Set in Akoumia, 35 km from Archaeological Museum of Rethymno and 42 km from Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, AkoumiaStudio offers air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi. The property has city and quiet street views, and is 43 km from Psiloritis National Park.
The apartment has 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 33 km from the apartment, while Arkadi Monastery is 34 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 89 km from AkoumiaStudio.
Ακούμια
Find below list of things to do near AkoumiaStudio:
This day trip crosses Crete from Georgioupolis to the south coast, then reaches Preveli by water taxi rather than by the cliff staircase. The day gives you two hours at the palm beach, free time in the village of Plakias and a photo stop at the Kourtaliotiko gorge on the return. BALLOS TRAVEL AGENCY run it from €28, with a 4.25 rating across 121 reviews.
The route runs south by coach, switches to a boat, and comes back through the gorge. Four stages make up the day.
First is the coach, roughly an hour from Georgioupolis across the island to a small bay on the Libyan Sea. Second is the water taxi, a 20 to 30 minute crossing to Preveli. Third is Preveli itself, about two hours at the beach where the Megalos Potamos river runs out through a wild palm forest into the sea. Fourth is the return: free time in Plakias, then a stop above the Kourtaliotiko gorge, where small churches are built into the cliff face.
Arriving by boat is the point. The overland route to Preveli ends in a long staircase down the cliff and the same climb back in full sun; the water taxi puts you on the sand.
The route crosses from the north coast to the Libyan Sea and back through the mountains.
The €28 covers the coach and the guide. The boat is paid separately on the day.
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Budget €14 per adult in cash on top of the ticket.
We recommend this one because it solves the hard part of Preveli for €28. The beach is the reason people come to the south coast, and the cliff path is the reason many regret it. Putting the boat in the middle of the day turns a strenuous trip into an easy one, and at this price it is the cheapest way we know to reach the palm forest from the Georgioupolis side.
The reviews are unusually consistent about the running of it. Guides are named again and again, Elena, Alexandra, Alicia, Paul, Jannes, which is what a well-staffed operation looks like rather than a one-good-guide fluke. A German guest praised the timing specifically, saying the stops were not too short and not too long at each location. Transportation scores 4.7 out of 5, the strongest of the three dimensions, and several reviewers single out the driver on the mountain roads.
Adding Plakias and the gorge to the return makes it a day rather than a beach transfer. A German visitor called the Plakias stop a highlight in its own right.
Three things to weigh, because this rates 4.25 rather than higher.
There is nothing at Preveli. A British reviewer put it plainly: there is not a great deal to do there, and there are no loungers or umbrellas. They still rated it five stars and enjoyed lying on the sand, but if a sunbed is essential to your beach day, this is the wrong trip.
Guiding is the weakest score at 4.1 out of 5. The guide commentary is the part reviewers are least uniform about, even while praising individuals by name.
The boat is not guaranteed. The operator states that in strong wind you may be asked to walk to the beach instead, which means the cliff path, the very thing the boat exists to avoid. Check the forecast.
Carry the boat fare in cash, bring your own shade, and check the wind.
Pick-up and drop-off are included from Georgioupolis hotels. The coach leg runs about an hour each way and the boat crossing about 20 to 30 minutes.
Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and water shoes. Temperatures on the south coast run high, so sun protection matters more here than on the north side. Pets are not permitted, though assistance dogs are allowed.
You travel by coach to a small bay, then by water taxi to the beach, which avoids the cliff staircase the overland route uses.
The water taxi costs €14 per adult, paid separately on the day and not included in the ticket price.
Reviewers report about two hours at the beach, plus free time later in Plakias.
No loungers or umbrellas are available, so bring your own shade if you need it.
Free time in Plakias village and a photo stop above the Kourtaliotiko gorge, where churches are built into the cliff.
The operator may ask you to walk down to the beach instead of taking the boat, so check the forecast before you travel.
Check dates and prices for the Preveli palm beach day trip from Georgioupolis.
This day trip crosses Crete to Preveli, the south-coast beach where the Megalos Potamos river runs out of the Kourtaliotiko gorge under a stand of Theophrastus palms before reaching the sea. The river forms a 500-metre freshwater lake behind the sand, which is why Preveli is known as Lake Preveli or Phoenix. ETHERION runs the trip over 7 hours from €40 with free pick-up along the Heraklion coast.
The coach crosses the island and the rest of the day is spent at one beach. Three parts make it up.
