Matala, Crete

Matala (Greek: Μάταλα) is a village located 75 km south-west of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

It has been suggested that the caves were once used as tombs, but it is more likely that they were used as living spaces, given their volume (corpses do not need that much room to walk around).

Matala is now a popular tourist destination relying on coach tours and summer visitors.

[2][3] When Zeus in the form of a white bull seduced the princess Europa, he crossed the sea and brought her to the beach of Matala.

Matala experiences hot, very dry summers and very mild, wet winters.