Nestled along the rugged southern coast of Crete, Matala is more than just a beach—it’s a living memory of 1960s ...

In the morning, explore the Minoan Palace at Phaistos, eight kilometers away. Later, near the “Hippie Caves,” with the warm rocks under your feet, you may feel a tinge of something strangely familiar.

Matala, a quiet beach village on the Greek island of Crete, became an international hangout for the flower children of the 1960s. A surprising number of kids from Oregon joined in the happening.

If you drive south from Heraklion, you will be able to spend a day at the fantastic beach of Matala, which is known for its caves where a huge community of hippies used to live during the seventies.

A list of the best beaches in the world has been revealed and the number one spot was taken by a stunning place on a beautiful Greek island, where temperatures reach the high 20s as early as June and ...