Matala Beach Festival Returns June 19-21 on Crete's Southern Coast

Wednesday, 27 May 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

The 13th Matala Beach Festival is scheduled for June 19 to 21, 2026, at Matala Beach on the southern coast of Crete. Matala is a historic seaside village in the Heraklion regional unit, known for its cave dwellings carved into the cliffs and its relaxed atmosphere. The festival is a well-established annual event celebrating music and the free-spirited heritage of the area, which drew international hippie communities in the 1960s and 1970s. Visitors attending the festival should plan accommodation in advance, as nearby hotels and guesthouses fill up quickly during the event. Matala is approximately 75 kilometers southwest of Heraklion city and accessible by car or bus. The beach itself is sandy and family-friendly. The festival typically features live music performances across multiple stages over the three-day program.