Kourtaliotiko Gorge Waterfalls & Preveli/Kalypso Beach | Private

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Heraklion, Greece

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

7 to 9 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· Michelle_M ·

Jun 2026

George is a very knowledgeable, professional and attentive guide. We took a tour of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge after being picked up at our Hotel followed by a visit to the beautiful Kalypso beach and finished with a beautiful late lunch at Taverna Dionyssos. We would book a tour with George again, from planning to the day of the excursion communication was great.

· nicci_b ·

Jun 2026

This was the one experience that I booked and looked forward to the most. It did not disappoint. Dimitri was very kind. We had a great meal for lunch and topped off the day with a trip to Kalypso beach. I highly recommend this trip.

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Overview

What's Included

Planning & Organization of your Personalized Tour
Hotel, Harbor, or Meeting Point Pickup & Drop-Off
Knowledgeable Local Driver-Host Fluent in English
Private Transportation in a Comfortable Van
Escorted walk into Kourtaliotiko Gorge
Use of waterproof phone cases for the waterfalls
Hygiene Amenities & First Aid Kit
Onboard Wi-Fi & Fast Charger
Fuel, Tolls, Taxes, & Fees
Liability Insurance
Bottled water

Kourtaliotiko Entrance Fee

€5.00 per person
Cretan Lunch is an Optional Experience
Personal Expenses, Tips & Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pick-Up Point: Outside your Hotel Reception. -For Cruise Passengers: Outside the main Heraklion Port Passenger Terminal Building Pick-ups outside the designated area -Available upon request (extra fee may apply)

Itinerary

Kourtaliotiko Gorge

1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Preveli Palm Forest (Pass By)

Preveli Beach

1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kalypso Beach

1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Plakias

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Infant seats available
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Please note that both Kourtaliotiko Gorge & Preveli Beach are only accessible via steps and steep terrain.
Travelers from cruise ships should choose the earliest possible option

Travelers should bring swimwear, a beach towel & wear proper shoes.
We can accommodate big groups. For groups of 9 or more, please contact us directly
Pick-ups outside the designated area -Available upon request (extra fee may apply)
Travelers staying in Elounda or Chania should contact us directly prior to booking
If Kourtaliotiko Gorge is unexpectedly closed due to weather or safety conditions, the tour itinerary will be adjusted to include visits to both Kalypso & Preveli Beach instead of the Gorge experience
This tour operates from May 1st to October 31st
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 51 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Best tour and tour guide and a delicious meal!!

Ferah_S, Jul 2026

We had the best tour with George. He went above and beyond to make sure we had the most wonderful time. We had the best Cretan meal on this tour also at a restaurant that George had picked out. Best experience ever!!

Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Prevali Beach, Taverna Dionyssos Tour

Mark_C, Jun 2026

"Fantastic" is the best word to describe this tour. George was very professional throughout the experience, from the pickup to returning us back to our apartment. His van was very comfortable, too. The drive to the gorge was long, and George filled the time with commentary about the landscape and culture. He is quite informed about the history and, despite our visiting the archeological museum earlier in the week, was able to provide an outstanding summary of the island's history over the past 7000+ years. George gave the occasional "quiz" to see if we were paying attention. We stopped for coffee at a small cafe -- nice, quiet location and excellent coffee. George also treated us to sesame and honey snack bars (Pasteli). As recommended, we prepurchased our entry tickets to the gorge -- this made entry seamless and quick, although there were no other people waiting when we arrived. We followed the steep steps (be forewarned as you'll need to climb back up later) down into the gorge. At the bottom, the only way to see the waterfalls is to swim in the very cold spring water, about 50m. Did I mention the water was very cold?! We took advantage of the waterproof bags for our mobile phones, and this allowed us to take some photos of the waterfalls. George watched our belongings during this time. We toweled off, then climbed back out of the gorge. Although not essential, some people wore wetsuits to reduce the chilling effects of the cold water. For our next stop we chose to stop at Preveli Beach and palm tree forest. You need to climb more steps up and over a hill to get to the beach (about 15 minutes), and it was worth it. The river from the gorge flows across the beach, and there is plenty of shade under the trees. After about an hour of wading in the river and the sea, we headed back to the meet up point. On our return trip to Heraklion, we stopped at Taverna Dionyssos in the mountain village of Myrthios for lunch. We were treated to a preview in the kitchen of the daily specials which, of course, we had to order. Lunch was fantastic! We were staying in the heart of Heraklion and George delivered us almost to our front door, saving us a 15 minute walk from our original pickup location. Later that evening, George sent a WhatsApp message with a summary of our day. What an unexpected and welcome surprise! We absolutely and highly recommend George as a guide, and this tour was outstanding.

