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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- julesEdinburgh, United Kingdom14 contributionsPoignant and beautifulI 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 contemplateVisited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 10 November 2023
- Alison R16 contributionsTranquil and immaculateVisited this beautiful place to pay our respects to our fallen servicemen. It is tranquil and immaculately kept by the gardeners tending the graves and surrounding landscape. The view over Souda Bay is abs breathtaking, well worth a short visit.Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 14 May 2024
- David DDenmark4 contributionsimportant a visit to it for all of us and for the childrenVery beautiful place clean very well maintained.. Well done to each individual who has contributed to this!!! A place that everyone should visit. You are in awe and admiration for the heroes who came from all over the world to fight. There is no fee to enter the site.Visited June 2024Travelled on businessWritten 17 June 2024
- JaneMLondon144 contributionsBeautifully maintained, tranquil and poignantAs with all CWGC cemeteries this one is beautifully maintained. Tranquil and poignant. We are from the UK but had promised ourselves a visit here having visited NZ and seen the stories in museums there of how so many New Zealanders had lost their lives fighting in the battle for Crete in WW2. As ever, so sad to see how young the fallen were.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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His-Her-Travels
Saint Germans, UK22 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
A very poignant place to visit.
All these men and woman lost and for what.
This is a must see. Just standing there breaks your heart.
There is a German one near by but at the time I didn’t know otherwise I would have paid a visit
As Ex-Army I think all combatants should be paid respect 🫡 because at the end of the day neither him or I wish to be there.
Stand down lads your time is done. Thank you and RIP
Cheers
DR
All these men and woman lost and for what.
This is a must see. Just standing there breaks your heart.
There is a German one near by but at the time I didn’t know otherwise I would have paid a visit
As Ex-Army I think all combatants should be paid respect 🫡 because at the end of the day neither him or I wish to be there.
Stand down lads your time is done. Thank you and RIP
Cheers
DR
Written 8 May 2022
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.
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.
Kate W
1 contribution
Jun 2022
An important experience, to honour all those here, so far from home. Beautiful, impeccably cared for. Organise a taxi back, this old Kiwi chick climbed a fence to get phone-help. Otherwise, a lovely experience.
Written 29 July 2022
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.
Jana C
Prague, Czech Republic4,623 contributions
Jul 2021
So sad to see so many young men lost their lives during the war. There were from NZ and Australia too, so far away from home and never made it back. I know it has been many year since the end of the war but one must not forget the sacrifice these men made for our freedom, we take for granted.
Written 19 March 2022
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.
Alison R
16 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Visited this beautiful place to pay our respects to our fallen servicemen. It is tranquil and immaculately kept by the gardeners tending the graves and surrounding landscape. The view over Souda Bay is abs breathtaking, well worth a short visit.
Written 14 May 2024
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.
patriciaharris
London, UK11 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
We went to find a war grave belonging to my mums younger brother who never returned home,found it comforting,well looked after,all facing the sea waiting to be rescued,he is there with hundreds of his mates,God bless you Uncle Bernard RIP
Written 9 November 2014
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.
Mark & Val Williams
Chania Town, Greece34 contributions
May 2017
Val and I are permanent residents here on Crete. If you are British/Commonwealth/US....put this venue on your itinerary. Beforehand, read Antony Beevor`s `Crete - the battle and the resistance`. An authorative history, but also good reading. `The Cretan runner`, George (Yiorgos) Psychoundakis takes up after the invasion as does `On the run`, the author`s name escaping me at the moment. Yoirgos passed away 18 months before our arrival here (Oct 2005) but I nonetheless had the pleasure of shaking his daughter`s hand. `I`ll met by moonlight` is about the Special Forces abduction of the German GOC General Kreipe and was also made into a film, of the same name, with Dirk Bogarde/Cyril Cusack. Gripping book, fabulous film. Perhaps later, the biography of Patrick Leigh-Fermor,
one of the SF team. Armed with the information above, what went on, and the sacrifices made, will fall into place like a jigsaw. There is an eerie yet not unpleasant atmospere here. You will exit somewhat humbled.Do sign the Visitors Book. Surviving Veterans take great delight in reading it. They come each May for the formal service, Kiwi`s and Aussies prominent. God bless them, for our tomorrow they gave their today.
