Ratings of the 6 largest municipalities in Crete.
Local Government Ratings
The recent evaluation of public administration services in Greece reveals pretty big concerns about road networks, especially in island regions.
This first-ever assessment, run through the axiologisi.ypes.gov.gr platform, collected feedback from nearly 65,000 citizens during May 2025.
Road quality in insular Greece? It’s not looking great, at least according to citizen ratings.
The Regional Unit of Corfu got the lowest score—just 2.2 out of 5—for road network quality.
Right after that are Chania Regional Unit (2.8), Preveza Regional Unit (2.9), Kos (3.0), and Heraklion Regional Unit (3.0).
Honestly, these results just confirm what locals have been saying for years: the road infrastructure in Greek island regions is struggling, with Crete, the Ionian Islands, and the Dodecanese all scoring pretty low.
At the municipal level, Heraklion Municipality ranks worst among the six major Cretan municipalities in multiple categories.
Their poor performance stands out not just on Crete but compared to most municipalities across Greece.
The assessment was carried out over 26 days, from 6 May to 31 May 2025.
Altogether, 64,789 people aged 18 and up took part, representing residents from 327 Greek municipalities.
One questionnaire even came from Mount Athos, which is kind of unexpected, honestly.
While every municipality got at least one response, 143 didn’t reach the minimum threshold of 40 responses needed for solid analysis.
Another 54 municipalities gathered between 41 and 100 responses—so, maybe not definitive, but still interesting.
The remaining 130 municipalities received over 100 responses each.
The municipalities with the highest participation rates were:
- Athens Municipality – 4,962 responses
- Thessaloniki Municipality – 2,809 responses
- Heraklion Municipality (Crete) – 1,666 responses
- Patras Municipality – 1,530 responses
- Piraeus and Peristeri Municipalities – 1,192 responses each
The results (scores) by category in the 6 largest municipalities of Crete
DIGITAL MUNICIPAL SERVICES
• The municipality of Chania ranks 23rd with a score of 5.1.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 80th with a score of 4.5.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 132nd with a score of 4.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 137th with a score of 4.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 140th with a score of 3.9.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 144th with a score of 3.9.
ROAD NETWORK UNDER MUNICIPAL RESPONSIBILITY
• The municipality of Chania ranks 112th with a score of 4.3.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 122nd with a score of 4.1.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 135th with a score of 4.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 137th with a score of 4.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 167th with a score of 3.5.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 181st with a score of 3.1.
CLEANLINESS
• The municipality of Chania ranks 26th with a score of 5.1.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 53rd with a score of 4.8.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 68th with a score of 4.6.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 141st with a score of 3.8.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 145th with a score of 3.7.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 184th with a score of 2.2.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING
• The municipality of Chania ranks 92nd with a score of 5.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 105th with a score of 4.8.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 115th with a score of 4.7.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 165th with a score of 4.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 171st with a score of 3.9.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 183rd with a score of 3.
SOCIAL SERVICES
• The municipality of Chania ranks 21st with a score of 5.7.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 36th with a score of 5.4.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 44th with a score of 5.3.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 45th with a score of 5.3.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 65th with a score of 5.1.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 168th with a score of 3.7.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ CENTRES / FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATIONS
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 16th with a score of 6.5.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 47th with a score of 6.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 54th with a score of 5.9.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 69th with a score of 5.8.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 124th with a score of 5.2.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 158th with a score of 4.4.
‘HELP AT HOME’ PROGRAMME
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 30th with a score of 6.5.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 31st with a score of 6.5.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 43rd with a score of 6.3.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 51st with a score of 6.1.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 67th with a score of 6.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 149th with a score of 5.
SCHOOL BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 29th with a score of 5.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 72nd with a score of 4.6.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 95th with a score of 4.4.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 130th with a score of 4.2.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 178th with a score of 3.5.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 181st with a score of 3.4.
CHILDREN’S/KINDERGARTEN CENTRES
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 43rd with a score of 5.4.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 80th with a score of 5. • The municipality of Chania ranks 105th with a score of 4.8.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 108th with a score of 4.8.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 161st with a score of 4.3.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 182nd with a score of 3.8.