First is the drive south to the parking area above Preveli, which sits below steep rock faces that are worth the photograph on their own. Second is the descent: roughly 300 steps and a 15-minute walk down the path to the beach. Third is around four hours at Preveli itself, swimming in the sea, walking up the freshwater river between the palms, or following the gorge inland as far as you want to go.
The beach is sand and rock where the river mouth meets the sea, with a rock formation on the eastern side shaped like a heart.
The day is spent at one beach on the south coast of the Rethymno regional unit.
The €40 covers the coach, the guide and the pick-up.
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We recommend Preveli as one of the two genuinely unusual beaches in Crete, Vai is the other, and this trip is the way to reach it without driving the mountain road yourself. Theophrastus palms grow wild in only a handful of places in Europe, and at Preveli they line a freshwater river running down a gorge into the sea. Walking up that river with palms overhead and the Libyan Sea behind you is not an experience the rest of the island offers.
The practical case is the same as every south-coast trip: it is a long way from the north coast resorts, the road is mountainous, and letting somebody else drive it turns a tense morning into a sit-down.
What review evidence exists is positive on the operator. A German guest praised the communication, quick answers to questions and a smooth pick-up, and made the point we would emphasise most, you can hike a long way up the river into the gorge, and it is worth doing.
Three things to weigh, and the first is the one to think hardest about.
The review base is two reviews. That is not enough to judge an operator on, and we say so rather than dressing up a 4.57 across two bookings as a track record.
The ratio of coach to beach is poor. A Belgian reviewer rating it four stars put it precisely: almost 8 hours of coach for 3 to 4 hours on site. Preveli is far from the north coast and there is no way around that, but go in knowing the split.
The walk back up is the part people underestimate. The operator states it plainly: 120 metres of climb taking 20 to 30 minutes in direct sunlight. There are around 300 steps. If anyone in your group would struggle with that in August heat, this is not the beach for them.
Walk up the river, keep water for the climb back, and leave the beach before the hottest part of the return.
Free pick-up covers Malia, Stalida, Hersonissos, Limenas Chersonisou, Koutouloufari, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Kato Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Amnissos, Karteros, Heraklion and Ammoudara. The operator emails your exact pick-up location within 24 hours of booking.
Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, water, comfortable clothes and beachwear. The return climb to the bus is 120 metres of ascent, taking at least 20 to 30 minutes in direct sun.
The trip runs 7 hours door to door, with about four hours at the beach.
The path has around 300 steps and takes about 15 minutes down; the climb back is 120 metres of ascent over 20 to 30 minutes in direct sunlight.
A stand of Theophrastus palms lines the Megalos Potamos river where it runs out of the Kourtaliotiko gorge to the sea, one of very few wild palm groves in Europe.
The river forms a 500-metre freshwater lake behind the beach, and walking or swimming up it between the palms is what most visitors come for.
Free pick-up runs from anywhere between Malia and Agia Pelagia, covering the whole Heraklion north coast.
No food or drink is included, and personal expenses are your own.
Check dates and prices for the Preveli beach day trip.
This day trip reaches Preveli the good way, by boat. The coach runs from Chania across the island with a stop at the Kourtaliotiko gorge, then you board at Damnoni for a short cruise along the Libyan Sea to Preveli, where the Megalos Potamos river meets the sea under a forest of palms. Allcretetours run it over 10 hours from €43, with a 4.38 rating across 16 reviews.
The route crosses to the south coast, sees the gorge, then takes to the water. Four stages fill the 10 hours.
First is the pick-up and the drive through the Cretan countryside towards the south coast. Second is the Kourtaliotiko gorge, where towering cliffs and the wind that funnels through them make the photo stop, about an hour is allowed. Third is Damnoni, where the boat waits for a short cruise across the Libyan Sea, and Preveli appears from the water as a river mouth wrapped in palms and mountains. Fourth is Preveli itself: swimming in the emerald water, walking the riverbank under the palms, or following the river inland to the springs and small waterfalls in the gorge.
Arriving by boat is the difference. The overland route ends in roughly 300 steps down a cliff and the same back up; the boat puts you on the sand.
The route runs from the north-west coast to the Libyan Sea.
The €43 covers the coach and the guide; the two site fees are paid on the day.
Included:
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Budget €18 per person in cash on top of the ticket.
We recommend this version of Preveli specifically because of the boat. Every other way in involves the cliff staircase, roughly 300 steps down and a 20 to 30 minute climb back in full sun, which is the single most common complaint about Preveli trips. Coming in from Damnoni across the Libyan Sea removes all of it and gives you the approach shot as the palm forest opens up ahead of the boat.
