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Moires in Central Crete
By Katia Luz
Moires or Mires, Μοίρες is a busy market town, with a population of over 11,000, south of Heraklion by 50 km on the island of Crete in Greece.
There is a large market every Saturday as this agricultural hub is located at the centre of the fertile Messara valley, an area steeped in history and really at the heart of Crete.
Moires Town
Moires is a busy town with plenty of restaurants, tavernas and cafes. The modern town is extra busy every Saturday with local Cretans from all around visiting the markets.
Check out the fresh vegetables and fruit, and every things else you could imagine, on sale on the roadside market stalls.
Stop in the kafe to catch up on news.
Visit the Mulberry Caffe night or day for great coffee, friendly service and great fresh pastries and sweet treats.
The Messara Valley
The Messara Valley has been fought over and cherished for thousands of years, and still today boasts miles and miles of olives groves, vines, mandarins, lemons, greenhouses and just about every vegetable you could think of.
This is what makes the trip here worth while, to see the abundance and select for yourself from the cornucopia on offer.
Ancient Sites
On the outskirts of town are the ruin of the ancient Minoan palace of Phaistos. Considered the second most important archaeological site on the island after Knossos, this beautiful site is 8 km south of town. The Minoan Palace site has sweeping views of the Messara and Psiloritis foothills. It was here that the intriging disc now known as 'the Phaistos Disc' was discovered.
The Roman ruin of Gortyna (left) is located 1.5 km south of Agoi Deka or 7 km north from town. This is the site of the richest city on the island during the Roman dominated period from first to fifth centuries AD. If you pack a picnic, you could sit under the beautiful plane tree to muse about the story of Zeus and Europa who, it is told in Greek mythology, made love here.
Panagia Kaliviani Orphanage
Other local sightseeing includes the Panagía Kaliviani church
built during the second Byzantine period and painted with frescoes. The
orphanage, also on the grounds, was built in 1958.
The church is open to
visitors and there is a small interesting shop with local handicrafts - proceeds go towards the
monastery and orphanage. It is 4.5 km south of town on the national road.
Odigitrias Monastery
Moires - Odigitrias Monastery Crete
The Odigítrias Monastery in the hills of Festis, just 11 km from town, is very interesting to visit, with immaculate white-washed walls, historic displays and the important Tower of Xopateras. This is the scene of one of the heroes during the Turkish occupation, an ex-priest Ioannis Markakis, who defended the tower with a small number of Cretans against thousands of Turks before finally being killed.
Also nearby this monastery are Minoan ruins, tholos tombs discovered in the late seventies, dating from 2000 BC.
Agiofarago Gorge
Driving on further south from the monastery, discover Agiofarago Gorge ending in Agiofarago Beach (above), or take the road to Kali Limenes Beach. The name means Gorge of the Saints and was used by hermits for seclusion who met annually at the Agios Andonios church in the gorge.
The distance from the monastery on the rocky dirt road south is 4 km, turning right to Agio Farago Gorge or keeping straight on to Kali Limenes. The distance from the road where you can park, walking through the gorge to the beach is 1.5km.
Accommodation Near Moires
In and around Moires you will find a variety of accommodation, here we suggest some options for your family.
Avli House
- live like a local with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a fully equipped
kitchen. Enjoy relaxing on the terrace and the 'avli' or courtyard.
"Excellent
holiday in a lovely little village with shops, taverna and bakery
within walking distance. The location was in a quiet cul-de-sac in a
traditional village. Our host was very responsive to any request. The
location was not touristy, but within easy reach of good beaches and
places of interest."
Traditional Cretan Houses - experience typical village life and live like a local in the hamlet of Pitsidia, just 11 km from Moires.
Villages Nearby
Moires is central to many small villages of southern Heraklion, each with their own character
Vori Village is a 'traditional protected village' with an active agricultural sector, producing olive oil, citrus fruits, and raisins. Wine and spirits are all made here in
the village, as well as other crops and vegetables from both
agricultural and private gardens. Just 8 km from Moires.
Zaros Village sits on the slopes of Mt Psiloritis, with gushing streams of cooling water this village is lovely to visit in the heat of summer. See the small Lake Zaros, eat fresh locally grown trout and salmon, or hike in Rouvas Gorge. 14 km from Moires.
Kamilari Village sits atop 3 small hills just back from the Mediterranean. The shape of the hills, like camels, may have given the village its name. Come here to enjoy the evening breezes in summer or all year round to see the olive groves and rest in the plateia. 11 km from Moires, 2 km from Phaistos.
Beaches Nearby
Matala Beach
Moires is close to many fine beaches on the south coast of Crete.
Travellers using the bus to access Matala Beach or Kokkinos Pirgos, Agia Galini, Kommos Beach or Red Beach, or other towns in the south, may need to change at the bus station in the centre of town.
There is an impressive new bus station, travellers need to be aware and watch out as the buses might not be announced and arrive and depart on both sides of the station because of the split in the main road through town. Work out well ahead of time which side of the road your bus is going to leave from.
More notes here for those going to the Sea Turtle Conservation project in Matala, about how to get the bus to Matala Beach.
Matala
Beach and surrounding beaches of Kommos and Red Beach, is 15 km from Moires. Explore the ancient sandstone caves.
Kokkinos Pirgos Beach and nearby Kalamaki Beach is 14 km from Moires. Sit by the beach and enjoy fresh seafood at the Red Castle Taverna.
Tris Ekklisies Beach surrounded by the Asterousia Mountains, is 46 km from Moires.
Keratokambos Beach a more remote beach in the south, is 65 km south east of Moires.
Local Organic Produce
Keep an eye out for local organic produce at the Moires market and in each village as you travel around the region. High on your list will be local olive oil, but you will also find vinegar, honey and jams.
Local Winery
Visit local Georgiladakis Winery and Raki Distillery to inhale the sweetness of the Messara in the form of wine aromas to break your heart.
Here you will discover reds, whites and rosé from Kotsifali, Liatiko and Beltor varieties.
The winery is located at Petrokefali, just 5.5 km from Mires town.
The tasting rooms are open Monday to Saturday 9:00am until 20:00pm
Sundays 12pm to 15:00pm.
Local Radio with Cretan Music
Listen to local Moires radio station 97.1 FM live on the internet, just click the logo above or visit www.radiomires.gr
You can hear traditional Cretan music
Kritiki musiki. More about Cretan music here.
On the Map
See the location of the town of Mires on the interactive map below.
Getting Here
Moires Crete - take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Airlines, with many flights available per day.
The easiest way to come to Moires is by rental car from Heraklion.
The distance from Heraklion airport is 56 km, the distance from Heraklion town is 54 km.
Drive south on the national road and pass by the villages of Agia Varvara and Agioi Deka.
There are frequent local bus services from Heraklion. See bus information below, as well as flight and ferry information for getting to Crete.
Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.
When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.
We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the We Love Crete team. Evíva!
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us Contact Us Kaló taxídi!
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About the Team
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us
