The Wines of Crete organisation has become a principal force in promoting Cretan wines and Cretan wine tourism over the past two decades. Originally started as a network of Heraklion wine-makers in the decade of 2000, it has extended into an island-wide network covering all the four prefectures of Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon and Lasithi.
Continue readingTag Archives: Chania
What will be sold in the new new Agora
The promotion of local products is a priority for the new Agora, it was stated at a seeconference entitled “The Municipal Market and the Future”, organised by the Association of Shopowners of the Municipal Market of Chania at the KAM on Saturday 7th February. Sales will be restricted to foodstuffs and café/restaurant businesses, with quotas as to the type of shops, but there will be no restriction on the provenance of primary sector products on sale, according to the Municipality’s plans for the new market.
Continue readingNew tourist season promising despite staff shortages
This is the time of year when hotels, restaurants and other catering establishments are seeking to recruit staff for the coming tourist season. The back pages of Haniotika Nea are filled with small ads for posts ranging from managers to receptionists to barmen, cooks and chambermaids.
Continue readingA new fire chief for Crete
The year 2025 was a difficult one for the Fire Service in Crete, with outbreaks of fire exacerbated by high summer temperatures and gale force winds in many places. The worst outbreak was near Ierapetra in July, when a major conflagration was fought by more than 230 firefighters along with 46 vehicles and 10 helicopters, and 1,500 residents and visitors had to be evacuated from four villages.
Continue readingPlaces for street traders in the old city of Chania
22 pitches at the Venetian Harbour and Koum Kapi
The Municipal Port Authority of Chania have specified the number of sites available for open-air trading in 2026. According to a recent announcement, the concession lasts until 31st December 2026 and payment of the annual fee is due in its entirety within 5 days of the issue of each permit by the Authority’s Management Board.
Continue readingNew digital infrastructure for the Municipality of Chania
In 14 months from now the Municipality of Chania will have an up-to-date digital Control Centre, having just signed an agreement with OTE for them to construct a modern installation and upgrade already existing ones. The agreement was signed on Monday 22nd December between the Municipality and OTE officials and the project will be incorporated into the government’s “Antonis Tritsis” programme for funding local government development., with a budget of €1,450,614.
Continue readingFree e-bikes in Chania
With their i-bike Chania initiative the Municipality of Chania are introducing a new system of electric bikes for free public use in the city. In a press release issued on 29th December the Municipality says:
Continue readingCruise ships bring money to Cretan municipalities
In the summer of 2025 the Greek government introduced a cruise tax, payable by cruise passengers on disembarkation at Greek ports. The tax rates range from €1 to €20 and are levied on all cruise ship passengers, regardless of age, each time they disembark at a port. If they do not disembark they are not charged. The fees are collected from passengers by the cruise companies or agents and are paid to the government quarterly.
Continue readingThe festive season starts in Chania
Illumination of the Municipal Christmas tree
The Christmas celebrations of the Municipality of Chania got off to a spectacular and festive start in the Venetian harbour on the evening of Saturday 22nd November 2025, says a municipal press release. Aided by the good weather, hundreds of citizens of all ages, visitors to the city and many families attended the ceremony of illumination of the new Christmas tree, which this year dominates the square next to the Giali Jami in the magical setting of the Venetian harbour.
Chania the leader in Golden Visa uptake
Chania emerges as the clear leader from the results of a survey, carried out by the Regional Observatory on Social Inclusion of the Region of Crete, relating to the take-up of Golden Visas on the island .
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