The reviews describe a well-run day. A Dutch guest noted the guide made clear at the start where food and toilets were and built in a bakery stop, small things that decide how a ten-hour day feels. A Swiss reviewer called it perfectly organised from start to finish, and a German guest rated it the highlight of their holiday, singling out the pick-up and the guide.
Preveli itself needs little argument: Theophrastus palms grow wild in only a handful of places in Europe, and here they line a freshwater river running into the sea.
Three things to weigh, since this scores 4.38 and the criticisms are consistent.
The gorge stop divides people. An Australian reviewer loved Preveli but not the gorge, where the wind was strong enough that they abandoned the walk to the water, and they objected to paying €5 per person to enter. A Polish reviewer rating it three stars said there was too little specific information about the gorge for the hour allowed.
The extra costs are not in the headline price. €13 for the boat and €5 for the gorge add 40% to a €43 ticket, and both are cash on the day.
The gorge is genuinely windy. Kourtaliotiko is named for the clattering sound the wind makes through it, so treat the walk down as optional rather than assumed.
Carry €18 in cash, read up on the gorge first, and follow the river inland at Preveli.
Your voucher with the pick-up time and point arrives by email one day before, and can also be viewed at 123voucher.eu/voucher with your booking reference.
Bring sunglasses, beachwear, comfortable shoes and cash. Pets, alcohol and large bags are not permitted on the coach.
The day runs 10 hours from pick-up to drop-off, including the drive, the gorge stop and the boat to Preveli.
Yes, a short cruise from Damnoni across the Libyan Sea, which avoids the roughly 300-step cliff path used by the overland route.
The €13 boat ticket and the €5 Kourtaliotiko gorge entry are both paid separately, in cash on the day.
Preveli has a wild palm forest lining the Megalos Potamos river where it meets the sea, one of very few such groves in Europe.
Opinions divide. Reviewers praise the cliffs but report strong wind and thin commentary, and the €5 entry is charged separately.
Pick-up covers the Chania area, making this the western departure point for Preveli.
Check dates and prices for the Preveli palm beach tour with Kourtaliotiko gorge.
Discover three famous beaches along the southern coast of Crete. Traverse the wild beauty of Kourtaliotis Gorge, stopping to admire its stunning waterfalls and the springs of the Preveli River that flow into Preveli Beach.
Begin your journey at Damnoni beach, where a boat awaits to take you to Palm Beach Preveli. Enjoy a swim in the clear waters of the Libyan Sea and take a short walk through the forest.
Head to a scenic viewpoint for breathtaking views and then board a boat to Preveli. Experience the mix of sandy beaches and lush greenery surrounded by palm trees and rocky cliffs.
Return to Damnoni beach for more relaxation before heading to the small resort town of Plakias for lunch, swimming, or shopping. Finally, make your way back to Rethymno via the impressive Kotsifou Gorge.
Visit Preveli beach, the Kourtaliotiko gorge, with hotel pickup and drop-off in Rethymno or Chania. Cruise aboard a boat on the Libyan sea, swim in crystal-clear waters, and relax on a sandy beach.
Start your tour from your accommodation where your guide will meet you. Take a short scenic drive through to Damnoni beach where your personal boat driver awaits. Find yourself in Preveli after a short, picturesque boat ride.
Enjoy a swim in the Libyan Sea at Preveli beach and feel free to explore the Kourtaliotiko gorge and marvel at the mountainous terrain. Connected to Preveli beach is a series of springs and waterfalls that lead into the gorge which can also be visited.
Discover a mixture of sandy beaches, lush forest, and mountains. Return to your accommodation on a route through the Kourtaliotiko gorge.
This river trek takes you into Kourtaliotiko gorge from Rethymno, wading and swimming down the riverbed to the waterfall that pours into the canyon’s cave. Kourtaliotiko is the biggest gorge in the Rethymno regional unit, and the route runs below the roadside viewpoint where most visitors stop. Cretan Explorer supplies wetsuits, helmets and poles over 5 hours from €67.50, and this Rethymno departure carries the largest review base of the two, 4.89 across 324 reviews, with guiding at a perfect 5.0.
The van meets you at a parking area above the gorge, and the route follows the water down to an olive grove at the exit. Four stages fill the 5 hours.
