Matala Beach

Matala Beach on Crete's south coast is where ancient history meets 1960s counterculture — a beautiful sandy cove flanked by dramatic sandstone cliffs riddled with Neolithic and Roman-era caves that became famous as a hippie commune in the late 1960s. Joni Mitchell wrote parts of her album 'Ladies of the Canyon' here, Cat Stevens played guitar in the caves, and Bob Dylan reportedly spent time at Matala during its flower-power heyday. The caves, carved into soft sandstone and used as tombs since Neolithic times, are now fenced off but visitable during daytime hours — they offer fascinating glimpses into both ancient burial practices and 1960s graffiti art.

The beach itself is a wide crescent of golden-red sand with warm, clear water perfect for swimming. The village retains its bohemian character with colorful murals, craft shops, and seafront tavernas serving fresh-caught fish. Every June, the Matala Beach Festival brings international musicians for a weekend of music and hippie nostalgia on the sand.