Nature
South Crete Highlights
Preveli Monastery, the palm-forest lagoon and Triopetra beach in one unhurried day.
5.0· 1 avis- heures
- 6h
- Difficulté
- Facile
- Petit groupe
- 1–8
- Quand nous partons
- La plupart des jours
- Prise en charge
- 09:00
South Crete Highlights is a six-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 crosses the Kourtaliotiko Gorge to the cliff-top Preveli Monastery, drops down to the Preveli palm forest where the Megalopotamos River meets the Libyan Sea, stops for swimming and lunch at Triopetra Beach, and finishes with the Venetian lion fountains of Spili village. Difficulty is easy, a professional photoshoot and edited digital album are included, and the price is €250 for a group of up to four.
- 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
- 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
- The three rocks that give Triopetra Beach its name, rising out of turquoise water
- The 25 Venetian lion-head fountains in the square at Spili
- 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.
Déroulement de la journée
Kourtaliotiko Gorge and Preveli Monastery
The drive south runs through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, with a short stop to take in the towering cliffs that rise on either side of the road. From there the road climbs to Preveli Monastery, perched high above the Libyan Sea. The monastery played a significant part in Crete's resistance during the Ottoman era and again in the Second World War, and you will hear what the monks did during both. There is time to walk the Byzantine buildings and the quiet courtyard, which has one of the best sea views on this coast.
Preveli Palm Forest
Next comes the Preveli palm forest, an oasis at the point where the Megalopotamos River reaches the 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. Walking among the palms you have the sound of the river and the rustle of the fronds, plenty of birdlife, and a lagoon at the end where you can cool off in fresh water before the sea.
preveli beachTriopetra Beach and lunch
After a scenic drive west along the coast we stop at Triopetra, known for its rock formations and clear turquoise water. The three stones that give the beach its name make a dramatic backdrop against the rugged shoreline, and this is the swimming and photography stop of the day. Lunch is at a taverna nearby with a view over the water; food and drinks are not included in the tour price.
Spili village
On the way back to Rethymno we make a short stop in Spili. The village square is famous for its row of 25 Venetian lion-head fountains running with cold spring water. There is time for a stroll, a coffee and photographs before the drive back down to the coast.
À notre charge
- 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
À votre charge
- 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)
- Optional guide, available for an additional fee
Quoi porter
- 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
Quoi emporter
- Sun cream
- A towel for swimming
- Cash for the monastery admission, lunch and coffee
- A camera if you want your own shots - the professional photos are taken for you
Bon à savoir
Do we visit the monastery?+
Yes, we stop at the historic Preveli Monastery first. 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?+
€250 for a group of up to four people. Each extra adult beyond four is €50, children aged 4 to 13 are €45 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.
Voyageurs de cette expérience
Tous les avis5.0/ 5
1 avis · 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 Preveli 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
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