Matala Complete Guide 2026: Caves, Beach & Phaistos
The complete Matala guide for 2026: the famous cliff caves, the soft-sand beach, the Minoan palace of Phaistos and the laid-back south-coast scene.
8 chapters · 4 beaches· 34.9936° N 24.7494° E
Matala.
Caves, hippies and the south coast
A beach village under a cliff of Roman tombs, with Red Beach over the headland and Phaistos up the road
- From Piraeus
- 8h 30m to 9h
- Best months
- May · Jun · Sep · Oct
- Ferries from
- Athens (Piraeus)
- Ferry fares
- from €40
- Beaches in this guide
- 4
- Villages in this guide
- 4
- Best months
- May · Jun · Sep · Oct
Island explorer
Matala in 8 chapters.
The villages and beaches that shape the island. Tap a chapter to fly there, then plan it into your trip.
Village · Matala village
Chapters01 / 08
Chapter 01
Village
One street, one bay, painted walls.
The village is the beach, the caves and a pedestrian street of tavernas and shops behind. Rooms are simple; everything is within three minutes on foot.
- The caves
- Sunset from the beach
- Mural street
- Tavernas on the sand
Touristas AI checks ferries, stays and timing for your dates.
How to plan Matala
- 01
- 02
- 03
01 · The island
Discover Matala.
Matala is a small beach village on the south coast of Heraklion prefecture, 70 km from Heraklion city (about 1h 15m) and 1h 30m from the airport. It is famous for the caves cut into the sandstone cliff above the beach, Roman and early Christian tombs where hippies lived in the late 1960s, and for the sandy bay below them. Red Beach is a 20-minute walk over the headland, Kommos and Kalamaki beaches are 5 km north, and the Minoan palace of Phaistos is 10 km inland.
Matala is one bay, one cliff and one street of tavernas. The bay faces west, so the sun sets into the sea behind the fishing boats; the cliff on its north side is honeycombed with caves cut as tombs in Roman times; and the street behind the beach is painted with murals from the village's hippie years.
Those years, roughly 1967 to 1973, put Matala on the map. Travellers lived in the caves, Joni Mitchell wrote a song about it, and the Greek junta eventually cleared them out. The village has traded on the memory ever since, with a beach festival every June and a relaxed, slightly bohemian crowd that still fits the place.
The coast around it is the reason to stay more than a night. Red Beach over the headland is a small cove with reddish sand; Kommos to the north is a long, wild beach with a Minoan harbour site and turtle nests; Kalamaki beside it is the family beach. Phaistos, Gortyn and the Messara plain are the day trips.
“Watch the sunset from the caves, then eat in Pitsidia. Matala's beach is for the day; the village up the road is for dinner.”
- Bohemian
- Beach
- History
- Sunsets
02On the map
Where is Matala?
- Coordinates
- 34.9936° N 24.7494° E
- Region
- Crete, Greece
03 · Where to stay
Where to stay in Matala.
Matala offers distinct neighbourhoods for every trip style. Compare areas and rates for your dates on our Matala hotels page or the detailed where to stay in Matala guide.
Area 01Matala village
One street, one bay, painted walls
The village is the beach, the caves and a pedestrian street of tavernas and shops behind. Rooms are simple; everything is within three minutes on foot.
- The caves
- Sunset from the beach
- Mural street
Area 02Pitsidia
Village 3 km inland with the better tavernas
An old village on the hill above Matala with a square, plane trees and tavernas that locals prefer. Quieter rooms and a ten-minute drive to three beaches.
- Village square
- Traditional tavernas
- Quiet rooms
Area 03Kalamaki
Family beach village 5 km north
A small resort on a long sandy beach with shallow water, tavernas and apartments. The family alternative to Matala.
- Long sandy beach
- Shallow water
- Family apartments
Area 04Agia Galini
Harbour town 30 minutes west
A steep fishing town on the Rethymno border with a harbour, boat trips and a bigger choice of hotels and restaurants.
- Harbour tavernas
- Boat trips
- More hotels
04 · Story
Minoan port, Roman tombs, hippie caves.
- 01
Port of Phaistos
In Minoan times the harbour for Phaistos was at Kommos, just north of Matala, where a large stone-built harbour town has been excavated. Matala itself served Gortyn, the Roman capital, as a port.
- 02
The caves (1st-2nd c. AD)
The caves in the cliff were cut as tombs in the Roman period and reused by early Christians. Their chambers, benches and windows are what the hippies later moved into.
- 03
The hippie years (1967-73)
Travellers on the overland route to India lived in the caves for years. Joni Mitchell's "Carey" (1971) describes the scene; the junta evicted the residents and the caves are now a fenced archaeological site.
- 04
The festival
Since 2011 the Matala Beach Festival in June has brought free concerts and street art to the village; the murals on every wall come from it.
- tombs cut in the cliff
- 1st c. AD
- Joni Mitchell writes "Carey"
- 1971
- walk to Red Beach
- 20 min
- to Phaistos
- 10 km
05 · Beaches
Beaches worth the trip.
The best shores of Matala
Sandy bay under the caves01Matala beach
The caves on one side, sunset straight ahead
- Water
- Clear, sand and small pebbles, can have waves
- Access
- The village fronts it
- Best for
- Everyone; sunsets
Small cove with reddish sand02Red Beach (Kokkini Ammos)
Reached only on foot over the headland; relaxed, part-naturist
- Water
- Clear, deep
- Access
- 20-minute steep path from the village
- Best for
- Couples, walkers
Long wild beach with Minoan ruins03Kommos
Kilometres of sand, dunes, turtle nests and the Kommos excavation
- Water
- Open sea, waves in wind
- Access
- 5 km north; short walk from the car park
- Best for
- Space, walkers, nature
Family beach04Kalamaki
Shallow and sandy with tavernas
- Water
- Shallow, warm
- Access
- 5 km north by car
- Best for
- Families
Car & ATV hire
Reach every beach on Matala
Compare local agencies with port and hotel delivery.
