Matala Beach
Matala Beach
4.3
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4.3
2,404 reviews
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865
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67
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Xante
Yorkshire, UK1,375 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
If you love sandy beaches with an easy entry to the sea, you will hate Matala Beach.
4€ to park in the beach car park, 4€ to visit the hippy caves, 14€ for three sunbeds and a brolly. I did ask jokingly if the brolly could be removed, of course it couldn’t because it was a wooden Pole with a fixed coconut matting top.
Get there early as all sun beds are taken by 11:00am and this was mid September. On the day we went the sea was calm.
The beach itself is not sand, it is very small grit pebbles. As you enter the sea they give way like quicksand before you encounter the large rocks/boulders under the water. The water however was crystal clear, almost clearer than water from the tap. The secret is to launch yourself quickly!
We enjoyed our day here but there are much better beaches to be found and the area is quite commercialised.
4€ to park in the beach car park, 4€ to visit the hippy caves, 14€ for three sunbeds and a brolly. I did ask jokingly if the brolly could be removed, of course it couldn’t because it was a wooden Pole with a fixed coconut matting top.
Get there early as all sun beds are taken by 11:00am and this was mid September. On the day we went the sea was calm.
The beach itself is not sand, it is very small grit pebbles. As you enter the sea they give way like quicksand before you encounter the large rocks/boulders under the water. The water however was crystal clear, almost clearer than water from the tap. The secret is to launch yourself quickly!
We enjoyed our day here but there are much better beaches to be found and the area is quite commercialised.
Written 21 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chiara F
Varese, Italy71 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Characteristic beach, perhaps one of the best known in Crete so it is a must visit. Fantastic sea, wide, lots of umbrellas at the price of 10€ (first week of September) we arrived from Agia Pelagia, so an hour and a half by road, and we found it semi deserted. The sunbeds at that time I think remain available ends at 11 am, then they all remain occupied but there is still plenty of free space. In the hippie-style village (cute, but many might say it's a commercial, I personally loved it), there are plenty of taverns and bars to eat. For example, we stopped by the "Two Brothers" to eat some excellent Gyros. You can also visit a couple of Paleolithic caves.
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Written 6 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada9,398 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The beach pebbles felt very nice and warm on our feet in March. The beach is home to a unique feature which are some caves carved into the cliff face that were made in the prehistoric period. The caves and town used to be home to some hippies and the hippy culture remains in the artwork around the area. The cost to enter the caves is 2 euros and there was an attendant there despite the beach not being that busy - there were only a handful when we visited.
In addition to the caves the beach itself has some Greek mythology about itself and was where Zeus brought Europa to bring her on to Crete. One of the variations of the 2 euro coin features Zeus abducting Europa as a bull and bringing her to Crete which might make for a fun photo. However, this coin was not easy to find when we visited.
There are services including changing rooms and toilets by this beach but they were closed and locked when we visited in March. There were a couple of restaurants open and a grocery store but we suspect the majority of the shops were closed due to the low winter season when we visited.
We spent about an hour on the beach and made it part of our road trip around Crete. We could have easily spent more time here if we were more prepared and brought towels but the water was still kind of cold in March. We could see this beach being very popular in the high season.
In addition to the caves the beach itself has some Greek mythology about itself and was where Zeus brought Europa to bring her on to Crete. One of the variations of the 2 euro coin features Zeus abducting Europa as a bull and bringing her to Crete which might make for a fun photo. However, this coin was not easy to find when we visited.
There are services including changing rooms and toilets by this beach but they were closed and locked when we visited in March. There were a couple of restaurants open and a grocery store but we suspect the majority of the shops were closed due to the low winter season when we visited.
We spent about an hour on the beach and made it part of our road trip around Crete. We could have easily spent more time here if we were more prepared and brought towels but the water was still kind of cold in March. We could see this beach being very popular in the high season.
Written 25 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna Maria
Rome, Italy670 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Free parking, very characteristic hippy style village with murals and many places on the sea. Surrounded by caves to visit.
dark pebble beach, rough sea and immediately deep uncomfortable full of large pebbles and very slippery slime even with shoes is difficult 'to get in! clean sea water but in Crete there are much more beautiful beaches! However and 'a place' to visit for the shops and for the location of the location very beautiful and colorful immersed in the rock.
dark pebble beach, rough sea and immediately deep uncomfortable full of large pebbles and very slippery slime even with shoes is difficult 'to get in! clean sea water but in Crete there are much more beautiful beaches! However and 'a place' to visit for the shops and for the location of the location very beautiful and colorful immersed in the rock.
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Written 13 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beatriced392
Gothenburg, Sweden46 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Fun and nice village with a lot of street painting and inspired hippiestyle, but far too little to feel worth going all that way from Rethymno. The beach was nice, at one edge there were trees that you could hang under if you did not want to pay for sunbed and parasols, a little rocky in the water and very high waves.
Try to park along the streets which e free, first parking to the right before the beach cost 4 euros, drive through and up to the left it is at 5 euros, worthless.
Cozy restaurants and bars along the harbor master.
After a swim we realized that it was impossible to swim because of the high waves so we packed up and went on to swim in Plakias about 30min away.
Try to park along the streets which e free, first parking to the right before the beach cost 4 euros, drive through and up to the left it is at 5 euros, worthless.
Cozy restaurants and bars along the harbor master.
After a swim we realized that it was impossible to swim because of the high waves so we packed up and went on to swim in Plakias about 30min away.
