
Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno
Traveler rating
3.8/5
Based on 68 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno worth booking?
Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno is a 10-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $29 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.8/5 rating across 68 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 3.8/5 (68)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $29 per person
Get introduced to some of the best beaches on the south coast of Crete on a guided day trip to Plakias and Preveli Beach. Explore the island's stunning palm forests and unwind on beautiful sandy shores. As we journey to these beaches, we cross the wild Kourtaliotis Gorge by bus, stopping to admire its magnificent waterfalls and the springs of the Preveli River. We then head to the sandy beach of Damnoni, where a boat will take us on a scenic thirty-minute ride to the famous Palm Beach of Preveli. After enjoying the breathtaking Palm Beach of Preveli, we continue to the picturesque village of Plakias for a traditional lunch, with the option for one more refreshing swim before heading back.
What you get
About this experience
Get introduced to some of the best beaches on the south coast of Crete on a guided day trip to Plakias and Preveli Beach. Explore the island's stunning palm forests and unwind on beautiful sandy shores. As we journey to these beaches, we cross the wild Kourtaliotis Gorge by bus, stopping to admire its magnificent waterfalls and the springs of the Preveli River. We then head to the sandy beach of Damnoni, where a boat will take us on a scenic thirty-minute ride to the famous Palm Beach of Preveli. After enjoying the breathtaking Palm Beach of Preveli, we continue to the picturesque village of Plakias for a traditional lunch, with the option for one more refreshing swim before heading back.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Panormo, Scaleta,Adele,Platanias,Missiria, Rethymno town,Atsipopoulo)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional English , German Guide
Not included
- Boat ticket to Preveli Beach
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
- No pickup from remote hotels such as Grand Rimondi (pick up is from Creta star bus stop)
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Preveli Beach
Discover 3 of the most famous beaches on the south coast of Crete on a journey through the wild Kourtaliotis Gorge. Benefit from hotel pick-up, and then travel to the gorge, where you can walk down to the springs and waterfalls flowing towards the river at Preveli Beach. Discover a unique mix of sandy beach and green river flanked by palm forests and rocky surroundings. Get some time to relax in the sun and take a dip in the sea. Continue to the popular Damnoni Beach at the exit to the valley, protected by high mountains, where you can take a boat trip to Preveli Beach.Then, go to the small resort of Plakias, situated in a natural bay, and get some time to enjoy lunch, do some shopping and go for another swim in the turquoise waters. Return back to Rethymno along a different route to experience the dramatic landscapes of the Kotsifou Gorge.
180 minutes here
Damnoni Beach
Continue to the sandy beach of Damnoni, where the boat is waiting to take you to Palm Beach Preveli at the south-end of Kourtaliotis Gorge, at the mouth of the river Preveli. Enjoy some time for a splendid swim in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea, sunbathe and relax, and embark on a short hike through the tropical forest. Hop back on the boat and return back to the sandy beach of Damnoni. The next stop is the small resort Plakias, situated in a natural bay. Here you can have lunch, go for another swim or do some shopping. We will take another road to return to Rethymno, driving through the impressive Kotsifou Gorge.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Plakias
The next stop is the small resort Plakias, situated in a natural bay. Here you can have lunch, go for another swim or do some shopping. We will take another road to return to Rethymno, driving through the impressive Kotsifou Gorge.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
from Rethymno,Atsipopoulo
Pickup included
from Panormo,Skaleta,Sfakaki
Pickup included
from Adele,Platanias,Misiria
Pickup included
Private Tour
Book this option to enjoy a private tour to Preveli. The trip is not going to damnoni beach and depart from plakias and retu Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- PLATANOS TOURS
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Take swimming suits
- Seats are assigned by the theater box office and will not be known in advance of the performance date
- At the time of booking please mention your hotel name and location. You will be notified by email about the pickup point and time
- Pickup begins up to 60 minutes before tour starts and is done from central meeting points near the hotels, only in the areas of Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Atsipopoulo, Kavros and Georgioupoli
- Infants will be seated with their parents on the bus and will not have their own seat
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 68 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
68 verified traveler reviews for Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Guided whole day trip full of chill and good vibe
Nice full day trip for good prize. Program was well set, even the boat. We saw many interesting yet different places and also had enought time to chill at the last stop. I recomend.
