Matala
A safe natural harbour on the Bay of Messara, blessed with a gently sweeping sand and pebble beach, the place in legend where Zeus swam ashore in the guise of a bull with Europa on his back. Many people make this village their base for Cretan holidays, as it is so central on the south coast, and away from the over-development of the north coast. The beach is 250m long and 45m wide.
Matala has something for everyone. Although it has become a popular tourist destination it still retains the charm and character of the quiet fishing village it started as at the beginning of the 20th-century, and the laid-back lifestyle of the hippies of the 60’s and 70's lives on. Half the beach is fringed by tamarisk trees, leading the eye on to impressive formations of sandstone rock cliffs with their famous caves sliding into the sea at an odd angle, creating one of the most unusual beachscapes on the island.
There have been many pages of history here. Nobody knows quite who started caves but it seems likely that they were first hollowed out as Roman or early Christian tombs. There are other ruins at the eastern end of the village and if you go snorkelling in the clear waters of Messara Bay there are ancient ruins to be seen in the depths.
What to do
The resort of Matala is situated on the shores of Messara Bay and is bordered on both sides by large rock formations. The rock massif on the northern side of the beach is the famous rock with the excavated caves. These rocks partially protect the coast from big waves, but sometimes the wind is still very strong. The main beach of Matala stretches along the entire coastline for about 250 m. The beach is covered with dark pebbles, equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, and the tamarisk trees provide a bit of natural shade for visitors.
The neighbouring Red Beach lies over the hill to the south. Sports enthusiasts can take it straight - up over the rock mass, but others are advised to take the more marked path past the hotels, away from the coast. Thanks to the fact that it's already a bit removed from the main tourist centre, even nudism enthusiasts sometimes visit here. The beach gets its name from the reddish-coloured sand that covers it.
Kommos beach is located north of Matala beach. If you walk to it from Matala, you will enjoy a nice and pleasant walk through the valley (about 5 km). Kommos is a beautiful, almost 2 km long sandy beach.
For whom the centre is suitable
We can recommend a holiday in Matala to those who are looking for a quiet environment with good tourist facilities and beautiful beaches. Toutefois, if you also want to travel more during your stay, Matala's location is already a bit out of the way and the most famous tourist spots are further away. And if you don't want to take advantage of the car rental option, the frequency of bus connections to nearby towns is very limited.
Restaurants
You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurants available at Matala Beach while appreciating the views of the beach, and that’s not all; you’ll also be able to find a number of attractive cafes.