Matala Beach & Caves
Μάταλα
A small bay on the south coast facing the Libyan Sea, its cliffs carved with Roman-era tomb caves. Hippies lived in them in the 1960s, and today it is a favourite spot for beaches and sunsets.
Matala Bay has fine sand and clear water. Its northern sandstone cliffs are riddled with man-made caves, originally tombs from the Roman and early Christian periods. In the 1960s and 1970s they became a hippie settlement, and singers such as Joni Mitchell are said to have visited. The cave area is open during the day, with an entry fee of about 2 to 4 euros. The village’s painted streets and seaside bars make for a relaxing sunset. It is about 1 hour and 15 minutes’ drive from Heraklion.
Opening hours
Beach open all day; cave area approx. 08:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Palace of Phaistos
- Gortyn
- Archanes & Peza Wine Region
- Agia Pelagia
- Venetian Walls & Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis
- Natural History Museum of Crete
- Agios Minas Cathedral
- Knossos Palace