Making the most of Soudha Crete
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Your ship will dock right in the center of town. There is an information booth with maps etc at the dock.
Souda (6km from Chania) is a typical port area but the bay and the landscape around it are very beautiful. In the nearby area is also the Allied World War II cemetery. Souda Bay is one of the most strategically important NATO anchorages in the Mediterranean.
Souda Bay is one of the most strategically important NATO anchorages in the Mediterranean. The inlet is 15km long and in some areas, 16km wide, making it the largest harbor in the Mediterranean. It is also one of the most protected from all winds--deceivingly so, because very often it is not known how bad the weather is outside the harbor. During World War II, heavy German aerial bombardment sank many British ships here.
Getting around
The bus stop from Souda to Chania Central is about 50 meters distance from the port. When a cruise ship arrives at the port the frequency of the buses is every 5 minutes. The fare is 1.50 € Souda - Chania. About a 15 minute trip.
Near the mouth of Souda bay, between the Akrotiri and the town of Kalives, there is a group of small islands with Venetian fortifications.
The largest island is Souda Island, giving its name to the bay. Souda Bay is now a popular tourist destination although there are no real public beaches due to the presence of the naval base.
Villages such as Megala Chorafia and Kalives afford fine views of the bay, and house-building, particularly for foreigners and tourist companies, is spreading along the bay.
Nearby places
The old town of Chania: Delightful Chania Old Town is centered around the old harbor and the narrow alleyways with shuttered houses behind. The buildings date back to the 17thcentury, when the Venice Republic bought the island of Crete, and developed Chania as amajor center for shipbuilding and trade. Stroll through the cobbled streets and visit ornate churches, quiet squares, bubbling fountains, and boutique shops.
Food and shopping
The market that you are dropped with the bus at is an easy walk to the Chania harbor area.
Money
Euro
Opening Hours and
Public Services: open Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 2.00pm. Retail Stores & Specialty Shops: Monday to Friday, 9am – 1.30pm and then again from 5pm – 9pm. Saturdays, 9am – 2pm. Supermarkets: Monday to Friday, 9am – 9pm, and Saturdays, 9am – 6pm. Tourist Shops and Convenience Stores: most of these do not have official opening hours and are usually open from dawn to well after midnight during the summer months.