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Trip Planner: Europe / Greece / Crete / Heraklion Prefecture / Matala / Beaches / Matala beach

Matala beach, Matala

4.2

#1 of 10 in Beaches in Heraklion Prefecture

Beach Nature / Park

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Combine your beach visit with some cave exploration at Matala beach, where the landscape features a rocky plateau that appears to be sliding into the sea. Climb up to access some of the caves, cut into the side of the sliding rock by the water over the years. There is one particularly large cave over the sea, and swimmers often paddle to its mouth to inspect the inside. Cafes, restaurants, and shops line the beach and offer facilities along the shore. Work out when and for how long to visit Matala beach and other Matala attractions using our handy Matala family vacation planner.

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9 days in Crete BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, museums, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 9 days in Crete BY A USER FROM CANADA August, outdoors, beaches, fast-paced, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, outdoors, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Fast-paced 11 days in Crete BY A USER FROM CANADA July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 17 days in Crete BY A USER FROM ITALY August, beaches, historic sites, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 12 days in Crete BY A USER FROM POLAND September, kids, culture, outdoors, romantic, beaches, historic sites, hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, kids, culture, outdoors, romantic, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 11 days in Crete BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM August, culture, outdoors, romantic, historic sites, hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, romantic, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 8 days in Crete BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM July, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: July ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 9 days in Crete BY A USER FROM FRANCE August, relaxing, romantic, beaches, fast-paced, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, relaxing, romantic, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Fast-paced 9 days in Crete BY A USER FROM FRANCE August, culture, relaxing, beaches, fast-paced, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, culture, relaxing, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Fast-paced 9 days in Crete BY A USER FROM ITALY August, relaxing, beaches, shopping, slow & easy, hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, relaxing, beaches, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 17 days in Crete BY A USER FROM FRANCE August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 7 days in Crete BY A USER FROM GREECE October, culture, romantic, historic sites, museums, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October, culture, romantic, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium

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Where to stay in Matala

Though Matala's hippie history is mostly a memory, you'll find a few budget hotels and a campground for backpackers remains. If you're not among this group, Matala also features a number of more luxurious options offering a classic Greek island experience. For an optimal stay here, choose a beachfront resort or hotel. If you prefer to stay in town, there are a number of options along and off of Matala Road. For the best prices, and fewer crowds, consider coming during the off-season.

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1,188 reviews

DimitriVol

Nice beach, Crowded. Loud. Lots of umbrellas. Lots of tavernas etc. If you are into serene places, this is not it. more »
nikos a

Having heard so many stories anout this beach and the surprise was not pleasant.Totally destroyed by constractions for tourists,so many signs,so many umbrellas,Awfull.Naturall beauty is great but is c... more »
Silviobr

This is a nice beach. we went there for the afternoon and had a great time. The trip from Heraklion by car takes about an hour and a half so I am not sure would do it just for it. But if you are takin... more »

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Visit for: 30min

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