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Why the
Matala Caves
of Greece are special

The
Matala Caves have a long history of occupation. And their seaside setting is
picturesque.

Tips & insights on
the Matala Caves

The
Matala Caves in southern Greece are not natural - they were chiseled out of the soft
sandstone cliff by humans. Likely, prehistoric man began the process.

The
Romans did most of the work. They used the caves for tombs.

The
Matala Caves became world famous in the 1960s when hippies arrived in Greece. They moved
into the Matala Caves and created an international flower-child commune blessed
with a beautiful
crescent bay with turquoise waters.

In
the 1970s, local authorities detested the hippie lifestyle and cleared out the
caves. They illegalized sleeping in the Matala Caves, though you can explore
them during the day.

In
the ensuing decades, the adjacent Matala fishing village evolved into an
unpretentious Greek beach resort.

The
Matala Caves are the biggest tourist draw. There's a beach for sunning and
relaxing. Unfortunately, it's a bit pebbly, as are many beaches in Greece.



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