Chania Cruise Port Guide: Things to Do & Getting Around
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Cruise ships visiting Chania usually dock in Souda Bay, a large natural harbor about 15 minutes from the city. From there, most lines provide shuttle buses that drop you near the Old Town, perfect for starting your day.
Chania is a place that’s easy to fall in love with, and the best part is you don’t need much more than a pair of comfortable shoes. The Old Town, with its Venetian harbor, narrow lanes, and waterfront cafés, is best explored on foot.
I’ve had the chance to experience Chania both while staying on land and on a cruise visit, and each time I’ve been reminded why this is one of Crete’s highlights.
In this article, I’ll share a complete Chania cruise port guide, including how to get from Souda to the city, tips for getting around, and my pick of the top things to do on a cruise stop.
Chania Cruise Port (Souda Bay) Overview
Cruise ships dock in the town of Souda, at the head of Souda Bay on Crete’s northwest coast, about 7 km (4.3 miles) east of Chania.
Souda Bay, also known as the Gulf of Souda, is the largest natural harbour in the Mediterranean. It serves as Chania’s main ferry and cruise port and is also home to the naval base of the Hellenic Navy and NATO.
Souda is a busy working port, with daily ferries to Piraeus and regular visits from major cruise lines.
🚌 How to Get from Souda Port to Chania
The easiest way for cruise passengers to reach Chania is by the shuttle bus provided by the port authorities. Tickets cost around 6€ (round trip, 2023) and can be purchased at a booth about 50 meters from the pier.
Shuttles run every few minutes, and the ride takes 15–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
The drop-off point is in front of Chania’s Old Market (Agora). From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Old Venetian Harbour and the heart of the Old Town.
Taxis are available at Souda Port, but they are limited, so the shuttle bus is the most reliable option.
There is also a public bus connection between Souda and Chania. However, schedules are infrequent, so it’s not a practical choice for cruise visitors with limited time.
🎥 Watch my YouTube video about Chania Cruise Port & Old Town for a closer look at what to expect when you arrive.
Getting Around Chania
🚶♀️ Walking Around the Old Town
From the shuttle drop-off near the Old Market, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Venetian Harbour. Once you’re there, the Old Town is compact and best explored on foot.
The harbour promenade is flat and wheelchair-accessible, though some alleys are narrow and uneven.
🚌 Buses & Public Transport
Chania’s Central Bus Station (Partheviou Kelaidi 24, a 10-minute walk from the harbour) connects the city to Rethymno, Heraklion, the airport, and nearby towns.
Schedules are fairly reliable, but keep travel time in mind if you’re on a cruise stop. Check the schedules here.
🏰 Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Red double-decker sightseeing buses run a Hop-On Hop-Off route with 13 stops, including Souda Port on cruise days. It’s a fun option if you want a quick overview, but expect delays if multiple cruise ships are in port.
⛴️ Shore Excursions
Chania can easily be explored on your own, but if you’d rather join a guided tour or head further afield to places like Samaria Gorge, Elafonissi Beach, or Aptera ruins, organized excursions are a great option.
👉 Browse Chania tours on Viator or GetYourGuide to see what fits your schedule.
🚗 Renting a Car
If you’d like the freedom to see more than just the Old Town, maybe a beach outside the city or a nearby ruin, renting a car can be a good option.
Practical Tips for Cruise Visitors
- Money – Greece uses the euro (€). Cash and cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you won’t need to worry about currency exchange.
- Shopping & dining – Restaurants along the harbour have beautiful views but slightly higher prices. For better value and authentic food, try the small tavernas tucked into the Old Town streets. Shops here also sell local olive oil, herbs, and handmade souvenirs worth browsing.
- Beach days – Crete can get very windy, especially in July and August. Beaches follow the flag system (green = safe, yellow = caution, red = no swimming). Always check the forecast on Poseidon weather service before heading out.
- Water – Tap water is safe, but most visitors prefer bottled water because of the taste.
- Staying longer? See the best hotels in Chania for an overnight stay.
Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide
If you’re visiting other ports on your Mediterranean cruise, you might find my Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide helpful. It covers 45 ports with practical tips on getting around and what to see, including Chania.
Top Things to Do in Chania on a Cruise
🏛️ Old Venetian Port
Chania’s Venetian Harbour was built between the 13th and 17th centuries, when Crete was under Venetian rule.
