Tourists relax on Matala beach in Crete with the characteristic limestone cliffs in the background

The image shows Matala beach on a typical summer day, with bathers enjoying the sun and turquoise sea. Two female tourists sunbathe on the sand in the foreground, while other bathers swim or play in the water. The limestone cliff bordering the beach to the north rises in the background with its characteristic light horizontal striations. These rock walls, shaped by marine erosion, feature numerous natural caves that were used as dwellings since Roman times and in the 1960s hosted the famous hippy community. The sea at Matala, protected by the bay conformation, has calm, crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming. In the distance, the mountains of the Cretan hinterland can be glimpsed.

Matala, beach, cliffs, Crete, bathers, caves, sea, summer