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A coastal landscape with layered cliffs and a calm sea. 1
A wooden door frame, a clock, and a shelf with various items. 2
A historic building with a square base and a flat roof, featuring small windows and a tree in front. 3
A white building with a palm tree, a small window, and a green object hanging from the tree. 4
A shop with shelves of jewelry, a wall clock, and various bags displayed. 5

Heraklion: Matala Beach, Hippie Caves & Odigitria Monastery

By Cretan Odyssey
9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is P 3,382 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 9h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages

Overview

Discover the relaxed charm of South Crete on a comfortable day trip from Heraklion. Enjoy plenty of free time in the colorful seaside village of Matala, where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Libyan Sea, relax on the beach, or explore the famous hippie caves carved into the cliffs. Travel back in time at the historic Odigitria Monastery, visit its folklore museum, and learn about traditional herbal remedies made by the monks using local mountain herbs. A perfect blend of seaside leisure, culture, and authentic Cretan history.

Activity location

  • Heraklion
    • Heraklion, Greece, Greece

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Heraklion
    • Heraklion, Greece, Greece

Check availability

English: Hersonissos, Malia

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • English

Pick-up from specific points: : Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, Piskopiano and Sisi
Pickup included

Language options: English
Starting time: 7:30
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

French: Hersonissos, Malia

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • French

Pick-up from specific points: : Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, Piskopiano and Sisi
Pickup included

Language options: French
Starting time: 7:30
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

German: Hersonissos, Malia

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • German

Pick-up from specific points: : Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, Piskopiano and Sisi
Pickup included

Language options: German
Starting time: 7:30
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

Italian: Hersonissos, Malia

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • Italian

Pick-up from specific points: : Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, Piskopiano and Sisi
Pickup included

Language options: Italian
Starting time: 7:30
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

English: Anisaras, Gouves area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • English

Pick-up from specific points:: Anisaras, Analipsi, Gouves
Pickup included

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:00
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

French: Anisaras, Gouves area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • French

Pick-up from specific points:: Anisaras, Analipsi, Gouves
Pickup included

Language options: French
Starting time: 8:00
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

German: Anisaras, Gouves area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • German

Pick-up from specific points:: Anisaras, Analipsi, Gouves
Pickup included

Language options: German
Starting time: 8:00
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

Italian: Anisaras, Gouves area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • Italian

Pick-up from specific points:: Anisaras, Analipsi, Gouves
Pickup included

Language options: Italian
Starting time: 8:00
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

English: Heraklion area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • English

Pick-up from specific points: : Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani
Pickup included

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:30
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

French: Heraklion area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • French

Pick-up from specific points: : Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani
Pickup included

Language options: French
Starting time: 8:30
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

German: Heraklion area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • German

Pick-up from specific points: : Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani
Pickup included

Language options: German
Starting time: 8:30
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

Italian: Heraklion area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • Italian

Pick-up from specific points: : Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani
Pickup included

Language options: Italian
Starting time: 8:30
Price details
P 3,029.78 x 1 AdultP 3,029.78
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 3,382.08
Until Tue, Aug 11

English: Agia Pelagia area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • English

Pick-up from specific points:: Agia Pelagia, Lygaria
Pickup included

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:30
Price details
P 3,734.38 x 1 AdultP 3,734.38
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 4,086.68
Until Tue, Aug 11

French: Agia Pelagia area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • French

Pick-up from specific points:: Agia Pelagia, Lygaria
Pickup included

Language options: French
Starting time: 8:30
Price details
P 3,734.38 x 1 AdultP 3,734.38
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 4,086.68
Until Tue, Aug 11

German: Agia Pelagia area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • German

Pick-up from specific points:: Agia Pelagia, Lygaria
Pickup included

Language options: German
Starting time: 8:30
Price details
P 3,734.38 x 1 AdultP 3,734.38
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 4,086.68
Until Tue, Aug 11

Italian: Agia Pelagia area

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • Italian

Pick-up from specific points:: Agia Pelagia, Lygaria
Pickup included

Language options: Italian
Starting time: 8:30
Price details
P 3,734.38 x 1 AdultP 3,734.38
Paid at activityP 352.30
Total
Price is P 4,086.68
Until Tue, Aug 11

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Liability Insurance Coverage by ALLIANZ for our tour participants
  • Inclusions
    Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Inclusions
    Professional Driver
  • Inclusions
    Tour Guide
  • Exclusions
    Lunch
  • Exclusions
    Matala
  • Exclusions
    Appropriate clothing is required for entry to Odigitria Monastery (not provided on site)

Know before you book

    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Activity itinerary

Heraklion

  • 1h 30m
Enjoy a comfortable, air-conditioned day trip through South Crete with convenient pick-up from selected locations in Heraklion. Sit back and relax as you travel through scenic landscapes on the way south. After morning pick-up from your accommodation, enjoy a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Matala, famous for its relaxed atmosphere, sandy beach, and artistic spirit.

Matala

  • 4h
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 café, 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 (entrance fee: 5€ - optional). After your time in Matala, continue with a short 15-minute bus drive.

Odigitria Monastery

  • 45m
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.

Heraklion

  • 1h 30m
Return to Heraklion Relax on the return journey back to your accommodation after a day filled with culture, history, and seaside freedom. Depending on traffic and on the pick-up places of each one, the time of journey back to the hotel will differ.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Heraklion
    • Heraklion, Greece, Greece

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Heraklion
    • Heraklion, Greece, Greece

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