Nature
South Crete Highlights
Spili's lion fountains, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Preveli Monastery and the palm-forest lagoon in one unhurried day.
5.0· 62 reviews- Private · your group only
- Few open dates this month
- 4 looking at this right now
- hours
- 5h
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Small group
- 1–8
- When we run it
- Most days
- Pickup
- 09:00
South Crete Highlights is a five-hour private day trip from Rethymno along the south coast of Crete, run daily for groups of up to eight with hotel pick-up at 09:00. The route starts in the mountain village of Spili and its Venetian lion-head fountains, drops south through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge to the cliff-top Preveli Monastery, and finishes in the Preveli palm forest where the Megalopotamos River meets the Libyan Sea. Difficulty is easy, a professional photoshoot and edited digital album are included, and the price is €200 for a group of up to four.
Want a different mix? Build this day yourself.
- The 25 Venetian lion-head fountains in the square at Spili, running with fresh mountain spring water
- The stone houses, narrow lanes and unhurried character of a working Cretan mountain village
- The towering limestone cliffs of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, with a stop at a scenic viewpoint
- Sweeping views of the Libyan Sea from cliff-top Preveli Monastery, and its role in Crete's resistance under Ottoman rule and in the Second World War
- The monastery's quiet courtyard, Byzantine architecture and frescoes
- A walk through the grove of rare Phoenix theophrasti palms, native to Crete
- The lagoon where the Megalopotamos River meets the sea, calm enough to swim in fresh water
- A professional photoshoot along the way, delivered as an edited digital album within 48 hours
South Crete is the unspoiled side of the island, where the mountains run straight down to the sea. The landscape changes constantly along this coast: gorges, rivers, palm groves and quiet beaches that sit well away from the crowds, with small villages scattered across the hills between stone houses, narrow lanes and olive terraces.
Life here is slow. You pass locals going about their day, children playing in the streets and fishermen working along the shore. The air smells of salt, herbs and flowers, and the only soundtrack is waves and birdsong.
This day is built for that pace. You wander, look, swim, eat local food and take your time. It is less a checklist of sights than a chance to feel how the island actually lives, and it works just as well for families as it does for couples.
How the day runs
Spili village
The day starts in Spili, one of the most charming and authentic mountain villages in southern Crete. Traditional architecture, narrow streets and a slow pace make it a good introduction to the side of the island the resorts never show you. The central square is the reason everyone stops: a row of Venetian lion-head fountains, 25 stone spouts running with fresh spring water off the mountains above. There is time for a short walk through the village, photographs and a coffee before we carry on south.
spiliKourtaliotiko Gorge
From Spili the road drops south through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, one of the most spectacular landscapes in southern Crete. It runs between towering limestone cliffs and dramatic rock formations, with the mountains opening up on either side. We make a short stop at a scenic viewpoint to take in the gorge and take photographs. The gorge is known for the strong winds that funnel through it and for the thick vegetation along the river, a green contrast to the bare rock above.
kourtaliotiko gorgePreveli Monastery
Next is Preveli Monastery, set high on the cliffs above the Libyan Sea. Its long history is closely tied to the history of Crete itself, particularly through the periods of resistance and conflict. There is time to walk the grounds, look at the Byzantine and traditional Cretan architecture and the frescoes, and sit in the quiet courtyard with one of the best sea views on this coast. You will also hear what the monastery and its monks did for the local population under Ottoman rule and again in the Second World War.
preveli monasteryPreveli Palm Forest
The last stop is the Preveli palm forest, a natural oasis where the Megalopotamos River reaches the Libyan Sea. It is one of the few places where the rare Phoenix theophrasti, the Cretan date palm, grows in the wild, which makes the grove an ecological rarity as much as a beauty spot. There is time to explore the palm grove, walk along the river, listen to the birdlife and take photographs, and — depending on the season and the weather — to cool off in the lagoon where the fresh water meets the sea. River, palms, mountains and sea in one place is a fitting end to a day on the south coast.
