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Review:
Matala is a Blue Flag pebble beach in the Bay of Messara, in the central south coast of Crete.
It is the place where Zeus is said to have swum ashore, disguised as a bull.
The hippy movement of the 1960s and '70s saw a surge of foreigners moving to the area. Despite being a popular tourist destination, it is still a quiet fishing village set in a safe harbor.
The beach is overlooked by sandstone cliffs with carved out caves, created as tombs for Romans and early Christians. Along the beachfront, there are restaurants, bars and sports facilities, such as beach volleyball and children's play areas.
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