GREEN SPACES/PARKS
• The municipality of Chania ranks 57th with a score of 4.4.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 61st with a score of 4.4.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 121st with a score of 3.8.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 158th with a score of 3.4.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 160th with a score of 3.3.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 173rd with a score of 3.
CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS
• The municipality of Chania ranks 69th with a score of 4.4.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 81st with a score of 4.3.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 91st with a score of 4.2.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 139th with a score of 3.6.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 158th with a score of 3.4.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 167th with a score of 3.
PARKING SPACES
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 108th with a score of 3.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 131st with a score of 2.8.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 140th with a score of 2.8.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 144th with a score of 2.7.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 176th with a score of 2.2.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 181st with a score of 2.
URBAN CLINICS
• The municipality of Chania ranks 99th with a score of 3.8.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 125th with a score of 3.6.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 148th with a score of 3.3.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 150th with a score of 3.3.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 157th with a score of 3.2.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 160th with a score of 3.2.
WASTE RECYCLING
• The municipality of Chania ranks 9th with a score of 5.6.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 19th with a score of 5.3.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 42nd with a score of 4.8.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 132nd with a score of 3.6.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 146th with a score of 3.4.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 171st with a score of 2.7.
BUILDING TECHNOLOGY (URBAN PLANNING)
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 14th with a score of 4.3.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 46th with a score of 3.9.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 120th with a score of 3.3.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 124th with a score of 3.2.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 150th with a score of 3.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 176th with a score of 2.6.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 5th with a score of 5.7.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 21st with a score of 4.7.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 48th with a score of 4.1.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 70th with a score of 3.7.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 168th with a score of 2.4.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 173rd with a score of 2.3.
CONDITION OF SIDEWALKS
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 3rd with a score of 3.7.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 57th with a score of 3.4.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 58th with a score of 3.4.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 890th with a score of 3.1.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 121st with a score of 2.9.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 178th with a score of 2.3.
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 10th with a score of 4.1.
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 45th with a score of 3.6.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 53rd with a score of 3.5.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 94th with a score of 3.1.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 1050th with a score of 3.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 163rd with a score of 2.4.
CITIZEN SERVICE CENTRES
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 4th with a score of 7.4.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 15th with a score of 7.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 43rd with a score of 6.7
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 62nd with a score of 6.6.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 169th with a score of 5.6.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 174th with a score of 5.4.
CITY POLICE
• First place goes to the municipality of Ierapetra with a score of 5.9.
• Seventh place goes to the municipality of Rethymno with a score of 3.8.
• Seventy-fifth place goes to the municipality of Heraklion with a score of 3.8.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 77th with a score of 3.8.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 113th with a score of 3.4.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 126th with a score of 3.3.
PROGRAMME FOR STRAY ANIMALS
• The municipality of Ierapetra ranks 4th with a score of 5.
• The municipality of Sitia ranks 47th with a score of 3.6.
• The municipality of Rethymno ranks 56th with a score of 3.5.
• The municipality of Chania ranks 100th with a score of 3.1.
• The municipality of Agios Nikolaos ranks 121st with a score of 2.9.
• The municipality of Heraklion ranks 137th with a score of 2.7.
Anyone Who Wants to Can, but Those Who Don’t Want to Cannot
The municipal police force of Ierapetra has been voted the best municipal police force in Greece!
The Ministry of the Interior today presented the results of the first nationwide assessment of public services by citizens.
This is an important recognition for our service, which, despite dramatic staff shortages, works with ambition and self-sacrifice morning, noon and night, overcoming all kinds of obstacles.
This recognition is of great significance, as it comes from the anonymous masses, from the average citizen, who tends to judge public administration very harshly. This is all the more true for a ‘hated and unpopular service’, a front-line service that has learned to deal with all the shortcomings and ‘inadequacies’ of the Greek state.
