Matala Beach: Address, Phone Number, Matala Beach Reviews: 4.5/5
Matala Beach
Matala Beach
4.5
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Top ways to experience Matala Beach
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
69 within 5 kms
George's Yard
441
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Bistronomy Matala
112
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
SCALA Fish Bar Restaurant & Hotel Boutique
1,354
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • European • Greek • Healthy
Alexis Zorbas
340
40 m$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Grill House Giannis Family
426
0.1 km$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Taverna Sunset Matala
437
0.2 km$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Petra & Votsalo
436
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Hakuna Matata
863
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • Mediterranean
Sirtaki
532
88 m$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Pizza • Seafood
Smile by Voula
86
77 m$ • Bar • Cafe • Mediterranean
Attractions
13 within 10 kms
Matala Caves
548
79 mCaverns & Caves
Red Sand Beach (Kokkini Ammos)
1,012
0.8 kmBeaches
Santa Parrocchia Dell'assunta
2
0.8 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Komos Beach
341
2.3 kmBeaches
Agia Marina Donkey Rescue Sanctuary
138
Farms
Kalamaki Beach
161
4.2 kmBeaches
Palace of Faistos
1,020
Ancient Ruins
Agiofarago beach
69
Beaches
Moni Odigitrias
24
Churches & Cathedrals
Archaeological Site of Agia Triada
78
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Popular mentions
4.5
2,225 reviews
Excellent
1,083
Very good
816
Average
248
Poor
57
Terrible
21
Lauren
United Kingdom22 contributions
Jun. 2022 • Solo
Was very busy so no sun beds available. The beach is shingle type sand so wasn’t the most comfortable thing to lie on. Lots of stones in the water so wear shoes. Huge waves when I went so may be unsuitable for little ones or those with reduced mobility. Can climb the caves for €4 if you want but no guide ropes just freehand so be wary!
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Valda B
1 contribution
Jun. 2022 • Friends
My favourite part was when we visited the caves in the rocks. Was a bit of a climb as no foot path. Advice wear trainers. Thy were tombs at one point then in the 60's hippies lived in them.
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
charloth98
78 contributions
Apr. 2022 • Friends
Unfortunately, on the day we were here on Matala Beach, the wind was blowing very hard. the beach is beautiful and don't forget to check out the caves. The village is also very cozy and pleasant. We had a good time here.
Written April 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Joelle M
Schinveld, The Netherlands36 contributions
Sep. 2021 • Couples
Cheerfull and cozy town. This old hippie town has a lots of souvenir shops and tavernas. The ground paintings and wall paintings are very beautiful
Written September 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jonathan H.
Hamburg, Germany55 contributions
Sep. 2021 • Friends
Matala Beach is beautiful. There is lots to see under the water so snorkeling equipment is not a bad idea. There is also a nice little touristy town where you can buy souvenirs and eat in a taverna. The beach itself is a sand/stone beach. Definitely worth a visit as it is one of cretes most beautiful beaches. But be aware that during summer and the beautiful summer days it is going to be crowded with a lot of tourists.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jayne2808
Norwich, UK94 contributions
Sep. 2021 • Family
Beautiful sandy beach, sunbeds & parasols to hire or sit in the shade under one of the trees on the beach. Seemed to be disabled access and a wooden area for wheelchairs.
Quite busy but we found available beds so no problem
Perfectly clear water great for swimming and snorkeling, the waves came later in the afternoon.
We loved exploring the caves and also the little quirky shops.
Little cafe restaurants along the beach too all looking and smelling delicious!
Although we drove an hour and a half to Matala we all thought it was absolutely worth journey.
Quite busy but we found available beds so no problem
Perfectly clear water great for swimming and snorkeling, the waves came later in the afternoon.
We loved exploring the caves and also the little quirky shops.
Little cafe restaurants along the beach too all looking and smelling delicious!
Although we drove an hour and a half to Matala we all thought it was absolutely worth journey.
Written September 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cassi_cen
Dubai, United Arab Emirates153 contributions
Sep. 2021 • Solo
It's very turistic and buzy. you will find some payed parking or if you get luck and find a spot in the street, it's for free. It's very windy there, and you will have some waves in the sea. but the cristal water is the same: passionate! In the left hand side of the beach, it's an archeological site. it's an ancient roman cemetery (4€ adults).
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thegreek T
6 contributions
Sep. 2021 • Family
Road is very dangerous and narrow the beach is OK big enough but not enough sunbed not good for children because is very deep There are much better beaches on north side of Crete and easier to drive and entry..Finally for visiting the caves you have to pay 4 euros it's ridiculous..
