Gortys - Faistos - Matala
Starts from
€ 35.00
/ per hour
Duration
6 hours ( 3 stops )
About the excursion
If you want an excursion that offers the combination of local historical knowledge, along with relaxation we offer you a journey to South Crete. After our visit to the great archaelogical sites of Gortys and Faistos we will enjoy the crystal blue water of South Crete, at the famous Matala beach.
*All the tours are flexible on your needs. There are not included tickets, entrance rates & tour guide.
Phaistos
Phaistos was the second most important city in Crete after Knossos during the second millennium BC. Homer, in the Iliad and the Odyssey, mentions Phaistos in the list of cities that took part in the Trojan War and describes it as a well-inhabited city. The city was independent and autonomous and minted many coins depicting Europe sitting on a bull and a lion's head. The dynasty founded by Radamanthis, son of Zeus, who reigned in Phaistos.
Matala
Matala is a small seaside fishing village and a famous beach in southern Crete. The beach of Matala has been inhabited since antiquity and specifically since the Neolithic era, while it became famous as a place for hippies to live in the 60's and 70's. On the steep shore of the village there are several artificial caves and underwater caves, carved into the rock. Originally considered ancient tombs but some caves have rooms and windows and porches. So it seems that they were once used as dwellings. Several artists such as Bob Dylan have visited Matala. Also the song "Carey" by Joni Mitchell describes the sky in Matala. Ηere you will have the opportunity to swim in the deep blue and crystal waters and enjoy your meal near the sea.
Gortys
Gortys is one of the most important cities in Crete with an unbroken history of 6,000 years and one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Greece. It lies in south central Crete in the fertile Mesara plain, the
site of the first human habitation of Crete at the end of the Neolithic period (5th millennium BC). Some of the most important sights are the church of St. Titos, Odeon and the Chamber of the Law Code of Gortyna.