Preveli Palm Beach tour: gorge, river, lagoon full-day

A river meets the sea inside a 40-hectare palm forest, and you swim in both.

This full-day tour from Chania visits Preveli Palm Beach on southern Crete, combining a stop at the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, a boat ride along the coastline, and several hours of free time at the beach and palm forest. The tour includes an English or Greek-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, and hotel pickup from Chania; ferry tickets to Preveli are purchased separately. The river lagoon stays full year-round, and marked walking paths wind through the Theophrastus palms, the second-largest palm grove in Greece.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Preveli Beach and Surroundings

• Visit Kourtaliotiko Gorge viewpoint
• Arrive at Damnoni beach and board ferry
• Boat trip to Preveli Palm Forest
• Free time at Preveli Beach and lagoon
• Return boat trip to Damnoni
• Drive to Plakias village for leisure

The Experience

The day starts with a stop at the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, where towering cliffs frame the Kourtaliotis River cutting through the landscape. The gorge's name comes from the "clapping" sound the wind makes as it moves through the ravine, and a small chapel of Agios Nikolaos sits nestled into the rock face. From the viewpoint you get a sense of the scale before heading down to the coast.

From the village of Damnoni, you board a boat for the ride to Preveli, sailing along the southern coastline with views of the cliffs and the Libyan Sea. Once there, the day is yours: swim in the river lagoon where fresh water pools form year-round, or wade into the sea at the beach itself. Walk the marked paths through the palm forest—the endemic Cretan Theophrastus palms grow here in a 40-hectare grove, and the shade and sound of running water make it easy to lose track of time. The cliffs above offer spots for photos or quiet moments before the boat returns you to Damnoni.

After the return boat ride, the bus takes you to the seaside village of Plakias for a break before the drive back to Chania. This gives you time to eat at a local taverna, walk the beach, or simply sit with a coffee and watch the water. The whole day runs 10 hours from pickup to drop-off, with most of that time either traveling or at Preveli itself.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Chania.
• English or Greek-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned transport.
• viewpoint stop at the Kourtaliotiko Gorge.
• boat ride along the southern coast to and from Preveli.
• free time to swim in the river lagoon or sea, walk the palm forest paths, and explore the beach.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Io Tours

Is this one for you?The 10-hour commitment means you leave early and return in the evening, which rules out combining this with other major stops but leaves the afternoon at Preveli unrushed—enough time to swim, walk the forest, and sit with the landscape without feeling hurried through it.

Top questions

What is the Kourtaliotiko Gorge like, and how long do we spend there?

The Kourtaliotiko Gorge is a dramatic ravine carved by the Kourtaliotis River, with towering cliffs on either side and a small chapel of Agios Nikolaos built into the rock. The stop is brief—it's a viewpoint moment to see the landscape and take photos before continuing to the coast.

Can I swim at Preveli, and what's the water like?

Yes. You can swim in the river lagoon, which stays full year-round and has pools that form along the riverbed, or swim in the sea at the beach itself. The water is clear, and the lagoon offers a freshwater option if you prefer it to the salt water.

How do we get to Preveli Beach from Chania?

The tour includes an air-conditioned bus from Chania to the coastal village of Damnoni, where you board a boat that takes you along the southern coastline to Preveli. The return follows the same route—boat back to Damnoni, then bus back to Chania.

What is the palm forest at Preveli, and can I walk through it?

Preveli's palm forest is the second-largest palm grove in Greece, covering 40 hectares and filled with endemic Cretan Theophrastus palms. Marked paths wind through the forest, and you're welcome to walk them at your own pace; it's advisable to stay on the marked routes.

What's included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes the guide, air-conditioned transport, and hotel pickup from Chania. Ferry tickets to Preveli (€13 for adults, €6.50 for children 4–12) are purchased separately at Damnoni. Food, drinks, and any optional entrance fee to the gorge viewpoint are also separate.

How much free time do we have at Preveli?

You have several hours of free time at Preveli Beach and the palm forest to swim, walk, rest, or explore at your own pace before the boat returns you to Damnoni for the drive back.