Chania, Crete, Greece – Port Call

Our inaugural post in the “Port Call” section of the blog takes us to an oldie but a goodie, Chania (Souda Bay), Crete, Greece. Most who have deployed on the east coast have been to, or at least have heard of, Souda Bay. With the small base there, some might have even been stationed there. It is always a fun time, and has its own charms. If you show up on a Navy ship you will pull in at Souda, which does some pier-side recreation facilities, food and drinks.  However, the destination where most of the action happens is 30-40 minutes away in Chania. Since this is where the action is, it is where most of this post will be discussing. So here’s lowdown on Chania, Crete, Greece.

The Details

Chania, Greece is the second-largest city on the isle of Crete. It is a smaller city built eith a rustic feel, and a beautiful harbor area. It is a popular tourist destination, and caters well to visitors. The local population is around 55,000 and the town is most active during the warmer summer months. This is a walking town, with tons of activities surrounding the harbor area. There is also a lot to explore in the surrounding areas by taking short day trips.

Food and Drink

The food in Chania centers around the Mediterranean diet. Being a seaside area many popular dishes consist of, well, Seafood. The seafood is reportedly very fresh and “on point”. In addition to seafood you can find many traditional Greek and several international foods in the area.

For people like me that loathe seafood, and are super picky eaters, there are plenty of other options. Some include beef, chicken pork and lamb in various grilled forms. Every grilled meat dish I had was very good. Salads and veggies seemed very fresh and were avalible with most meals. Everything is typically seasoned with Mediterranean style herbs and spices, and they make heavy use of Olive Oil. In addition there is a multitude of international food options avalible aswell.

Coffee is readily available and is usually delicious. As with most of Europe Coffee is meant to be enjoyed whilst at a café, although you can find some togo options. Sweets are abundantly available, and also delicious. My weakness is Gelato, which is also available everywhere. This also does not disappoint.

Alcoholic beverages, including fantastic local wine, are available everywhere.  Beer is widely avalible. It comes in many varieties from mass produced domestics to specialty crafts. Not many American domestics around, but Greek standard mass produced Mythos would fit the bill here.

The local alcoholic spirits that you must try (if that’s your thing) are Raki and Ouzo. There are a few varieties and flavors and  both are easy to find, well, everyhere. Many places will offer one of these for free with a purchase. Drinking is a part of the culture here and is generally approved of. Indeed, it is strongly encouraged by many business proprietors when Navy folks are around, I can’t figure out why though 😉 .

PRO TIP: Many places will take credit cards, but cash is king. Alot of smaller vendors also might not have change for large bills. Also, when dining if you intend to split the check tell your server in advance.

The People and Culture

I won’t get to into the detailed culture of Crete, or Greece here. However, Crete has its own distinct heritage from mainland Greece. With that said much of the culture is similar.  The people were generally friendly and welcoming. Most places you visit you will notice hospitality, and good service. You will notice that there is what feels like a slower pace of life here. I took advantage of this, it’s worth it to slow down a bit.

Chania is also a touristy area. So, folks here are used to visitors, which has obviously had an impact on the culture. This also means that there are many places aimed at catering to tourists. Likewise, there are plenty of places to spend your money. Around the harbor business staffs can feel a little pushy as you walk by, they will actively try to sell you on stopping in their shop or restaurant. This can be slightly annoying, but they are generally polite if you decline.

Things to Do

Chania itself offers many options for things to do. Just walking around the old city can kill a few hours. There are also glass bottom boat rides, a couple of museums and tons of shopping options. If drinking is your thing, there are plenty of options on that front. There is also things like gaming/internet cafes and escape rooms.

Outside of Chania there’s alot of stuff to explore that isn’t too far away. Several day trips such as ruins or nearby beach areas are a nice quick trip. There are also several local wineries to have tours of and maybe a tasting.

In closing on Chania

This is a great area to visit. It is better spring through fall, but is beautiful year round. Take your time and explore, there is lots to find.