Souda

Souda is located 41km southwest of Rethymno city, just 3km east of the resort of Plakias. Don't confuse it with the Souda Bay, located near Chania city. It is actually the last beach of the vast beachfront of Plakias, called Yialia, which starts at Shinaria, several kilometers away. Unlike the true meaning of the name (the Latin word suda means narrow passage), the bay of Souda is quite large.

Souda is located at the exit of a small green valley that is run by the small river of 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 natural reserves for the species.