Direct flight about 3 h 52
Matala from Birmingham
From Birmingham, a nonstop flight gets you in Matala in about 3 h 52. You land at Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER), 34 miles from the destination, after 1,769 miles of flight. You can also fly nonstop to CHQ (about 3 h 46).
In Matala, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 31 °C and the sea up to 26 °C.
7 days in Matala in August, Beach and hiking, from Birmingham on your own
Plan a trip- Flight time from Birmingham
- about 3 h 52
- Flight distance BHX to HER
- 1,769 miles
- Nonstop from BHX to 2 airports
- Direct flight
- Best time to go
- June to October
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
What the route from Birmingham involves
Matala lies on the southern coast of Crete, so a UK flight normally forms the first part of a longer journey rather than delivering you directly to the village. The main planning decision is which Greek connection best fits your onward travel and preferred arrival point.
CreteiPhoto: Taxiarchos228 · FAL · Wikimedia Commons
BirminghamiPhoto: BlueandWhiteStripes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTreat the airport change as a key part of the trip. Check the arrival airport, your onward connection and the transfer towards southern Crete before choosing a flight. Keeping these details together makes the journey easier to understand and gives you enough time to move between terminals or arrange the next stage.
A clear itinerary is particularly useful when an early connection or a late arrival affects the first night. HolidayWow can place the airport route, transfer and first stay in one plan, with the day and travel legs shown on the map. You can then adjust the order if a different flight fits your holiday better.
CreteiPhoto: Taxiarchos228 · FAL · Wikimedia CommonsBirminghamiPhoto: BlueandWhiteStripes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsChoosing the most useful time to fly
Summer brings the warmest conditions in Matala, with July offering 31 °C by day and a sea temperature of 26 °C. August stays similarly warm, while September combines 28 °C daytime temperatures with a 25 °C sea. These months suit travellers who want beach days and a warm arrival in Crete.
Spring and autumn can work well for a holiday with a mixed programme. May reaches 24 °C with sea temperatures of 19 °C, while October also reaches 24 °C and the sea remains at 24 °C. April offers 19 °C days and 9 hours of sunshine, giving room for walks as well as time beside the sea.
Winter is cooler, with January averaging 14 °C during the day and 10 °C at night. It is worth checking the weather pattern for your chosen dates and carrying layers for evenings. HolidayWow includes monthly climate information, helping you match the trip to the season before confirming the flights.
Planning a seven day Matala holiday
A seven day stay gives you time to settle into Matala and balance beach time with Crete. Begin with a light arrival day, using the relaxed pace of one or two activities. This leaves space to recover from the flight and onward journey without turning the first evening into another transfer day.
Build the middle of the holiday around full days in Matala, with time for the beach, coastal walks and meals nearby. A balanced day can hold two or three stops, while a packed day is better saved for excursions when you want to cover several places across southern Crete.
Keep the final day flexible until your outbound travel is confirmed. HolidayWow displays each day as a route and lets you drag a stop to another date or lighten the schedule. Add dates to bring in weekday details, live weather and live partner prices through the plan.
From Birmingham to Matala
From Birmingham, Matala is {{dist.home:BHX}} away as the crow flies. From London Heathrow it is {{dist.home:LHR}}. From London Gatwick it is {{dist.home:LGW}}. From Birmingham, the months that pay off most are May, June, September and October.
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsFrom Manchester it is {{dist.home:MAN}}. London Stansted lies {{dist.home:STN}} away. Door to door, the plan lines up the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares and the transfer on arrival.
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsAirports at the destination
From Birmingham you fly nonstop to 2 airports nearby. Closest to the destination is Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, at 34 miles.
- HERHeraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport34 miles to the destination, about 3 h 52 from BHX, 1,769 miles of flightDirect
- CHQChania International Airport50 miles to the destination, about 3 h 46 from BHX, 1,722 miles of flightDirect
Best time to travel in Matala
In Matala, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 31 °C and the sea up to 26 °C. The sea reaches 26 °C in August.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day °C | 14 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 20 | 16 |
| Night °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 12 |
| Sea °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 19 |
| Sun h/day | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Rain days | 14 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 13 |
Matala through the year
July is the hottest month at 31 °C, while January drops to 14 °C. Rain is rarest in July (1 days) and most frequent in January (14 days). The sunniest month is July with 13 hours a day.
The sea is warm enough for proper swimming in July, August, September and October, peaking at 26 °C in August. For walking and sightseeing in pleasant warmth, aim for May, June, September, October and November.
- January: 14 °C, sea 17 °C, 14 rain days, 4 h of sun
- February: 14 °C, sea 16 °C, 11 rain days, 5 h of sun
- March: 16 °C, sea 16 °C, 8 rain days, 7 h of sun
- April: 19 °C, sea 17 °C, 5 rain days, 9 h of sun
- May: 24 °C, sea 19 °C, 5 rain days, 10 h of sun
- June: 28 °C, sea 22 °C, 2 rain days, 12 h of sun
- July: 31 °C, sea 24 °C, 1 rain day, 13 h of sun
- August: 31 °C, sea 26 °C, 1 rain day, 11 h of sun
- September: 28 °C, sea 25 °C, 4 rain days, 9 h of sun
- October: 24 °C, sea 24 °C, 7 rain days, 7 h of sun
- November: 20 °C, sea 21 °C, 9 rain days, 5 h of sun
- December: 16 °C, sea 19 °C, 13 rain days, 4 h of sun
How to shape a May day in Matala
Mornings suit an unhurried walk through the old streets or along the water. The warmest hours, at 24 °C, are perfect for being outside. Evenings drop to 17 °C, so plan dinner somewhere warm and keep a layer handy.
