If you think Greece isn’t an exotic destination, think again.
All it takes is one glance at a photo of me stretched out on the fallen trunk of a palm tree, and you’d swear I was somewhere on the edge of the Caribbean or Southeast Asia.
Friends on Instagram kept asking which far-flung paradise I had escaped to. Some are still skeptical when I tell them the truth: this landscape exists in Greece — in Crete.
On the island you’ll find two major palm forests. The most famous is Vai, in Lasithi, which remains high on my travel list. But the one I explored is just as magical: the palm forest of Preveli, near the historic Preveli Monastery in Rethymno, dedicated to St. John the Theologian. The forest stretches across roughly 40 acres, forming one of the most unique natural settings in the country.
The first breathtaking view comes from above, after descending a stone path for about 15–20 minutes. Midway down, the scenery opens up to reveal a gorge carved by the Grand Potamos River, which flows from the Cretan mountains through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge and into Preveli.
There, it forms a one-kilometre lake framed by clusters of native Cretan palms — the rare Phoenix theophrasti, also known as the Palm of Theophrastus — before meeting the Libyan Sea.
Standing among these palms feels almost surreal. The setting is undeniably exotic: golden sand, rugged cliffs, river waters reflecting the sky, and dense greenery swaying in the breeze. It’s a side of Greece many don’t expect.
In 2010, a devastating wildfire destroyed nearly 70% of the Preveli palm forest. It was described as an environmental catastrophe. Yet remarkably, the native palms proved resilient. Thanks to their natural fire-resistant properties — something not widely known at the time — the forest regenerated. By the following autumn, even many of the scorched mature palms had begun to recover. Today, the landscape has reclaimed its beauty.
When I visited Preveli beach, I found light sand, a pebbly seabed, and welcome shade from the surrounding mountains and trees. Compared to other Cretan beaches, it may not be the most spectacular for swimming — but that’s not why you come here. You come for the palms, the river walk, and the sense of discovery.
You don’t even need to visit in peak summer. In fact, avoiding the intense Cretan heat makes the experience more enjoyable. A walk along the river, through palm trees and oleander toward the gorge, is unforgettable at any time of year. I wandered around the lake on foot, stopping constantly for photographs. Because if I simply told you this tropical-looking landscape was Greek, would you believe me without proof?
How to Get There
Preveli is located about 35 km south of Rethymno and 10 km from Plakias.
By land:
Drive toward Preveli Monastery and follow the signs. About 1.5 km past the Lower Monastery, you’ll find a large parking area (small fee applies). From there, a 15–20 minute downhill walk leads to the beach. Keep in mind: the climb back up can be tiring, especially on hot days.
Alternatively, take the dirt road to nearby Drimychian Ammoudi and walk a short five-minute path to Preveli — less effort, though without the panoramic descent.
By sea:
Boats operate from Agia Galini and Plakias during the season, offering a scenic approach by water.
Preveli proves that Greece’s beauty goes far beyond whitewashed villages and ancient ruins. Sometimes, it feels like the tropics — and it’s been there all along.
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*Images by Polina Paraskevopoulou (Copyright)
