Matala is a seaside village with a lovely sandy beach that is located on the southern coast of Crete, 71km
southwest of Heraklion. Matala is quite a large, busy and touristic town with a good range of tourist facilities from which you can easily reach the archaeological sites of Festos, Agia Triada, and Gortyn. Various other beaches of southern Crete are also nearby (like the beautiful Kommos Beach). Matala has remains of Minoan, Greek, Roman and early Byzantine eras. It's also commercial and at the beach there is paid parking like in Vai. Best time to visit Matala is in the summer. The season extends from April to October when the temperature range is from 25-38 degrees. Matala is popular with those looking for peace and relaxation in a picturesque environment. Matala is famous for its man-made caves which were first inhabited during the prehistoric period. Today, the Archaeological Service protects the fenced-off caves. The sandy beach is semi-circular and 300 metres in length. In Matala you can find restaurants, cafes, super market, bakery, grocery, book shop, laundry, post office, 24hr ATMs & other shops.
