Day Trip to Matala and Komos beach

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Visit the vibrant seaside village of Matala, one of the most colorful and iconic destinations in South Crete. Matala is much more than a historic stop — it is a lively coastal village filled with color, 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, colorful houses, music, and art gives Matala its truly unique character. The organized 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.

   4 h

2. After exploring Matala, continue to Kommos Beach, one of South Crete’s most beautiful and unspoiled beaches. Stretching for several kilometers, 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.

   1.5 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Heraklion

• Its from-price is 57% below the median of the 168 day trips we list in Heraklion.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Heraklion

Heraklion, the largest city on Crete, is a Venetian-walled port near Knossos, the Minoan palace, and the museum that holds its treasures.

Heraklion is the capital and main port of Crete, wrapped in Venetian walls and bastions of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The Koules fortress guards the old harbour mouth, and Lions Square has the Morosini Fountain, held up by four stone lions. Nikos Kazantzakis, the author of Zorba the Greek, is buried on the Martinengo bastion under a simple wooden cross.

Top-ranked sights in Heraklion: Palace of Knossos, Malia, Kera Kardiotissa Monastery.

See all 491 experiences in Heraklion