Prinés is a village in the Rethymno region of Crete, about 6 km south-west of Rethymno. Prinés lies inland, and the nearest beach we cover, Kamari, is 2.3 km away. Two tavernas stand within 100 m of the village centre, and 9 more places to eat and drink lie within 2.5 km. Four gorges open within 11 km of the village.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Prinés, and Rethymno is the nearest large town. The village has no beach and no large attraction of its own, so it works as a base: the gorges, the Renaissance old town of Rethymno and the whole beachfront of Rethymno Bay all sit within a short drive.
Things to do in and around Prinés
Five outings lie within about 6 km of Prinés, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Visit the Atsipopoulo folklore centre. The Culture and Folklore Center of Atsipopoulo stands 1.2 km from Prinés and is the closest visitor attraction to the village.
- Swim at Kamari. Kamari beach sits 2.3 km away at the entrance of the Vederi Gorge, near Gerani village. It is a compact beach with pebbles and rock in places, which snorkellers favour, and a small harbour and the church of Panagia Kamariani stand beside it.
- Walk the Gallos gorge. The Gallos gorge lies 3.1 km from the village and runs 5.5 km through a green ravine, carrying water from the Armeni area down to Koumbes beach at Rethymno. The Saounatsides watermill, which worked until the 20th century, stands near the entrance, and a path a few metres south of it leads to the cave temple of Saint Anthony.
- Hike the Petres gorge. Petres lies 5.8 km from Prinés and narrows to a section about 1 km long that begins near the village of Karoti, with ponds along the way that you can swim in. The river running through it is the longest in Rethymno province and flows all year.
- Spend a day in Rethymno. The city is about 6 km away and is the capital of the Rethymno region as well as the third largest city on Crete. Its preserved Renaissance centre mixes Ottoman and Cretan architecture, and the Loggia, the Neratze and Veli Pasha mosques and the church of Agios Frangiskos all stand inside it.
Beaches near Prinés
Five beaches lie between 2.3 km and 8.1 km from Prinés, ranging from a compact pebble beach to a 13 km run of sand.
- Kamari lies 2.3 km away, the closest, with a few umbrellas, taverns and rooms. The coastal highway between Chania and Rethymno passes it, and the sealed entrance of the Gerani cave, an archaeological site of central Crete, lies a short way south.
- Koumbes sits 3.6 km away, the only beach on the western side of Rethymno, with sand and fine pebbles and a view of the Fortezza fortress a few hundred metres east. The name comes from the Turkish kubbe, meaning dome.
- Rethymno town beach is 6.1 km away, the organised beach on the city seafront, golden sand and shallow clear water next to the Venetian port and about 500 m east of the old town. Entry is free and you pay only for a sunbed and umbrella.
- Episkopi follows 7.7 km away, 3.5 km of sand in a fertile valley between the Mouselas river and the river that runs out of the Petres gorge, with an organised western section and a quiet eastern end near the Petres bridge.
- Pervolia closes the list 8.1 km away, part of the Rethymno Bay beachfront that starts near the city harbour and continues 13 km east to Skaleta, where the Caretta caretta sea turtle nests.
Where to eat in Prinés
Eating in Prinés means village tavernas and grill houses rather than seafront restaurants, and the two nearest sit in the village itself.
- Giannikos Tavern does taverna cooking 100 m from the centre.
- Veranta Taverna Prines stands 100 m from the centre, in the village itself.
- Subulus is a grill house 1 km out.
- Gaganis’ Souvlaki serves souvlaki 1 km out.
- Oil & Oregano lies 1.1 km from the village.
Getting to Prinés
Reach Prinés by road from Rethymno, which lies about 6 km away and is the nearest large town. The coastal highway linking Chania and Rethymno runs along the shore at Kamari, 2.3 km from the village, so Prinés is a short turn inland from the main route across the north of the island. Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport.
Two more villages sit within 9 km of Prinés. The plateau village of Agios Konstantinos, 7.6 km away, stands at 250 m altitude among olive trees, vineyards, carobs and cypresses, and takes its name from a church built in 1315. Two kilometres inland from the long sandy bay that carries its name, Episkopi lies 8.4 km from the village.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Prinés in Crete?
Prinés lies about 6 km south-west of Rethymno, inland in the Rethymno region. The village is set back from the coast, with the nearest beach 2.3 km away.
Does Prinés have a beach?
Prinés is inland and has no beach of its own, but 5 lie within 9 km. Kamari, 2.3 km away, is the closest of them, and the organised town beach of Rethymno is 6.1 km away.
Which airport is nearest to Prinés?
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Prinés. Rethymno, about 6 km from the village, is the nearest large town on the way in.
Can you walk a gorge from Prinés?
Yes, the Gallos gorge lies 3.1 km from Prinés and runs 5.5 km down to Rethymno town. Shepherds have strung wires across the streambed in several places to pen their herds, which makes the walk along the water harder than its length suggests. Petres, 5.8 km from the village, is the next gorge along.
Where can you eat in Prinés?
Two tavernas stand within 100 m of the village centre. Another 9 places to eat and drink lie within 2.5 km, among them a grill house, a souvlaki shop and a café.
Prines Map
Discover Prines is located at Prinés. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
