
South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves worth booking?
South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves is a 10-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $18 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (14)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $18 per person
After a short drive through the Messara plain you reach Matala. Known for the colony of hippies in the Sixties, where they lived in large holes formed on the mountain. The rocks are holes with a Roman burial. In Matala y
What you get
- Liability insurance
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Live tour guide
- Experienced drivers
About this experience
After a short drive through the Messara plain you reach Matala. Known for the colony of hippies in the Sixties, where they lived in large holes formed on the mountain. The rocks are holes with a Roman burial. In Matala you will have time for a refreshing dip in the water, eat something or just enjoy a drink on the beach. This is the place where Zeus, having taken the form a bull, swam ashore with Europa on his back before dragging her off to Gortys. Both the Minoans and the Romans used the place as their harbor. Nevertheless, for most people, Matala means only one thing: hippies. Back in the late 1960s - 1970s, this little town was a colony of the “flower children”, who lived in the caves that used to be former Roman tombs. Every summer thousands of people celebrating the Matala Beach Festival. Check out the option for the Matala Beach Festival. Be there to share the Love! ❤️
What's included
Included
- Liability insurance
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Live tour guide
- Experienced drivers
Not included
- Entrance fee to the caves of Matala
What you'll see and do
Matala
discover the fishermans village, stroll around the shops, visit the caves or have a nice bath in the sea, spend time on the beach
240 minutes here
Matala Beach
Be a member of love, peace and happiness and share it at the Matala Beach Festival. The Matala Beach Festival takes place right on the beach – but eventually runs through the whole place. There are bands from the Greek and international music scene. The entrance to the area is free. The Matala Beach Festival includes events for children and adults. The concerts on the beach and the beach parties are certainly the highlight and suitable for all audiences. Timings and durations: You'll arrive at Matala around 6 p.m. without hustle and stucked into traffic since you go directly to the scene with the coach. Then you are free to go to explore the whole area. At midnight you are kindly requested to come back to the coach to ride back to the hotels with unforgettable memories. Events & Details 2 Concert stages (Main Stage / Cave – Square Stage ) More than 30 concerts Matala Street Painting Projekt The Craftsman Projekt Bar fascilities Familiy areas Camping project
360 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Tour in EN/FR/GE
Pickup included
Tour in Russian
Pickup included
Matala Beach Festival July 25
Duration: 9 hours: Enjoy the ride in an a/c modern bus to Matala without waiting in line of traffic. Take your time and celebrate with the world Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- TOURLINE
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu
- Price range
- $18 to $35
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by TOURLINE, who run 4 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.5.
See everything TOURLINE runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.
How much does South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves cost?
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Prices start at $18 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Heraklion usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Heraklion is not rushed.
Is South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Heraklion can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Heraklion and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does South Crete - Matala, Red Beach and caves start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Heraklion within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Heraklion?
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On Outty we rank every Heraklion experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory, Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, 5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Heraklion?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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