Situated within the Messara plain, 55 kilometres far from Heraklion at the Southwest, Mires is an inland town, the administrative and commercial centre of the broader area, with a population of some 6.000 permanent residents.

Within the town you may see the tomb of Loghios, a famous Cretan hero of the 1866 revolution against the Ottomans.
It is worth visiting the Holy Monastery of Panaghia at Kalyviani,  4 kilometres.
Far from Mires at the West; the monastery houses various charity foundations and folk art workshops; there is a permanent exhibition of products such as handwoven textiles, embroideries, knitwear, as well as a needlework school.
There is also a Museum of religious and folk art.

Within the territory of the Monastery it is worth seeing the church dating back to the 15th century and dedicated to Zoodochos Pigi ("the source of life") and the tomb of Osios Charalambos. Two feasts take place in the Monastery in honour of Panaghia (Holy Virgin) on the 15th of August and of Osios Charalambos on the 23rd  of  August.
If you feel like wandering around, don't miss to visit the village of Petrokefali, some 4 kilometres southwestern to Mires; the village has beautiful buildings and an interesting church dedicated to the Holy Spirit. Some 5 kilometres at the South of Mires it is found the village of Pombia with the church of Aghios Georghios, from where you have a marvellous view of the Messara plain.

A series of cultural activities take place in July and August. If you are in Mires during the Carnival (February or March) you will enjoy the great carnival feast organised in the town. 

Mires is not a tourist destination and thus accommodation facilities are restricted; however, the visitor of the area may find lodging in the nearby tourist resorts.
On the contrary, there are several alternatives for food and drink. The town is crowded every day, but mostly in Saturday, where there is held the open market, where the visitor may buy a wide range of local products. In case of emergency, a Medical Centre is available in the town.

Access from Heraklion is easy by public bus, with frequent service, as well as by rented and private cars and motorbikes.