First is the equipment and briefing, a neoprene short-sleeve suit, a helmet, walking poles and a safety talk covering the whole route. Second is the great waterfall, which never stops flowing and is reached by a swim into the cave beneath it. Third is about two hours descending the river, dropping through natural pools under plane trees on a path away from the marked trail. Fourth is the Banana Garden, a small farm near the exit where a light lunch is served.
The operator rates it as a moderate hike suitable for most fitness levels.
The trek runs south from Rethymno into the mountains behind the coast.
The price covers the kit, the guiding, the internal transfers and lunch, and it excludes the gorge ticket.
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We recommend this departure specifically for people staying on the north coast, and the number that matters is 324. This Rethymno version has run three times as many bookings as the Plakias one, which means the pick-up logistics from the busier side of the island are well worn rather than improvised. If you are in Rethymno town or along that coast, this is the version built for you.
What the reviews describe is a well-drilled operation. One Swiss guest described the safety briefing explaining the entire river trekking process clearly before anyone got wet, and the guide flagging slippery and uneven ground throughout the walk. Another praised the pace: never rushed, time to look at things, time to ask questions. The guide, Yiannis, is named by German, Dutch, French and Irish reviewers alike.
Two details from the reviews worth repeating. One reviewer who had previously visited Kourtaliotiko with a large operator, a brief stop, a look at the waterfall, back on the coach, described this as a completely different experience. And several mention the Banana Garden by name, one noting it is still beautiful despite fire damage, with the plants explained in detail by the people who grow them.
Three things to weigh.
The water is genuinely cold. One reviewer described being up to the neck in it, another said the wetsuit made it manageable rather than warm. This is shaded mountain water, and the swim to the waterfall is not optional.
Pre-tour communication is the one recurring gap. GetYourGuide’s own review summary says travellers would like clearer information on the meeting point and start time beforehand. Confirm both directly with the operator rather than assuming.
Footwear is specified for a reason. Soft-soled water shoes are stated as unsuitable, and sure footing matters more here than fitness does.
Confirm the meeting point in writing, send your measurements, and bring cash for the ticket.
You meet the van at a parking area above the gorge, or take the optional pick-up from around Rethymno. Send your height and weight after booking for the wetsuit, and your hotel name if you have chosen pick-up.
Bring swimwear, sports shoes, a towel, flip-flops, snacks, water and €5 cash. Soft-soled water shoes are not suitable for this activity.
The trek runs 5 hours, including the waterfall section, roughly two hours down the riverbed and lunch afterwards.
The water is cold year-round. The gorge is shaded and fed from the mountains, which is why a neoprene wetsuit is provided rather than optional.
The price covers the guide, wetsuit, helmet, poles, waterproof bags, lunch and all internal transfers, plus skip-the-line entrance handling.
No experience is needed, the operator rates the route moderate and suitable for most fitness levels, though sure footing on wet rock matters.
Optional pick-up covers hotels around Rethymno, which is the main reason to choose this departure over the Plakias one.
The entrance fee is €5 per person, paid in cash and not included in the tour price.
Check dates and prices for the Kourtaliotiko gorge river trek from Rethymno.
Find below list of beaches near AkoumiaStudio:
Situated 51km to the south of Rethymno and 7km below the village of Kerames, Ligres is nestled at the base of the grand Siderotas mountain. It forms the northern segment of the Akoumiani Gialia beachfront, which runs from the cape of Mellissa to the south.
Ligres is an expansive beach graced with rough sand and a spectacular deep sea. Its somewhat challenging access has thankfully deterred the encroachment of tourism, preserving it as one of the most serene, secluded and pristine beaches on the island. Although the beach is not developed, there are a few taverns and rooms available on its western side accessible via a poorly maintained asphalt road. At the beach’s western tip, there is a stunning waterfall that boasts a year-round water supply, cascading right next to the sea.
Beyond the northern end of the beach, also known as Katsouni, lies a secluded beach favored primarily by nudists. Despite its seclusion, there are numerous spots along this vast, uninhabited beach where nude swimming is possible. It’s worth venturing along the beachfront to Triopetra, up to the Xiromilia area, to marvel at the astonishing rock formations. In the heart of Ligres, a remarkable reddish boulder stands out near the sea.
Triopetra beach, nestled at the base of Mount Siderotas and 52km south of Rethymno, can be reached via paved roads leading from either Akoumia or Sachtouria. Part of the extensive Akoumiani Gialia beachfront, Triopetra got its name as a historical winter refuge for the inhabitants of Akoumia, who built small huts near their olive groves. Presently, most land and hotels in the area are owned by descendants of these Akoumia residents.
