Souda beach near Plakias
Souda is located 41km southwest of Rethymno city, just 3km east of the resort of Plakias. Don’t confuse it with the Souda Bay, the natural port of Chania city. It is actually the last beach of the beachfront of Plakias, called Yialia, which starts at Shinaria, several kilometers away. Souda is located at the exit of a small green valley that is run by the small river Finikas, which has water all year round. Along the river and in several places of the area, there are colonies of the native Cretan palm trees of Theophrastus, making Souda one of the most important reserves for the species.
In front of this magnificent scenery, a beautiful beach with sand is stretched, loved by all visitors. This love often turns to hatred, when the north winds blowing in the area raise the sand and sandblast the swimmers. Today’s landscape does not remind anything of the secluded paradise of 90s, when a narrow dirt track lead here, running along a rocky shore and you could find only a few nudists on the beach. The nudists insist on coming, but do not feel as comfortable as before. Today the road is paved and the beach is organized. There are umbrellas and showers, while the area has several taverns and rooms. The beach sides are rocky, being ideal for fishing and snorkeling. Above the rocks of the east side, on the main road, there are several benches overlooking the South Cretan Sea.
