Sougia is a seaside settlement of southwest Crete and is 75km away from the city of Chania. It is built west of the estuary of the Ayrerniotis River, which crosses the gorge of Agia Irini, which ends near Sougia. The beach of Sougia is about 1.5 km long and its width reaches 70 meters.
It is a wonderful long beach with thick sand, crystal clear deep water and relatively little world. Its western edge is in front of the settlement and is organized, while its eastern end is a beach of nudists. Sougia was a favorite hippie destination in the 70s, today it is an ideal destination for a tranquil holiday, in a wonderful landscape and with all the basic amenities provided by a tourist place. In Sougia you will find restaurants, taverns, rooms, cafes, quiet bars, mini market, etc. However, you will not find a gas station, a doctor’s office, a pharmacy or a bank.
The name of Sougia comes from ancient Sia and means “pig” in the ancient because here pigs were probably raised. Sougia has a special historical significance. Near is the village of Moni, where is saved a small carved tomb in the shape of a pyramid, while on the Kefali hill near Rodovani village, you can visit the ruins of the Doric town of Elyros. Elyros experienced a period of acne at least until the Greek Classical period, from 500 to 350 BC and was one of the most important urban centers of southwestern Crete, with a population of about 16,000 inhabitants. It had its own currency and was famous for making weapons. Close to Sougia is the ancient city of Lissos, which was the second port of Elyros. It was famous for its Asclepius and its thermal spas.
To the west of the village is the church of Agios Panteleimonas. Still, there are traces of the mosaic floors of the ancient temple depicting images from nature dating back to the 6th century AD. If you follow the E4 path leading to Agia Roumeli you will encounter after 2 hours of walking the picturesque chapel of Agios Antonios, in a green bay. In the wider area, there is also the cave of Polyphemus, which according to a version of the legend, was the cave that Homer refers to the Odyssey as the residence of the one-eyed giant Polyfimos.
To go to Sougia from Chania you will follow the road to Alikianos. The road is narrow and has many turns. However, the route is very beautiful, the road passes from the plain with the orange trees to Alikianos, goes up to the mountains, passes through the village of Agia Irini, from where begins the homonymous green gorge which reaches almost to Sougia, and then in from picturesque villages and slopes full of olives and oak trees down to Sougia and the southern coast of Chania Prefecture. You can take a bus and visit the Omalos Plateau to cross the famous Samaria Gorge. After 6-7 hours you will reach the coastal Agia Roumeli, from where you will take the boat to Sougia. In the summer months, there is a boat that takes you to Gavdos 3 times a week. You will start in the morning and return to the evening at 7. Finally, if you visit Sougia with your car, you can enjoy beautiful walks in nature, knowing other nearby destinations, as well as visiting the fishing village of Paleochora.
In the summer, from Sougia, ANENDYK boats start daily for Chora Sfakion, Paleochora, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, and Gavdos.
