Private Tour Rethymno: Spili, Preveli & Kourtaliotiko Gorge

Seven hours through gorges, monasteries, and a Venetian harbor town

A private tour of Rethymno region in Crete covering four main stops: the Venetian old town with its narrow streets and harbor views, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge where a stone path leads to the mountain river and St. Nicholas Church, Preveli Monastery perched on the south coast with views of the Libyan Sea, and the spring-fed village of Spili. Your guide provides information about the island's history throughout the route, and you control the pace at each destination.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Rethymno Old Town1h 30m
2. Kourtaliotiko Gorge1h

Explore Rethymno and natural attractions

• Stop in Spili village
• Visit Venetian fountain in Spili
• Walk stone path in Kourtaliotiko Gorge
• Visit St. Nicholas church near waterfalls
• Explore Preveli monastery and shrine
• Walk or swim at Preveli beach and Palm Forest
• Relax at golden sand beach with taverns
• Tour Rethymno Old Town and lunch at harbor

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle and heads toward the south coast. On the way, you stop in Spili, a Cretan village built around a Venetian fountain fed by 25 spring sources in its main square. The abundance of fresh water keeps the village green, and locals run cafes where you can sit with Greek coffee and watch the daily rhythm of the place. From there, the route continues to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, where a stone path descends to the Kourtalios River as it flows toward the Libyan Sea. The Church of St. Nicholas of Kourtalioti sits near small waterfalls along the riverbed, and the high cliffs frame the entire landscape.

Preveli Monastery occupies a commanding position on the south coast, and inside its walls stands the main draw: a miraculous silver cross decorated with gold and precious stones. The views over the Libyan Sea extend across the water and down to the Preveli Palm Forest, a rare stand of palms that grows at the mouth of the river where it meets the beach. Depending on your preferences, you can walk down the stairs to the palm forest and the sandy beach for a swim, or stay at the viewpoint and take in the scene from above. The beach itself has a gradual slope suitable for families with children, and taverns nearby serve local food and drinks.

The return journey takes you through Rethymno's old town, where Venetian-era houses line narrow streets with richly decorated facades and stone carvings. The harbor sits at the edge of the town, framed by a famous lighthouse. You can arrange lunch here or simply walk and photograph the architecture. Because this is a private tour, you set how long to spend at each stop. If Preveli holds you for three hours, other destinations adjust accordingly. The guide speaks your language and shares the island's history as you travel between sites.

What’s included

• Hotel or designated pickup location.
• air-conditioned car or minivan transfer.
• guide providing information about the island and route in your chosen language.

Options for this experience

3 options

Group of up to 2 peopleUp to 2 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 09:00Pickup is available from the Heraklion and Rethymno regions; pickup from the Chania and Agios Nikolaos regions carries an extra charge of 50 euro. Pickup is included.

Group of up to 4 peopleUp to 4 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 09:00Pickup is available from the Heraklion and Rethymno regions; pickup from the Chania and Agios Nikolaos regions carries an extra charge of 50 euro. Pickup is included.

Group of up to 6 peopleUp to 6 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 09:00Pickup is available from the Heraklion and Rethymno regions; pickup from the Chania and Agios Nikolaos regions carries an extra charge of 50 euro. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to18h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Status MLB Travel Agency

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to set your own rhythm at each stop. The private format means you decide whether to linger in Rethymno's harbor, walk the full length of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, or spend extra time at Preveli Monastery and its beach. Groups of up to six travel together, so families or small groups share the cost and the vehicle without a fixed schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Kourtaliotiko Gorge like to walk through?

The Kourtaliotiko Gorge has a stone path that descends to the Kourtalios River as it flows toward the Libyan Sea. The Church of St. Nicholas of Kourtalioti sits near small waterfalls along the riverbed, and high cliffs frame the gorge on both sides.

Can I swim at Preveli Beach?

Yes, Preveli Beach has golden sand and clear water, and the seabed slopes gradually, making it suitable for swimming and families with children. You can walk down stairs from the monastery to reach the beach and the Preveli Palm Forest.

What makes Spili worth a stop?

Spili is built around a Venetian fountain fed by 25 spring sources in the main square, and the abundance of fresh water keeps the village green and lively. Local cafes serve Greek coffee, and the village offers a glimpse of everyday Cretan life.

How much time can I spend at each location?

You control the pace at each stop because this is a private tour. The operator notes that you can spend up to three hours at Preveli if you wish, though other stops will be shortened accordingly: the whole day runs seven to eight hours total.

What is inside Preveli Monastery?

Preveli Monastery houses a miraculous silver cross decorated with gold and precious stones as its main Orthodox shrine. The monastery sits on high mountains overlooking the Libyan Sea and the Preveli Palm Forest below.