Matala Beach is located 70 kilometers southwest of Heraklion (the capital), on the southern coast of the island of Crete.
Matala has become legendary thanks to Greek mythology which tells this anecdote: here Zeus, in the form of a bull, landed with Europe, after having kidnapped her, and before taking her to Gortina and making her mother of Minos, the future king.
Matala is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Crete and certainly worth a visit.
As we all know the most famous attraction of this beach are its caves carved into the rock. These caves hosted many Hippies in the 60s and 70s, who came to stay here and among them there were real celebrities (and perhaps this helped make this corner of paradise so famous). Among the stars that passed by here, we have Joni Mitchell, whose song "Carey" is inspired by the beach, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Joan Baez and Janis Joplin.
But before the arrival of the Hippies, and definitely many years before, the famous caves hosted the civilizations of prehistory and in Roman and Christian times the caves were used as tombs. At the time of the Minoan civilization, Matala was used as the port of Festo, while during Roman rule it became the port of Gortyna.
A succession of eras and different uses of these caves that still make this beach suggestive and particular.
Today the caves dug in the porous sandstone walls can be visited at a cost of € 3 per person, with opening from 10.00 in the morning to 19.00 in the evening (from April to September) and from 8.30 to 15.00 (from October to March). If you've come this far, don't miss a visit! We give you a little advice: the best time is that of the sunset which makes it very suggestive, so book for that hour since the morning, in order to find a place!
The caves of Matala have meant that the beach was part of the "Nature 2000" program created by the European Union.
Some of these caves can only be reached by boat, but visiting them is a must. But not only the caves have protected the area, but also the numerous archaeological remains of walls and palaces, the ruins of a fortress and a lighthouse on the hill of Castrì, the remains of the place used to send signals through the fire, or the friktorìa, and the famous Church of Panagia set in a rock, dedicated to the Madonna and used as a catacomb in the period in which Christians were persecuted: if you are passionate about history, then you absolutely have to make a leap.
How to reach Matala beach?
Matala beach can be reached either by car or by bus.
Precisely if you decide to reach it by car, you must know that it is 1 hour from Heraklion (the capital), 1 hour and a half from Malia or Hersonissos, 2 hours from Elounda and 2 and a half hours from Chania.
Near the beach and the village of Matala there are several parking lots, of which the one closest to the beach costs € 2 per day (it is a unique and rare case, calculating that on the Greek islands parking is usually free).
If you decide to get there by bus, keep in mind that there are 5 per day (from Monday to Friday), 6 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday from Heraklion (€ 7.80 each way with a duration of 2 hours), from Festo (€ 1.70 with a duration of 30 minutes) and by Mires (€ 2.80 each way with a duration of 45 minutes).
Is Matala beach equipped?
The Matala beach is equipped with a parking lot behind and sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach for 7 € a day.
Let's start by saying that the beach of Matala is splendid from every point of view: it boasts sand mixed with pebbles, a magnificent crystal clear sea, with a bottom that slopes very gently. The water thanks to the type of bottom, is excellent for the little ones and for those who love to swim in a sweet relax.
To frame the sea, an Oscar-winning scenery with its caves, stone cliffs, tamarisks and vegetation that together embrace the bay and bring shade to those who love to relax.
Sometimes due to the currents, "rather strong" waves might arrive, but you will feel it much sooner, so be careful if you like to relax on a mat going offshore or if you love taking long swims. On the beach there is always a slight breeze that is decidedly pleasant and never annoying (except if we talk about the windiest days).
If you love diving, head to the north coast of the bay and find the big rock and enjoy yourself in total freedom (often you meet acrobatic diving enthusiasts who suggest with their circling in the air before diving at full speed in the blue waters of Matala).
If you love water sports, here you can have fun, there are many establishments that offer the opportunity to practice fun in the water (pedal boats, jet skis, etc.). A sport that we certainly recommend is snorkeling, so you can get to know the splendid marine life of Matala beach.
If the main beach at the foot of the caves is too crowded, head towards the Red Beach, which can be reached with a 30-minute walk on the rocks. Here you will not find bars to eat and drink, so bring something.
Off Matala you will notice the presence of two rocky islets called Paximadia, splendid to see from afar, but even closer and you can reach them by boat from Agia Galini or from the port of Kokkinos Pirgos. Arrived here you will discover small pebble beaches embedded in the rock. Here the legend says that Apollo and Artemis were born.
Furthermore, if you are looking for a place to have fun with pre-evening aperitifs, Matala is perfect for you. Stop late and you will notice that the clubs never seem to close! You will be lucky enough to meet many local people and many visitors, all together, without nationality boundaries. Here the spirit of "community" has remained unchanged and you will realize it immediately.
What is the village of Matala like?
Behind the beach you will find the village of Matala.
If you take a tour inside the village of Matala you will notice that there are no big resorts: even though tourism has conditioned the area a bit, it has never adhered to the construction of huge and imposing buildings that could somehow disfigure the look and the peace that can still be breathed in the village. In fact you will be able to see many small shops, taverns, studios, small pensions, small hotels and a campsite. All respecting the characteristic style of Matala.
If you happen to be here in June, you can't miss the Matala Beach Festival, the moment in which the town is colored and the music resounds in every corner and every hour: a show in which you have to participate. In short, there are many things to do, certainly in Matala you will never get bored!
Matala is a beautiful place where relaxation, comfort and beauty of all kinds come together and create a splendid setting, a magical place, a place where even today you can breathe the free spirit that the hippies had seized when they arrived on these lands. Certainly the peaceful soul is not exactly the same as it used to be, but Matala, both his village and his beach, can fascinate you at first glance. Do you really want to miss it?