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Matala Caves

Matala, Greece

Oddities

Caves carved into the cliff beside Matala bay, of uncertain date and thought to have been Roman or Early Christian tombs and dwellings, later home to 1960s hippies; Joni Mitchell stayed in 1970. They are fenced off and protected, and nobody may stay overnight.

Nearest town
Matala, Greece
Category
Roadside oddities
GPS
35.0114, 24.7517

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually March–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Getting there

  • Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

Featured in these trip guides

Crete
Villages, wine & culture

Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno

137 km6 stops4 days

Nearby

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Phaistos

Agios Ioannis, Greece
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Gortyn

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Preveli Beach – Preveli Palm Beach Panorama 02© Uoaei1 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Preveli Beach

Plakias, Greece
Arkadi Monastery – Kreta (GR), Amnatos, Kloster Arkadi -- 2023 -- 8636© Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
History

Arkadi Monastery

Rethymno, Greece

Campsites nearby

  • Matala CampingCampsite
    2 km from Matala Caves
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Camping No ProblemCampsite
    11 km from Matala Caves
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Place for tentsCampsite
    23 km from Matala Caves
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Place for tents near the caveCampsite
    23 km from Matala Caves
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Flat, gravelCampsite
    25 km from Matala Caves
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Greece · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Matala Caves?

Matala Caves is in Matala, Greece, at GPS 35.0114, 24.7517. It is about 46 km from Rethymno.

Can you camp near Matala Caves?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Matala Camping, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 5 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Matala Caves?

Matala Caves is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno.

What is there to see near Matala Caves?

Places worth a stop nearby: Phaistos (7 km), Gortyn (19 km), Preveli Beach (30 km) and Arkadi Monastery (35 km).

When is the best time to visit Matala Caves?

The most pleasant months are usually March–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)