Response from the operator: thank you for the review
via Tripadvisor
Eh
I wasn't happy that I was told to walk to Bora Bora from my hotel when we got picked up the bus stopped at our hotel and I did say we would be here that's number one number two it was a rainy day most of the items were closed then we should have had the option to cancel the morning of especially not knowing the weather for Greece it was just a crappy day all around and I think it would have been nice if we were informed to wear water shoes many people wore sneakers getting off of the boat and I think it wasn't explained enough that even though you take a boat you still have to get on it for water in order to get onto the boat. The driver was great and the person that was with us was also great but I wish we had another option when it came to the rain storm
via Viator
Disappointing excursion with rude guide, misleading information, and lack of accessibility communication
Very disappointing experience. I would NOT recommend booking this excursion. The guide was extremely rude and disrespectful, and some of the way we were treated came across as racist, which made us feel very uncomfortable. The bus ride and boat trip were enjoyable, but unfortunately, the rest of the experience and the service were terrible. One of the biggest problems was the lack of information before booking. My mother has high blood pressure and other health conditions that affect how much she is able to walk. We were never informed that reaching the waterfall would involve a significant amount of walking or that it could be physically demanding. The only advice we were given was to bring good shoes. Because of this, my mother was unable to continue to the waterfall. Despite not being able to enter, we were still charged €5 per person and were refused a refund. Had the physical requirements been properly communicated beforehand, we could have made an informed decision about whether this excursion was suitable for her. We booked the excursion through one of the street vendors selling tours. We also specifically asked about Preveli Beach because of the recent fire. The woman selling us the excursion assured us that there would not be much walking and that the fire damage would not be visible from the beach. Neither of these statements was true. There was considerably more walking than we had been led to believe, and the fire damage was clearly visible. We feel that important information was withheld or misrepresented simply to convince us to purchase the excursion. If we had been given accurate information about the amount of walking, the accessibility, and the condition of Preveli Beach, we would not have booked it. Between the rude treatment from the guide, the misleading information from the street vendor, the lack of communication regarding the physical demands of the trip, and the refusal to refund the entrance fee, this excursion was absolutely not worth the money. Save your money and book another activity instead. And if you are travelling with elderly people or anyone with health or mobility limitations, I would strongly recommend asking for very specific accessibility information before booking, do not rely solely on what the street vendors tell you.
via Tripadvisor
Noise pollution spoiled the views
The driver and coach were fine, and views from boat great, but the day was really spoiled by the incredibly annoying tour guide Taki. He loved the sound of his own voice, so never shut up the whole day unless huddled with the owners of restaurants he dropped us off at, dubiously claiming they were famous throughout Crete. Endless instructions and - when people's attention inevitably drifted - scoldings like a frustrated primary school teacher. All he really needed to say was when to get off the coach (which he failed to do once, leaving people bewildered) and what time to get back to the coach. Instead it was endless, irrelevant droning on and pointless power plays: "everybody has to listen to me or you'll regret it"; "everybody move half a metre that way" (on a beach!).
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful beach but SUPER windy
Beach was beautiful but SUPER windy and snack shack is under repair which we did. It know. Nothing to do in the beach so keep that in mind if you have kids. Wind whipped sand at us regularly and blew everything away. Our guide Demetrius was amazing! So kind and accommodating . Loved him!
Response from the operator: thank you for the review
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $29 to $460
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 24
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by PLATANOS TOURS, who run 38 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.5.
See everything PLATANOS TOURS runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno cost?
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Prices start at $29 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chania usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chania is not rushed.
Is Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.8/5 across 68 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chania, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno?
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Around 24 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chania can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chania and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chania within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chania?
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On Outty we rank every Chania experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cretan Safari – 4x4 Adventure to Preveli Beach with Lunch, Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks, Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chania?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chania?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno?
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Included: Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Panormo, Scaleta,Adele,Platanias,Missiria, Rethymno town,At; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Professional English , German Guide. Not included: Boat ticket to Preveli Beach; Food and drinks; Personal expenses; and No pickup from remote hotels such as Grand Rimondi (pick up is from Creta star bus stop). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 196 listed pickup locations in and around Chania. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno offered in?
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It is offered in German and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; Specialized infant seats are available; and Infants will be seated with their parents on the bus and will not have their own seat. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Chania. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno?
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Across 68 reviews averaging 3.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Preveli Beach and Plakias Full-Day Trip From Rethymno?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including from Rethymno,Atsipopoulo, from Panormo,Skaleta,Sfakaki, from Adele,Platanias,Misiria, Private Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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