Top 18 Caves 이라클리온

Matala, in the south of Crete, Greece's largest island, is a mystical place. Legend has it that Zeus, the father of the gods, rose from the sea here in the form of a bull, with the beautiful princess Europa on his back. It's no wonder, then, that this place possesses such a magical allure. Besides the beaches supposedly tested by Zeus, there's another very special highlight: the caves of Matala. Music legends like Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens lived in these caves in the 1960s. For dropouts and flower children from all over the world, they were a symbol of freedom and individuality. Today, you can visit these famous cave dwellings. We'll show you what else you can discover in the fishing village of Matala in Crete.

Matala was once a fishing village. In the 1960s, the caves were occupied by hippies, who were later evicted by the church and the military junta. Today, Matala is a popular tourist destination, relying on bus tours and summer visitors. There are many gift shops and bars. Matala's hippie history is celebrated during the three-day Matala Beach Festival, which has been held every June since 2011.

Matala (Greek: Μάταλα) is a village located 75 km southwest of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Matala belongs to the municipality of Pitsidia within the municipal unit of Tympaki, municipality of Faistos, Heraklion region.

The artificial caves in the cliffs of Matala Bay were created in the Neolithic period. During the Minoan era, Matala was the port of Phaistos. In 220 BC, Matala was occupied by the Gortynians, and during the Roman period, it became the port of Gortys. It is thought that the caves once served as tombs, but it is more likely that they were used as dwellings due to their size (corpses don't require much space to move around). One of the caves is called "Brutospeliana" because, according to legend, it was frequented by the Roman general Brutus.

No longer an insider tip, but not overcrowded either, well worth it.

The Hippietree of Matala. A beautiful carved olive tree from the flower power era

The beach with small pebbles and sand is surprisingly long, with a rocky part in the middle. In the eastern part there are some caves (one of which is apparently even inhabited) that provide shade. The water is crystal clear and it quickly gets deep near the rock walls. There are no trees, no vegetation and no tavern. The rocks have the shape of sculptures from another time, here you feel like you are on another planet - hence the name Dragon Bay.

Matala, a former hippie stronghold