Hippies Beach and Matala Tour from Heraklion
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Spend the day exploring Hippies Beach and its waters
Discover prehistoric caves carved on steep rocky cliffs
Relax on a 250 meter long sandy beach daily
Learn about Matala’s history as a hippie village
Matala Day Tour Invites Visitors to Explore Crete’s Historic Hippie Village
A full day excursion to the coastal village of Matala is offering travelers the chance to experience one of Crete’s most iconic seaside destinations, known for its unique blend of history, mythology, and natural beauty. Located approximately 65 kilometers southwest of Heraklion, Matala has long attracted visitors with its sandy beach, dramatic cliffs, and relaxed atmosphere.
The village gained international recognition during the 1960s and 1970s as a gathering place for the hippie movement, while its cliffside caves have a much older history dating back centuries. Carved into the limestone rock overlooking the Bay of Messara, these prehistoric caves remain one of the area’s most distinctive landmarks. According to Greek mythology, the bay is also associated with the story of Zeus, who is said to have arrived there in the form of a bull carrying Europa.
Visitors have ample time to enjoy Matala Beach, a 250-meter stretch of sand with clear Mediterranean waters that is ideal for swimming, relaxing, and taking in panoramic coastal views. Those wishing to explore the famous caves can do so by purchasing a separate entrance ticket, adding a historical dimension to the beachside experience.
The tour includes hotel pickup and return transportation aboard an air-conditioned coach, providing a convenient way to reach the destination while enjoying the scenic Cretan countryside. Combining mythology, archaeology, and seaside relaxation, the Matala excursion continues to be a popular choice for travelers seeking a memorable glimpse into one of Crete’s most celebrated coastal villages.
Matala Day Tour Invites Visitors to Explore Crete’s Historic Hippie Village
A full day excursion to the coastal village of Matala is offering travelers the chance to experience one of Crete’s most iconic seaside destinations, known for its unique blend of history, mythology, and natural beauty. Located approximately 65 kilometers southwest of Heraklion, Matala has long attracted visitors with its sandy beach, dramatic cliffs, and relaxed atmosphere.
The village gained international recognition during the 1960s and 1970s as a gathering place for the hippie movement, while its cliffside caves have a much older history dating back centuries. Carved into the limestone rock overlooking the Bay of Messara, these prehistoric caves remain one of the area’s most distinctive landmarks. According to Greek mythology, the bay is also associated with the story of Zeus, who is said to have arrived there in the form of a bull carrying Europa.
Visitors have ample time to enjoy Matala Beach, a 250-meter stretch of sand with clear Mediterranean waters that is ideal for swimming, relaxing, and taking in panoramic coastal views. Those wishing to explore the famous caves can do so by purchasing a separate entrance ticket, adding a historical dimension to the beachside experience.
The tour includes hotel pickup and return transportation aboard an air-conditioned coach, providing a convenient way to reach the destination while enjoying the scenic Cretan countryside. Combining mythology, archaeology, and seaside relaxation, the Matala excursion continues to be a popular choice for travelers seeking a memorable glimpse into one of Crete’s most celebrated coastal villages.
- Pick Up and Drop Off
- Air Conditioned Bus
- Matala Caves enttance
- Gratuities
$ 38.13
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Timeslots: 09:00AM
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Activity Provider: TravelPath
Customer Reviews
The caves are really interesting. This place is steeped in history. Exploring the caves requires a bit of climbing. Wearing sturdy shoes is highly recommended. At the end of November, it was very quiet and not very busy there. Perhaps it would be better to waive the €5 entrance fee during the off-season?
From the beach, the caves look picturesque, and the climb itself is quite an interesting activity. However, inside the caves, there is a predominant smell of urine, which is quite strange considering the €5 entrance fee for adults. There is also a lack of any information about the site (like an information board), or if there was one, it wasn't prominently displayed. In some places, the railings on the rocks were not secure or had been torn out.
Der Ausflug ist theoretisch nur der Transfer zum Matala Strand. Laut Reiseveranstalter sollten wir am Hoteleingang abgeholt werden. Kurz nach 9 bekamen wir einen Anruf,wo wir sind. Wir haben der Dame erklärt, dass wir am Hoteleingang stehen. Sie meinte,es wird keiner am Hotel abgeholt, wir sollen zur Kirchen kommen,der Bus wartet 5min, sollte er weg sein, wird sie Ersatz schicken. Wir sind sehr zügig gelaufen,aber unter 15min war es nicht möglich. Nach mehreren Telefonaten und langem Warten kam dann ein kleiner Bus und hat uns dem großen Bus hinterher gefahren. Auf dem Rückweg müssten wir leider feststellen,dass alle außer wir am Hotel rausgelassen wurden. Das verstehe ich nicht und finde es wirklich sehr mies. Matala selber ist schön, aber der Eintritt zu den Höhlen liegt bei 5€ und am Strand kosten 2 Liegen mit Schirm 12€, was Recht teuer ist. Im Bus hab es ab Heraklion eine Reiseleiterin, die auf schlechtem Englisch etwas zur Umgebung sagte.
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