Introduction
Matala Beach Festival, one of the most popular festivals in Crete, is organized to keep the myth of Matala alive! A unique festival on the sandy beach beneath the caves made famous during the hippie era of the 1960s and ‘70s. Matala attracted international attention in the early 70’s when Joni Mitchell released her critically acclaimed album ‘Blue’, which detailed her experiences whilst living in the caves with the young hippie travelers, enjoying the tranquility of Matala beach.
Gallery
The theme of the first “Yakinthia” was the “Great Erotic” songs and was dedicated to the memory of Manos Hatzidakis, the great Greek singer. Since then, every year, “Yakinthia” festival has a different theme and, usually, connects Cretan music and Cretan folk tradition with musical traditions from other parts of Greece and the Mediterranean. - Distance: 40 minutes - 23km
The famous “DAFNES” wine (VQPRD) is produced in Dafnes and originates from the grape variety known as “Liatiko”. The wine festival of Dafnes was started in 1976. The event lasts for about ten to fifteen days and takes place in the first fifteen days of July each year, at the village square, where visitors are welcome to choose and drink the fine wine of Dafnes which is offered abundantly for free. Distance 29minutes - 22km
It’s been one century, since a group of people from Rethymno – with optimistic mood and open heart to every pleasant challenge – decides to put some colour to the everyday life of the city, during the Carnival season. Distance: 1h and 18 minutes. 78 km