Mark & Val
Crete, May 2017.
one of the SF team. Armed with the information above, what went on, and the sacrifices made, will fall into place like a jigsaw. There is an eerie yet not unpleasant atmospere here. You will exit somewhat humbled.Do sign the Visitors Book. Surviving Veterans take great delight in reading it. They come each May for the formal service, Kiwi`s and Aussies prominent. God bless them, for our tomorrow they gave their today.
Mark & Val
Crete, May 2017.
Written 24 May 2017
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.
Morten H
Fredrikstad, Norway114 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
It's easy to forget the tragic history of Crete during the WW II without visits to the cemeteries her and in Malemne. Both worth a visit.
The old man, in front of the gate, taking care of 9 homeless dogs and 23 cats also deserves a euro or two.
The old man, in front of the gate, taking care of 9 homeless dogs and 23 cats also deserves a euro or two.
Written 8 October 2014
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.
Landroid90
Argyll and Bute, UK194 contributions
Aug 2014 • Business
I visited the cemetery during a quiet spell on a work trip. The setting is amazing, the graves so respectfully tended to, I even found a memorial to some soldiers from my Grandfathers regiment from a previous campaign at the turn of the century.
The visitors book makes lovely reading, and simple things in the cemetery, beautifully tended gardens and pathways made it all the more special.
One of the memorials really got to me which was the memorial to 6 bomber crew who were buried shoulder to shoulder, as they all died at a finite moment in time, the war graves commission has buried them with the headstones touching which I've never seen anywhere in the world before at any of the war cemeteries or memorials that I have visited all over Europe.
If I can, I will upload a couple of pics from my phone.
Like my title says, WELL WORTH A VISIT, whether you are an ex military like me or just to pay your respects.
The visitors book makes lovely reading, and simple things in the cemetery, beautifully tended gardens and pathways made it all the more special.
One of the memorials really got to me which was the memorial to 6 bomber crew who were buried shoulder to shoulder, as they all died at a finite moment in time, the war graves commission has buried them with the headstones touching which I've never seen anywhere in the world before at any of the war cemeteries or memorials that I have visited all over Europe.
If I can, I will upload a couple of pics from my phone.
Like my title says, WELL WORTH A VISIT, whether you are an ex military like me or just to pay your respects.
Written 27 November 2014
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.
NeilPick
York, UK173 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
It really isn't a case of like and dislike: war graves ought not to exist, but how else does one commemorate the many young lives lost in the defence of Crete in 1941 and subsequently during the occupation?
Souda Bay is a moving tribute as well as the lasting resting place of over 1500 such young men, mainly of British, Australian and New Zealand extraction. That so many lost their lives in just one, small (and often-overlooked) part of a wider conflict highlights the futility of war, and is a lesson to the future. The beauty and peace of the site makes it possible to reflect.........
Souda Bay is a moving tribute as well as the lasting resting place of over 1500 such young men, mainly of British, Australian and New Zealand extraction. That so many lost their lives in just one, small (and often-overlooked) part of a wider conflict highlights the futility of war, and is a lesson to the future. The beauty and peace of the site makes it possible to reflect.........
Written 20 October 2014
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.
Getting a taxi from chania to Souda war cemetery, any idea on how to get back
Written 18 July 2018
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
Written 18 July 2018
We are thinking of getting a taxi from chania to Souda. Is there a taxi rank at Souda to return
Written 12 July 2018
I did not see a taxi stand anywhere near the cemetery
Written 12 July 2018
Visiting via cruise ship in November. How much would taxi be from ship? And taxi from cemetery to town?
Written 29 September 2016
Sorry, haven't a clue about taxi cost. We stopped there as part of a trip to Chania by coach.
Written 21 October 2016
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.
Written 17 September 2015
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.
Written 19 September 2015
lakelander2015
Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
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
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erhaps
Written 23 August 2015
Hi Peter H here, not sure if I can help, but ask away.
Written 24 August 2015
how far is the war cemetery from kalives?
Written 6 August 2015
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
Written 24 August 2015
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