Spilies or “Tou Maliou to Riaki” is located 15km east of Rethymnon city, in a quiet area, just a few kilometers east of and west of Geropotamos.
It is formed in a small rocky bay with a pebbly beach and crystal clear deep waters, protected by vertical cliffs.
Characteristic of the cove are the beautiful cavernous rocks that protect the small beach on the west.
Beyond the west and the east end of the beach, there are several sea caves and rocks with amazing formations. A part of the east caves collapsed in winter 2011-12.
Preveli is a famous beach on the south side of Crete Island. Crete is the biggest island in Greece, and it attracts visitors because it is a place where you can find everything, from modern cities and exotic beaches to gorges and big mountains.
The local legend says that the mythological king Odysseus stopped in Preveli on the way to his homeland, Ithaka. What makes Preveli beach so famous is the palm forest surrounding the river, which comes from a gorge and ends up in the sea. The exotic beauty of nature attracted in the 60s and 70s hippies from around the globe who used to live here and make huts under the palm trees.
Due to the sensitivity of nature around Preveli Beach, the area is protected by the Natura 2000, and it is a natural reserve.