Beautiful day in Crete

Michelle_M, Jun 2026

Our tour guide Dimitris...

kathy_c, Jun 2026

Our tour guide Dimitris was AMAZING! Courteous, informative, fun, adaptable since the gorge was actually closed that day unbeknownst to him. The beaches were gorgeous and the taverna for lunch was delicious authentic small village Greek food! We loved learning of the Crete culture from Dimitris, a must do for everyone!!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Dear Kathy, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience and for your kind words about Dimitris. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beaches, the traditional village lunch, and the cultural experience of the day. On the day of your tour, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge was unexpectedly closed by the local authorities due to rare and unforeseen conditions. This is a highly unusual occurrence that happens only in very limited situations. In response, our team professionally adjusted the itinerary on the spot to ensure the day continued smoothly. Instead of the gorge, we provided a dual-beach experience at both Preveli Beach and Kalypso Beach, along with extended tour time at the coastal stops so the experience remained relaxed, unhurried, and complete. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we truly appreciate you choosing to explore Crete with us.

This was the one...

nicci_b, Jun 2026

The most amazing day!...

Caroline_R, May 2026

The most amazing day! Never saw this side of Crete and it was indescribably beautiful! Our guide, Dimitri was GREAT!! Highly recommend this excursion! BOOK IT… you will love seeing the natural wonders of Crete.

An Absolute MUST!

Rosey_T, May 2026

Perfect from A to Z! Our guide Dimitris was awesome! He was so knowledgeable, showed up on time and had the cleanest vehicle. Offered us water immediately and told us what to expect on the trip. He gave us some history lessons as we rode to our first part of the destination where we stopped for coffee and pastries. The gorge was phenomenal and is an absolute must! This time of year the water was cold, but once you get used to it, it was great. We got the best pictures. A little bit of a warning though…you definitely need water shoes and sneakers for the short hike. You definitely need to be in good health and be OK with inclined and steep terrain. Afterward, we went to Kalypso Beach for some sunbathing and swimming. Another picture perfect part of the day. After hanging out there for another hour or so we went to lunch at a local restaurant where we simply had the best Cretan food and got to talk to some locals and really experience what the area has to offer. I even got a chance to buy locally sourced olive oil to take home with me! It’s one of their major exports as we looked and drove by all the olive trees in the mountains! This was the most perfect day for myself and my family and would highly recommend this tour!

Great beautiful tour.

Bobbi_W, Sep 2025

This tour was fantastic. Dimitiris was very knowledgeable about Crete. The waterfall is beautiful as is Preveli beach. Dimitris is was very accommodating and made sure we saw what we wanted to see.

Crossing Crete

Carrie_C, Sep 2025

Our day began with a warm “good morning” at the Port of Heraklion. From there, we journeyed across the diverse regions of Heraklion and Rethymno, taking in the ever-changing landscapes of Crete. After admiring a panoramic view of Rethymno from above, we continued south to the village of Koxare, where we embraced a beloved Cretan tradition — enjoying Greek coffee at a local Kafenio. You also discovered the charming old custom of reading the “secrets” left in the coffee cup. With our energy renewed, we ventured into the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, immersing ourselves in its untamed beauty, exploring hidden corners, and reaching places few ever do. Our next stop was Kalypso Beach — a secluded cove framed by dramatic cliffs plunging into crystal-clear waters. Once a hideout for pirates, this spot still carries a sense of mystery and adventure. You spent a couple of carefree hours here, swimming, relaxing, and soaking in the raw beauty of the south coast. As midday approached, we made our way back to your boat, with an adventurous unblocking of the road. This trip was perfect to do something besides normal quick trips

A Beautiful Day!

Tim_H, Sep 2025

We LOVED Dimitris!!!! He was so sweet, and tailored the entire day toward our interests! We wish we could’ve spend our entire time in Crete with Dimitris!

Excellent experience! Amazing natural wonders!

Lula_L, Aug 2025

The whole trip was fantastic! The gorge and waterfalls were spectacular! Preveli beach was one of a kind! George was very knowledgeable, patient, and kind. He was very detailed in letting me know what to expect in terms of the physicality of each place, which was important for the bits of hiking involved. He was also very accommodating when due to weather we had to make some changes to the original itinerary, but it all worked out for a lovely experience.

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