Preveli Monastery

Surrounded by palm trees and rich vegetation, Preveli is one of the most attractive places in Crete…

One of the most famous beach in southern Crete, it used to be during the 60s and 70s the favorite destination for hippies.

On the banks of the Grand River there is a large colony of Theophrastus palm trees, which give the region a sense of an African landscape.

The river is forming a large lake of 500m long, before emptying into the sea. You can walk along the river, under the shade of palm trees towards the beautiful canyon.

The gorge that forms the river “megapotamos” ends at the Libyan Sea creating a small lagoon at its mouth.
In the past it used to be the ideal place for camping and naturalism. The sea is clean with a dazzling range of green and blue colors and the beach has fine white sand.

The sandy beach of Preveli with pebbles and sand has very cool sea water formed in the gorge where swimming is possible. In the eastern part of the beach, there is a beautiful rock reminding of a mast.

The Monastery of Preveli has a glorious history due to the active and leading involvement of its fellow monks in all national endeavourers for freedom and education of our people. For this reasons, it merits specific recognition and respect throughout the island of Crete.

The monastery was for three centuries the most important center due to its leading role in the local society of Saint Vassilios and Sfakia provinces, where due to the landscaping territory the Turkish occupation force allowed a peculiar system of political tolerance and a limited state of freedom.

The Monastery of Preveli is a religious center and consequently the place of gathering and social contact of the population.