The Mediterranean island of Crete really has no shortage of beautiful beaches and bays that attract people from all over the world. And yet there are some beaches and regions on the island that stand out a little. The palm beach of Preveli is an excellent example of this. While the beach was only an insider tip for years, which could be reached either via a wild pass or by sea, access has been simplified in recent years and therefore offers a great experience for more holidaymakers. Nevertheless, it is still considered an insider tip today and is comparatively sparsely populated even during the high season.
Beautiful natural beach in a breathtaking setting
Not only the beach itself is more than worth a trip, but the entire scenery and region. Originally, you had to take a dangerous path through the gorge of Preveli if you wanted to get an idea of the beauty of the beach for yourself. In the meantime, however, the path has been paved and a parking lot in the immediate vicinity offers the possibility to plan a longer trip with the rental car. But if you are already on your way to the beach, you should take the time to take in the surroundings with all its beauty on the way down.
Actually, the entire land belongs to the old monastery of Moni Preveli, which renounces the claim and makes the site available to the public. In the immediate vicinity there are some other old monastery complexes, which you can take a closer look at during a walk through the gorge and sometimes with advance notice. In general, it is one of the quieter areas of Crete, which is probably one of the reasons why there are not as many holidaymakers here even in the high season as in the areas where tourists are more likely to stay. However, it is a popular destination for those who want to get a rental car in Crete and explore the island on their own.
Beach holidays and lots of nature to explore
If it does get a little crowded in summer, life comes to the beach. Many of the locals then open small shops or activities that can make the day a wonderful day out. Pedal boats and similar offers allow you to explore the bay a little more and enjoy a view from the sea to the beautiful cliffs. In addition, various excursion boats land from the ports nearby during this time – which is of course also a nice way to see the beach for yourself. The best way to do this is to combine it with a longer trip, which ends in a good restaurant, for example.
The physical well-being is also taken care of during the summer months. A small tavern opens here with irregular opening hours and gives the opportunity to buy real Greek cuisine but also typical snacks for the children. Drinks of all kinds can also be found here. If you just want to relax, you can of course spread out the towel and make yourself comfortable on the rather dark gray sand. Shade is provided by the cliffs and palm trees that gave the beach its name. After a forest fire a few years ago, nature here has also almost completely recovered.
If you are also looking for culture and sights, you will be particularly satisfied with the monasteries nearby. Various paths lead into the gorge and immediate surroundings and various guided tours are now also offered here. An old chapel, which is no longer in use today, can also be found in the immediate vicinity and is often visited by visitors to the beach. So if you are looking for a little change from relaxing on the beach, you will also get your money’s worth in these areas.
