<The village of Mires in Crete
The village of Mires is 53km south of Heraklion on the road Heraklion - Agia Varvara - Agii Deka - Mires. It has about 6500 inhabitants. Striking is the large Agios Georgios church which stands along the main road. Mires is a busy commercial town in the center of the Messara Plain and the largest in the area. Here you find some of the crossroads to some of the places in the south of Crete, like Matala, Lendas and Kali Limenas.
From the bus station in Mires there are regular buses to the beaches of Matala and Lendas and occasionally to Agia Galini, Rethymno or Timbaki. Sometimes a bus leaves from here to the mountain villages Zaros and Kamares.
The buses that are on their way to the archaeological site of Festos also make a stop at the bus station of Mires.
On Saturdays there is a market in Mires, which attracts people from the surrounding area. In Mires you can find all amenities like banks, a post office, super markets, tavernas, a medical center, a police station and all kinds of shops. There are also a number of Byzantine churches in the area, but in Mires itself there are no archaeological finds or special sights because the village was founded around the middle of the nineteenth century. There is however a Venetian fountain and one very old house. Archaeological features such as the Minoan palaces of Phaistos and Agia Triada and the ancient Roman city of Gortyn are located near Mires. At three kilometers distance away there is also the Byzantine church Panag�a Kaliviani with frescoes. It is a tiny chapel that dates from the fourteenth century and it is situated in the monastery named Moni Kaliviani. This large monastic complex nowadays serves as an orphanage, boarding school and sanatorium. The nuns that live in the monastery have a store opposite the monastery where they sell their handicrafts and embroidery.
I don't know if it's just my feeling, but I'm always happy when I'm out of this town again. Maybe it is just a bit too hectic for me with people and with traffic. There are not that many accommodations in Mires. You could go and stay here because it is pretty centrally located to the various archaeological attractions and because beaches as Matala, Komos, Kalamaki, Kokinos Pyrgos and Lendas are not that far away.
Located in the area of Moires, Olympic Hotel offers spacious accommodation with a private balcony and free Wi-Fi access. It has a caf� bar and it is a 10-minute drive away from the nearest beaches. The air-conditioned rooms at Olympic are bright and feature light wood furnishings. They are fitted with an LCD TV with satellite and cable channels, a mini fridge and a safety box. The private bathroom is stocked with free toiletries and a hair dryer. Within 10 metres from the hotel guests will find a super market, while a bus stop can be reached at just 5 metres. The ancient palace of Faistos is 6 km away. Free private parking is provided on site.
Check availabilities and prices & book the Olympic Hotel in Mires - click here.
Offering a pool and built according to the Cretan architecture, Villa Melia is made of stone. Located at Mires Village, it features a fully equipped unit with spa bath and free Wi-Fi. Facilities include a garden and a BBQ. Fitted with arches, beamed ceilings and a fireplace, this air-conditioned and split-level, 3-bedroom villa of Melia opens to a balcony and a patio with garden, pool and mountain views. It consists of a seating area with sofa and flat-screen, satellite TV, as well as a kitchen with stove and dining area. A washing machine is included. Guests may relax at the sun loungers of the sun terrace by the pool or enjoy the BBQ along with al fresco dining at the shaded patio. A lush garden with flowers and trees is available. A mini market for the general supplies and a restaurant can be found within a 2-minute drive. The popular beach of Matala is 18 km away and Heraklion International Airport is approximately 55 km away. Knossos Palace is at a distance of 60 km. Free private parking is possible on site.
Check availabilities and prices & book Villa Melia in Mires - click here.