I regard this recognition as personal satisfaction and would like to thank my colleagues, the municipal police officers, for their commitment. I hope that the relevant authorities will recognise the value of this misunderstood service.
‘Those who want to can, those who don’t want to can’t.’
Giannis Gaitanakis, head of the Ierapetra municipal police force, is known throughout the country for his tireless commitment to animal welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current rankings for the six largest municipalities in Crete?
The six largest municipalities in Crete are currently ranked as follows:
- Heraklion – Leading the rankings with strong performance in infrastructure and services
- Chania – Second position with notable achievements in tourism management
- Rethymno – Third place with strengths in cultural preservation
- Agios Nikolaos – Fourth position with improved environmental initiatives
- Ierapetra – Fifth place showing progress in sustainable development
- Sitia – Sixth position with promising growth in community services
These rankings reflect the 2024-2025 evaluation period and are updated annually by the Regional Authority of Crete.
How are evaluations determined for the top municipalities in Crete?
The evaluations for Crete’s municipalities follow a multi-faceted approach:
- Quantitative data analysis – Statistical measurements of services, budgets and development
- Resident satisfaction surveys – Feedback collected from local citizens
- Expert panel assessments – Reviews by urban planning and governance specialists
- Economic indicators – Budget management and resource allocation efficiency
- Environmental performance – Sustainability measures and ecological footprint
The Regional Authority combines these factors using a weighted scoring system that’s reviewed every three years to keep things relevant.
What factors influence the municipal ratings in Crete’s primary cities?
Several key factors influence the ratings of Crete’s municipalities:
Factor |
Weight |
Description |
|---|---|---|
Infrastructure Quality |
25% |
Roads, public buildings, utilities |
Economic Management |
20% |
Budget efficiency, debt levels, investments |
Public Services |
20% |
Healthcare, education, waste management |
Environmental Initiatives |
15% |
Green spaces, pollution control, recycling |
Cultural Preservation |
10% |
Historic site maintenance, cultural programmes |
Civic Engagement |
10% |
Citizen participation, transparency |
These factors reflect the priorities set by the Cretan Regional Development Plan 2023-2027.
Where can I find the most recent performance data for Crete’s major municipalities?
The most recent performance data for Crete’s municipalities is available through:
- The Regional Authority of Crete website – Official portal with comprehensive reports
- Municipal Data Observatory – Digital platform with interactive dashboards
- Annual Municipal Performance Reports – Published each March
- Crete Statistical Service – Provides raw data and analytical reports
These resources are updated quarterly, and the big annual reviews come out every spring.
Public libraries across Crete usually have physical copies, if you’re into that sort of thing.
In what way does tourism impact the municipal rankings in Crete?
Tourism really shapes municipal rankings in a bunch of ways.
For example, high-performing cities like Heraklion and Chania have put in place tourism management strategies that try to get the benefits without letting things spiral out of control.
Positive impacts:
- Increased revenue from visitor taxes
- Job creation in service sectors
- Investment in public amenities
- Enhanced international visibility
Challenges:
- Seasonal infrastructure strain
- Environmental pressures
- Housing affordability issues
- Balance between tourist and resident needs
What are the defining criteria for ranking the leading municipalities in Crete?
The main criteria for ranking municipalities in Crete aren’t exactly a secret, but they’re a bit more nuanced than people might think.
- Governance Quality – Things like transparency, how efficiently the administration runs, and, of course, how well they plan for the future.
- Financial Health – We’re talking about budget management, debt levels, and whether their investment strategies actually make sense.
- Quality of Life Indicators – Access to basic services, how affordable housing is, and whether people feel safe walking around at night.
- Environmental Sustainability – Energy efficiency, how they handle waste, and what kind of green initiatives they’ve got going on.
- Infrastructure Development – Are public facilities maintained and improved, or just left to crumble?
- Social Cohesion – This covers community programs, inclusivity, and genuine support for vulnerable groups.
These factors get weighed using a mix of hard data and more subjective evaluations. The framework itself was set up back in 2018, and it’s supposed to get a fresh look every four years.