It once had two basins: one for unloading goods and storing them in warehouses, and the other for shipbuilding and repairs.
You can still see the old Venetian shipyards (Arsenali), with their vaulted stone halls, and the Megalo Arsenali, now home to the Center of Mediterranean Architecture.
The harbour is dotted with landmarks like the Maritime Museum, Firka Fortress, and the Yali Mosque, which now hosts art exhibitions.
One of the highlights is walking along the long stone mole out to the lighthouse, with some of the best views of Chania’s Old Town.
Today, the harbour is one of the liveliest parts of the city, lined with tavernas, cafés, and shops. It’s especially atmospheric in the evening, when locals and visitors gather by the water.
👉 Explore Old Venetian Harbour tours and activities
🌅 Lighthouse of Chania
The Venetian Harbour is crowned by its iconic lighthouse, first built in the late 16th century.
Over the centuries, it has changed shape, from a minaret under Turkish rule to the “Egyptian Lighthouse” rebuilt in the 19th century.
Although you can’t go inside, walking along the old Venetian mole to the lighthouse is one of the best photo spots in Chania.
👉 See Chania lighthouse tours and activities
🏘️ Chania Old Town
Chania’s Old Town, perched just above the Venetian Harbour, is a maze of cobbled lanes filled with cafés, tavernas, small shops, and historic landmarks.
As you wander, you’ll pass through quarters shaped by Venetian, Ottoman, and Jewish heritage, with traces of old Byzantine walls still visible around Kasteli Hill.
It’s the kind of place where getting lost is part of the fun, as every turn brings colorful houses, quiet courtyards, and a mix of local life and visitors.
Don’t miss Eleftherios Venizelos Square, the heart of the city, before diving back into the alleys.
Prices in the Old Town are often a bit lower than along the harbour, making it a great spot to shop or stop for a meal.
👉 Discover Chania Old Town tours and activities
⛪ Presentation of the Virgin Mary Cathedral
Set on lively Athinagora Square, this 19th-century Greek Orthodox cathedral is the most important church in Chania.
Inside, you’ll find beautiful icons created by renowned Cretan painters of the time.
Right across the square sit the Folklore Museum and the remains of the old Ottoman baths, while the square itself is a great place to pause for coffee or a scoop of gelato; Delizia Gelato is a local favorite.
⚓ Maritime Museum of Crete
At the western end of the Venetian Harbour, next to Firka Fortress, you’ll spot the red building that houses the Maritime Museum.
Inside are ship models, nautical instruments, paintings, and war relics that trace Crete’s seafaring history from the Bronze Age to today.
For something unique, head to the Moro Docks on the eastern side of the harbour, where you can see a full-scale replica of a Minoan ship.
🏰 Firka Fortress
Right next to the Maritime Museum, the 16th-century Firka Fortress was built by the Venetians to guard the harbour. You can climb its walls for some of the best views over the port and Old Town.
Just behind the fortress is the Byzantine/Post-Byzantine Collection of Chania, a small museum with mosaics, icons, and other artifacts from Crete’s Christian past.
🏺 Archaeological Museum of Chania
A little outside the Old Town in the Chalepa district (about 25 minutes on foot), the new Archaeological Museum is worth the trip for history lovers.
Its modern building houses artifacts from the Neolithic age through Roman times, giving a clear picture of Chania’s long past.
👉 Explore Archaeological Museum tours and activities
🍴 Taste the Cretan Cuisine
Chania is full of tavernas and cafés where you can try both Greek classics and Cretan specialties.
Around the harbour, seafood is the star, but step into the Old Town and you’ll also find cozy spots serving gyros, souvlaki, moussaka, Greek salad, and the famous lamb kleftiko, slow-cooked with vegetables and herbs.
Don’t miss out on Cretan wine and olives, considered some of the best in Greece. You can explore on your own or join a guided food and wine tour for a deeper taste of local flavors.
👉 Browse Chania food and wine tours
🏖️ Beaches in Chania
Crete is famous for its beaches, and the Chania region has some of the best on the island.
The big names, like Elafonissi, Falassarna, and Balos Lagoon, are stunning but quite far if you only have a cruise stop (most take over an hour to reach).
Closer to town, Nea Chora Beach is about a 20-minute walk from the Old Town and is the easiest option for cruise visitors.
Just west of it are Kladissos, Golden Beach (Hrisi Akti), and Agii Apostoli, all a short drive away.
