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Chania: when your ship stops here

A Venetian harbour with a lighthouse, an old town, and a pink sand beach on Crete.

Facts checked Nov 5, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Chania is a port city in western Crete with 111,375 people in 2021. Ships dock at Souda, at the head of Souda Bay. The cruise port guide says that is about 4 km (3 miles) southeast of Chania, while Wikipedia says about 7 km east, so the sources differ.

Sources: Wikipedia: Chania; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Souda, Chania

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The Venetian harbour and lighthouse

    The old harbour dates from the Venetian period, and the lighthouse on it was built in 1864. Fort Firka in the harbour is where the Greek flag was first raised after the union with Greece in 1913.

    Tip: The cruise port guide says shuttle buses run between Souda and the Chania Central Bus Station, about 100 m from the terminal, every 5 minutes. It gives no ride time.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Chania; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Souda, Chania

  2. 2. The old town

    The Venetian walls started to be built in 1538, and only the eastern and western parts survive. The central district, Kasteli, has been lived in since Neolithic times. The cruise port guide calls the old town the most beautiful urban district on Crete despite heavy bombing in World War II.

    Tip: Wear walking shoes: these are old streets.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Chania; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Souda, Chania

  3. 3. Elafonisi, the pink sand beach

    A protected nature reserve of 1.5 square km (0.58 square miles) near the southwest corner of Crete. Its sand looks pink because of tiny organisms living with seaweed, and in fine weather you can walk to the islet through shallow water.

    Tip: Our sources give no distance or drive time from Chania, so ask before you plan it on a port day.

    Source: Wikipedia: Elafonisi

What to skip

  • The Samaria Gorge on a ship day

    The gorge is 16 km long, ends at Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, and the walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous. Wikipedia lists it open 1 May to 31 October, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our sources do not say how to get back to the ship from the far end.

    Source: Wikipedia: Samaria Gorge

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Chania

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Chania, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 5, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Chania

Two or more Royal Caribbean cruises in a row, with a day in Chania on the way.

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