Matala - Heraklion, Crete

Matala is one of the most famous beach resorts in Greece, on the south coast of the Heraklion region. Its beach lies in a natural harbour on the Bay of Messara, with gently shelving sand below sandstone cliffs carved with caves.

For fans of Greek mythology, Matala is said to be where Zeus swam ashore in the guise of a bull with Europa on his back.

Matala Beach

Matala Beach has light golden sand with some pebbles, and sunbeds and umbrellas for hire. The swimming and snorkelling are very good, and divers can see underwater remains of the Roman port on both sides of the rocks.

Matala also has massage on the beach, horse riding, cycling and kayaking. A three-day music and arts event, the Matala Beach Festival, has been held in June each year since 2011.

Kommos Beach, a long sandy beach just north of Matala, is quieter and is used by naturists. Our guide to nudist beaches in Crete describes it.

Eating Out in Matala

Matala has plenty of places to eat and drink, from large restaurants and traditional tavernas to small cafe bars and snack bars, plus a few dance clubs and cocktail bars for the evening.

Scala fish restaurant sits above the bay, with views over the beach and the caves. Zeus Beach taverna, right on the beach, serves a wide range of traditional dishes. In the heart of the village are Antonis Taverna and the restaurant of the Zafiria hotel, both serving traditional food.

Matala Caves

The Matala caves are a series of chambers carved into the sandstone cliffs on the north side of the bay. Their exact history and use are uncertain, but many are thought to be tombs from Roman or even earlier times.

Early Christians may later have lived in them, as some of the caves have carved windows, beds and doorways.

The Matala caves became famous in the 1960s and 1970s, when hippies made them a temporary home and tried to live as a commune away from the materialistic world. The singer Joni Mitchell stayed in Matala in this era, and local lore adds Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin to the list of visitors. The hippies left after it became illegal to sleep in the caves.

Accommodation in Matala

Matala has a good choice of accommodation for a small beach resort, with hotels, apartments and studios. Our guide to Crete beach resorts compares Matala with the other south coast villages.