Written September 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michael O
26 contributions
Sep. 2021 • Couples
Mobbed beach early September. General vibe and style of cafes ugly and more like the nastier type resorts of Spain in the 1970s and 1980s before Spain upped its game. Mainly went because of the caves but after paying for parking spend only about 10 mins before getting out of the depressing place. Very non crete experience.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
20Andreas12
Limassol City, Cyprus585 contributions
Aug. 2021
Visited first time specific beach and was really very beautiful. Beach is too crowed in July-August time but the water is very clean and you can enjoy a dive from the rocks of the caves.
Worth to see the caves that people from all over the world were living (in 1960s) having a very difference way of life.
Only negative is that nowadays you need to pay to visit the caves.
Worth to see the caves that people from all over the world were living (in 1960s) having a very difference way of life.
Only negative is that nowadays you need to pay to visit the caves.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jade
Battle, UK20 contributions
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
hotelfantastic matala
Matala, Greece20 contributions
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
Gunnar_OShea
Regina, Canada198 contributions
Is there anywhere to safely store your valuables?
Champions N
88 contributions
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...
Mariana100
São Paulo34 contributions
Passarei em Matala a caminho de Festo e Heraklion. Quanto tempo é necessário para visitar as cavernas?
It tooks us about an hour, but we did it relaxed... 2 young adults.
Patricia L
Leganes, Spain137 contributions
Buenos días.
¿Podríais decirme si la playa tiene duchas? Gracias
JOECGN63
Cologne, Germany62 contributions
Nein, oder zumindest habe ich keine gesehen.
Vicki C
8 contributions
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)
rob s
Birmingham, UK47 contributions
there isn't many brits but most of the Greeks speak English as do the Germans, Dutch etc
Sharron H
Hebden Bridge, UK9 contributions
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)
Ellen W
Philadelphia, PA153 contributions
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!
francescaromanav
Rome, Italy142 contributions
C'è un bancomat a Matala?
Roberta B
Padua, Italy161 contributions
Ciao , si c'è un bancomat ma ti consiglio di avere i contanti .. Se vai in alta stagione rischi di trovarlo non funzionante !!!
wodachar
Metzeral, France62 contributions
Bonjour Aurélie ,nous aimerions savoir si il y a possibilité de faire du naturisme à Matala voir exhib ou échangisme comme au cap ou en espagne ...merci bzou
olivier s
Bourgneuf-en-Retz, France29 contributions
bonjour Charlotte
je confirme qu'il y a une plage naturiste à RED BEACH à Matala.
Bises
982lynn
London, UK
Is there a bar-what time does it close in evening
Can we sit outside apartment in evening-is there terrace or balcony?
dittany
Dublin88 contributions
The village itself is squeezed into the space on the left hand side of the beach, so that the atmosphere is lively in the evenings. If you are asking about Villa Dimitri, where we stayed, there is a terrace outside the ground floor apts and balconies on those above. This is normal in Crete - we have not stayed anywhere that did not have some outside space and patio furniture. Matala has a small market and shops that are open at night, and most of the tavernas open as late as there are customers. Several of the tavernas are literally on the beach - the sunset at Matala is wonderful. Get accommodation as close as you can to the beach to get the real atmosphere and to be close to your bed when you stagger home! Enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Matala Beach
- We recommend booking Matala Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 12 Matala Beach tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Matala Beach:
- South Crete - The gorge of the Eremits, Sunset in Matala (From C$128.07)
- Private Tour to South Crete: Ancient Gortyn, Monasteries and Matala Beach (From C$912.51)
- Ancient Palaces with Minoan Wine Routes & Iconic Matala Beach from Heraklion (From C$815.73)
- South Crete-Matala Beach - Wine Tasting -Private Tour. (From C$663.64)
- Ancient Palaces with Minoan Wine Routes & Iconic Matala Beach from Chania (From C$871.03)
- Hotels near Matala Beach:
- (0.01 km) Frangiskos Studios
- (0.04 km) Stillvolle Ferienwohnung direkt am Strand von Matala
- (0.04 km) Matala View Pension
- (0.17 km) Fragiskos Hotel
- (0.12 km) Hotel Fantastic matala
- Restaurants near Matala Beach:
- (0.01 km) Mama's Bakery
- (0.01 km) The Lions Cafe Restaurant
- (0.02 km) Labyrinth
- (0.02 km) Dolphin Restaurant
- (0.03 km) Vagelis To Milon tis Eridos
- Attractions near Matala Beach:
- (0.08 km) Matala Caves
- (0.13 km) Prisma
- (0.15 km) MARINERO BAR
- (0.11 km) Kalopsia Fashion & More
- (0.77 km) Red Sand Beach (Kokkini Ammos)