History
Preveli monastery above the coast.
Photo: Brian Machado / Pexels
Quick facts
- Region
- Rethymno
- Start town
- Plakias
- Planning time
- Depends on the selected itinerary
- Type
- History
Preveli includes a lower monastery and the working upper monastery above the southern coast. Confirm which buildings and museum areas are open for your visit, along with current entry and dress requirements. The palm beach is a separate destination with its own approach; a monastery visit does not include the descent to the sea.
Use the confirmed monastery entrance rather than the beach pin. Check parking, visitor access and any steps with the monastery before travel.
Is it worth it
Choose this for the monastery buildings and collections that are confirmed open. Check visitor requirements and mobility needs independently of the beach visit.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes, sun protection for outdoor sites and any admission documents.
Tips
- Check the selected listing for transport, admission, equipment and cancellation terms.
Related tours
Day tripPreveli palm beach
PlakiasDepends on the selected itinerary
Preveli beach is the palm-backed shore where the Kourtaliotiko river meets the south coast. From Plakias it is a shorter approach than from Rethymno town. You still walk down to the sand and back up, unless you arrive by boat. The palms are real. The shade under them is limited once the beach fills. Fire has scarred the grove in living memory, so the photograph in your head may be fuller than the trees. It suits swimmers who can handle the path or the boat. It is a poor midday choice for anyone who cannot climb out. Go earlier than the August coaches. From Plakias, drive toward Preveli or take a small boat along the coast. From Rethymno, the gorge road is the usual approach. Confirm the path is open.
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Gorge and beachPhoto: dronepicr / “Aerial view of the river Kissano Faraggi flowing to Preveli beach on Crete, Greece” / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons · Resized or cropped for display
Kourtaliotiko and Preveli: river and coast
RethymnoCompare the gorge route, beach approach and road transfers
Compare the permitted gorge route with the separate beach approach and the transport between them.
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HistoryArkadi monastery from Rethymno
RethymnoDepends on the selected itinerary
Arkadi is the monastery in the hills southeast of Rethymno, remembered for the 1866 siege. The building is the visit: courtyard, church, and a small museum. It is not a hike, though the road is inland and cooler than the beach. Combining it with a south-coast gorge makes a rushed day. The monastery deserves an unhurried hour and the drive back. It suits anyone interested in the island’s modern history. Shoulders should be covered. Skip it as a photo stop on the way to Preveli if you will not get out of the car for long. Use the actual meeting address for the selected outing from Rethymno. Check the road journey and return separately. Confirm whether hotel collection, any transfer and admission are included; the town name alone does not establish those arrangements or a fixed journey time.
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FAQ
Questions.
- Planning time: Depends on the selected itinerary. Confirm the exact duration and whether travel from your accommodation is included in the selected option.
- Suggested season: Check current access and the selected date. Confirm the date, access conditions and operating schedule before making a booking.
- Use the confirmed monastery entrance rather than the beach pin. Check parking, visitor access and any steps with the monastery before travel.
- Choose this for the monastery buildings and collections that are confirmed open. Check visitor requirements and mobility needs independently of the beach visit.