets the sea through a corridor of palm trees — Phoenix theophrasti, the Cretan date palm, growing in one of only two locations in Europe where the species survives in the wild. The beach is a meeting of fresh and salt water, the canyon walls rising on both sides, and access is by descent on foot or by boat from the open coast.
Preveli Beach sits where the Kourtaliotis River reaches the Libyan Sea, flowing through a dense grove of Phoenix theophrasti — one of only two locations in Europe where wild date palms grow. The beach is accessible by a 20-minute descent on foot, passing the ruins of a 16th-century monastery. The freshwater river creates a brackish zone at the shore, allowing visitors to swim in flowing fresh water while wading into the warm sea. The Preveli Monastery, 2 kilometres inland, sheltered hundreds of Allied servicemen escaping Crete in 1941 before evacuations by submarine.
Couple
Swimming where the river meets the sea through the palm grove, the walk down past the ruined monastery, and the Libyan Sea stretching to Africa.
Friends
The gorge walk down to the beach, swimming in the river pools beneath the palm canopy, and the boat trip back to Plakias to avoid the climb.
Family
The river pools are calm and shallow for children, the palm forest is otherworldly, and the boat option avoids the steep path.
- Phoenix theophrasti (Cretan date palm) grows in a dense grove where the Kourtaliotis River meets the Libyan Sea — one of only two locations in Europe where wild date palms grow.
- The beach is accessible only by a 20-minute descent on foot or by boat from Plakias — the path passes the ruins of a 16th-century monastery.
- The freshwater river creates a brackish zone at the shore — you can swim in flowing fresh water while wading into the warm sea simultaneously.
- The Preveli Monastery 2 kilometres inland sheltered hundreds of Allied servicemen escaping Crete in 1941 before evacuations by submarine.
Sfakian pies — thin crepes filled with soft mizithra cheese and drizzled with honey, from the villages above.
Grilled snails with rosemary and vinegar at Plakias tavernas, a Cretan delicacy eaten with fingers and courage.
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