Moving to Crete with your family is an exciting life change, but securing a high-quality education for your children is often the top priority for expat parents. The good news is that Crete delivers on both fronts: world-class international education and a year-round quality of life that few Mediterranean destinations can match.
Crete offers two distinct, internationally recognized educational pathways: the School of European Education (SEE) in Heraklion and the Theodoropoulos School in Chania. Here is a direct comparison and guide to help you choose the right location for your family.
1. School of European Education (SEE), Heraklion
The SEE Heraklion is a fully accredited European School, officially established to serve families looking for a genuine multilingual curriculum.
- Location: Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- School Type: Public, accredited European School (Type II)
- Curriculum: European Baccalaureate (EB), recognized across all EU member states and globally
- Languages of Instruction: English Section, Greek Section
- Key Features: Focuses on multicultural education, allows students to maintain their native language while achieving near-native fluency in a second and third language. Ideal for families connected to research centers such as FORTH or to international businesses based in Heraklion.
2. Theodoropoulos School, Chania
For families settling in western Crete, the Theodoropoulos School offers a highly respected private international pathway.
- Location: Chania, Crete, Greece
- School Type: Private International and Greek School
- Curriculum: Dual pathway (Greek National Curriculum alongside International Programs and Cambridge Assessment International Education)
- Languages of Instruction: Greek and English
- Key Features: Strong focus on STEM, digital literacy, and individual student development. Excellent modern infrastructure and extracurricular activities, highly popular among expat families living in Chania.
Why Heraklion Works for Families All Year Round
Heraklion is the largest city on the Greek islands and ranks among the top five biggest cities in Greece, with a metropolitan population of more than 200,000 people. This matters for expat families, because Heraklion is not a seasonal resort that empties out in winter. It is a real, working city with genuine all-year-round life.
Everything a family needs is here twelve months a year: major hospitals and private clinics, universities and the University of Crete, the FORTH research center, large supermarkets and shopping centers, restaurants, theaters, and a vibrant historic center that stays alive long after the summer crowds have gone. The city is the economic and scientific hub of Crete, which means stable employment, professional services, and a community that does not pause for the off-season.
Connectivity is exceptional. Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis, HER) is the second-busiest airport in Greece after Athens, with direct flights across Europe, making weekend trips home or visits from family straightforward all year. The new Kastelli International Airport, currently under construction southeast of the city, will further expand capacity and international reach. The Port of Heraklion is one of the largest in the Mediterranean, with daily ferry connections to Athens (Piraeus) and the Aegean islands.
Hersonissos: 20 Minutes from the City, a World of Activity
Just 20 minutes east of Heraklion by car lies Hersonissos, the most organized and complete tourist destination in Crete. For families, this proximity is a real advantage: city living with a premier leisure zone right next door.
Hersonissos offers an exceptional concentration of facilities, including golf at the Crete Golf Club (the island's only 18-hole championship course), professional tennis and padel academies, multiple water parks such as Acqua Plus and Star Beach, diving centers, marinas, horse riding, and a full calendar of sports, dining, and family entertainment. Whether your children play competitive sport or you simply want resort-grade amenities within easy reach, Hersonissos delivers it year after year.
Chania: Coastal Living with Everything in Reach
Chania, in western Crete, is one of Greece's most beautiful cities, famous for its Venetian harbor, historic old town, and relaxed coastal lifestyle. It is also a fully functioning city with its own all-year-round rhythm: hospitals, schools, universities, shopping, restaurants, and a strong local community that lives there long after the tourist season ends.
Chania International Airport (CHQ) on the Akrotiri peninsula offers seasonal and year-round connections across Europe, and the Port of Souda is a major ferry gateway with daily links to Athens. For families who want the scenery and the slower pace of western Crete without sacrificing connectivity, Chania is hard to beat.
Like Heraklion, Chania has its own thriving leisure and activity scene, with tennis and padel facilities, water sports, sailing, the spectacular beaches of the western coast, and easy access to nature, from the Samaria Gorge to the pink sands of Elafonissi. It combines a picturesque, historic setting with the practical infrastructure a growing family needs.
Real Estate and Living: Heraklion vs. Chania for Families
Choosing between Heraklion and Chania often comes down to your lifestyle preferences and career setup.
Vibe
- Heraklion: Vibrant, urban, the economic and scientific hub of Crete
- Chania: Picturesque, historic, coastal, relaxed lifestyle
Property Market
- Heraklion: High demand for modern apartments and suburban villas near areas like Alikarnassos, Knossos, and the eastern coast toward Hersonissos
- Chania: High demand for traditional stone houses, seaside villas, and family homes in Akrotiri or Daratsos
Accessibility
- Heraklion: Large international airport (HER), the new Kastelli airport under construction, and a major Mediterranean port
- Chania: International airport (CHQ) and the Port of Souda
Grekodom Tip: If your priority is a strict EU-standard multilingual European Baccalaureate alongside the conveniences and connectivity of Crete's largest city, Heraklion is your destination, with Hersonissos and its golf, tennis, padel, and water parks just 20 minutes away. If you prefer a private school environment with strong local roots and a more scenic coastal lifestyle, Chania is the perfect match.
For properties near these schools, contact Grekodom Development to find the ideal family home in Heraklion or Chania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an international school in Heraklion?
Yes. Heraklion is home to the School of European Education (SEE), a fully accredited European School offering the European Baccalaureate (EB), recognized across all EU member states and worldwide. It runs an English Section and a Greek Section, making it ideal for multilingual expat families.
Is there an international school in Chania?
Yes. The Theodoropoulos School in Chania is a private international and Greek school offering a dual pathway: the Greek National Curriculum alongside Cambridge Assessment International Education. Instruction is in Greek and English, with a strong focus on STEM and digital literacy.
Which Crete city is better for expat families, Heraklion or Chania?
Both are excellent. Heraklion suits families who want a strict EU-standard multilingual European Baccalaureate plus the conveniences of Crete's largest city. Chania suits families who prefer a private international school, a scenic coastal setting, and a more relaxed lifestyle in western Crete.
Does Crete have year-round life, or is it only a summer destination?
Crete has genuine all-year-round life. Heraklion is among the top five largest cities in Greece, with a metropolitan population over 200,000, full hospitals, universities, shopping, and a working economy in every season. Chania is also a fully functioning year-round city but smaller.
How far is Hersonissos from Heraklion?
Hersonissos is about 20 minutes east of Heraklion by car. It is the most organized tourist destination in Crete, with an 18-hole golf course, tennis and padel academies, water parks, diving, and a full calendar of family activities.
What airports and ports serve Heraklion and Chania?
Heraklion has Heraklion International Airport (HER), the second-busiest in Greece, plus a major Mediterranean port with daily ferries to Athens. The new Kastelli International Airport is under construction nearby. Chania has Chania International Airport (CHQ) and the Port of Souda, with year-round connections across Europe and daily ferries to Athens.
What kind of property can families buy near these schools?
In Heraklion, families favor modern apartments and suburban villas near Alikarnassos, Knossos, Agia Pelagia and the eastern coast toward Hersonissos. In Chania, demand centers on traditional stone houses, seaside villas, and family homes in Akrotiri and Daratsos or apartments in Chania city.
