Sandy beaches

Matala Beach & Caves

Phaistos, Heraklion · Free

Directions

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free
Best time: Late afternoon for the caves
Time needed: 2–4 hours
Good to know: Small fee for the caves

Organised

Well organised

Characteristics

Activities

Watersports

Good for

Family friendly

Facilities

Access

Step-free access

About

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.

Around Phaistos

West coast
Nearest town: Matala, about 1 km by road
Nearest airport: Heraklion airport (HER), about 71 km by road

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. More about Heraklion