Triopetra boasts two distinct beaches, separated by a petite peninsula. The peninsula’s defining feature is the three spectacular rocks jutting out from the sea, giving Triopetra its name, which translates to “Three Rocks”.
The first beach, Small Triopetra or Koumado, resides in an enclosed bay lined with sand and rock to the south of the three rocks. Here, the Akoumianos river meanders into the sea, forming a natural boundary between Triopetra and the enchanting Agios Pavlos Sandhills at Cape Melissa. Small Triopetra hosts a handful of taverns and rooms, with umbrellas available for sun-seekers. Additionally, the southeast edge of the beach is home to a small harbour, known as Stomio or “mouth”, named after the river’s mouth meeting the sea. Just 1km northeast of the beach, the awe-inspiring chapel of Prophet Elias stands on a high hill, commanding an impressive view over Akoumiani Gialia.
Kerames, a village situated 49km south of Rethymno, neighbors the village of Agalianos. It is surrounded by stunning beaches to its south, including the well-known beaches of Akoumiani Gialia, such as Ligres, Triopetra, and Agios Pavlos sandhills. Keramiani Giulia, or Keramean Beach, lies to the north of Akoumiani Gialia, its name derived from the nearby village.
A somewhat dilapidated asphalt road leads to Keramiani Gialia, ending near the local harbour of Agia Fotini, also referred to as Agia Fotia. To the southeast of Agia Fotini, the primary beaches of Keramiani Gialia are located. A well-maintained dirt track from Agia Fotini leads to these beaches, the first being Podare. With its coarse sand and rocky areas, Podare is perfect for activities like fishing and snorkelling. Despite being an unorganized beach, it offers rental rooms for visitors.
After leaving Podare, a simple dirt road heads eastward, taking you past a large hill to a parking area situated near more rental rooms. Here, the road ends, and the beach on your right, Glima, begins. This sandy, secluded, and unorganized beach offers total privacy.
Continuing eastward on foot for about 100m, a towering sandhill becomes visible to your left. Pahia Ammos, or Coarse Sand, lies in front of the sandhill and provides an ideal spot for those seeking complete seclusion.
The quaint village of Kerames is situated 49km to the south of Rethymno, in close proximity to the village Agalianos. South of Kerames, there are numerous stunning beaches, with Ligres, Triopetra and Agios Pavlos sandhills of Akoumiani Gialia being the most well-known. To the north of Akoumiani Gialia, there is Keramiani Gialia or Kerames Beach, named after the nearby village.
The narrow, poorly paved road leading to Keramiani Giulia ends near the local port of Agia Fotini, which is also known as Agia Fotia. This location is home to beautiful small pebble beaches, perfect for snorkelling and swimming, and is surrounded by large boulders. The traditional Stavros tavern is built on an old carob storehouse and serves fresh fish on the beach. It also offers accommodation, and has a reminiscent atmosphere of the Greek islands of the 1960s. The tavern provides free umbrellas and showers. Near Agia Fotia, there is a small river that forms a green forest. Following the path north along the river, you will encounter a tall palm tree and the old church of Agia Fotini, located near a small house with a lovely garden. A 5-minute walk west of the tavern along the rocky shore will lead you to another pebbly beach.
On the hill near Agia Fotini tavern, you can still see the remnants of the ancient town Kionia, which thrived in its heyday. Today, the ruins cover an area of over 150 meters east to west and 100 meters north to south, while the other half of the town is submerged underwater, in front of the tavern. Traces of buildings and terraces that suggest the existence of Kionia can be seen in the surrounding area. It is thought that the sinking of the town forced its inhabitants to leave and move to higher ground, where the villages Kerames and Agallianos now stand.
Find below list of gorges near AkoumiaStudio:
Located just 1km north of Kissos village in Agios Vasilios province and 34km southeast of Rethymnon, Kissano Gorge serves as a link between Kambos Kissou settlement and the small Gious Kambos plateau. The gorge’s river is a primary tributary of the Gorge Frati. The canyon, though not lush with vegetation, boasts small waterfalls, the tallest of which measure between 5-7m. These waterfalls make it an ideal location for canyoning, but it’s also possible to bypass them carefully from the sides without any specialized equipment.
