Matala Hippie Beach: An Expert’s Unvarnished Review

Matala Beach, located on the southern coast of Crete, has this vibe that is so unusual. This is very much because it offers more than just sea and sand. So it’s almost as if it has its history layered into its landscape, and then there are those captivating caves etched into the cliffs. Many, possibly most, folks know Matala for its association with the hippie movement back in the ’60s and ’70s, and it’s like you can still feel some of that free spirit that is still lingering in the air, that you really can.

The Alluring History of Matala

The caves found within Matala’s cliffs tell you some fascinating stories, stories that are much, much older than the arrival of the flower children. They were, very, very probably initially carved out as burial or tomb sites way back in Minoan times, then later the Romans used them as shelters. You may even pick up this sort of strange feeling thinking about what it must’ve been like way back then, it’s truly an experience, in a way. Is that the bohemian spirit really took firm hold back then, it adds a layer of depth to the place; not very many places will allow that to happen to you, very true.

The Beach Itself: Sand, Sea, and So Much More

Matala has a fairly good-size beach that offers fine golden sand and clear azure waters. It’s very well organized with sunbeds and umbrellas which you might want, that is unless you love scorching heat. The beach usually tends to be busy, specifically during the peak summer months, it almost goes without saying, honestly. It is often extremely well maintained and has lifeguards on patrol, which is nice for safety. A little detail that shouldn’t go amiss; for me, so being able to swim there with this iconic rock cliff and its intriguing caves is a truly exceptional experience; honestly you really can’t beat it, not in many cases anyway.

What To Do In Matala

Of course, relaxing on the beach and swimming would obviously come top in most things people wish to do in Matala. Also there’s exploring those famous caves. Climbing around them is something you really should do; many can be accessed from the beach with this staircase hewn into the stone, by the way, and then you will see it’s really awesome. I really should give you a small bit of very valuable caution right here though. When you get to the top make extra sure you have some shoes or something suitable as some stones can get incredibly hot. I’d suggest too to take a walk into the village, there are many traditional shops where they promote local crafts, and then there’s tavernas with Greek food. Also there are the other smaller beaches close by, but what those are, they tend to need you getting in a vehicle, so of course this means the need of renting one.

Food and Drink: A Cretan Culinary Experience

The restaurants, plus little cafes along the seafront at Matala provide ample opportunity for experiencing traditional Cretan cuisine. As an absolute for your “what you should definitely sample” list is dakos (a barley rusk topped with fresh tomatoes, cheese, and herbs), that is if you never did taste it, really, then you did not fully sample what Greek island food really is like. A tad touristy it may very very probably be, anyway the place also serves a lot of other things, too, it’s just that a dakos with a Mythos beer, very overlooking the beach really can be really special if you are in your “Zen” zone. If, that is, you seek a quiet retreat away from many busy streets then the hill to the west offers this beautiful escape that, more or less, everyone can access, you know, it is the best kept secret of the village itself. If, though, a view from on top with a great sundowner then don’t be shy, it’s like heaven. If, then again, the walk from the main town center does happen to seem challenging or too exhausting, then there will always be a little cart to take you all the way to the very, very summit.

Getting To Matala

Matala actually isn’t as very isolated as some other beaches might very, very well be found to be across Crete, the truth be known. Then again it also is really quite a bit of a drive to some other better spots from the principal town that exists in Heraklion. A very good tip is actually, if this place may probably be your thing is to then think carefully about where to go before going. And because it’s somewhat so out there, I’d be very tempted about staying right by, anyway the resort itself, even it may be smaller, is well provided to do things in. To make things, well easier I’d personally opt for that because going is an experience in its own right if you get me?

Where To Stay In Matala

When it’s regarding accommodations you’ve choices suitable for any type of preference and/or for every single budget. When looking to maybe get in the best views of the water front then I may really quite possibly advise that you actually look for lodgings closer right by the actual town zone, but a very good idea will probably also really be considering what the better choices are outside that as, frankly they might just offer something a bit better! And yes! It just has been stated before as I speak here but also think about what, well going is actually all about. That the place is quite far from Heraklion so a good choice will certainly quite simply be; why not stay right at that little village instead of thinking too deep, when you actually already know why, right?

Matala’s Free Spirit And Its Appeal

When asking if the destination is great, my answer is a plain yes to anything like an inquisitive kind of person out there. Matala Beach will then present an extraordinarily intriguing place, and this because it blends geological past plus social with its laid-back ambiance in that general resort area. Just go expecting things to feel extremely unique, in a kind of almost spiritual sort of thing, it’s almost as if you will find something totally one of an awesome, really.

Tips For The Perfect Trip

Some, well extremely better advice to anyone thinking very, very perhaps to actually visit the place is. You actually might wanna be a tad aware that there are not gonna, obviously be this kind of big huge list to think on like. And it almost has been stated here very, very soon previously, but please just also actually really always always stay, somewhat reasonably cautious if maybe doing somewhat strenuous, especially around those very stone steps leading right into those iconic old caves. With, this somewhat obviously very likely obviously actually going absolutely being the more kind of warmer season it is, there will always obviously very, very probably really kinda still actually truly kinda really constantly potentially always exist more or fewer spots very all around.

1. Sun protection is key; the sun could be incredibly powerful, extremely always especially really through summer, with really awesome protection stuff.
2. Always kind of very kinda really be sure that maybe really, quite really bring any and absolutely or various things so there are right now you think.
3. As it also also always potentially almost kinda can actually or will absolutely often definitely almost all really really the very always absolutely very extremely.
4. Then I usually, with that one, also always kind of still generally only generally still usually really almost kind also usually might wanna be definitely kinda, still absolutely really mostly gonna.

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