Kalyves is a beautiful coastal village in the Apokoronas region of Chania, built on the Gulf of Souda, 19 km east of Chania.It is located 29 kilometers from Chania International Airport (IATA: CHQ) airport, and 42 kilometers from Rethymno.

The name “Kalyves” is believed to have ancient Greek origins, derived from the Greek word “kaliva ,” which means hut or shelter. This could be a reference to the historical use of the area as a place for shelter or a resting point.

 It is said that Arab pirates built when they invaded in 828, occupying the area of Sarakenes near Kalyves village. Another version is that the name comes from the huts that farmers built near their fields as a kind of accommodation during summer, without having to return to their house every night. 

The 19th century was the time when Cretan people rised against Ottoman rule in the quest for independence. Kalyves, along with other regions, played a role in the Cretan Revolution (1866–1869) against the Ottoman Empire. 

After the liberation of Crete, Kalyves, like many Cretan villages, underwent changes in the 20th century with modernization and the development of tourism. The village transformed into a peaceful seaside destination while retaining its traditional details. 

The coastline of Kalyves has been awarded with the ‘Blue Flag’ by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN) for many years, through the National Operator of the International ‘Blue Flag’ Program. This award certifies the cleanliness of the beaches in the region!