Begin your adventure at the parking area near the historic Monastery of Preveli. Choose between two paths: the iconic descent or the river trek.

For the iconic descent, take the western path and descend approximately 400 stone steps carved into the side of a cliff. While the hike is physically demanding (especially on the way back up), it offers a breathtaking aerial perspective. From the vantage point halfway down, see the river winding like a snake through the green palms, finally cutting through the golden sand into the deep blue sea.

For the river trek, hike through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge itself, wading through parts of the river and clambering over boulders until the palm grove suddenly opens up before you.

Once you arrive at the beach, choose your swimming environment. Spend the morning swimming in the salty, turquoise waves of the Libyan Sea, where the water is famously clear and deep. When the midday heat becomes intense, retreat just fifty yards inland to the cool, freshwater lagoon.

Float in the river under the shade of the palms as a tranquil alternative to the open sea. Enjoy “river trekking”—walking upstream into the gorge. As you move further inland, the crowds thin out, and you find small, hidden waterfalls and deep natural pools perfect for a refreshing dip in absolute privacy.

Because Preveli is a designated Natura 2000 protected area, it has avoided the commercialization seen on Crete’s northern coast. You will find no rows of plastic umbrellas, no loud beach bars, and no motorised water sports.

The beach remains “wild.” There is a single, rustic canteen tucked under the trees that serves cold drinks, coffee, and simple snacks like dakos (Cretan barley rusks with tomato and feta). Visitors are encouraged to bring their own supplies and, most importantly, to carry their trash back out. This lack of infrastructure has preserved the “hippie vibe” that made the beach famous in the 1960s and 70s, attracting those who seek a genuine connection with nature.