Μάταλα

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Sandy bay overlooked by cliffs honeycombed with ancient caves.

Matala is a small bay on the south coast of Heraklion, framed by a cliff of soft sandstone full of man-made caves. The caves were carved out in prehistoric and Roman times and probably used as tombs. In the 1960s and 70s hippies from all over the world lived in them, and Joni Mitchell sang about the place. Today the caves are a protected archaeological site that you can visit for a small fee during the day.

The beach itself is a crescent of sand and pebbles with clear water and a lively village behind it, full of tavernas, bars and small shops. The flower power past is still celebrated, with colourful murals and a three-day Matala Beach Festival in June.

Matala is also a good base for the Messara area. Phaistos and Agia Triada are close by, and the Red Beach is a 30-minute walk over the hill to the south. Come in the late afternoon, when the caves glow in the low sun, and stay for the sunset from one of the terraces over the bay.

Χαρακτηριστικά & παροχές

Είσοδος: Δωρεάν
Καλύτερη ώρα: Late afternoon for the caves
Χρόνος: 2–4 hours
Καλό να ξέρετε: Small fee for the caves

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Γύρω από Φαιστός

Heraklion is the heart of Minoan Crete and the island’s busiest region. Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum are the two places almost everyone visits, and they work well together on one day. In the south, the wide Messara plain holds the palace of Phaistos, the Roman ruins of Gortyna and the famous caves above the bay of Matala. Περισσότερα για Ηράκλειο