If you’re up for exploring further, the Akrotiri Peninsula and Souda Bay hide some spectacular spots like Seitan Limania, Stavros, and Marathi.
These are between 15 and 45 minutes from the port, depending on traffic.
👉 Browse Chania beach trips and excursions
💡 Tip: Crete can be very windy, especially in summer. Beaches follow a flag system (green = safe, yellow = caution, red = no swimming), so always check the forecast.
🌄 Day Trips from Chania
Crete is the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean, and you’d need weeks to see it all.
Still, there are a few highlights you can comfortably explore from Chania if you’d like to go beyond the Old Town:
- Samaria Gorge – A challenging but unforgettable hike through Europe’s longest gorge. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Chania, best for active travelers. You can go on your own or join a guided excursion.
- Palace of Knossos & Heraklion Museum – The heart of the Minoan civilization, with palace ruins and one of Greece’s top museums. It’s about 2.5 hours each way, so better if you’re staying longer than a day.
- Aptera – Just 15 minutes from Souda, this hilltop site has ruins of an ancient theater, temples, and a monastery, all with sweeping views. Explore guided tours here.
- Agia Triada Monastery – A 17th-century monastery on the Akrotiri peninsula (25 minutes from Souda), known for its olive oil, wine, and small museum.
- Katholiko Monastery – Believed to be the oldest in Crete, founded in the 11th century by St. John the Hermit. It’s about 40 minutes from Souda, tucked into a dramatic gorge.
👉 Browse Chania shore excursions and day trips
FAQ About Visiting Chania on a Cruise
❓ Is Souda Port far from Chania?
Yes and no, Souda is about 7 km (4.3 miles) east of Chania. Shuttle buses usually take 15–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
❓ Can you walk from Souda Port to Chania?
It’s not practical; the walk would take over an hour. The shuttle bus or a shared taxi is the easiest and cheapest option for cruise visitors.
❓ Where does the shuttle bus drop you off in Chania?
Normally in front of the Old Market (Agora), about a 10-minute walk from the Venetian Harbour and Old Town.
❓ Is Chania walkable for cruise visitors?
Yes, the Old Town and harbour are compact and best explored on foot. Some alleys are uneven, but the harbour area is flat and wheelchair-friendly.
❓ What is the best beach near Chania cruise port?
The closest option is Nea Chora Beach, about a 20-minute walk from the Old Town. For something more scenic, you’ll need a short taxi or bus ride.
❓ What currency is used in Chania?
Greece uses the euro (€). Credit cards are widely accepted, but having a little cash on hand is useful.
❓ What tours are available from Chania?
You can explore the Old Town on your own or join guided tours to places like Samaria Gorge, Aptera, Elafonissi Beach, or local wineries.
❓ Is Chania a tender port?
No, ships dock directly at Souda Port, and passengers disembark on the pier.
Helpful Resources for Chania Cruise Port
🌐 Useful Websites
- Find the port off Souda on Google Maps
- Chania Cruise Ship Schedule
- Chania Tourism Office
- Local Weather Forecast
✍️ My Blog Guides on Crete
If you’re visiting more ports on Crete, you may find these articles useful:
- Top 15 Things to Do on Crete from Rethymno, Chania and Heraklion
- 10 Best Things to Do in Rethimno (+ Travel Tips, Port Guide)
- Heraklion Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions
⚓ Other Ports Often Included with Chania
Many cruise itineraries that stop in Chania (Souda Bay) also visit other Greek ports and nearby Mediterranean highlights:
- Athens (Piraeus) – Explore the Acropolis and stroll through the historic Plaka district.
- Mykonos & Santorini – Famous for whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, and incredible views.
- Kusadasi (Turkey) – Gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ruins in the world.
- Corfu – A mix of Venetian and Greek culture, with a charming Old Town and lush landscapes.
- Argostoli (Kefalonia) – Known for turquoise waters, caves, and dramatic cliffs.
- Rhodes – Step back into medieval times in the UNESCO-listed Old Town.
- Katakolon – A Small port that leads to Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games.
- Civitavecchia (Rome) – The main gateway to Italy’s capital and its world-famous landmarks.
- Naples – A base for visiting Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast.
- Limassol (Cyprus) – Combines archaeological treasures with golden beaches.
You may also like our cruise port guides to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, USA & Canada, Middle East, Australia & New Zealand
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