The small coastal settlement of Sougia is in the exit of the Agia Eirini gorge, 70 kilometers from Chania. The beautiful beach and the calm holidays could describe Sougia. It was also the favorite destination of the hippies.

There are many small hotels, taverns, cafeterias and mini markets in the settlement.

Sougia is connected with Paliochora through an asphalted road about an hour long. During the summer the small boat to Paliochora, Chora Sfakion, Loutra, Agia Roumeli and Gavdos passes every day through Sougia.

There are many European Paths that go through the area and can be visited by the hikers. You can start walking from Sougia on the E4 European Path that connects Sougia with the ancient Lissos city and Paliochora or go through the Agia Eirini gorge that is a part of the E4 path. There is also an E4 path that connects Sougia with Agia Roumeli.

BEACHES

The large pebbly Sougia beach with the very blue water is in front of the settlement. It is about 1.5 kilometers long and starts from the small port in the west of the settlement. The beach becomes more isolated, not organized and with many nudists as you walk to the east. Its western part beneath the shops is organized.

HISTORY

Sougia was the port of the Doric Eliros city and flourished during the Roman and Byzantine Eras. Ruins of the ancient city are on the Kefala Mountain. Sougia was destroyed by Saracen pirates in the 9^th century A.C.

PLACE NAME

The name of the settlement came from the ancient Greek word “sis” that means a pig. The existence of a number of oak trees can show also the existence of many pigs in the area in the ancient times.

CHURCHES

The small Agios Panteleimonas church is in the west of the settlement. An amazing mosaic floor from an older church on which the today’s church was built is in that church. The country Agia Eirini church is near Sougia, on a very green hill with many pine trees.