With its huge cliffs and multiple caves, Kourtaliotiko Gorge is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of Crete. Some four-wheel drive tours bring participants to the gorge and to nearby Preveli Beach. While a road runs along the top of the gorge, offering incredible panoramas for travelers who don’t want to hike, it is also possible to climb down into the gorge, with steps leading to the small cliffside Church of St. Nicholas and to a rushing waterfall.
Kourtaliotiko Gorge is one of Crete’s most accessible. From Rethymno, follow the road to Agia Galini, then turn off toward Koxare. The drive should take about 40 minutes. If you don’t have access to a car it’s best to go as part of a tour as there is little public transport in this area.
The gorge can occasionally dry up toward the end of a long hot summer, so come earlier in the season to avoid disappointment. Get here early in the day if you plan on hiking along the riverbed to the nearby Preveli Beach, so you have enough time to enjoy a reviving swim once you arrive.
This magnificent sandy strand, also known as Palm Beach, is situated at the mouth of the gorge. A palm forest and cliffs back onto the sand and beachgoers can bathe either in the clear waters of the Libyan Sea or in the freshwater pools near the mouth of the river. Note that the nearest car park is about 10 minutes away via a steep, stepped path.
