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A coastal landscape with a sandy beach and a rocky cliff. 1
A garden with trees, a wooden structure, and a seating area. 2
A rustic outdoor café with wooden furniture, a self-service sign, and a Snickers ice cream display. 3
A room with various tools and objects displayed on the walls. 4
A coastal town with buildings, a thatched-roof structure, and boats in the water. 5

Heraklion: Matala Beach, Hippie Caves & Odigitria Monastery

By Cretan Odyssey
9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$70 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h 30m+
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages

Overview

  • Step back in time as you admire history at the monastery of Odigitria
  • Trace the history and culture of Crete in the monastery's folklore museum
  • Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Libyan Sea or sunbathe on Matala beach
  • Purchase a ticket to see the caves where the hippies once lived in Matala
  • Be picked up and dropped off from select locations on the island of Crete

Activity location

    • Heraklion
    • Heraklion, Greece

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • Heraklion
    • Heraklion, Greece

Check availability

English: Pickup from Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, and Sisi

  • Activity duration is 10 hours and 30 minutes10h 30m
    10h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 7:30 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

French: Pickup from Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, and Sisi

  • Activity duration is 10 hours and 30 minutes10h 30m
    10h 30m
  • French
Language options: French
Starting time: 7:30 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

German: Pickup from Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, and Sisi

  • Activity duration is 10 hours and 30 minutes10h 30m
    10h 30m
  • German
Language options: German
Starting time: 7:30 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

Italian: Pickup from Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, and Sisi

  • Activity duration is 10 hours and 30 minutes10h 30m
    10h 30m
  • Italian
Language options: Italian
Starting time: 7:30 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

English: Pickup from Anisaras, Analipsi, and Gouves

  • Activity duration is 9 hours and 30 minutes9h 30m
    9h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 8:00 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

French: Pickup from Anisaras, Analipsi, and Gouves

  • Activity duration is 9 hours and 30 minutes9h 30m
    9h 30m
  • French
Language options: French
Starting time: 8:00 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

German: Pickup from Anisaras, Analipsi, and Gouves

  • Activity duration is 9 hours and 30 minutes9h 30m
    9h 30m
  • German
Language options: German
Starting time: 8:00 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

Italian: Pickup from Anisaras, Analipsi, and Gouves

  • Activity duration is 9 hours and 30 minutes9h 30m
    9h 30m
  • Italian
Language options: Italian
Starting time: 8:00 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

English: Pickup from Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 8:30 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

French: Pickup from Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • French
Language options: French
Starting time: 8:30 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

German: Pickup from Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • German
Language options: German
Starting time: 8:30 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

Italian: Pickup from Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • Italian
Language options: Italian
Starting time: 8:30 AM
Price details
AU$70.05 x 1 AdultAU$70.05
Total
Price is AU$70.05
Until Sat, 25 July

English: Pickup from Agia Pelagia & Lygaria

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 8:25 AM
Price details
AU$86.35 x 1 AdultAU$86.35
Total
Price is AU$86.35
Until Sat, 25 July

French: Pickup from Agia Pelagia & Lygaria

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • French
Language options: French
Starting time: 8:25 AM
Price details
AU$86.35 x 1 AdultAU$86.35
Total
Price is AU$86.35
Until Sat, 25 July

German: Pickup from Agia Pelagia & Lygaria

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • German
Language options: German
Starting time: 8:25 AM
Price details
AU$86.35 x 1 AdultAU$86.35
Total
Price is AU$86.35
Until Sat, 25 July

Italian: Pickup from Agia Pelagia & Lygaria

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • Italian
Language options: Italian
Starting time: 8:30 AM
Price details
AU$86.35 x 1 AdultAU$86.35
Total
Price is AU$86.35
Until Sat, 25 July

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected locations
  • Inclusions
    Transport in an air-conditioned bus
  • Inclusions
    Driver
  • Inclusions
    Guide
  • Inclusions
    Third-party insurance coverage
  • Exclusions
    Entrance to the caves (5€)
  • Exclusions
    Food and drinks
  • Exclusions
    Clothing is not provided on site

What you can expect

  • Enjoy plenty of free time to soak up the laid-back vibes of the colourful seaside town of Matala and travel back in time as you gently explore Cretan history at the historic Odigitria Monastery.

    Enjoy a comfortable, air-conditioned day trip through South Crete with convenient pick-up from several locations in Heraklion. Sit back and relax as you travel through scenic landscapes on the way south.

    After morning pick-up, enjoy a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Matala, famous for its relaxed atmosphere, sandy beach, and artistic spirit.

    Stop 1: Matala Village – 4 hours free time

    Spend ample free time in Matala to experience it at your own pace. Swim or sunbathe at the beach, enjoy lunch at a charming seaside tavern, browse local shops, or purchase a ticket to explore the iconic hippie caves, carved into the cliffs above the beach and steeped in 1960s history.

    After your time in Matala, continue with a short 15-minute bus drive.

    Stop 2: Odigitria Monastery – 45 minutes

    Visit the historic Monastery of Odigitria, one of the most important religious landmarks in southern Crete. Wander through its peaceful grounds and uncover sights from years of Cretan history. Explore the folklore museum (free entrance), and discover traditional herbal creams made by the monks using secret recipes and local herbs collected from the surrounding Asterousia Mountains, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Global Geopark.

    Please note that appropriate dress is required to enter the monastery. Shoulders and knees must be covered, so we recommend bringing a light scarf, shawl, or cover-up. As clothing is not provided on site, it is important to come prepared. If you prefer not to enter the monastery, you can enjoy your time outside, where there is a small area with animals (mini farm) and a café with a beautiful view.

    Return to Heraklion

    Relax on the return journey back to your accommodation after a day filled with culture, history, and seaside freedom.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Heraklion
    • Heraklion, Greece

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Heraklion
    • Heraklion, Greece