Holidays in Kalives - Crete
Kalives resort is popular with those looking for a small genuine working Crete coastal village and excellent soft sandy beaches. It appeals to couples, lovers of quiet taverna life, and those interested in walking and nature. Kalives is on the gloriously sandy Souda bay on the north-west coast of Crete, 10 miles south of Chania airport. It is a small village that runs alongside the sea, situated at the mouth of a river and fertile valley, tucked between rocky hills and reached by a twisting local road. Holidays in Kalives can enjoy great views out to sea and to the snowy White Mountains inland. Kalives is not solely a summer tourist resort as many villagers still work in agriculture, so you will find plenty of ordinary village shops and tavernas.
Popular excursions are to the lively fishing town of
Aghios Nikolaos and the striking resort of
Elounda.From Kalives you could visits to historic sites of Heraklion and Chania, the
Samaria Gorge, boat trips and the many charming small
Crete villages in the hills and mountains. Regular buses run from the main road close to the village centre. Walkers and nature-lovers in Kalives will enjoy charming villages, gorges, the lake at Kournas, monasteries and archaeological sites and the wonderfully lush landscapes found near Kalives. Take a look at the bizarre collection of houses at Kousmos as you walk west of the beach.
Kalives beach ...
Kalives has two beaches. The main town beach is an arc of golden sand sweeping around the bay and backed by trees and tavernas. The eastern end houses a small harbour beneath the cliffs. At the opposite end a small river runs between buildings of the Kalives Beach Hotel. The hotel is a low relatively built affair and pretty well hidden but you must weave your way through sunlounging guests and cross a silly carpeted bridge (I kid you not) to get across the river to the far end of the sands. The hotel has a couple of twee wooden boats moored in the river and a few ducks swimming about as well as a slightly ridiculous lighthouse and other kitsch oddments. Over the bridge the sand turns to sharp grit before petering out at a long narrow road that separates a string of apartments from the sea. At the end of this road, and virtually the end of the village, is the western beach. This is a long narrow affair, much quieter than the main beach and backed by a sea wall with a few choice tavernas.
The main beach at Kalives slopes gently into a shallow sea, making it ideal for children. It is north facing however and in strong winds the sea can get very choppy. The sand is soft and taverna tables line the beach between shady tamarind trees. Sunbeds have been provided free for patrons of the tavernas, but his is a practice that unfortunately appears to be dying out. Beyond the dinky harbour, recently rebuilt, is a huge and monstrous cement building surrounded in wire that both mars the headland and prevents walks around it - only in Greece.
Getting to Kalives in Chania - Crete
Kalives is located about 20 km east of
Chania. There is frequent public transport along the national road but the bus will let you off about 1 km away from the village. If you don't want to walk there are also several buses a day from the centre of the village to Chania.
