Tag Archives: Chania

VOAK traffic restrictions at Kolymbari

The Police Directorate of Chania has announced that emergency traffic restrictions will be in force on the Kissamos-Kolymbari section of the VOAK from 07/09/26 to 17/09/26. According to the announcement, the specified works will be carried out from km 25.5 to km 23.0 [distances from Chania] of the Kissamos-Kolymbari section each night, between the hours of 22:00 and 06:00, with alternating streams controlled by traffic lights. The stretch in question is just west of the Kolymbari interchange.

Seen from a bridge, the highway with safety zones demarcated by white lines and orange cones curves away into the distance.
There will be night-time traffic restrictions on the VOAK just west of Kolymbari from 7th to 17th September 2026.

Drivers are requested to exercise extra care at those points and to obey the provisional signs and the signals of the traffic police.

Restrictions on the Chania bypass
As a reminder of the diversions currently in force on the VOAK at Chania, on 24th August the Police Directorate of Chania announced that traffic restrictions would apply from 25th August because of roadworks on the stretch between Mournies and Vamvakopoulo. No end date was given.

As announced, there are narrowed lanes in the section from km 00.97 (the Mournies interchange) to km 02.03 (before the Vamvakopoulo interchange). For the duration of the restrictions, traffic in both directions will travel on the eastbound (Kissamos to Chania) carriageway, with narrowed lanes and appropriate signage, while the Chania to Kissamos carriageway will be closed.

As a result of the works being carried out, access to and from the westbound carriageway of the VOAK at Mournies will be closed, and only access to and from the eastbound carriageway will be permitted. Emergency vehicles including the Fire Service, Ambulances, the Police, etc, will be exempt from this prohibition, with the contractor ensuring that there is adequate space for the vehicles in question to manoeuvre.

Drivers are again requested to exercise extra care at those points and to obey the signs and the signals of the traffic police.

Road closure at Mournies
Also, part of the parallel road running on the north side of the VOAK at Mournies will be closed to allow the construction of a retaining wall. The section of Skamaga street between the junctions with Thetidos and Sivrisario streets will be closed, with traffic diverted along Thetidos and Sivrisario streets and via underpasses along Megalou Alexandrou street on the south side of the highway. Steps will be taken to allow uninterrupted vehicle access to the dwellings on the closed section of Skamaga street.
(Haniotika Nea, 07/09/26, 24/08/26, 05/09/26)

More traffic restrictions on the VOAK

New traffic restrictions are in force owing to roadworks on three sections of the VOAK in the Regional Unit of Chania.

In the Vrysses area, on the Chania-Georgioupoli section from km 31.7 to km 33.7 (distances from Chania), there will be narrowed traffic lanes 24 hours a day from 1st September to 1st November. Similar measures will be in force in the area of Agios Fanourios from km 28.4 to km 29.7, from 31st August to 31st October, also with narrowed traffic lanes 24 hours a day.

Also, on the Kissamos-Kolymbari section, from km 27.0 to km 25.5 (just east of Melissourgeio), there are alternating streams with traffic lights from the evening of 31st August to 6.00 am on 8th September.

According to Diktaion Parachorisis, the company created in May 2025 by the concession holder GEK TERNA to manage the construction and operation of the Chania-Heraklion section of the VOAK and the Kissamos-Chania extension, in the event that the works in question are completed early, normal traffic may be restored before the scheduled dates.

Drivers are urged to proceed at low speed at the points where works are in progress and to follow the temporary signs and the instructions of the traffic police
(Haniotika Nea, 02/09/26)

Two women stand at a roadside stall selling candles while streams of traffic pass along the VOAK behind them.
   A woman sells candles at a stall beside the VOAK in Apokoronas. The caption reads: “Pilgrimage with caution today and tomorrow at Agios Fanourios.” Photo: Haniotika Nea/Facebook.

Agios Fanourios
The roadworks in the area of Agios Fanourios in Apokoronas start just to the east of the church dedicated to St Fanourios, “the revealer” or saint of things lost. The church stands a short way away from the VOAK and on the saint’s feast day of 27th August attracts crowds of the faithful who in previous years were in the habit of parking beside the VOAK and making their way along the highway on foot – a highly dangerous situation for both pedestrians and passing motorists. This year parking on the highway was blocked and visitors were forced to take the old Chania-Rethymnon road, with special bus services laid on for pedestrians.

The Kipos Cinema opens for summer 2026

The following press release appeared on the Municipality of Chania’s website on 21st May.

The entrance to the outdoor cinema is shown with the illuminated sign above which reads "Cine Kipos from 1912"

The Kipos Municipal Cinema, the city’s historic summer cinema, is this year once more opening its doors to the public, inviting young and old to a summer filled with cinematic experiences, in the leafy setting of the Municipal Garden of Chania. The showings start on Monday 25th May 2026, with a week of free showings up to Sunday 31st May.

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