The Preveli area is located approximately 35 kilometers south of Rethymno and 10 kilometers east of Plakias, in the heart of southern Crete. The Preveli beach, also known as Preveli Lake or Phoenix, stretches at the mouth of the Megalos River, which carries fresh waters from the impressive Kourtaliotiko and Fratiano gorges. It is one of the most famous and frequently photographed beaches in southern Crete, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world every summer.

One of the most striking features of the area is the palm forest that forms along the banks of the Megalos River. It is the second largest palm forest in Crete, after the one at Vai, and hosts the endemic Cretan palm tree of Theophrastus. The river creates a small lake about 500 meters long at its outlet to the sea, with water flowing year-round. The path following the river passes under the dense shade of palms and other leafy trees, gradually leading up the beautiful gorge. Along the way, small natural swimming pools with cool, clear water form, ideal for a refreshing swim. Although the palm forest was completely burned by a large wildfire on August 22, 2010, it managed to recover quickly and has once again become the natural jewel of the area.

Preveli beach, with its sandy shore and pebbly seabed, stands out not so much for the beach itself, but for the magical surrounding landscape. The waters are especially cool due to the continuous flow of the river. In the eastern part of the beach, there is an impressive rock formation in the sea, which resembles either a mast or a heart, adding a unique touch to the natural scenery.

Access to the area is easy, with two main options by land. The most common route starts from Plakias towards the Preveli Monastery. About 1.5 kilometers after the Lower Monastery, there is a large parking area where a trail begins that leads down to the beach. The parking lot is located above very tall, almost vertical cliffs on the western side of the beach, from where you can enjoy fantastic views and take unique photos. The descent to the beach takes about 15 minutes, but the return can be quite demanding due to the steep uphill path.

Alternatively, to avoid the tiring climb and parking fees, you can turn at the large bridge over the Megalos River and drive along a dirt road that leads to the nearby Drymiskiano Ammoudi. From there, a short 5-minute walk brings you to Preveli beach, although this way you miss the chance to enjoy the stunning views from the high cliffs on the western side. Additionally, for more relaxed visitors, there are excursion boats departing from Agia Galini and Plakias, offering a different approach experience.

It is worth noting that this landscape, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, seems to have fascinated even Homo erectus about 130,000 years ago. Professor of Art History and archaeologist Thomas Strasser, following excavations on the southwestern coasts of Crete (2008-2009), presented archaeological findings of tools from the Paleolithic era in the Preveli gorge, confirming the ancient presence of human communities in this unique corner of Crete.