Cruise Travel to Chania

Ships dock in Souda, about 5 km (3 miles) east of Chania. A taxi ride to the center costs about €12, and public buses make the trip every half hour and cost €2.50 (well-marked stops are in the port area, and you can buy tickets on the bus).

Chania, with old Venetian and Turkish quarters surrounding a beautiful harbor, is one of the loveliest towns in Greece, with plenty to keep you occupied for a day ashore. The Byzantine and Archaeological museums provide glimpses into Crete’s long and colorful history, and the narrow lanes lined with tall houses and the Venetian lighthouse guarding the harbor are richly evocative. If you have time and wish to venture farther afield, rent a car in Souda or Chania (about €40 a day) and explore the Akrotiri Peninsula, the olive-covered landscapes just to the east of Souda. Two of Crete’s most appealing monasteries, Ayia Triada and Gouvernetou, are at the northern end of the peninsula; a visit to Gouvernetou can come with a hike and a swim.