As far as i know there's no other place like Preveli in Europe: Sea, river and palm trees - and the spirit of greek culture and history. No wonder many people call Preveli a holy place, at least outside main season. We'll talk about this and more later - first let's have a common look on Crete.
Crete is an island - but you don't feel it! More than 250 kilometres long and nearly 60 kilometres wide. Surrounded by water (because it's an island), Crete's offering beaches of all kind, snow capped mountains until june, olive oil and the most used greek medicine: raki and ouzo.
So Crete is one of the very last places in Europe where you can start your day by sittin' in a taverna watching eagles and vultures. Swim in a warm sea after your fifth greek coffee - later returning to your taverna...
Or where you stumble over ruins that may be 2000 years old, in case you're able to leave your taverna taking a little walk. Don't search for an "no entry" sign - there are no ones.
The Cretan people are friendly and proud of their traditions - hospitality isn't only a word! So if some one offers a glass of wine or home made cake, please don't ask "how much is it?"...
Enjoy this beautiful island the way you like! I'm sure there's a place for every one.
Two airports (Heraklion and Chania) and different airlines worldwide offer fast possibilities to reach Crete by Charter or via Athens. The greek Olympic and Aegean Airlines will bring you from Athens to Crete in less than an hour.
An alternative (and not a bad one) is offered by different ferry companies. Especially when you arrive in Athens in the afternoon, keep in mind that there are different ferry boats to Crete (Heraklion, Chania, Rethimnon), leaving Athens at about 7:30 p.m. Next morning you'll reach Crete with a romantic night in mind.
Even the coldest month January offers 15 degrees Celsius as average temperature by day - but it's raining a lot, and some times snowing.
In February it's already getting warmer, but only north pole proved swimmers will enjoy the sea.
End of March the sun's back - and less rain, first flowers, open shirts and markets. You'll enjoy especially when you arrive from northern Europe, where you've just survived the long and still lasting winter.
April, May and June are phantastic for walking and cycling. Fresh air, warm sun - and not too many tourists.
July, August is hot, some times very hot - and expensive, too. Restaurants, Hotels, Car Rentals and many more charge as much as possible - but you'll know it when you already booked your flight or ferry boat.
September and October are excellent, too. Ok, there are less flowers (one could say every thing's burned) - but the sea is warm. And sure, you still don't need a jumper or rain coat. My last visit was in october 2004: 13 sunny days (of 14) - quiet mornings and evenings, simply wonderful.
I never tried November or December, but many people told me, it's phantastic, too!
Putting it all together: Crete's worth more than one visit in summer. Independent of where you'll stay: North Coast or South Coast, big city or little village, hotel or tent - you're most welcome.
Now it's time to visit one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Therefore we'll take a look on the following map:
Guess you're able to find Preveli Beach by yourself! Congratulations!
There are nearly as many possibilities to reach Preveli beach as to reach Roma. Let's describe the most important ones:
You'll find the road between Lefkogia and Assomatos. Not far outside Lefkogia there's a brachiation to Preveli. Follow the signs until you reach another brachiation. Now you've to decide whether you drive about 6 km dusty road and reach free parking and two tavernas with toilettes and rooms, only five minutes easy walk path away - or follow the main road leading to Monastery Preveli (old and new), a parking place (to be paid), no toilettes, 10 minutes foot path down (20 minutes up, depending on your weight and luggage).
New: Now the 6 km dusty road to Preveli beach is extended to Kerames. At least it was passable in october 2004, i can't recommend this road in winter because of daily landslides.
There are buses from Plakias and Rethimnon to Monastery Preveli, especially they're not driving the 6 km long dusty road. Tell the driver where you want to leave the bus.
There are different boats from different Cities (Plakias, Ag. Galini) visiting Preveli from morning to afternoon. Please ask around - don't forget the price and if it's already the return fare.
You'll enjoy the 6 km dusty road, reaching a safe place for your bike and the beach only 5 minutes away. If you don't want to return on the same way, follow the coast road to kerames. Or if you need to go to Plakias: carry your bike to the beach and enter one of the little boats to plakias. Or carry your bike up on the other side, reaching a big parking place and the main road.
You'll prefer the 6 km dusty road (don't forget some water). On the way there are different shortcuts - and always the possibility for hitchhiking.
Preveli is beautiful, although you'll find a lot of garbage nearby the beach. But still there's one bigger problem: No toilettes!
Very often i've seen and heard tourists asking for toilettes. The answer was always the same: sea, river or landscape. Independent of that's not everyone's favorite way to use a natural toilet, thousands of flying brown napkins in summer, accompanied by a heavy smell, is shit at it's worst!
Please, try one of the following solutions: There are two restaurants 5 minutes away - so far they don't even control their toilet visitors. Or use water for cleaning or at least take your napkins and newspapers and book pages away home. Preveli will be more beautiful for all of us.
But now enjoy my little photo gallery - all pics were taken last october. Every photo's available until 3264 x 2448 pics - but too large to save all of them on my server. Nevertheless when you're really interested in one or my photos, please send a mail to mick@preveli.com. I'll try to send the original as soon as i find a fast internet connection here in india! This summer i will cycle, write and photograph in Ladakh, but i hope to return to Preveli in October.
So far take care,
Mick