Crete · Heraklion

Excursions to Matala

Head to the south coast for Matala, the cave-riddled cliffs, a golden beach and the Minoan palace of Festos on the way, an easy full day from Heraklion.

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2Excursions
HeraklionSouth coast
★ 4.7Guest rating
Matala, Crete ★ Loved by 50k+ travellers
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All excursions to Matala.

40 excursions
Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island Crete

Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €80 View
Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay Crete

Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port

from €85 View
Legends of Crete Crete

Legends of Crete

6+ hours

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €69 View
From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch Crete

From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch

6 hours · Outdoor

Please arrive at the port of Hersonissos 30 minutes…

from €59 View
Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making Crete

Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €129 View
Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island Crete

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €67 View
Crete: WaterCity Waterpark Crete

Crete: WaterCity Waterpark

6 hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €42.5 View
Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night Crete

Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night

3+ hours · Historical

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €50 View
Book with the operator

Booking Matala direct.

Matala turns up on the big platforms too. Booking the day straight with us is a little different.

The local team, not a reseller

You book with the Heraklion team that runs the south-Crete coaches itself, not a platform passing the day on.

Real people, quick to answer

A local team on the phone, WhatsApp and Viber daily from 08:00 to 22:00, before you travel and on the day itself.

Flexible hotel pick-up

Pick-up is arranged around your hotel across Heraklion and the south-coast resorts.

Clear prices, no mark-up

The from-price you see is ours, with no third-party booking fee added over the top.

If the weather changes the plan, we move you to another date or refund you in full.

About the area

The caves & the south coast.

Matala sits on the south coast of Heraklion, famous for the man-made caves carved into its sandstone cliffs, Roman tombs that later became a 1960s hippie haven. Below them lies a sheltered sandy beach and warm Libyan Sea water.

Most trips pair Matala with the Minoan palace of Festos on the fertile Messara plain, making a relaxed full day of history, a swim and southern-Crete scenery, with lunch and pick-up included. It sits within easy reach of Heraklion, Knossos and Dia, with more to explore across the rest of Crete.

Beach / settingSandy bay beneath cave cliffs
Best timeMay to October
Getting thereFull day from Heraklion
Weather

When to visit Matala.

The south coast is warm and dry, with a long beach season from spring to autumn and famous sunsets.

MonthAir (day)SeaHow busy
May24°C20°CQuiet
June28°C22°CBuilding
July31°C24°CBusy
August31°C26°CBusy
September28°C25°CEasing
October24°C24°CQuiet
Fewest crowdsMay and October, calmer on the sand.
Warmest seaAugust into September on the Libyan Sea.
Best sunsetsClear evenings, best watched from the caves.
Getting here

Getting to Matala.

Matala sits on the south coast below Heraklion, a scenic drive or an organised day trip.

By road

The drive from Heraklion takes around an hour and a quarter to the south coast, with parking by the beach.

On a day trip

Excursions from the Heraklion area pair Matala with nearby sites and give you time on the sand.

Where to stay

Where to stay for Matala.

Matala sits on the south coast below Heraklion, with small villages nearby and the city an hour north.

Browse hotels nearby
Matala

Rooms and small hotels right behind the beach, for sunsets and a laid-back stay.

Pitsidia & Kalamaki

Quiet villages minutes away, handy for the beaches without the crowds.

Heraklion town

The city an hour north, best for sightseeing and transport.

Agia Galini

A pretty south-coast resort further west along the coast.

Nearby sights

What’s near Matala.

The Messara plain behind Matala holds two of Crete’s great ancient sites.

Phaistos

The second great Minoan palace, on a hill above the Messara plain.

Gortyna

The Roman capital of Crete, with its famous law code carved in stone.

Red Beach

A striking red-sand cove reached by a short walk over the headland.

Kommos

A long sandy beach and Minoan harbour site just up the coast.

Food & drink

Taste of Matala.

South-coast cooking is sunny and simple, built on olive oil, greens, cheese and honey, with fish along the shore.

Try fresh fish in the village, dakos and graviera, and a glass of raki as the sun drops behind the caves.

Local specialties to try
Fresh fishDakosGraviera cheeseWild greensRakiCretan honey
One trusted partner

Plan your whole Matala trip.

Book every part of your trip with one local team: flights, ferries, transfers, a car and your hotel.

FlightsFind flights to CreteFerriesFerry tickets to CreteTransfersAirport & port pick-upCar rentalRent a car in CreteHotelsStays across Crete
Before you go

Good to know for Matala.

Famous forThe 1960s cave dwellings carved in the cliffs
BeachSoft sand on the Libyan Sea
What to bringWater, sunscreen and swim shoes
Best hoursLate afternoon for the sunset
FacilitiesTavernas and sunbeds in the village
Good forBeach days with a bohemian past
Across Crete

More of Crete near Matala.

Other stand-out spots worth adding to your Crete trip.

Plan your visit

How long for Matala?

The south-Crete Matala day is a full day. Here is how it sits in a week.

1A full day
  • The red-sand caves, the beach and the Minoan palace of Festos on the south coast, with a lunch stop.
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Before you book

Your Matala questions

What are the Matala caves?

They’re tombs carved into the sandstone cliffs in Roman times, later famous as a 1960s hippie hangout. You can walk among them just above the beach.

Is there a beach at Matala?

Yes, a sheltered sandy beach right below the caves, with warm, calm water that’s good for swimming.

What is Festos?

Festos (Phaistos) is a major Minoan palace on the Messara plain, often combined with Matala on the same day for a mix of history and beach.

How long is the day?

It’s a full day from Heraklion with lunch and pick-up included; the exact times are confirmed after booking.

What if the weather turns?

If we cancel for weather or safety, you’re offered another date or a full refund, always explained up front.

Can you go inside the Matala caves?

Yes, the sandstone caves in the cliff are open to walk through; they were Roman tombs, later famous as a 1960s hippie hideout.

Is lunch included on the Matala trip?

The south-Crete day trip includes a lunch stop; the exact taverna is confirmed with your booking.

A Time 4 Vacation guide with travellers in Greece
Simple & secure

Booking Matala, step by step.

1

Search & compare

Compare Matala excursions by type, date and budget, and pick the day that suits you.

2

Book securely

Reserve your Matala day out online in minutes, with instant confirmation and a voucher by email.

3

Meet your guide

On the day a licensed local guide meets you and takes care of the rest, so you can just enjoy Matala.

Ready to explore Matala?

Tell us your dates and what you have in mind. A local expert will put together the excursions, transfers and stays that fit, usually within a day.