Matala Beach
Best for. Curious travellers who want a swim with a story, since the carved cliff caves and the 1960s legend give the bay real character.
Best spot. The sand under the northern cliff for the caves at your back, then the rocks at the south end for the sunset.
Know this. Matala is a small, lively resort town, so the bay is busy and organised rather than wild and quiet.
Matala is a beach with a backstory. The soft sandstone cliffs that frame its little bay are honeycombed with caves, some of them ancient tombs, which in the 1960s became a famous hippie commune that drew the likes of Joni Mitchell. That history still flavours the town, a cheerful, slightly faded resort of tavernas and shops painted in bright colours, and it gives an ordinary sized bay an outsized sense of character.
The beach itself is a compact crescent of pale gold sand, organised with sunbeds and backed directly by the town, so everything is a few steps away. The water is clean and shelves to swimming depth fairly quickly, which suits confident swimmers more than toddlers. Climbing the caves in the cliff, for a small fee, is part of the ritual, and the view back over the bay from up there is the one most people came for.
The honest read is to know what Matala is. This is not a wild, empty beach. It is a busy, friendly resort bay where the draw is atmosphere and history as much as the swimming. The sunsets from the rocks at the southern end are genuinely lovely, and the famous Red Beach is a walk over the headland for those wanting something quieter. Come for the caves, the stories and the easygoing town, not for solitude.
Clubs on this beach
Matala is a resort beach with sunbeds and tavernas rather than a single named club. The organised sand and the bars and restaurants of the town behind it cover most of what a club would, in a more relaxed key. Operators change year to year, so confirm before you travel and see the Crete beach clubs guide for the island picture.
Seasonal sunbeds and tavernas
Sunbed hire on the organised sand with tavernas and bars in the town behind. Operator names and prices to be confirmed.
South coast, Crete
Matala sits on the south coast of Crete, southwest of Heraklion and below the Messara plain. By car it is a drive of around an hour from Heraklion and a little less from Phaistos, ending in the small town where parking sits just behind the beach. The approach is straightforward by Cretan standards.
There are bus services to Matala from Heraklion in season, which make it reachable without a car, though times are limited. Once you arrive, the bay, the caves, the town and the path to Red Beach are all within an easy walk of one another.
Photo: notfromparis via GoogleBook a beach club
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Common questions about Matala
Can you go inside the caves at Matala?
Yes. The carved caves in the cliff are open to visitors for a small fee during opening hours. They were ancient tombs and later a 1960s hippie haven. Wear shoes with grip, as the sandstone can be smooth, and enjoy the view back over the bay.
Is Matala beach good for swimming?
The water is clean and clear and shelves to swimming depth fairly quickly, which suits confident swimmers well. That same quick drop makes it less ideal for very young children, so supervise closely and treat the sea as unsupervised.
Is Matala very touristy?
Yes, in a friendly way. It is a small resort town built around its beach and caves, busy in summer with tavernas, shops and day visitors. The appeal is its atmosphere and history rather than seclusion. For quiet, walk over to Red Beach nearby.
Where is the best sunset at Matala?
From the rocks at the southern end of the bay, looking out over the sea past the cave cliff. It is a local evening ritual in summer, so arrive a little early to claim a spot, and stay for the colour after the sun drops.
When is the best time to visit Matala?
Late May or September, when the water is warm and the town is lively but not at its fullest. Mornings are calmest on the sand, and evenings bring the sunset crowd to the southern rocks.