preveli beach
On us
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Transport in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan
- English-speaking local driver
- Professional photoshoot: portrait and landscape photography during the tour
- Edited digital album of high-resolution, colour-corrected photos delivered within 48 hours
- Bottle of water during the tour
- Public liability insurance
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
You cover
- Admission fees to Preveli Monastery
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses, including souvenirs and any service not listed in the itinerary
- Gratuities and tips for guides (optional)
- Private local guide €150, payable directly to the guide on the day of the tour (optional)
What to wear
- Comfortable trainers or sturdy walking sandals - hiking boots are not needed
- Swimwear under your clothes for the lagoon and the beach
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- A light layer for the drive through the gorge
- Shoulders and knees covered for the monastery visit
What to bring
- Sun cream
- A towel for swimming
- Cash for the monastery admission and a coffee
- A camera if you want your own shots - the professional photos are taken for you
Good to know
Do we visit the monastery?+
Yes, we stop at the historic Preveli Monastery on the way down to the palm forest. The views of the Libyan Sea from the cliffs there are incredible, and the history is even better.
Is this tour okay for kids?+
It is perfect for families. Between the palm forest, the waterfalls and the beach, there is always something new to see. It is a fun, active day without being exhausting.
Can we swim in the river?+
Definitely. You can walk through the palm forest and then dive into the fresh river water. It is one of the most unique feelings in Crete.
Do I need hiking boots?+
No, comfortable sneakers or good walking sandals are fine. There is a bit of a descent to get to the beach, but nothing too technical.
How much does the tour cost?+
€200 for a group of up to four people. Each extra guest beyond four is €45, adults and children aged 4 to 13 alike, and infants aged 0 to 3 travel free. The group size is capped at eight.
What is the cancellation policy?+
Full refund on cancellations made up to 48 hours before the tour.
Guests on this experience
All reviews5.0/ 5
62 reviews · Google
We had a lovely time on our South Crete Hilights tour as part of our honeymoon in Greece! From the van ride itself, to our guide, to the experiences & locations themselves. Everywhere we saw was absolutely beautiful. We loved walking through the Preveli Palm Forest and swimming in the beautiful blue waters nearby. We enjoyed the history of the monastery, the amazing formations at Triopetra Beach, and seeing beautiful Spili village. Our traditional lunch was incredible and we were able to have Greek coffee at a long standing cafe. Thank you Way To Crete for enabling us to see & enjoy so many incredible sights during our time in Crete with an amazing, personable, well informed tour guide.Emma D
TripAdvisorDie South Crete Highlights Tour mit Way to Crete war ein wunderschöner Tag und definitiv eines der Highlights unseres Kreta-Urlaubs. Wir haben das beeindruckende Kourtaliotiko-Schlucht, das historische Kloster von Preveli und den berühmten Preveli Beach besucht. Die Landschaft im Süden Kretas war unglaublich schön und die gesamte Tour war sehr gut organisiert. Unser Fahrer war freundlich, professionell und hat uns viele interessante Informationen über die Region gegeben. Eine perfekte Möglichkeit, den authentischen Süden Kretas abseits der üblichen Touristenrouten kennenzulernen. Absolute Empfehlung für eine private Tour ab Rethymno!Helga Geißer
GoogleThis organization is a rare find. Ernest the leader and tour guide gave us an unforgettable day in Crete - easily our favorite tour. Not only did we experience a pottery workshop, a monastery visit, a visit to the breathtaking Prevail beach, and a scrumptious Greek meal... we also had a caring guide who watched our belongings, gave us copious amounts of water, and shared information about Crete throughout the drive. I will recommend Way To Crete to any friends going to Crete.Orley Garber
GooglePublished as written, on the platform named beside each one.
Travelled with us? Add a few details and we'll draft a review you can paste on Google or Tripadvisor.
A longer write-up of this route, with maps and photo essays, is published by our sister brand Way to Crete. Read the full story — Way to Crete
