South Crete: Matala Beach & Ancient Gortyn

Recommended by 90% of travelers

Crete, Greece

7 to 9 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

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Overview

See more of Crete on your vacation, and take a tour of island’s southern stretches with a private guide. Perfect if you have a day free but no transport, this excursion takes you through the Messara valley to visit the archaeological site of Gortyn and two Orthodox monasteries — sites that would be tricky to find alone. Time for swimming at Matala Beach and a coastal dinner complete the experience.

Book a private tour for your personal group of family or friends
Discover history-rich sites on Crete that you might want to revisit
Combine guided visits with free time to relax, swim, and eat
Avoid feeling rushed on a private day trip that’s all about you

What's Included

Pick-up (at the specific tourist bus stop, outside of the hotel or no more than 800m walk)
Transfer with air-conditioned bus
Information about the route and sights during the bus ride
Additional insurance for tour participants

Entrance to Gortina: Adult (discounts apply for some age groups)

€10.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

• After booking we will contact you to arrange the pick-up. • We pick up from the tourist bus stops, a maximum 800m walk from your hotel. • For remotely located hotels and Airbnb's, please, contact us to clarify the closest pick-up point or any extra transfer arrangements. • Please, note, if you do not provide your pick-up details up to 24 hours before the tour, we do not guarantee the pick-up.

Meeting point

Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Ξανθουδίδη και, Chatzidaki 1, Iraklio 712 02, Greece

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Arranged start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Select your preferred tour option to see hours.

Itinerary

Gortyna

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Matala Beach

3 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
If an infant does not sit on lap in the bus, It is necessary to pay a child ticket.

After booking we will contact you to arrange the pick-up. Please, note, if you do not provide your pick-up details up to 24 hours before the tour, we do not guarantee the pick-up. For pick-up from different location, please, contact us.
Pick-up from the specific bus stops next to the hotels. From Area 1: all the villages between Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi
Area 2: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi
Wednesday: English, German, French, Italian
Thursday: English, German, French
Sunday: English, German, French, Italian
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.6

based on 10 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Good experience, lot of informations in various langages, clean operational info, good care on the end of trip

Miroslav_D, Jun 2025

All info has been given, there is no necessary to give more additional info. Maybe more time to visit Gortyn

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you very much for your review!!

Haphazard and not worth the money

MaryKate_R, Oct 2024

The pickup point was not where it was meant to be and there was no information on what type vehicle to expect. From the email sent beforehand, there is a coach with a big arrow at the bus stop, we were picked up in a small minibus at another location which we would not have found if I had not called. There was also another couple at the same original bus stop with us, one of whom had mobility issues, they did not call, and only for us finding the driver, could they join the trip. The minibus took us 15 minutes out of Heraklion and dropped at by the side of a highway, near a petshop. The driver told us to wait for the number 17 bus which would come in 15 minutes. No other information was provided. He meant a coach that was numbered 70. The coach ride was pleasant but the information was quite brief. For £50 each, I don't think it was worth it. While the trip does say that tickets to sites are not included, I think you should get more for your money. You really are paying for the transport and that's it. Tickets to Gortyn are only €6 but there is no guided tour and nothing to read apart from a 2 page PDF that you download. Sunbeds in Matala are €10 for 2 beds. It's a pretty beach and the caves are cool but I don't think it's good value for money. You could easily do this trip yourself if you had a hired car. Maybe some discount vouchers for some of the bars/tavernas would have justified the price but I would not recommend overall.

Response from Host, May 2025

As you can understand, sometimes machine breakdowns can happen to cars, buses, and even airplanes. In this case, there was a technical problem with the bus. The minibus was immediately dispatched. The driver is scheduled to get off the minibus and pick up the tour participants one by one, without the need for the guests to call. The minibus took you to a meeting point with another bus for the tour. Some drivers speak a language other than Greek, others don't; it's not mandatory for drivers to speak another language. Regarding the cost of admission and sun loungers, it's unfair to post a comment involving our agency. Taking a group tour is different; many people choose it to avoid the fatigue of driving for so many hours and enjoy the panoramic scenery without having to concentrate on driving.

American family

Climber28588540149, May 2019

Great tour guides. Made this trip more enjoyable. The trip was slightly more religious than I thought it would be, however, the sightings were beautiful and worthwhile because of it. I would recommend a longer stop at the final destination of Matala. 1 hr 30 mins was not enough.

Response from Host, May 2019

Thank you so much for your review! We will try to improve our programs taking into account comments and wishes from our tourists. Kind regards, Status MLB Team