One of the most magnificent places you could visit in Crete is the small town of Matala, located on the southwest side of Crete and just one and a half hour away from the city of Iraklion (Heraklion). Matala is a place famous for many decades, for what offers its visitors: peaceful vacations but intense nightlife as well. For this, it is considered as one of Crete’s most desired destinations.

Matala is near the beach of Kommos, which is special for the fact that in this particular beach, sea-turtles leave their eggs to hatch, and the beach is considered to be a nesting site for the turtles. One characteristic of Matala that is well-known are the cliffs nearby, of which you can easily find photos in the internet. Another thing that makes Matala famous is the Minoan archaeological site nearby, with the ruins of an ancient civilization… The area also has an excellent sandy beach, perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

Food in the taverns is really good, homemade and with use of Cretan traditional products (Cretan olive oil and feta cheese for instance). You may also taste the fresh fish, which make excellent meals for you to enjoy. Matala is generally a very good choice, and if you plan visiting Crete, be sure to visit this fantastic place as well. You will definitely not be disappointed!

Fishing is a popular activity amongst tourist but also locals in Crete. It is an activity which started way back, in ancient times. You can easily find paintings of ancient Minoans fishing, as fish have always provided an ideal meal. Fishing can be divided in two categories: Fishing with bait and underwater fishing. Fishing with bait may not be as exciting or as effective as underwater fishing, but requires not much skills and is much easier.

General tips are not going fishing on very hot days when the temperature is high.
Another tip is to try avoiding going fishing on days with no wind, as it more likely to have much better results when there are waves because of the wind. Also pay attention in preparing good baits for the fish, such as warms, salty bread or shrimps. A good bait is more likely to attract and finally catch fish.

Famous and ideal spots for fishing are Marathi beach, the gulf of Chania and some spots near Ierapetra.

Generally, try to avoid fishing near ports because the water is not as clear as on other spots and try fishing in small gulfs for better results. Good luck!

Either on the western or on the eastern side of Crete island, there are many things to see and do. Crete is the largest island of Greece and combines mountains with sea, ideal sceneries for travelers who want to return home full of experiences.

Mountains provide perfect trails and paths to walk and Crete’s beaches just need no introduction. And when all these activities tire you, just go and get a nice cup of coffee in a cafe that looks good to you… Make sure you have enough free time on your vacations and a vehicle from “Hire Car Crete” will take you everywhere.

Distance from our office in Heraklion: 155 km