75 km southwest of Iraklion, on the Western shore Masarsky valley is a small resort village of Matala and the eponymous beach. The picturesque Bay, in which is located the village, flanked by craggy mountains with many caves. The beach of Matala is one of the best beaches of Crete.

The history of this settlement is rooted in the distant past, in the Neolithic period. It was then in the cliffs surrounding the Bay, were artificially created numerous caves used as dwellings. Probably its heyday ancient settlement reached during the Minoan period, when the site of today's village was the harbour town fest – one of the most important centres of Minoan civilization. In the period of Roman domination of Matala was the port, but the ancient Roman city of Gortys. In the 1st and 2nd centuries A. D. ancient caves were used for burial of the dead. One of the caves is called Brutospeliana ("Cave Brutus"), as according to an ancient legend it was visited by famous Roman General Brutus.

For a long time Matala was a small fishing village. Its tourist popularity, she began to acquire in the 60-ies of the last century. Then the picturesque Bay and ancient caves chosen by hippies. But after the collapse of one of the caves and the death of man free access to the cave was closed. Today the tomb-caves are protected by the archaeological service and are available to tourists in organised tour.

Matala lives mainly from tourism. Warm and crystal clear Libyan sea, warm sun, gorgeous sandy beach, beautiful nature, comfortable hotels and apartments, cafes and taverns with traditional cuisine – it has everything needed for a comfortable and relaxing stay.