Souda Bay War Cemetery
Souda Bay War Cemetery
5
About
Suda Bay War Cemetery is located approximately 5 km east from the centre of Chania (Xania). There are now 1,500 Commonwealth servicemen of the Second World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery. 776 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate a number of casualties believed to be buried among them. The cemetery also contains 19 First World War burials brought in from Suda Bay Consular Cemetery, 1 being unidentified. There are also 7 burials of other nationalities and 37 non-war burials.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
428 reviews
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354
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68
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6
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jules
Edinburgh, UK14 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
I went with my teenage children as my grandfather was captured here during the battle of Crete. He survived and was in a prison camp got the rest of the war. Otherwise we wouldn’t be here. I know this might sound dramatic but my visit here really was profound. I felt so lucky and blessed that my wonderful grandpa was not one of those in this beautiful graveyard. A peaceful place that really lets you understand the horror of war and gives one time to contemplate
Written 10 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fergs85
Thornton-Le-Dale, UK1,036 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
If you have been to any British and Commonwealth war cemetery anywhere in the world you’ll know what to expect – serried rows of carefully spaced headstones, everyone with a story to tell: not least the grave of Captain Pendlebury, a one-time archaeologist turned soldier, who fought against the German invaders at the start of the battle of Crete. He was captured out of uniform, and had lost his dog tags - unable to prove that he was a genuine combatant he was summarily shot by his German captors. As usual, you can find details like this in the cemetery register at the entrance – however, you can also just take time to reflect on the loss of life that occurred during the invasion of Crete in 1941.
If you want to get into the history a bit more, I’d recommend Anthony Beevor’s book “Crete: the Battle and the Resistance”, and also Patrick Leigh Fermor’s “Abducting a General”
If you want to get into the history a bit more, I’d recommend Anthony Beevor’s book “Crete: the Battle and the Resistance”, and also Patrick Leigh Fermor’s “Abducting a General”
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma
United Kingdom6 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Thought provoking. Shame someone felt the need to leave their litter behind. Also went to the German cemetery which gave so history surrounding the occupation of Crete. Sad that so many young lives were lost on both sides.
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun L
Clanfield, UK1,718 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The peace and tranquility of this place plus the view of Souda Bay is stunning. A fitting memorial to all the Allied forces who lost their lives in the hostilities than impacted Crete. We walked around the grounds which are meticulously maintained by the Commonwealth war graves commission. The history of the Battle of Crete is shown near the entrance to the cemetery along with a visitors book plus a book detailing the location of every fallen soldier, airman or naval personnel in the cemetery. Lest we forget.
We walked along the main road from Souda which took about 25 mins. It was fine but the road is busy. On the way back we discovered you could walk the beach and take a nature trail thus avoiding the road.
We walked along the main road from Souda which took about 25 mins. It was fine but the road is busy. On the way back we discovered you could walk the beach and take a nature trail thus avoiding the road.
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lorenzo01
shipley derbyshire642 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This is a must visit .
Poignant and astonishingly beautiful.
A wonderful tribute to those who gave all
Poignant and astonishingly beautiful.
A wonderful tribute to those who gave all
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hans
Kwadendamme, The Netherlands2,914 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Tranquill located on the shoreline this place is full of respect for those who gave their life. Soldiers, airmen, seamen and civilians are burried here. The time period starts from the end of the 19th century and also cover the first and second world war. The grounds are being kept with precision as the fallen deserve. Respect is the only word which come to mind.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SwissBarney
Wokingham, UK48 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Serene, thought provoking, and immaculate. A must visit for everyone, piqued the kids interest and gave them something to think about.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
22359
Ossett, UK62 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We went here to remember 2 men from our town who died in the battle of Crete in 1941. Neither has a known grave so we laid poppies on an unknown soldier’s grave.
I am not usually emotional but the tranquil setting got the better of me.
“They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”
“When you go home tell them of us and say, to give you your tomorrow we gave our today”
I am not usually emotional but the tranquil setting got the better of me.
“They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”
“When you go home tell them of us and say, to give you your tomorrow we gave our today”
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee1341
Blackpool, UK7 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
What a beautiful yet utterly tragic place, incredibly well kept and we spent a solemn hour in quiet contemplation… so many boys so far from home…. Immaculate setting, beautiful Souda Bay a must…
Written 23 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles H
Petersfield, UK197 contributions
May 2023
It’s an important site for the Cretans as they really appreciate all the allies did before the Germans took over in the 40’s; over 800 allied graves with a stunning view down over Souda Bay; a time for contemplate man’s inhumanity to man; strangely, the Cretans welcome many Germans to the island every year and quite a number have homes there; their (sensible) view is to forgive but not forget. Go.
