Kalives is located 19 km west of Chania on the south coast of Souda Bay. This picturesque village was named after primitive huts that farmers built to spend the summer nights. The rivers of Xidas and Mesopotamos flow close to the village and their springs decrease the sea temperature. There are two sandy beaches with shallow water, Xidas and Maistrali, that are well organized and provide common tourist facilities and services. The charming harbour of Kalives is situated next to Maistrali and the village is connected to Chania with regular bus services. Near Kalives, at the exit of the river Kiliaris, you will find the serene beach of Kiani Akti or Glaros. The area has been inhabited since ancient times as it is considered to be the site of the old city Amfimatrion. In 1206, the fortress Castel Apicorno was built and in 1538 Kalives was destroyed by the pirate Barbarossa. If you have access to a car, you can visit the nearby ancient city of Aptera, the ottoman forts of Intzedin and Aptera, the Venetian castle of Apicorno, the German cannon hidden in a cave, and the church of Agia Paraskevi. Lastly, in Mesopotamos river you can admire the old Venetian mill that was one of the most complicated mills of Crete.
