Even the most discerning traveler will be thrilled by picturesque Crete, Greece's largest island. It may not be very well-known, but the landscape has a unique charm and can transport visitors back in time and tradition effortlessly and naturally. Now is the ideal time to complete a car rental in Souda from Let’s Drive to explore the most beautiful places and unforgettable destinations. If you're wondering what to see in Souda, keep reading and make the trip you've always dreamed of.
The Therisos Gorge, also known as the Eleftherios Venizelos Gorge, is just a 20-minute drive from the port of Souda. Choose the vehicle that meets your needs from Let’s Drive and explore the vibrant vegetation and imposing rocks that rival other major gorges in Crete. Oleanders and plane trees flank the small river that winds through the gorge. At the entrance of the gorge, you will encounter the village of Theriso, which will transport you back in time and to the history of the area.
The Venizelos Tombs are among the most popular and beautiful places in Souda, offering a stunning panoramic view of Chania. The tombs of the well-known Greek politician Eleftherios Venizelos and his son Sophocles Venizelos are located there, facing each other. One of the most important figures in Greek history, Eleftherios Venizelos was born in 1864 in Ottoman-ruled Crete and died in exile in Paris in 1936. His final resting place was determined to be a cemetery a few kilometers east of his house in Halepa. In 1965, his son Sophocles, who led Greece as Prime Minister from 1943 to 1952, constructed a tomb in his memory, after his body was transferred and buried here.
If you're still unsure about what to do and continue to wonder what is worth seeing in Souda, make a stop at the Venetian Harbor, one of the most famous attractions in Chania. Renting the ideal car from the port of Souda, you can quickly and comfortably reach the Venetian Harbor with the help of Let’s Drive. Originally built in the fourteenth century to protect the city from pirate attacks and facilitate trade, the Venetian Harbor is now the most iconic, popular, and charming part of the city. Wander around and admire the impressive beauty of the Lighthouse, the jewel of the harbor, and the walls of the Firkas Fortress, built by the Venetians to guard the entrance of the harbor.
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The ancient city of Aptera was founded in the 8th century BC and flourished during the Hellenistic period, due to its stunning location overlooking the Souda Bay. The myth states that the city was named after the goddess Artemis Aptera, and the source of the city's name is confirmed by coins found there. In an even more fascinating myth from the 6th century AD, the name comes from a supposed battle between the Muses and the Sirens that took place on a nearby hill. The islets of Leukes in the Souda Bay were formed when the Sirens were defeated, turned into "Apteres" (wingless), lost their wings and ability to fly, turned white and fell into the water. During your visit to the Aptera Archaeological Site, you will be enchanted by the scattered monuments, their mythological connections, and the viewpoints of the mountains of Crete, the Souda Bay, and the inland of Apokoronas.
The Industrial Park in Souda hosts the only typography museum in Greece. One of the most important human inventions, if not the most important invention ever made, is typography. For the greatest driving experience you can imagine, choose a car rental at the port of Souda from Let’s Drive. Explore the Typography Museum, founded by Yiannis and Eleni Garedakis, who spent over thirty years collecting tools and other items that depict the evolution of typography in Europe. It is a unique museum that records the history of typography and serves as a center of culture and literature. The facilities are used for conferences, book presentations, theatrical performances, music shows, and an annual international poster competition for typography. The European Museum Forum (EMF), sponsored by the Council of Europe, nominated the Typography Museum for the prestigious "European Museum of the Year" award (EMYA 2016). If you have any questions about car rentals in Rethymno or Chania, Let’s Drive is here to help!
In Souda, there are many attractions and the distances are large. Remember that a safe and enjoyable road trip in Crete requires a car. All you need to do now is proceed with a car rental from your preferred service point to discover more beautiful places for excursions in Crete. Let’s Drive has stations for renting cars in Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania for you to choose the perfect vehicle to enjoy unique routes in Crete!