Cretan Diet Festival

Matala Beach Festival celebrates music, freedom, and the spirit of community. Set against the iconic caves of Matala, it brings together people of all ages for three days of live performances, beach energy, and shared moments. Matala Beach Festival 2026 is expected to take place in early July on Matala’s main beach. The exact dates will be announced and updated closer to the event.

But the Matala Beach Festival is not just about the music; it’s a celebration of unity, freedom, and the indomitable spirit of human connection. It’s a place where strangers become friends, where barriers are broken, and where love and acceptance reign supreme.

The Matala Beach Festival is one of Europe’s biggest free music festivals.

The story of Matala Beach Festival

In June 2011 the Festos Municipality threw a festival on the beach to celebrate the launch of the ‘Myth of Matala’ book featuring photos of the hippie cave residents during the 60s & 70s. It was a hippie reunion. 35,000 people heard about it and flocked to Matala beach.

In June 2012 over 58,000 people visited the festival weekend and the word is quickly spreading. It was a huge success as free events which brought together music and arts fans from all generations together on the beach beneath the caves to celebrate peace, love and happiness.

Matala Beach Festival 2013 introduced to 70.000 people the meaning of LIFE! In June 2013, they have invited Harry Keyworth to be the first solo artist to drive the Road To Matala Tour along the original ‘hippie trail’ of the 1960s and 1970s.

Overland from London to Crete in the VW Beetle. The tour culminated in Harry performing on stage at Matala Beach alongside artists including Hugh Cornwell, former frontman of The Stranglers, The Doors Tribute, Janis Joplin Tribute, Locomondo, Pink Floyd Tribute, Tonis Sfinos and many more!

Where to stay during the Matala Beach Festival?

During the Matala Beach Festival, there are several accommodation options available in and around Matala. You can camp for free at Matala campsite. It offers basic services on a large 40,000 m2 area next to Matala beach. It’s a low-cost option with showers, toilets, and hot water, allowing visitors to experience the “Myth of Matalas” like in hippie times in the 60s and 70s. It’s important to note that the campsite offers basic services and may have limited capacity, so it’s advisable to arrive early to secure a spot.

You can also check the following hotels in the area:

• Matala Bay Hotel & Apartments: The hotel is situated 250 meters (820 feet) from Matala Beach, which is 5-7 minute walk. Matala Bay Hotel & Apartments offers a variety of accommodations, including rooms, apartments, and studios. It has 60 rooms, 3 apartments, and 10 studios suitable for families. All rooms are air-conditioned and feature furnished balconies or patios, many with pool or garden views.
• Matala Hostel: Matala Hostel is a budget-friendly accommodation located an 8-minute walk from Matala Beach. It offers a social atmosphere with communal spaces, including a kitchen, indoor and outdoor common areas, a bar, and a pool. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and access to four beach bars. The hostel provides both private rooms and dormitories, making it suitable for solo travellers or groups.
• Fragiskos Hotel: Fragiskos Hotel is located a 2-minute walk from Matal beach. It offers comfortable accommodations with family-friendly amenities. The hotel features an outdoor pool, a restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. Guests can relax in the garden or on the terrace, and some rooms come with balconies. The beds are comfortable, and the location is convenient for exploring Matala.
• Dimitris Villa Hotel: Dimitris Villa Hotel is located just 380 meters (0.24 miles) from Matala Beach, providing easy access to the village centre and the coastline. The hotel features a swimming pool, a children’s pool, a tavern serving local cuisine. Dimitris Villa Hotel is surrounded by trees, creating a peaceful environment while remaining close to local attractions.

Map with available accommodations during the Matala Beach Festival

Learn more about Matala village.

Chania Rock Festival is one of the most significant rock and metal music festivals in Greece.

Since 2002, the Chania Rock Festival has presented the best of the best in metal on stage in Chania, Crete. From the Greek rock scene to the international rockstars, if you like to headbang and jam out to metal, then the Chania Rock Festival is the music festival in Greece you’ve been searching for to live it up with fellow metal fans.

The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15th is one of the most significant holidays in the Greek Orthodox calendar, celebrating the “falling asleep” and Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Neapoli hosts the largest festival in the prefecture, attracting thousands of visitors and Cretan musicians.

Celebrations begin on August 14th with a cycle race and a long-distance run ending in Neapoli’s central square. After the evening church service, young men race up and down the steep mountainside to the Timios Stavros summit. The square transforms into a lively party with traditional singing, dancing, live music, and a market offering toys, icons, and clothing, continuing into the early hours.

On August 15th, a lengthy church service is followed by a grand procession of the Virgin Mary’s icon through the town, accompanied by priests, dignitaries, and the Neapoli Town Band. The festivities, combining religious, sporting, and cultural events, make this a unique and vibrant two-day celebration.