06 · At the table
Eating in Matala.
Messara plain produce, south-coast fish
- 01
Grilled fish
The tavernas on Matala beach buy from the village boats; sea bream and red mullet are the usual catch.
- 02
Dakos
Barley rusk with tomato, mizithra and olive oil from the Messara plain.
- 03
Goat with horta
Braised goat with wild greens, the Sunday dish in Pitsidia.
- 04
Kalitsounia
Cheese pies, sweet with honey or savoury with greens.
- 05
Messara watermelon
The plain grows Crete's best; served free after dinner in summer.
- 06
Raki
Every taverna pours its own; Pitsidia's is stronger than Matala's.
07 · A day on the island
Your perfect day.
From sunrise to sunset in Matala
- Morning1 hour
The caves
The cliff is a fenced archaeological site with a small entry fee. Climb the paths between the tomb chambers before the heat; the views over the bay are the best in the village.
- Morning2-3 hours
Phaistos
The second Minoan palace of Crete, 10 km inland, unrestored and quiet, with the Messara plain below. Combine with Agia Triada villa 3 km away.
- Afternoon2-3 hours
Walk to Red Beach
The path climbs from the south end of the village over the headland and drops to the cove in 20 minutes. Proper shoes; bring water and shade.
- Afternoon3 hours
Kommos
Drive 5 km north, park at Kommos and walk south along the beach past the excavation. Turtle nests are marked in summer; keep clear.
- Full day5 hours
Gortyn and the Messara
The Roman capital of Crete, 20 km away, with the law code inscription and the basilica of Titus, then lunch in a plain village.
- Evening3 hours
Sunset and dinner
Sunset from the beach or the caves, then dinner on the sand or up in Pitsidia.
Tours & activities
Book the best of Matala
Sailing trips, sunset cruises, diving and cooking classes.
08 · When to go
When to visit Matala.
Find the perfect time for your Matala trip
Apr
21°C
Very low Crowds
Wildflowers; sea 18°C; hikers arrive
May
25°C
Low Crowds
Gorges open; boats start; quiet beaches
Jun
29°C
Medium Crowds
Warm sea, long evenings
Jul-Aug
33°C
High Crowds
Hot; Greek holiday weeks; book early
Sep
29°C
Medium Crowds
Sea at 26°C; the best month
Oct
25°C
Low Crowds
Still swimming; gorges reopen after summer heat
Nov-Mar
16°C
Very low Crowds
Mild; some tavernas and rooms stay open
09 · Getting there
Getting to Matala.
Ferry routes and travel connections
From
Athens (Piraeus)
Overnight, daily
Duration
8h 30m to 9h
Price
from €40
10 · Book
Plan your Matala trip.
Ferries, hotels, car hire and neighbourhood guides: everything you need after reading this Matala guide.
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Tours & activities
Boat trips, tastings and guided hikes.
- 06
Places to eat & drink
Tavernas, bars and cafés by village.
11 · Essentials
Before you go.
Insider tips for your Matala trip
Matala · 2026 updates
- The Matala Beach Festival in June fills every room within 20 km; book months ahead or avoid that week.
- Phaistos needs timed tickets in July and August like Knossos.
- Kommos is a protected site: park only in the marked area.
01Transport
3
- From Heraklion airport, 1h 30m by car via Mires. KTEL buses from Heraklion take about 2 hours with a change at Mires in some seasons.
- A car is essential here: Phaistos, Gortyn, Kommos and Agia Galini are all short drives with poor bus links.
- Parking in Matala is a paid car park at the village entrance; the village itself is pedestrian.
02Money & Booking
3
- Matala rooms are cheap by Crete standards outside the June festival week and August.
- Taverna meals on the beach are €12-18 per person; Pitsidia is cheaper.
- The caves cost a few euros to enter; Phaistos €8.
03Health & Safety
3
- The nearest health centre is in Mires (20 minutes); the hospital is Heraklion.
- The Red Beach path is steep and loose; not for flip-flops.
- The south coast is hotter than the north by 2-4 degrees; midday shade in July and August.
04Culture & Etiquette
3
- The caves are tombs and an archaeological site: no climbing outside the paths, no camping.
- Red Beach is part-naturist; that is accepted here.
- Turtle nests on Kommos are marked; lights and umbrellas near them are banned.
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FAQ
Matala questions.
Everything you need to know about Matala
- No. The caves are a fenced archaeological site (Roman-era tombs) with a small entry fee and daytime hours. Sleeping or camping in them has been banned since the 1970s.
- On foot only: a steep 20-minute path from the south end of Matala village over the headland. Wear proper shoes and carry water; there is a small taverna in season but no shade.
- About 70 km, 1h 15m by car via Mires and the Messara plain; 1h 30m from the airport. Buses take around two hours.
- The bay is fine for families but the village is small and the rooms are simple. Kalamaki, 5 km north, has the shallower beach and family apartments; many families stay there and visit Matala for the caves and sunset.
- Phaistos and Agia Triada (Minoan sites, 10 km), Gortyn (Roman capital, 20 km), the beaches of Kommos, Kalamaki and Red Beach, the village of Pitsidia, and Agia Galini harbour 30 minutes west.
- Usually over a weekend in mid-June, with free concerts on the beach and street-art events. It is the busiest weekend of the year; book accommodation months ahead.
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