Kourtaliotiko Gorge

The Kourtaliotiko Gorge, located roughly 22 km south of Rethymno, is one of Crete's most spectacular natural landmarks, famous for its 600-meter-high limestone cliffs and the "clapping" sounds created by wind rushing through its caves. This 3-kilometer-long canyon is traversed by the Kourtaliotis River, which originates from five springs famously said to have gushed forth when Saint Nicholas Kourtaliotis touched the rock with his five fingers. A small stone-built chapel dedicated to the saint is tucked into the cliffs, accessible by a staircase that also leads to a magnificent 40-meter-high waterfall and deep turquoise swimming pools. The gorge serves as a critical biodiversity hotspot, hosting rare birds of prey like the Lammergeier vulture and Golden Eagle, and its river eventually flows into the sea at the exotic Preveli Beach, home to Crete's second-largest natural palm forest.