The journey begins at the Gious Kambos plateau, a small haven of diverse flora. A 0 to 30-minute walk along or beside the riverbed leads you to a point where the river intersects the road connecting Kissos with Gerakari. Here, you’ll find a striking reddish rock peppered with numerous caverns known as Kokkinos Detis, leading locals to also refer to this area as the Kokkinos Detis Gorge.
While this marks the end of the main part of the canyon, the river continues its descent, creating more small waterfalls. It then passes through the 60-hectare artificial pine forest of Vatolakki, before continuing towards Spili and eventually to Frati.
Approximately 1 km to the east of Spili, in the Agios Vassilios province, you’ll find the church of Agia Fotini, also known as Saint Photini. Like many places in Crete, it’s often referred to as Agia Fotia. Situated on the main road leading to Agia Galini, the church is adjacent to a spring that flows with water throughout the year. Nearby, you’ll see a large, old watermill. This area marks the end of the picturesque Agia Fotia gorge, which is small but incredibly lush.
The gorge begins at the Gious Kambos plateau, which is 750m above sea level, and concludes at the spring, which sits at an altitude of 500m, after a 1.5km journey.
Close to the gorge’s starting point, you’ll discover waterfalls of unparalleled beauty. In the springtime, these falls are abundant with water, creating a unique and breathtaking landscape filled with plane trees. The easiest way to reach the waterfalls is by walking from the spring along the gorge. Alternatively, you can access them from Gious Kambos, though this route is more challenging. It requires bypassing the waterfalls from the sides and descending the steep slope to the riverbed.
Located approximately 100km southwest of Heraklion city, north of Ano Meros village, you’ll find the Kalamafka or Gorge Smiliano. The Lygiotis river, originating from the Gerakari valleys and the Samitos Mount slopes, flows through this gorge. The 2.5km long canyon begins near Vrysses village, close to the deserted settlement of Smile, and concludes north of Ano Meros, accessible via an asphalt road.
During winter, the gorge is filled with water, making entrance risky even for experienced canyoners. However, an alternative route via a dirt road descending from Drygies village leads just above the gorge. Here, the canyon’s steep walls form a slope with a trail, allowing relatively easy descent to the gorge’s heart, precisely at the point where the stunning waterfalls are formed continuously. The gorge comprises about 10 remarkable rappels, with the tallest waterfall being 13 meters. The ponds formed beneath each waterfall are equally breathtaking, and it’s worth noting that Gorge Smiliano boasts the largest and deepest ponds compared to any other gorge in Crete.
A journey through the canyon (as described in June of a particularly rainy year)
Starting near Smile, we first cross a small arched bridge. After just 50m, we enter the gorge’s main section, greeted by a large pond. The canyon then narrows to about 2m and forms a deep pond, 2-3m deep, requiring swimming. The first small rappel we encounter ends in a large, deep pond (perfect for jumping), where the depth exceeds 3m.
Following this, a rock lodged between the canyon walls forms a natural arch. After swimming for several meters (over 25) without touching the ground, we continue our journey unimpeded. We soon encounter the first high waterfall, and the gorge narrows further (1-1.5m). To continue through this narrow section of the canyon, ropes are required. Alternatively, we can walk alongside the canyon until we reach the 15m high rappel that ends in a very deep pond, perfect for a big jump.
The gorge extends eastward, and the deep ponds gradually become small, shallow ponds. Towards the end of the gorge, the water almost disappears, making it impossible to anticipate the aquatic paradise that lies just a few meters ahead.
The Swallow Gorge, situated 33km south of Rethymnon city, is in close proximity to the renowned Preveli beach, known for its magnificent palm grove and breathtaking river. The gorge begins from Kenda peak (881m altitude), passes through Drymiskos village, runs nearly parallel to the Kourtaliotiko canyon, and concludes at Drymiskiano Ammoudi beach. It gets its name from the swallows that flock here every summer.
Unlike Kourtaliotiko, this lesser-known canyon is dry during the summer but is still worth a visit. The vertical, awe-striking rocks and the verdant riverbed (which flows in winter) are a sight to behold. The winding Swallow Canyon is relatively easy to hike and doesn’t require any specific skills, despite not being marked.
A significant portion of the canyon runs parallel to the road leading to Amoudi beach, which is where the easy trail to Preveli begins. To find this road, take a left at the picturesque arched bridge of Megalos Potamos that you’ll come across en route to the Preveli monastery. Therefore, even if you’re not much of a walker, you can still enjoy the beauty of the gorge during your visit to Preveli.
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