Waterfalls and palm beach in one long day. This Rethymno outing strings together Preveli Palm Beach, Plakias, and the Kourtaliótiko Gorge so you get both beach time and dramatic water scenery without rushing every minute. What I like most is that you’re not just dropped off: the tour includes a guide for context and practical pointers, and the pace leaves real room to swim, wander, and breathe. I also appreciate the way the plan builds in free time at each stop, so you can match the day to how you feel—easy and slow, or quick dips and photo stops.

One consideration: the base price doesn’t cover everything. You’ll want to budget for the boat to the Damnoni area and the gorge entrance fee, and pickup is handled via nearby points rather than a door-to-door hotel service.

Key highlights at a glance

• Guided commentary helps you make sense of what you’re seeing, not just where you’re going
• Big chunks of free time (2 hours at Preveli, 2 at Plakias) for swimming and wandering
• Preveli-to-Damnoni boat option with separate listed costs
• Plakias as a reset point: seaside village time for lunch, a swim, and casual strolling
• Waterfalls in Kourtaliótiko Gorge with a focused 1-hour window
• Small-group feel with a maximum size of 49 people

A Sun-and-Scenery Day Trip From Rethymno

This is the kind of day plan that works well when you want variety. You start on the coast with Preveli Palm Beach, shift to the seaside village energy of Plakias, then finish with the nature payoff: the waterfalls area in Kourtaliótiko Gorge. In about 9 hours total, you get multiple settings—sand, palms, a village by the sea, and then falling water—without needing to coordinate your own buses and stops.

The best part, in practice, is the blend of guided structure and personal freedom. The guide is there to give you commentary and keep the day moving, but you’re not on a strict schedule of standing in line together. That balance matters if you’re traveling solo, or if you just don’t want every stop to feel like a classroom.

Also, this runs in English, so you’re not stuck playing translator with hand signals.

Price Breakdown: What You Pay vs. What Costs Extra

The headline price is $30.12 per person, for an approximately 9-hour day with a guide. For a full-day outing out of Rethymno, that’s a fair baseline—especially because the tour includes pickup service (with limits) and multiple major stops.

Here’s where you should think like a budget-smart visitor: the add-ons aren’t huge, but they’re real.

• Preveli-related admission is marked as not included for that first beach time.
• A boat crossing/transfer connected to the Preveli to Damnoni area is listed as an extra cost. The prices shown include: €13 for an adult boat ticket / €7 for a child boat ticket, and there’s also a listing for €8 per person tied to a coffee/tea + boat ticket option.
• Kourtaliótiko Gorge entrance shows as €5 per person (listed as a fee).

So the value story is: the guide + multiple environments are included, but you’ll still pay a bit at the attractions. If you’re the type who plans ahead, you’ll feel in control.

My practical tip: before you go, check what your booking includes for the Preveli-to-Damnoni boat option. The pricing you see may reflect different versions (like boat-only versus boat with coffee/tea), and you don’t want surprises once you’re already at the shore.

Getting Picked Up (and Not Picked Up): Meeting Point and Pickup Limits

Pickup is offered, but not everywhere. This tour doesn’t pretend it can park your bus right at every front door.

Your start is at Markidis Travel, Sofokli Venizelou 42, Rethymno 741 00 with a start time of 8:00 am. Pickup is handled by nearest workable points rather than every individual hotel.

A few pickup details that matter:

• There is no pickup from Grand Rimondi, but customers from Grand Rimondi can be picked up at the OPAP shop in Stavromenos.
• There is no pickup from the Panormo area.
• There is no possibility to drive to each hotel; you’ll be sent to the nearest pick up point.
• There is no pickup for travellers from Kavros and Georgioupolis.

If you’re staying outside central Rethymno, confirm your exact pickup spot before you head out. It’s also smart to be waiting a little early, because you’re on a shared departure schedule.

Preveli Beach and Palm Beach: How to Spend Your 2 Hours

You get 2 hours at Preveli Beach—long enough to do the essentials without feeling frantic. This is the part of the day people talk about for the scenery. The name alone hints at why: Preveli Palm Beach is about nature + water, not just a stretch of sand.

How to use your time well:

• Go with a swim-first mindset. Two hours lets you get in the water, cool off, and still have time for a slow walk and photos.
• If you want to explore a bit around the beach area, treat it as light walking, not hiking. The goal is unhurried enjoyment.
• Bring the usual beach kit: sunscreen, water, and something to wipe off sandals. (You’ll be happier if you don’t do a quick scramble at the last moment.)

One note that can affect your expectations: a solo review mentions that for 2023 the tour no longer includes the monastery. If you were planning your day around that, double-check what’s currently included when you book.

Also, this is where the boat link comes into play. If you’re interested in reaching Damnoni Beach, there’s a boat ticket/transfer cost listed separately. Decide early whether you want that add-on—then commit, so you don’t spend the first half of your beach time debating.

Plakias: A Proper Seaside Village Break (2 Hours)

After Preveli, you shift to Plakias for 2 hours. This stop is less about one big sight and more about atmosphere. It’s the kind of seaside village where your simplest plan—swim, eat, stroll—works really well.

