Preveli Palm Forest, Palm forest near Preveli Beach, Greece
Preveli Palm Forest is a palm woodland on Crete's southern coast, featuring rare Phoenix Theophrastii palms alongside willows, reeds, oleanders, and locust trees across roughly 40 acres of Mediterranean terrain. The woodland extends down to a sandy beach where the Megalos Potamos river reaches the sea.
The forest experienced a major fire in 2010 that destroyed roughly 70 percent of the vegetation, but the endemic palms demonstrated natural regeneration capacity. Recovery happened through spontaneous plant growth in the following years, showing the adaptability of this distinctive plant community.
The forest sits below Preveli Monastery, a 16th-century religious site with two distinct sections dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Today, the place draws visitors seeking connection to both nature and the spiritual heritage of the region.
The woodland is reachable from the parking area via steep cliff paths, or by boat from the coastal towns of Plakias or Agia Galini. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be ready for uneven terrain, especially when walking down to the river and beach.
The Megalos Potamos river flows through the woodland and forms small waterfalls before reaching the sea, creating a rare feature along this exposed coastline. These cascades are most visible during spring months when water flow is stronger.
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