Direct flight about 4 h 15

Matala from Glasgow

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

From Glasgow, a nonstop flight gets you in Matala in about 4 h 15. You land at Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER), 34 miles from the destination, after 1,987 miles of flight. You can also fly nonstop to CHQ (about 4 h 11).

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 Glasgow on your own

Plan a trip

Flight time from Glasgow: about 4 h 15
Flight distance GLA to HER: 1,987 miles
Nonstop from GLA to 2 airports: Direct flight
Best time to go: June to October

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

Understanding the Glasgow to Matala route

Matala sits on the southern coast of Crete, while Glasgow Airport is your starting point in Scotland. Most routes use a Greek airport as the connecting point, with the final sector bringing you to Crete.

Cretei

Scotland

Look for a connection that leaves enough time for the onward flight and places your arrival in Matala at a sensible hour. A daytime connection can make the transfer towards Matala easier to follow, while an evening arrival may be useful if your accommodation can receive you late. Check the airports carefully because Crete has more than one arrival airport.

Your itinerary may include a rail or bus journey after landing in Crete. Allow time to collect bags and reach the correct intercity service. Keep your Matala transfer details in the same place as your flight documents, especially when the connection involves a separate ticket or a change of terminal.

Cretei

Scotland

Choosing the month that suits your Matala holiday

Matala works well for a warm coastal break from late spring through early autumn. June brings clear, settled weather with 12 sunshine hours and daytime temperatures around 28 °C. July is the warmest month, with 31 °C during the day, 24 °C at night and sea temperatures of 24 °C, making it a natural choice for beach days.

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August remains hot, with daytime temperatures of 31 °C and a sea temperature of 26 °C. September offers a useful balance of warmth and easier planning, with temperatures near 28 °C and sea temperatures of 25 °C. Spring visits suit walkers and explorers, as April and May provide mild days, comfortable evenings and increasing sunshine.

Winter can still suit guests seeking a peaceful coastal stay, but think carefully about what each season offers. January has around 14 °C by day and frequent rain, while December is similar. Check the monthly climate details before choosing clothing, accommodation dates and the mix of beach time, village walks and indoor activities.

Raini

Arriving in Crete and reaching the coast

Your flight from Glasgow may reach Heraklion or Chania before you continue towards Matala. Heraklion is the larger transport hub and gives you several onward options, while Chania offers another approach to southern Crete. Compare the transfer arrangements from both airports when arranging the complete journey from Scotland to your accommodation.

Heraklioni

Chaniai

The final part of the journey is best organised before departure. A pre-booked transfer can suit a family or a group carrying sports equipment, while an organised bus connection can work well for independent travellers. If you plan to stay in several Cretan towns, keep the intercary leg separate from the local transfers and confirm the meeting points.

Matala itself is compact enough to explore on foot once you have arrived. A stay near the beach gives you direct access to the shore and makes short evening walks easy. For a wider view of the coast, use the village as a base for day trips and organise transport for places that sit outside walking distance.

Heraklioni

Chaniai

From Glasgow to Matala

From Glasgow, Matala is {{dist.home:GLA}} away as the crow flies. From London Heathrow it is {{dist.home:LHR}}. From London Gatwick it is {{dist.home:LGW}}. Glasgow travellers get the best of Matala in May, June, September and October.

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From 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.

Londoni

Airports at the destination

From Glasgow 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 4 h 15 from GLA, 1,987 miles of flightDirect
CHQChania International Airport50 miles to the destination, about 4 h 11 from GLA, 1,942 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
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

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

Daytime highs range from 14 °C in January to 31 °C in July. 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 °C17 °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 Glasgow, nonstop flights in Matala leave from 8 other airports; the closest to Glasgow is Edinburgh, with a flight time of about 4 h 12.

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

A relaxed week beside Matala

Begin with a gentle day on Matala beach and use the first afternoon to learn the shape of the village. Walk along the seafront, pause for lunch at a taverna and keep the evening free for a swim. A relaxed pace gives you time to settle in after the flight and the journey across Crete.

Use the middle days for the coast and nearby places. One day can be devoted to exploring the village lanes and the cliffs above the beach, while another can combine a morning walk with time in the water. Add a bus or organised excursion for a nearby cove, archaeological site or rural landscape when you want a fuller day out.

For the final day, return to the places that suit you best. You might spend the morning in the sea before choosing a long lunch and a final walk along the shore. Leave enough room between the last activity and your onward travel, especially if your connection starts from another town in Crete.

Planning and booking the whole Scottish to Cretan journey

HolidayWow turns a sentence about your journey into a map based plan. You can describe a family holiday, a relaxed break or a week around Matala, and the planner reads the place, month, group and preferred pace. You can add dates later, change the route and move stops between days.

The plan gives you a home to airport, flight, onward travel and first stay in one structure. You can compare live partner prices for flights, accommodation, tours and transport, then use the relevant partner links to complete the booking. The holiday planner can also connect public holidays and annual leave with a trip plan.

Use the packing list and document vault to keep clothing suggestions, passports, tickets and confirmations together. Share the itinerary with family or travel companions through one link. Group members can view the plan, comment on it and help decide which excursions fit the mood of the holiday.

Matala from Glasgow: frequently asked questions

How do I travel from Glasgow to Matala?

Most journeys use a flight connection through a Greek hub before travelling to Crete. From there, you continue by road or organised transport to Matala.

Which month is best for visiting Matala?

June through September is the strongest period for a beach holiday, with July and August offering the highest sea temperatures. May and October suit visitors who prefer a gentler pace, walking and a mix of sightseeing with swimming. Choose based on the climate, your preferred pace and the activities in your itinerary.

Can I stay in Matala and explore the wider coast?

Yes. Matala makes a useful base for beach time, village walks and day visits across southern Crete. The holiday planner can place nearby stops on the map and organise the days around a relaxed or balanced pace. Check transport details for places outside the village before setting out.

Can I book the flight and transfer together?

The planner shows the connection as part of the overall trip and provides live partner options for flights and transport. Review the arrival airport, connection time and onward route before booking. Keeping the details in one plan helps you check each stage of the journey from Glasgow to your stay.

Can I edit a Matala itinerary after creating it?

Yes. You can move a stop to another day, swap a place, lighten a schedule or change the pace through the planner. The map updates as the plan changes, while the trip checker reorders the day when needed. You can also add dates, share the route and keep documents with the plan.

More nonstop destinations from Glasgow

Everything about a holiday in MatalaIn Matala in AugustAll nonstop destinations from Glasgow

Plan your trip in Matala from Glasgow

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