Inns in Matala

Road to Red Beach also is road to value

Matala along the coast of Southern Crete - visitors either love it or hate it. Aficionados adore the funky, the-sixties-aren't-over style. Critics point out it can be crowded and noisy in summer.

But one thing it isn't is overpriced. Healthy competition and years of experience have created a bumper crop of small, choice places to stay along Matala's road to the famed, often largely nude Red Beach (Kokkinos Ornos).

While each of these places has its own charms worthy of discovery, it's really hard to go wrong - and it's hard to spend much more than 35 Euro a night for a double, often including breakfast. Virtually all rooms offer air conditioning (sometimes at added cost) and an in-room refrigerator.