Gortys – Festos - Matala Beach and Caves of Hippies

Duration 7 hours

If you want an excursion that offers a combination of local historical knowledge, along with relaxation, we offer you a journey to South Crete. After we visit the great archaelogical sites of Gortys and Faistos, we will enjoy the crystal blue water of South Crete, at the famous Matala beach.

Gortys (or Gortyna) is one of the most significant ancient cities of Crete, with a long history dating back thousands of years. You will be fascinated by St. Titus’ Church, the Chamber of the Law Code, the Odeon and, of course, the natural beauty and the serenity of the landscape: the square with the everlasting gnarled olive trees and the evergreen plane tree, in the shade of which Zeus and Europe had their wedding ceremony.

Festos (or Phaistos), or more precisely, the Minoan Palace of Festos, is one of Crete’s most important archaeological sites. The Minoan Palace of Festos was a robust and thriving city that, not randomly, developed in Messara Plain during prehistoric times, that is, from 6000 BC. up to the 1st century BC., as attested by numerous archaeological findings.

Matala has been inhabited since antiquity, but it became world famous when this small fishing village became a mecca for hippies in the 1960s and 1970s. Here, we can enjoy the dew of the crystal waters, the warmth of the sun, and our lunch in one of the many small taverns by the sea. Later, as modern hippies, we can explore the prehistoric caves carved on the steep rocks of the area.

Read Detailed Description

Highlights

Visit the site of Gortys
Visit the site of Phaestos
Enjoy a swim and lunch at coastal Matala
Private transport with a/c deluxe mini-van

Route

Detailed Itinerary

Gortys (Gortyna)

The ancient city of Crete with notable sites like St. Titus’ Church and the Chamber of the Law Code Known for its natural beauty with olive trees and plane trees linked to mythology.
2 hours
Festos (Phaistos)

Significant archaeological site with the Minoan Palace of Festos. Developed in the Messara Plain from 6000 BC to the 1st century BC.
2 hours
Matala

Once a fishing village, became famous in the 1960s-70s for its hippie culture. Offers crystal waters, seaside taverns, and prehistoric caves to explore.
2 hours