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Matala

Direct flight about 3 h 52

Matala from Bristol

Published 4 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·

From Bristol, 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 1,768 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 Bristol on your own

Plan a trip
iPhoto: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Flight time from Bristol
about 3 h 52
Flight distance BRS to HER
1,768 miles
Nonstop from BRS to 2 airports
Direct flight
Best time to go
June to October

Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.

Start with the route from Bristol Airport

Matala is a coastal destination in Greece, and Bristol Airport is your starting point for comparing the journey. Use this figure as a route reference while you check flight options and decide which departure airport suits your holiday.

Greece
Greece
Europe
EuropeiPhoto: gov.si · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

A useful plan starts with the whole journey, not just the flight. HolidayWow can include the ride to the airport, the flight and the transfer to the first stay in one map based trip. This gives you a clear picture of the route from Bristol and helps each part of the day connect naturally.

Keep the arrival day light. After travelling across Europe and settling into Matala, use the first day for a short beach walk, a meal and a familiarisation with the village. A relaxed opening day gives you space to adjust while keeping the holiday enjoyable from the beginning.

Choose a Matala holiday month for your preferred pace

The best month depends on whether you want long days in the sun, swimming, or a quieter rhythm around the coast. Matala has a clear seasonal pattern, with July as the warmest month and January as the coolest. The sea is warmest from July through October, so those months suit travellers who prioritise time in the water.

Spring and autumn are useful for combining village time with comfortable walking and changing coastal weather. March brings a sea temperature of 16 °C, while May reaches 19 °C. September combines a sea temperature of 25 °C with 9 hours of sunshine, creating a comfortable balance between beach days and time outdoors.

HolidayWow uses the destination climate to support a month based plan. You can describe Matala and your preferred month in one sentence, then add dates later if you want weekday information, live weather and live prices in the daily cards. The plan can remain flexible while your travel dates are being decided.

Build a balanced week around Matala and the coast

A balanced week in Matala works well with a relaxed pace and a few purposeful excursions. Start with time around the village and its beach, then use other days for coastal scenery, nearby places and a change of setting. The result is a holiday with variety while keeping your base easy and familiar.

For a seven day outline, spend the first day settling in and exploring Matala on foot. Use the middle days for beach time, a coastal excursion and a day visiting another part of south Crete. Keep one day open for a repeat favourite, a long meal or an unplanned walk along the shore. A final day can stay close to the village before departure.

The HolidayWow planner supports one to five stops a day, so you can set a relaxed pace and make individual days lighter when you want. Add each stop to the map, move a place to another day, or swap an activity after the first night. The plan checker then reorders the day around your change.

Matala from Bristol

From Bristol, Matala is {{dist.home:BRS}} away as the crow flies. London Heathrow lies {{dist.home:LHR}} away. London Gatwick lies {{dist.home:LGW}} away. From Bristol, the months that pay off most are May, June, September and October.

London
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Manchester
ManchesteriPhoto: mattbuck (category) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Manchester lies {{dist.home:MAN}} away. From London Stansted it is {{dist.home:STN}}. The plan adds the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares from our partners, and the transfer to your first stay.

Airports at the destination

From Bristol 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 BRS, 1,768 miles of flightDirect
  • CHQChania International Airport50 miles to the destination, about 3 h 46 from BRS, 1,719 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.

Climate by month
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDec
Day °C141416192428313128242016
Night °C101011131721232422181512
Sea °C171616171922242625242119
Sun h/day4579101213119754
Rain days141185521147913
Climate: NASA POWER 2006 to 2025, sea: NOAA OISST 1991 to 2020. Day and night are average highs and lows, sun in hours per day.

The best months for Matala

The warmest month is July with 31 °C, the coolest January with 14 °C. July is the driest with 1 rain days and January the wettest with 14. July brings the most sun, around 13 hours daily.

Swimming season runs through July, August, September and October; the water tops out at 26 °C in August. Comfortable sightseeing weather, with highs between the low twenties and about thirty degrees, comes in 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

A day in Matala in May

Begin with a long walk while the light is soft. Around midday it reaches 24 °C, ideal for the outdoor highlight of the day. By night it is 17 °C: a cosy restaurant suits the evening.

What to pack for Matala

For July, plan for heat: 31 °C in the day, 23 °C after dark, 1 days of rain. The packing list in your plan adjusts itself to the month and the days you pick.

  • 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

Live 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

Nonstop flights in Matala from other airports

Besides Bristol, nonstop flights in Matala leave from 8 other airports; the closest to Bristol is Birmingham, with a flight time of about 3 h 46.

Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.

Make beach days and village days easy to combine

Matala suits a holiday that alternates between swimming, walking and time outdoors in the village. The sea is 24 °C in July, 26 °C in August and 25 °C in September. Those temperatures make the warmest part of the year especially practical for beach days, with the village giving you a natural base for meals and evening walks.

Plan beach time around the middle of the day and use the morning or later afternoon for exploring on foot. This rhythm keeps the day comfortable and leaves room for a coffee, a siesta or a shade break. The climate data can guide your expectations, while the live weather and live prices remain available when dates are added to your plan.

Pack for the coast rather than treating Matala as a purely urban trip. Swimwear, a light cover-up, comfortable walking shoes and sun protection will serve everyday plans well. HolidayWow can create a packing list and checklist from your itinerary, the month and the climate, giving you a practical list before the journey from Bristol begins.

Organise flights, stays and group details in one plan

The easiest way to organise a Bristol to Matala holiday is to keep the route, accommodation and daily ideas together. HolidayWow brings stays, tours and transport into the plan through partner links, with the live price shown for each option. You can compare what is available from your own starting point without relying on a fixed estimate.

If you are travelling with family or friends, share the plan through one link. Group members can view, edit, comment and vote on ideas while you are still deciding the shape of the week. The document vault keeps passports, tickets and confirmations beside the trip they belong to, making the final stage easier to manage.

For UK travellers, the Bank Holiday planner can connect public holidays and leave days with a longer holiday plan. If you are considering a half term, Easter or summer trip, describe the family and the dates in your own words. The planner can then organise the holiday around the market calendar and the places you want to visit.

Matala from Bristol: frequently asked questions

How far is Matala from Bristol Airport?

It is a useful reference when comparing routes from the UK. HolidayWow can place the airport, the flight and the transfer to your first stay on the same map, so your arrival day is easier to plan.

Which month is best for a Matala beach holiday?

July, August and September are strong choices for swimming, with sea temperatures of 24 °C, 26 °C and 25 °C. July also has 13 hours of sunshine, while September offers 9 hours and a comfortable balance of beach time and walking. Your preferred pace and dates will shape the best choice.

Can I edit a Matala itinerary after planning it?

Yes. HolidayWow lets you move a stop to another day, swap a place, lighten a day or change the pace for the whole trip. You can choose a relaxed, balanced or packed rhythm, and the plan checker reorders the day after each change. This makes room for local discoveries during your holiday.

Does HolidayWow show live prices for a Matala holiday?

HolidayWow brings stays, tours and transport from partners into the plan and shows the live price for available options. You can also use the live price button when you are ready to check a booking. The app is free to download and to plan with, and booking happens through partner links in your language and currency.

Can I plan a Bristol to Matala trip with my group?

HolidayWow is designed for shared planning. One link opens the same itinerary for everyone, with roles for viewing and editing. Group members can comment, vote and suggest changes while the route is being organised. The document vault also keeps travel documents with the relevant trip details.

More nonstop destinations from Bristol

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