Packing for Matala in July
With 31 °C by day and 23 °C at night and 1 rain days in July, pack for heat. Your plan builds this list for you and updates it when you change the dates.
- Light, breathable clothes for the day
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- A refillable water bottle
- A warm layer for the evenings
- Swimwear and a beach towel
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A travel adapter for your chargers
Prices for Matala
Every price for Matala on this page comes live from a partner, in your currency. Open a card to see today's rate for your dates.
Weather in Matala month by month
- January14 °C
17 °C - February14 °C16 °C
- March16 °C16 °C
- April19 °C17 °C
- May24 °C19 °C
- June28 °C22 °C
- July31 °C24 °C
- August31 °C26 °C
- September28 °C25 °C
- October24 °C24 °C
- November20 °C21 °C
- December16 °C19 °C
Nonstop flights in Matala from other airports
Besides Birmingham, nonstop flights in Matala leave from 8 other airports; the closest to Birmingham is Manchester, with a flight time of about 3 h 52.
- BHXMatala from Birminghamabout 3 h 52 to HER, nonstop
- MANMatala from Manchesterabout 3 h 52 to CHQ, nonstop
- LTNMatala from London Lutonabout 3 h 44 to HER, nonstop
- BRSMatala from Bristolabout 3 h 46 to CHQ, nonstop
- LHRMatala from London Heathrowabout 3 h 37 to CHQ, nonstop
- STNMatala from London Stanstedabout 3 h 36 to CHQ, nonstop
- LGWMatala from London Gatwickabout 3 h 35 to CHQ, nonstop
- EDIMatala from Edinburghabout 4 h 12 to HER, nonstop
- GLAMatala from Glasgowabout 4 h 11 to CHQ, nonstop
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Where to centre your stay
Matala is a practical base for a coastal holiday because the village itself sits beside the sea. Staying here suits travellers who want beach mornings, short walks and evenings centred around one area. It also makes the first few days easier after a journey involving flights and an onward transfer.
A stay in Matala works well when your priority is a compact holiday rather than constant movement. You can organise days around the coast, place activities nearby and leave some afternoons open for the beach. Families and couples can use the relaxed pace, while a balanced pace adds more variety.
Live accommodation prices are shown through partner links inside the plan. Compare the location and total stay together, then keep the booking details in the same document vault as your flight and onward transport. This gives everyone travelling with you one clear place to review the arrangements.
Connecting flights with a UK bank holiday
Travelling from Birmingham during half term, Easter, summer or the Christmas holidays can turn a standard flight booking into a longer getaway. A Bank Holiday planner helps organise public holidays and leave days into a usable window. This is especially helpful when you want to arrive in Matala with enough time to settle in.
Begin with the days you can take away, then work backwards from the required travel day. Build in time for the airport connection and transfer to Crete rather than treating Matala as a simple final flight stop. The plan can include the route from home to the airport, the flight and the onward transfer.
Share the finished route with everyone travelling. HolidayWow gives group members viewing and editing roles, with voting and comments available in the plan. The app is free to download and to plan with, allowing you to shape the holiday before moving into partner booking options.
Matala from Birmingham: frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from Birmingham to Matala?
A direct UK service to a village in southern Crete is unlikely to be the practical route. Most itineraries connect through a Greek airport and then continue towards Crete. The exact options can change, so view the live flight results and confirm every stage before booking.
Which month is best for flying from Birmingham to Matala?
July and August suit warm beach holidays, with daytime temperatures of 31 °C and sea temperatures of 26 °C and 24 °C respectively. May and October combine 24 °C days with 19 °C and 24 °C seas. April is useful for a holiday that mixes walking and beach time.
How should I organise the journey from the airport to Matala?
Check the Greek connection and onward transport together, then keep both stages in one itinerary. Allow your onward travel to continue towards southern Crete without squeezing the final day. HolidayWow can map the airport route, transfer and first stay so the full journey remains visible.
Can I edit the Matala itinerary after booking flights?
Yes. HolidayWow lets you move a stop to another day, swap a place and make the pace lighter. The plan checker reorganises the day after each change. This is useful when flight times, beach plans and group preferences need to work together across the week.
Where can I see live prices for my Matala trip?
The plan brings in live prices from partners for stays, tours, transport and eligible flights. Prices appear in your language and currency, with partner links available inside the plan. A budget in your home currency can also support price watching and cost splitting for the group.
More nonstop destinations from Birmingham
GreeceCrete- about 3 h 52 flight
- Sea 23 °C in October
iPhoto: Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsGreeceCorfu- about 3 h 07 flight
- Sea 22 °C in October
GreeceRhodes- about 3 h 57 flight
- Sea 24 °C in October
GreeceZakynthos- about 3 h 21 flight
- Sea 23 °C in October
GreeceCephalonia- about 3 h 14 flight
- Sea 23 °C in October
iPhoto: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsGreeceSantorini- about 3 h 47 flight
- Sea 22 °C in October
Plan your trip in Matala from Birmingham
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