Hotel Zafiria

This comfortable establishment nestles in the picturesque village of Matala, on the south side of the beautiful island of Crete, just a stone's throw from the sea and a few kilometres from the ancient ruins of Phaistos. The chalk caves at the far side of the beach are a must to visit. Each of the 70 bright rooms has its own balcony overlooking the sea, mountains or caves, and all have en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning and telephones. The hotel restaurant overlooks the caves and not only serves traditional Greek cuisine but also international dishes. The traditional villages in the vicinity are well worth a visit, and Matala is the perfect starting point for outings and excursions to the many archaeological sites, and football, scuba diving and horse riding can also be practiced. Matala is about 70 km from the capital, Heraklion, i. e. , about one hour by car or taxi.