Preveli Gorge, Park in Preveli, Greece
Preveli Gorge is a natural area cut through by the Megalopotamos River, which creates a freshwater lagoon ringed by palm trees just before reaching the Libyan Sea. The river valley slopes down from the surrounding hills to meet the sandy beach at the water's edge.
A monastery founded in the 16th century on the hills above the gorge gave this place its name and later played a role in resisting foreign occupation. The building still stands today as a reminder of the region's long past.
The beach drew visitors from around the world during the 1960s and 1970s, who gathered here to experience a different way of living. That era left its mark on the place and remains part of how people think about it today.
The beach is reachable by foot from either the western parking area, which involves a walk of around 15 minutes through the gorge, or the eastern entrance for a quicker descent. Both routes take you downhill to the water and are straightforward to follow.
Rare date palms grow along the riverbanks and create a tropical setting that feels surprising on the southern coast of Crete. These trees are special to the area and give the place a distinctive character.
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