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Written 13 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JiNa Scott N
Pierrelaye, France22 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
A hippie beach, with caves that can be visited by children 5-6 years old is OK below it is complicated. You have to be careful not to be afraid of getting a little dirty... and know your limits! Because it's going a little high anyway! But the view is beautiful once upstairs .once this tour is done you can go eat there are plenty of super nice beachfront restaurants in hippie style especially don't forget to take a little tour in the city and enjoy the floor drawings
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Written 19 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beppe Marini
Leivi, Italy697 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
Accomplice certainly on Sunday and having arrived from the North Coast around noon, we found a sandy crescent beach well equipped but crowded with people beached everywhere. Definitely past the hippy charm of 50 years ago even if he still wanders like a demodé ghost in some characters and in some clubs. At the side of the beach you can visit the caves where once the ancient Romans placed the dead and where the children of flowers lived in the 60s and 70s and which are an interesting attraction. The town is pleasant, quiet with various bars and restaurants and definitely deserves a few days to explore the lathes and coves within walking distance. In one day it loses much of its charm and if it has to be included in the list of the most beautiful beaches of Crete I would still put it last. Definitely locations with a reputation disproportionate to reality.
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Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taube
Hamburg, Germany19 contributions
May 2024 • Family
It's always so beautiful. The water is warm, with swimming goggles you can even see fish closer to the beach. The rocks give the beach such a beautiful ambience. You can climb up there if you dare and you also see people jumping down more often. I've climbed up with my father before. From there the view of the beach was beautiful. In general, Crete is also a very beautiful island.
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Written 9 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert Algernon
London, UK65 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
This is a lovely spot, all the more interesting for the Joni Mitchell and 1960s 'hippies' connections, but judging from my visit today Matala is struggling to cope with the hordes of visitors it attracts. Though there's plenty of parking, you'll have to arrive early to reserve beach space and visiting the caves will cost you 4€. That said there are some friendly gift shops and reasonably-priced cafes and bars in the central 'square'.
Written 11 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy W
Paris, France4 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Matala Beach is good, but what really makes it stand out is the surrounding area. The small path lined with bars and restaurants adds a lot of charm, making it a pleasant place to explore and enjoy the atmosphere.
However, if you want a close view of the iconic rocks, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee, which is something to keep in mind.
All in all, it’s worth visiting once to take in the surroundings and enjoy the unique vibe of the area, but it's not necessarily a must-return spot for me.
However, if you want a close view of the iconic rocks, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee, which is something to keep in mind.
All in all, it’s worth visiting once to take in the surroundings and enjoy the unique vibe of the area, but it's not necessarily a must-return spot for me.
Written 16 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a laundry salon in Matala? We will stay for a week and our hotel doesn't offer laundry service. Thanks a lot!
Written 12 May 2023
Hi. Stayed in Matala maybe 5/6 times, always May or September. Looking to spend a week 31 March/7 April. Can anyone advise me on what to expect from the weather & if tavernas/bars would be open?....regards Phil
Written 5 October 2019
hallo matala is a very nice place ...many people visite the archaiological sights and the beautiful beaches that we have around matala beach,red beach ,como beach..the weather is warm the day and cold the night ,,you need jacket ..some days on march is raining but usually at night and the morning has sun ,,so matala is a perfect destination all the mounths ,,the restaurant are open ..some on march try to clean and prepare the places for opening but youcan find to eat ..this year with the corvit was a little problem for the opening but now we are ready to welcome our people again
Written 18 June 2020
Is there anywhere to safely store your valuables?
Written 9 April 2019
There is a bar in that beach, they sell the "best mojito in the world" and, believe me: the world's most expensive one also! :D
I guess you can store your stuff there, they also rent sunshades and they serve people that stays on those rented sunshades.
The guy was not very friendly...
Written 10 April 2019
Passarei em Matala a caminho de Festo e Heraklion. Quanto tempo é necessário para visitar as cavernas?
Written 11 July 2018
It tooks us about an hour, but we did it relaxed... 2 young adults.
Written 5 August 2018
Buenos días.
¿Podríais decirme si la playa tiene duchas? Gracias
Written 25 June 2018
Nein, oder zumindest habe ich keine gesehen.
Written 27 August 2018
Is the resort predominantly visited by Brits or Germans/Europeans etc, I can’t find many reviews from Brit’s on the hotel that we like the look of and my dad likes to chat to people and would have an issue with language barrier (he has a strong geordie accent)
Written 21 November 2017
there isn't many brits but most of the Greeks speak English as do the Germans, Dutch etc
Written 22 November 2017
Hi...how far out are the ruins on the east side of the beach? Can you swim or do you need a boat? TIA :0)
Written 21 August 2017
The ancient caves are right next to the beach. They charge admission to them, but you can climb the rocks and walk through the caves. We did not go to the more recently discovered (1980s) ruins, which are a little southeast of the beach. Since the beach faces east, I would assume that these ruins are not right on the water. You can google all of this and look at a map. The beach is just gorgeous, with plenty of chaises and umbrellas for rent (cheap!). There are also lots of cafes facing the water where you can stop for lunch, a snack or a bottle of wine. Have fun!
Written 21 August 2017
Hi...how far out are the ruins on the east side of the beach? Can you swim or do you need a boat? TIA :0)
Written 21 August 2017
If you mean the caves of Matala beach , you can walk to them without problem.
Written 21 August 2017
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