In that time window, you can:

• Swim in the crystal-clear waters (that description is exactly how the experience is pitched).
• Find a local taverna for lunch. You’re not locked into one restaurant, so you can choose based on what looks busy and appealing.
• Wander the streets at your own pace. This is a good moment to slow down after beach hopping.

The practical value of Plakias is that it breaks up the day before the gorge. Instead of going from one natural stop straight into the next, you get a chance to eat and reset your legs.

If you’re trying to keep costs down, this is also where you can control your spending: lunch is optional, and you’re not forced into a set menu.

Kourtaliótiko Gorge Waterfalls: One Hour With Big Nature Energy

The final stop is Kourtaliótiko Farángi (the Kourtaliótiko Gorge) for 1 hour, focused on the waterfalls and scenery.

One hour sounds short—because it is. But for a day trip, it’s a workable window. You’ll want to think of it like this: you’re not there to master every trail. You’re there to experience the waterfalls area, take your photos, and enjoy the moment without getting stuck in a long hike you didn’t plan for.

What helps:

• Wear footwear that can handle uneven, damp ground. Waterfalls areas often mean slippery patches.
• Keep your phone storage ready for photos, because you’ll likely want more than one angle.

Entrance fees apply here: €5 per person is listed as the gorge entrance fee.

And because this is nature-based, this tour is weather dependent. If conditions aren’t right, the provider may adjust plans (and you should plan to be flexible).

The Boat to Damnoni: Small Fee, Worth It for Many

If your goal is to see both Preveli and Damnoni Beach, the boat transfer is the bridge between the two. The tour information lists costs for the boat ticket and a separate option tied to coffee/tea alongside the boat.

Here’s the smart way to handle this:

• If you’re set on Damnoni, treat the boat as part of your plan from the start.
• Don’t wait until you’re tired at the beach to decide—by then, the logistics can feel more stressful than they need to.

Also, factor this into your timing. The tour gives you fixed free-time blocks, so you’ll want to make sure you still hit everything you care about during those hours.

Group Size and Pace: Why It Feels Friendly

This tour caps at 49 people. That’s not “everyone fits into one selfie crowd,” but it’s still small enough that you won’t feel lost inside a giant bus parade.

Pace-wise, the day is structured with free-time blocks, not constant motion. That matters because the real charm of a day like this is getting to actually enjoy the places instead of only passing through them. One solo-focused review highlights that the guide helped a solo traveler feel included, and that the time in each spot felt adequate—no rushing.

The tour guide role is more than just reciting dates and distances. You’ll typically get commentary and local insight at the right moments, plus someone keeping track of the schedule so you’re not left guessing.

On some departures, the guide can be Anastasia, mentioned as friendly and informative in a top review. Even if you don’t get the same guide, the takeaway is consistent: you should expect a guide who explains and includes.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This is a great fit if you want:

• Beach time plus nature scenery in one day
• A day that’s not “all driving, no stops”
• A guided plan that still lets you choose how you spend the free hours

It’s especially appealing for people who like structure but dislike feeling rushed.

You might want to consider another option if:

• You hate extra fees at attractions. Several items here are listed as separate costs (Preveli admission, boat transfer, gorge entrance).
• You’re expecting a hotel-door pickup. The tour uses nearby pickup points and doesn’t cover all areas.
• You want a long deep-hike experience. The gorge window is 1 hour, so it’s more “experience the falls” than “walk the whole system.”

Should You Book This Rethymno Day Trip?

My take: if you’re based in or near Rethymno and you want a classic Crete mix—palms and beach, then a seaside village, then waterfalls—this is a strong choice. The main value isn’t just the destinations. It’s the way the day balances guidance with breathing room, so you can swim and wander without feeling like you’re racing the clock.

Before you book, do two quick checks:

1. Confirm your pickup spot. Some areas have no pickup, and Grand Rimondi uses a different pickup point.
2. Budget for the add-ons. Factor in the boat-related cost and the €5 gorge entrance so the day stays enjoyable instead of stressful.

If that sounds like your style, book it. It’s the kind of day that leaves you with a stack of different memories—sand, palms, village streets, and waterfall views—without needing to plan a complicated route yourself.

FAQ

What time does the tour start from Rethymno?

The tour starts at 8:00 am from Markidis Travel, Sofokli Venizelou 42.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 9 hours.

Is pickup from hotels included?

Pickup is offered, but it’s not door-to-door for every hotel. You’ll be sent to the nearest pick up point. There is no pickup for some areas, including Panormo, and pickup is also listed as unavailable for Kavros and Georgioupolis.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Markidis Travel, Sofokli Venizelou 42, Rethymno 741 00, Greece.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a tour guide. The tour also offers a mobile ticket.

Are entrance fees included?

Not all entrance fees are included. Preveli Beach shows admission as not included, and there’s a Kourtaliótiko Gorge entrance fee of €5 per person. Plakias and the gorge time are described as free in the plan, but the gorge entrance fee is still listed as an extra cost.

Is there a boat ride involved to reach Damnoni?

The tour description references boat-related costs connected to the Preveli-to-Damnoni area. A boat ticket price is listed (including €13 adult / €7 child), plus an option listed as €8 per person tied to coffee/tea with the boat ticket.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. The tour is also weather dependent, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.