Preveli Beach, Beach destination with palm grove in southern Crete, Greece.
Preveli Beach is a coastal area in southern Crete where a river flows through dense palm growth and forms clear pools before reaching the Libyan Sea. The narrow sandy shore is framed by steep cliffs, with vegetation extending nearly to the water's edge.
The beach area shows traces of human settlement extending over 130,000 years into the past, confirmed through archaeological discoveries. These findings indicate the region was inhabited during the earliest periods of human history.
The name comes from Preveli Monastery, a religious center dating to the 16th century that sits above a stone bridge overlooking the shore. The monastery shapes how people understand this place as sacred ground, and visitors often pause to take in the structure and the valley below.
The beach can be reached via two routes: from the west through Kato Monastery or from the east via Drimiskiano Amoudi. Both paths involve hiking, so bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water.
The forest here holds the second-largest collection of Cretan date palms, a species found nowhere else but this island. These rare palms are so special that they are legally protected, making the spot an important nature reserve.
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