Direct flight about 4 h 12
Matala from Edinburgh
Published 4 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·
From Edinburgh, a nonstop flight gets you in Matala in about 4 h 12. You land at Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER), 34 miles from the destination, after 1,955 miles of flight.
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 Edinburgh on your own
Plan a trip- Flight time from Edinburgh
- about 4 h 12
- Flight distance EDI to HER
- 1,955 miles
- Nonstop from EDI
- Direct flight
- Best time to go
- June to October
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Your Edinburgh to Matala route
Edinburgh Airport is your starting point for the journey south. Matala sits on the southern coast of Crete, so your arrival plan should account for the final transfer from the airport area to the village.
CreteiPhoto: Taxiarchos228 · FAL · Wikimedia Commons
ScotlandWhen you arrive, keep the first day simple. A transfer to your accommodation, a cool drink and an unhurried walk through the village give everyone time to settle in. Matala is compact enough for exploring on foot, and the beach is a natural starting point after a long journey from Scotland.
HolidayWow can place the airport journey, flight and transfer at the beginning of your plan. Describe the holiday in one sentence, or use voice input, and the planner can organise the route on a map. Each day then has a clear shape, with stops and travel legs shown together.
CreteiPhoto: Taxiarchos228 · FAL · Wikimedia CommonsScotlandChoosing the right time for Matala
The best time to visit Matala depends on whether you want warm sea swimming, long days outdoors or a quieter village rhythm. July and August bring the highest daytime temperatures, with days reaching 31 °C and sea temperatures of 24 °C to 26 °C. These months suit travellers who want the beach to be the centre of the holiday.
May and June offer a comfortable middle ground for sightseeing and swimming. May brings 24 °C daytime temperatures and 19 °C sea temperatures, while June reaches 28 °C by day and 22 °C in the sea. September can also work well for a beach holiday, with 28 °C daytime temperatures and 25 °C sea temperatures.
For a gentler winter break, Matala has a different character. January and February are cooler, with daytime temperatures around 14 °C and sea temperatures of 16 °C to 17 °C. They are suited to walking, food, village days and a slower change of pace, especially for travellers who enjoy being active in the landscape.
A relaxed week from Edinburgh to Matala
For a seven-day holiday, keep the first day for arrival and the final day for the return journey. Between those points, give Matala two full days, then use the rest of the week for nearby places and flexible beach time. This creates enough room to swim, walk, eat at a local taverna and follow the weather rather than filling every hour.
A sample rhythm could include village and beach time on day two, a coastal walk on day three, and a day visiting a nearby place on day four. Keep day five free for a repeat favourite or a swim, then use day six for a last walk and an early evening meal. The structure leaves room for children, couples or friends to choose their own pace.
HolidayWow helps you turn this outline into a map-based plan. You can set a relaxed pace with one or two stops per day, move a stop to another day, or make a day lighter when the group needs time by the water. The plan checker reorders the day after each change, so the route remains easy to follow.
From Edinburgh to Matala
From Edinburgh, Matala is {{dist.home:EDI}} away as the crow flies. From London Heathrow it is {{dist.home:LHR}}. From London Gatwick it is {{dist.home:LGW}}. For a trip out of Edinburgh, aim for 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
Your nonstop flight from Edinburgh lands at Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER), 34 miles from the destination.
- HERHeraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport34 miles to the destination, about 4 h 12 from EDI, 1,955 miles of flightDirect
- CHQChania International Airport50 miles to the destination, about 4 h 07 from EDI, 1,912 miles of flight
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 |
The best months for Matala
The warmest month is July with 31 °C, the coolest January with 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
Stays, tours and flights for Matala show their live price from our partners, in your currency, right below. We never estimate a price: what you see is what the partner charges today.
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 Edinburgh, nonstop flights in Matala leave from 8 other airports; the closest to Edinburgh is Glasgow, with a flight time of about 4 h 11.
- EDIMatala from Edinburghabout 4 h 12 to HER, nonstop
- GLAMatala from Glasgowabout 4 h 11 to CHQ, nonstop
- MANMatala from Manchesterabout 3 h 52 to CHQ, nonstop
- BHXMatala from Birminghamabout 3 h 46 to CHQ, nonstop
- LTNMatala from London Lutonabout 3 h 44 to HER, nonstop
- BRSMatala from Bristolabout 3 h 46 to CHQ, nonstop
- STNMatala from London Stanstedabout 3 h 36 to CHQ, nonstop
- LHRMatala from London Heathrowabout 3 h 37 to CHQ, nonstop
- LGWMatala from London Gatwickabout 3 h 35 to CHQ, nonstop
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
What to do around Matala
Matala is a good base for enjoying the coast without making every day a long excursion. Spend time on the beach in the morning, walk through the village lanes later and stay for a meal as the evening settles. The sea is especially inviting from May through October, when water temperatures rise from 19 °C to 26 °C.
A day trip can add variety without requiring a complicated itinerary. Follow a coastal route, visit a nearby village or pause at a viewpoint for a photo stop. The planner can place these places beside Matala, with the map showing the route and the travel time for each leg. Choose a day with enough energy for the distance involved.
Food is another natural part of the day. Look for a taverna where you can share a meal, try local dishes and settle into the slower rhythm of the evening. Booking places and activities through partner links lets you see live prices in your own currency, while keeping the final choices in one place.
Planning flights, stays and transfers together
Your Edinburgh flight search works best alongside the rest of the trip rather than as a separate task. Check the route, choose a Matala stay and decide how you will reach the village after landing. The page can show live partner prices for flights, accommodation, tours and transport, so you can compare the full shape of the holiday.
If your group is travelling together, add the people and share one plan. HolidayWow gives everyone a link to the same itinerary, with roles for viewing, editing, voting and commenting. A trip budget in pounds can help you organise the booking, while cost splitting keeps shared costs clear for the group.
You can also use the Bank Holiday planner to connect UK public holidays and leave days with a longer break. A short Matala trip can sit within a wider Greek holiday, or become the main destination of the whole break. Start with the month, then add dates when your flights and accommodation are ready.
Matala from Edinburgh: frequently asked questions
How far is Matala from Edinburgh?
That distance describes the journey between the two places, while the exact travel time and current flight options can change. Use the map-based plan to connect Edinburgh Airport, your flight and the transfer to Matala.
What is the best month to visit Matala?
July and August are the warmest months, with daytime temperatures of 31 °C and sea temperatures of 24 °C to 26 °C. May, June and September suit a mix of beach time, walking and village days. Choose the month that matches the holiday style you want.
Can I plan a family holiday to Matala?
Yes. Describe the group, the month and your preferred pace in HolidayWow. You can use a relaxed pace with one or two stops a day, share the plan with family members, and organise live partner prices, bookings, costs and a document vault in the same place.
Does Matala work for a relaxing beach holiday?
Matala is well suited to a beach-focused break from May through October, when sea temperatures range from 19 °C to 26 °C. The village also works well for travellers who want a gentle pace, with time for swimming, walking, meals and staying near the coast.
Can I edit my Matala itinerary after I start planning?
Yes. You can drag a stop to another day, swap a place, lighten a day or change the travel pace. HolidayWow then reorders the day through the plan checker, so the route and daily structure stay connected while your holiday takes shape.
More nonstop destinations from Edinburgh
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