Souda

Souda is a coastal town and port on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete, situated just east of the city of Chania. It lies along the northern shore of Souda Bay, a natural deep-water harbor that has long linked the region to maritime activity. The bay is overlooked by the town and by military facilities as well as civilian infrastructure that serves residents and visitors.

The most prominent feature of Souda is the Souda Bay naval base, a major facility of the Hellenic Navy and allied forces. Located on the western side of the bay, the base provides docking, storage, and training facilities and has shaped the local economy and land use since the mid-20th century. The area also includes civilian ports, fishing activity, and services that support the community.

Historically, Souda Bay has been used since ancient times as a harbor for trade and naval operations. In World War II, the area played a notable role during the Battle of Crete, and the surrounding landscape contains memorials and cemeteries commemorating those who died in the conflict.

Today, Souda forms part of the greater Chania metropolitan area and serves as a residential and commercial community with beaches and access to the urban amenities of Chania. The locality is connected by road to Chania; Crete has no passenger rail service, and most travel is by road or air via Chania International Airport, located nearby.