# Matala Caves

> 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…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/gr-matala/

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

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** 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

- [Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno](https://camping-spirit.com/guides/gr-crete-south-centre/)

## Nearby

- [Phaistos](https://camping-spirit.com/places/gr-phaistos/) – 7 km
- [Gortyn](https://camping-spirit.com/places/gr-gortyn/) – 19 km
- [Preveli Beach](https://camping-spirit.com/places/preveli-beach/) – 30 km
- [Arkadi Monastery](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b7-arkadi-monastery/) – 35 km

## 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)