Matala Beach Festival

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MusicMatala
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsMatala's distinguishing feature is a real
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: EUR
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Matala Beach Festival in Matala

Matala Beach Festival has run every June since 2011, celebrating the small Cretan village's documented hippie history: Roman-era caves above the beach that sheltered Beatniks and hippies from the mid-1960s, including Joni Mitchell, who lived there in early 1970 and turned the experience into the songs Carey and California on her album Blue.

Joni Mitchell spent several weeks living in the ancient rock-cut caves above Matala beach in early 1970, an experience she turned directly into the songs Carey and California on her 1971 album Blue, cementing this small Cretan fishing village's place in music history.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Matala's distinguishing feature is a real, documented cultural history rather than a manufactured countercultural theme: the caves above the beach were carved as Roman tombs, later became free shelter for hippies arriving from the mid-1960s, and hosted Joni Mitchell during the exact weeks that produced the songs Carey and California on her 1971 album Blue

02

The mystery stays covered

The Matala Beach Festival, running every June since 2011, is built specifically to commemorate that documented history over three days of music and art, staged on the same beach below caves visitors can still walk into today

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Matala Beach Festival is documented as a recurring music festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Matala, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

Matala's distinguishing feature is a real, documented cultural history rather than a manufactured countercultural theme: the caves above the beach...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Matala you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Beach-appropriate casual wear suits the festival setting; bring sturdy sandals if planning to explore the rock-cut caves above the beach, since the terrain there is uneven.

Safety

Matala Beach Festival is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Matala Beach Festival does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.00 N, 24.75 EOpen in Google Maps

Matala, Crete, Greece

Nearest airportHER — Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis
TransportStay close enough to the part of Matala you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Matala Beach Festival does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Matala via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Matala, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearBeach-appropriate casual wear suits the festival setting; bring sturdy sandals if planning to explore the rock-cut caves above the beach, since the terrain there is uneven.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Greece and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Matala Beach Festival?

Matala Beach Festival is listed for June · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Matala Beach Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Matala, Greece. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Matala, Crete, Greece

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmatalabeachfestival.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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