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Kourtaliotiko Gorge Activities

Our most recommended Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Crete Activities

From Rethymno/Chania: Day Trip to Preveli Palm Beach

1. From Rethymno/Chania: Day Trip to Preveli Palm Beach

Visit Preveli beach, the Kourtaliotiko gorge, and the resort village of Plakias on this tour with hotel pickup and drop-off in Rethymno or Chania. Cruise aboard a boat on the Libyan sea, swim in crystal-clear waters, and relax on a sandy beach.  Start your tour from your accommodation where your guide will meet you. Take a short scenic drive through to Damnoni beach where your personal boat driver awaits. Find yourself in Preveli after a short, picturesque boat ride. Enjoy a swim in the Libyan Sea at Preveli beach and feel free to explore the Kourtaliotiko gorge and marvel at the mountainous terrain. Connected to Preveli beach is a series of springs and waterfalls that lead into the gorge which can also be visited. Discover a mixture of sandy beaches, lush forest, and mountains. The next stop is the small resort of Plakias, situated near Souda Beach. Have free time go for lunch, swim or go shopping. Return to your accommodation on a route through the Kourtaliotiko gorge.

Georgioupolis: Preveli Palm Beach Day Trip by Bus and Boat

2. Georgioupolis: Preveli Palm Beach Day Trip by Bus and Boat

This is the trip to the treasure of the South Coast. In the morning, our bus will pick you up and drive you to a small bay from where a boat will carry us to the beautiful beach of Preveli in the Libyan Sea. At the beach, you will see a natural palm forest, falls and a riverside. Everything around you makes you feel that you are on a tropical island. on the way back, we will pass the Kourtaliotiko Gorge with the pretty little churches built into the cliff.

From Rethymno: Full-Day Land Rover Safari to Preveli

3. From Rethymno: Full-Day Land Rover Safari to Preveli

Discover Preveli on this Land Rover safari from Rethymno. Admire the beautiful scenery, taste locally-produced raki, take a swim, and explore the palm forest at Preveli before returning to Rethymno. Benefit from pickup at your hotel. Start by taking in a breathtaking view of the Prasses Gorge. Look for resident wildlife, including the impressive vultures that live in the gorge. Continue to the Potamon Dam and admire the small church built by the lake as a reminder of the importance of religion on the island. Pass through typical villages, such as Karines and Spili and learn about the local customs and habits. Savor an authentic raki produced in the village along with other specialties at a traditional tavern overlooking the Libyan Sea. Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Preveli and explore the palm forest. Feel the wind in your hair as you get back to nature in the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. End with a panoramic view of Rethymno before drop off at your hotel.

Heraklion: Preveli Palm Beach Boat Trip & Rethymno Town Tour

4. Heraklion: Preveli Palm Beach Boat Trip & Rethymno Town Tour

Morning Pickup: We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning. Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive to the destination will differ (between 2.5 - 4 hours). 1st stop: Damnioni Beach Arrive by bus at the beach of Damnioni and embark on the boat which will take you to the unique Palm Forest of Preveli. Boat Trip: 30 minutes 2nd stop: Preveli Palm Beach – 1 hour 30 minutes Arrive at the famous beach of Preveli. Our participants will have plenty of free time to swim and explore a unique mix of sandy beach and green river flanked by palm forests and rocky surroundings. Chill out and enjoy the exotic landscape of the south coast. Boat Trip: 30 minutes 3rd stop: Damnioni Beach – 1 hour Arrival at Damnioni, free time for 1 hour to enjoy lunch at a local tavern (optional, with extra charge). Bus Drive: 20 minutes 4th stop: Kourtaliotiko Gorge – 10 minutes Experience the wild natural landscapes of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Our participants will have 10 minutes of free time to admire the view of Cretan Nature and take some pictures! Bus Drive: 30 minutes 5th stop: Rethymnon Town – 1 hour 20 minutes Visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno. Enjoy your free time walking along the old port, its iconic small streets with local cafes, and its beautiful beach road. End of the tour – Arrival at resorts: Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning. Bus Drive: between 2-3 hours Depending on traffic and the hotel location, the time of the journey back to the hotel will differ.

Crete: Guided Day Trip to Preveli Beach with Transfers

5. Crete: Guided Day Trip to Preveli Beach with Transfers

On this unforgettable beach tour we visit the south of Crete and the beautiful beach Preveli . Our route starts around 08:00 in the morning from Heraklion areas, pick up service near the hotel. Preveli is an idyllic and incredibly beautiful beach, where we have free time to enjoy a splendid swim in the crystal clear water of the Libyan Sea, to sunbathe and relax as well as to undertake an adventurous walk through the tropical palm tree forest or have a coffee. Preveli is located about 35km south of Rethymno and 10km east of Plakias. Beach of Preveli, also known as Lake Preveli or Phoenix, is located at the exit of the imposing Kourtaliotikos Gorge, where the Grand River (Megalos Potamos) flows. About 20:00 we will be back at Heraklion. There are 3 options from which you can choose: -Preveli Palm Beach -Preveli Palm Beach & Rethymno City -Preveli Palm Beach - Damnoni Beach & Rethymno City

From Heraklion: Preveli Tropical Beach and Palm Forest

6. From Heraklion: Preveli Tropical Beach and Palm Forest

Enjoy a full-day excursion from Heraklion to Preveli Beach on a bus trip with a local guide. Discover South Crete's Grand River, Kourtaliotikos Gorge, and a colony of Theophrastus palm trees. Sunbathe on the sandy beaches, swim in the turquoise waters, watch for wildlife, or hike regional trails.  Begin your tour with a bus ride from the north coast to Preveli Beach, where you can swim in the turquoise Mediterranean water or stroll the sandy beaches. Look for a rock shaped like a heart, known as The Stone of Lovers, and marvel at the steep cliffs and misty hilltops of nearby Kourtaliotikos Gorge.  Continue your tour by hiking along the banks of the Grand River to discover the Forest full of Theophrastus palm trees. Hike further up the river trail to a canyon and beach where you can further swim, hike, or sunbathe, before heading back down the path to the bus and returning to Heraklion.

