Matala is a small beach town on the southern coast of Crete, most well-known for the beautiful main beach adjacent to two tiers of caves. According to its history, these caves were frequented by tripped-out hippies back in the day. Evidence of this hippy past is evident in the peace signs in the caves and on one graffiti phrase on a wall by the beach that reads, “Today is life. Tomorrow never comes.” Interpret that life-motto as you will.
While most tourists come for Matala’s main beach and caves, there is another beach beyond the rock walls called Red Beach. Getting there is not for the weary - it’s actually a strenuous hike that takes up to a half hour. You have to climb the mountainside and then descend the other side through rocks and weeds, along a dirt trail (if you can even call it that) marked by red dots spray painted on scattered rocks. Wearing flipflops is not a good idea (as I see now).
Once I reached the top, the climb was definitely worth it. Behind me I could see the Matala caves and below me, the yellow sands and aquamarine water of Red Beach. I hiked down, set up my towel on a beach chair, and jumped in the water. When I got back, I laid down on the beach chair and had just closed my eyes when I felt a shadow over me. “Four euro please.” I had to pay for the beach chair and umbrella, okay. I opened my eyes and looked up, surprised to see a bit more than I bargained for.
Did I forget to mention it is a nude beach?
