The Preveli beach (or Palm Beach) is a lovely sandy beach with palm trees, where the Kourtaliotis river empties into the sea. It is in the end of the Kourtaliotis Gorge, next to the Preveli monastery.
The best way to visit the Preveli beach is to drive until the parking of the Preveli Monastery (about 1.5 km far from the beach) and then start walking down the path. It takes a little more than a quarter, however the return is much harder.
Another way to visit the Preveli beach is to go to the Plakias village and then catch the boat which does the daily excursion (departs at about 10 in the morning and returns at about 5 in the afternoon).
  
The lovely sandy beach of Agios Pavlos is located 58 km far from Rethymnon and 13 km from the main road leading to Agia Galini. Facilities for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports are offered in a quite long beach in a small gulf with chrystal waters.
There are two more "hidden" sandy beaches 150m from the main beach whcih worth visiting. A few cafes and tavernas are offered in the centre of the village. Agios Pavlos is an ideal remote place to relax for a few days or to visit for a while.
To go to Agios Pavlos you should follow the road to Agia Galini and after 46km turn right at the crossroads of the village of Kria Vrissi. Continue until you arrive at the seaside. Bathing in one of the isolated inlets, which have formed between the rocks, and seeing the sand dunes will be an unforgettable experience.
  
Skinaria is an excellent sandy beach accessed from Lefkogeia village (3 km far) on the road from Plakias to Preveli which is located 38 km from Rethymnon. The beach is not usually crowded. Skinaria beach is developed during the last years and it offers a taverna next to the beach, and facilities for swimming, sunbathing and sea sports.
Access from Rethymnon is possible by public bus up to Lefkogeia (32 km far from Rethymnon at the South) and then on foot, but the best way to reach the beach is by rented or private car and bikes.
Ammoudi is a popular sandy beach which is located 6 km east of Plakias and 38 km from Rethymnon. Ammoudi is a well organised beach, offering accommodation facilities in hotels and rooms to let, as well as taverns for food and drink. Swimming, sunbathing (sunloungers, umbrellas) and sea sports are available in the beach.
Next to Ammoudi there is the “mikro” little Ammoudi beach, which is another smaller sandy beach, preferred by nudists. |
