Visit the vibrant seaside village of Matala, one of the most colourful and iconic destinations in South Crete.

Matala is much more than a historic stop — it is a lively coastal village filled with colour, creativity, and a spirit of freedom. Its charming streets are decorated each year with bright murals, artistic paintings, and playful messages inspired by its famous hippie past. Seafront cafés and traditional tavernas line the waterfront, creating a relaxed summer atmosphere where authentic Cretan hospitality blends effortlessly with a bohemian vibe. The combination of turquoise waters, colourful houses, music, and art gives Matala its truly unique character.

The organised sandy beach lies right beneath the iconic cliffside caves. Carved by humans in prehistoric times and later used as Roman tombs, these caves became world-famous during the 1960s and 70s, when thousands of hippies from around the globe settled here, turning Matala into a symbol of freedom and alternative living.

After exploring Matala, continue to Kommos Beach, one of South Crete’s most beautiful and unspoiled beaches. Stretching for several kilometres, Kommos is known for its wide golden sands, natural dunes, and peaceful atmosphere. A small forest of tamarisk trees (almyriki) lines the shore, providing natural shade, while the crystal-clear waters invite you for a refreshing swim.

Kommos is also an important nesting site for the protected Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta-caretta, from May to September. Its largely untouched landscape preserves an authentic connection to Crete’s natural coastal beauty.

This day trip perfectly combines colour, history, culture, and natural beauty on Crete’s southern coast.