The best beaches in theRethymnon area

Preveli Palm Beach
is on the south coast of Crete near the Preveli Monastery. As you leave the monastery, you may park on the roadside and walk down to the Preveli Beach . Palm Beach is a sandy cove at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The area resembles a tropical lagoon full of palms and oleanders, waterfalls and a stream which flows into the sea.

Balli
The word in Turkish means a place of honey. Indeed, Bali , a small beach village on the north coast 30 km away from Rethymnon, had many beehives years ago. Nowadays, this beautiful fishing place may not produce honey anymore, but it has developed many tourist facilities. Around the settlement, you will find beautiful sandy beaches and small lee picturesque harbours. The main beach is beautiful, full of small pebbles.

Plakias
The mild and dry climate of the area makes Plakias the ideal south coast resort, even for winter holidays. From Plakias, the visitor has the opportunity to make short voyages by small boats to Fragokastelo, Preveli Monastery and Agia Galini. On the east side of Plakias there is the coastal settlements of Damnoni, on a picturesque bay with a wonderful 600m long sandy beach of white, fine sand and clean waters.

Triopetra
Two very quiet, marvellous long beaches, separated by impressive cliffs, on the south coast. Both beaches can be reached by car or motorbike, if you follow the road to Agia Galini and turn right towards Akoumia.

Rodakino
Taking the road from Plakias to the west, through the villages of Selia, the south becomes proud, reclusive, solitary. Rodakino village, retired from tourist development, offers wonderful, quiet, hidden beaches and spectacular scenery. The alternative roadway to Rodakino, from Rethymnon through Ag. Vasilios and Ag. Ioannis villages and Kotsifou Gorge, crosses one of the most impressive wild landscapes.