From Rethymno: Damnoni and Preveli Palm Beach Tour

7. From Rethymno: Damnoni and Preveli Palm Beach Tour

Following pick-up at your hotel, journey to the traditional village of Spili to admire the Venetian fountain of Kefalovrissi with its 19 lion heads. Sit back and enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Kourtaliótiko Gorge as you make your way to the beautiful beach of Preveli. Get breathtaking views of the blue waters of the Aegean Sea contrasting with the lush green of the palm forest and lagoon. After your visit to Spili the next stop is Damnoni beach. From here you will take the boat over to Palm beach. Take some free time to soak in all the beauty of the clear blue waters combined with the lagoon and palm forest. Enjoy time to purchase lunch and refreshments in Damnoni and admire its beautiful clean beach. Journey back to Rethymno and get dropped off at your hotel on arrival.

Rethymno: Trekking Tour in the Kourtaliotiko Gorge

8. Rethymno: Trekking Tour in the Kourtaliotiko Gorge

Preparation and gear briefing Arriving in the entrance of Kourtaliotiko gorge, we are immediately amazed by the majestic walls that stand hundreds of meters high. We take the stone steps that lead us to the source of the river that formed this scenery through the ages. There, we can visit the little church of S. Nicolas Kourtaliotis, the local saint that lived here as a hermit, and learn about the old myths of the gorge. We take some time to put on our neoprene suits and our personal gear, distributed by the team leaders. Then, the instructors will give a safety briefing so that we can understand the use of our gear and learn to trust it. Now we are ready to get the fun started! Canyoning games in the river The source of Kourtaliotiko river becomes a natural playground for us! You are welcome to rappel down the steep canyon wall next to the waterfall and try adrenaline jumps in the water as many times as you wish. We swim around, we take pictures, and we play like kids. Our specialized instructors and guides will be next to you at all times to ensure your safety and guide you through the different activities. Short river trek Our adventure continues further down the river. Hiking towards the south, we soon discover a small cave called “the fairy cave” – if you are lucky enough, you may see one hiding behind the stalactites and stalagmites.

From Rethymno South private Tour-Spili-Kourtaliotiko-Kalypso

9. From Rethymno South private Tour-Spili-Kourtaliotiko-Kalypso

Start your day at Spili, a small and beautiful village very popular for the lion head fountains, by relaxing under the trees while enjoying a Greek cup of coffee. Try honey and olive oil from local producers. Visit the folks museum and learn about the Cretan history. Then explore the breathtaking Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Walk through the rising rock walls and admire the incredible natural scenery, before you reach the lonely chapel of Agios Nikolaos. Listen to the ethereal sound of the wind, created by its movement through the gorge. Reach the springs of Kourtaliotis, where you can try the cold and fresh water. Arrive at the exotic coastal resort of Kalypso, an old pirate shelter. Relax on Karavos beach, which has recently become a national park. Walk across the towering rocks and dive into the turquoise water of the Libyan Sea.

Crete: Day Trip to Sfakiá, Plakias and Kourtaliotiko Gorge

10. Crete: Day Trip to Sfakiá, Plakias and Kourtaliotiko Gorge

Start with pickup from your and meet your guide for the day. Drive up into the White Mountains to the famous Askifou Plateau. After a short coffee break, travel along ravines and gorges to the village of Chora Sfakion, a former rebel stronghold against Venetian and Turkish occupations in centuries past. Following the rugged south coast, enjoy the views of Gavdos, the southernmost island of Europe. Arrive at the picturesque village of Plakias and enjoy some free time for relaxation and swimming in the crystal-clear Libyan Sea. On the way back along the north coast, stop at the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Walk down approximately 200 steps to the bottom of the gorge and enjoy the views of a beautiful waterfall. Finally, be returned to your hotel.

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What people are saying about Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Crete

Good experience! You will first be picked up by a small minibus near the hotel and then transferred to a larger coach. From Heraklion it takes a little under 3 hours from pick-up to arrival Preveli with a break in between. The large bus was comfortably air-conditioned and the ride was quiet too. Overall, the trip was on schedule and well organized. The guide was very friendly and in between gave valuable information about the area in different languages. Preveli is a beautiful place with many palm trees and a visit is recommended. The descent/ascent is rocky but can also be done with good flip-flops.

I really wanted to know a little more about the life of the Cretan people, their everyday life. Certainly, the best choice was this Land Rover safari in the central part of Crete from Rethymno to the coast of Preveli. I don't want to reveal all the details ☺️, but you should know that Dionysos, our driver, managed the whole day very professionally, many real stories, and facts about the island, but most importantly; Dionysos has a good sense of humor. The whole day is an unforgettable experience in my life. Thanks Dionysos!

It was a fun and amazing tour through the mountains of Crete to the palm beach of Prevelli. Lunch in a cozy tavern was delicious and there was plenty of it. Our tour guide Nico told us a lot about Crete including herbalism. I would recommend this tour to everyone.

A wonderful trip, enough time for everything. Great Spili, the beautiful Monastery of Prevelli and an amazing beach. Thank you very much for the day spent together. Magda, Piotr, Julia and Szymon from Gdańsk

an excellent experience with the competence and good humor of Dionysis - present and considerate throughout this day rich in discoveries