Written 24 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Molly G
Nottinghamshire, UK38 contributions
Getting a taxi from chania to Souda war cemetery, any idea on how to get back
Sarah B
Guildford, UK751 contributions
Hi Molly
The Souda war cemetery is well worth the visit but it is a little isolated
I am not sure if there are any local bus services you could use
You could walk back to one of the beach tavernas on the main road and ask them to book a return taxi for you
You could always ask the taxi driver to wait or come back later for you
Enjoy the visit, very humbling
Molly G
Nottinghamshire, UK38 contributions
We are thinking of getting a taxi from chania to Souda. Is there a taxi rank at Souda to return
John16752024
Portland, OR1,083 contributions
I did not see a taxi stand anywhere near the cemetery
Keith S
Perth, Australia71 contributions
Can anyone advise the best bus stop to get off from when travelling from Chania to visit the war cemetery. Other blogs advise not to go all the way into Souda Bay.
Keith S
Perth, Australia71 contributions
Thank you for your answer. We went there today from Chania and learnt a few things if anyone else is interested in following suit. You can pick up the Souda bus, number 13, from in front of the main markets. Purchase your bus ticket from a mini market first for €1.70. alternatively you can buy from the bus driver at a premium price of €2.50. We asked the driver if he would drop us off at the kato (downtown) Souda allied war cemetery stop. And he did indicating that we had to turn left at that intersection. We followed the main road over a small bridge then went up and around to the right past the Shell service station. I need to mention that this road has heavy traffic and not pedestrian friendly so be careful. Finally after a total of 15-20 minutes walking, there was sign on the right indicating War Cemetery. Another few minutes walk and we were there. Well worth it. I believe a safer way of walking there would be to cross the bridge as mentioned and take an immediate right turn. Walk approx 50 metres and take the pebbled path. Follow the path then the beach around to your left past the two tavernas until you come to the rear of the cemetery. There are gates which will allow you entry.
This was the way we walked back to the bus stop to take us back to Chania. On the return route, You need to go just a little further along the road to the traffic lights, where you turn right and come across a mini market where you can buy a bus ticket for the return journey. The stop is right beside the mini market. Just ask. It is bus 13 again. Hope this helps. Cheers.
lakelander2015
Cambridgeshire, UK
I very interested in a review by Hodgson128 and would very much appreciate it if they could contact me. My brother George C Hodgson is buried at Souda Bay
From: Thomas
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2015 10:53 PM
To: Frank
Subject: CWGC - Release of Documents.
Frank
You may recall that the CWGC undertook to make available all documents in their possession in time for the VJ commemorations on 14 August. I visited the CWGC site and found such documents as they have are indeed attached to those individuals whose graves are cared for by the Commission.
The documentation appears to relate entirely to the processes of reburial of soldiers from their initial temporary burial place with a wooden cross, to the cemeteries created by the Commission with formal headstones, in a process referred to as Concentration. As such, there is very little, if any, personal information.
However, in examining the records attaching to your brother George, I did learn that he was a member of RASC Detail Issues Depot 24 -and I cannot recall whether I had seen this detail previously.
I checked it up in the National Archives, to see if a war diary of the unit was available, and although I found the archive reference for this Depot, the documents are not yet digitised. You can however request a paper set for which a quotation will be provided. On the other hand perhaps your Niece might be interested in going to Kew and looking first hand? I have attached the National Archives Reference for RASC, Detail Issues Depot 24.
There are very many of these DID units and I am guessing that each was formed for a specific range of assignments relative to the progress and requirements of which ever war zone was being served. DID24 was formed in November 1940 and lasted until 1943.
Would you wish me to forward the (7) documents relating to George's reburial at Suda Bay?
Doug
with the
as part to the Your message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments:
ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS D.I.D.24
Note: To protect against computer viruses, email programs may prevent you from sending or receiving certain types of file attachments. Check your email security settings to determine how attachments are handled.
erhaps
Hodgson128
Carlisle, UK69 contributions
Hi Peter H here, not sure if I can help, but ask away.
judith88
Blackburn, UK172 contributions
how far is the war cemetery from kalives?
Monismith2014
Brisbane, Australia48 contributions
I don't quite know where the kalives are but we got a cab from Souda Bay to the cemetery , it wasn t very expensive, can't remember how much. We walked back fro the cemetery but it is a fair way and no footpath on the road. The cemetery is wonderful and so well looked after
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Frequently Asked Questions about Souda Bay War Cemetery
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