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Heraklion: Matala Beach, Hippie Caves & Odigitria Monastery

By Cretan Odyssey
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is £37 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: 07:30
Price details
£37.14 x 1 Adult£37.14
Total
Price is £37.14
Until Tue, 31 Mar
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: 07:30
Price details
£37.14 x 1 Adult£37.14
Total
Price is £37.14
Until Tue, 31 Mar
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: 07:30
Price details
£37.14 x 1 Adult£37.14
Total
Price is £37.14
Until Tue, 31 Mar
English: Pickup from Anisaras, Analipsi, and Gouves
  • Activity duration is 9 hours and 30 minutes9h 30m
    9h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 08:00
Price details
£37.14 x 1 Adult£37.14
Total
Price is £37.14
Until Tue, 31 Mar
French: Pickup from Anisaras, Analipsi, and Gouves
  • Activity duration is 9 hours and 30 minutes9h 30m
    9h 30m
  • French
Language options: French
Starting time: 08:00
Price details
£37.14 x 1 Adult£37.14
Total
Price is £37.14
Until Tue, 31 Mar
German: Pickup from Anisaras, Analipsi, and Gouves
  • Activity duration is 9 hours and 30 minutes9h 30m
    9h 30m
  • German
Language options: German
Starting time: 08:00
Price details
£37.14 x 1 Adult£37.14
Total
Price is £37.14
Until Tue, 31 Mar
English: Pickup from Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani
  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 08:30
Price details
£37.14 x 1 Adult£37.14
Total
Price is £37.14
Until Tue, 31 Mar
French: Pickup from Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani
  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • French
Language options: French
Starting time: 08:30
Price details
£37.14 x 1 Adult£37.14
Total
Price is £37.14
Until Tue, 31 Mar
German: Pickup from Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani
  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • German
Language options: German
Starting time: 08:30
Price details
£37.14 x 1 Adult£37.14
Total
Price is £37.14
Until Tue, 31 Mar
English: Pickup from Agia Pelagia & Lygaria
  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 08:25
Price details
£45.78 x 1 Adult£45.78
Total
Price is £45.78
Until Tue, 31 Mar
French: Pickup from Agia Pelagia & Lygaria
  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • French
Language options: French
Starting time: 08:25
Price details
£45.78 x 1 Adult£45.78
Total
Price is £45.78
Until Tue, 31 Mar
German: Pickup from Agia Pelagia & Lygaria
  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • German
Language options: German
Starting time: 08:25
Price details
£45.78 x 1 Adult£45.78
Total
Price is £45.78
Until Tue, 31 Mar

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected locations
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Transport in an air-conditioned bus
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Driver
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guide
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Third-party insurance coverage
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Entrance to the caves (5€)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Food and drinks

Know before you book

  • In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.

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.

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