Zakynthos

Travel advice and information on Zakynthos (also called Zante) in the Greek Ionian islands, with information on ferries and flights and the best things to do..

Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) on ZakynthosNavagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach)

There's a reason that loggerhead turtles choose the beaches of Zakynthos to scoop out their nests in the sand and lay their eggs. They are some of the softest sand beaches in the Ionian Sea, and just one of the reasons visitors are also drawn to this fascinating Greek island.

Zakynthos is the most southerly of the Ionian islands, and packs a lot into a small space. Some parts are busy with bars and nightclubs, but there are quieter resorts too, and then you can travel a mile inland and find the kind of rural Greece that has always existed, with people still growing olives, grapes and vegetables, and virtually untouched by the tourism on the coast.

The Blue Caves on Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of GreeceThe Blue Caves

It's an island where you can be as active and explore as much as you like, or where you can just zonk out by the beach or the pool and soak up the sun. Or a bit of both. The island's capital, Zakynthos Town, is worth a relaxed day's visit.

It has just enough to keep you occupied (a few small museums, churches, a Venetian fortress) but not so much that you feel pressured to pack it all in. The same goes for the island.

There are some sights that are well-worth seeing, like the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Bay, but if you don't get round to it then it's not the end of the world, and there's always next time.

On Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of GreeceOn Zakynthos

Not a lot changes on Zante, which is part of its charm for the many people who go back every year. Sure, some resorts get a bit busier, a new hotel might open to show a touch of the new Greek chic, but the appeal of Zante is that it hardly changes at all. It ain't broke, so why fix it?

On Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of GreeceMonastery Ruins on Zakynthos

Best Things to Do on Zakynthos

  • Visit Zakynthos Town, the capital, a very pleasant place to wander round
  • See the beach at Laganas Bay, home to loggerhead sea turtles
  • See Navagio Beach (above), otherwise known as Shipwreck Bay, on the west coast
  • Take a boat trip to the Blue Caves, in the north east of Zakynthos
On Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of GreeceZakynthos

The Beaches on Zakynthos

The beaches in Laganas Bay are the ones the turtles (and most tourists) choose, and here in the shallow waters off Kalamaki Beach you might even find yourself swimming with the turtles – though you should keep a respectful distance.

Must Read: Best Time to Visit Zakynthos

If you don't even want to share with turtles then the beach at Port Roma at the end of the Vassilikos Peninsula has a lovely setting and even in mid-summer rarely gets busy. If you're feeling more adventurous then rent a boat and visit one of Zante's several offshore islands where you may well have a beach completely to yourself.

Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of GreeceZakynthos

A Great Place to Shop on Zakynthos

In Pigadakia, a tiny village inland from Alykanas, is the charming little Vertzagio Cultural Museum. Here there's not only chance to see the traditional agricultural island way of life but buy produce from local farmers, like olive oil and honey.

Vineyards on Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of GreeceVineyards on Zakynthos

The Wines of Zakynthos

What's not too well-known about Zante is that it makes some fine wines. It supplied wine to Venice when the Venetians ruled in the Ionian islands, and wine-making is booming again as it is throughout Greece generally.

Rent a bike and cycle through the vineyards of the fertile plain of Zakynthos, the region stretching north from Laganas Bay. Several vineyards are open to visitors, offering generous tastings and the chance to buy unusual wines direct from the maker at the winery equivalent of factory prices.

Among the best of the vineyard visits, and the best wines, are the Callinico Winery, which has a history of wine-making on the island, and the Solomos Winery, one of the best-known of all Greek wine-makers. So buy some wine (whites tend to be better than reds) and go find a sunset to watch while you drink it.

Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides

Rough-Guide-Greek-Islands-2022.png

Get Active!

Zante and the other Ionian islands have some of the cleanest water in the Mediterranean. It doesn't get to be that shade of bright turquoise by accident. So make the most of it and do some diving.

Many of the resorts offer scuba diving, deep diving, and even night diving and underwater photography courses. Not into diving? Well, maybe it's time you learned: take a beginner's lesson.

Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of GreeceTypical Zakynthos Coastline

What Else to Know

Rent a car or a bike and get into the island's interior, to the rural towns and villages where not too many tourists go. You're guaranteed a warm welcome, and an adventure of some kind.

The mountain village of Exo Hora is one of the few which survived the disastrous 1953 earthquake on Zante, and so gives a chance to see somewhere that still has its traditional look. Maherado in the south of the island also has some pre-earthquake buildings, and fabulous views over the orchards, olive groves and vineyards.

And don't be afraid to ask local people to recommend bars, restaurants, clubs, or beaches. They usually know places away from the resorts where you'll have a really Greek experience, the kind that will keep you going back to Zante - just like those turtles.

Zakynthos Town on Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of GreeceZakynthos Town

Getting to Zakynthos

Flights to Zakynthos

Zakynthos has its own airport which is very busy during the summer months with charter flights from many European countries. There are many cheap flights to Zakynthos to be had if you can pick up one of these bargain fares. There are also internal flights to Athens, to Preveza on the Greek mainland, and to the neighboring Ionian island of Kefalonia.

Ferries to Zakynthos

Zakynthos is not as well-served with ferries as other Greek islands. There are ferries from Zakynthos to Kefalonia, and note that these leave from Ayios Nikolaos in the north east of the island.

From Zakynthos Town you can catch ferries across to the Greek mainland at Kylinni on the Peloponnese from where you can get buses north to the city of Patras, or south to Pyrgos close to Ancient Olympia.

Ferries in Greece

Ferries in Greece has an excellent and very thorough website where, in addition to checking ferry schedules and times, you can also book tickets and get lots of useful information about travelling by ferry in Greece.

Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of GreeceZakynthos

Where to Eat on Zakynthos

You won't find Michelin-starred restaurants on Zakynthos but you will find some good spots in almost every resort. The Mantalena in Alykanas has been producing superb Greek food home-cooked style since the Pylarinos family opened it in 1978. We admit to being biased here. Read about Mike's time trying to be a waiter at the Mantalena.

In Zakynthos Town the Komis Fish Taverna at Ayios Leon has been winning awards for years for its mainly fish and vegetarian dishes. Every diner receives a complimentary starter of their house specialty, Oregano Soup, and the best and simplest main course is to choose your fish from the day's fresh catch. Check the price, though, as the menu price per kilo can add up to a lot for a hefty fresh fish.

Greek saladGreek Salad

Other Ionian Islands pages

  • Greece Travel Secrets publishes a page of photos of Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of Greece to perhaps inspire you to visit.

    Photos of Zakynthos

    Greece Travel Secrets publishes a page of photos of Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of Greece to perhaps inspire you to visit.

  • The Greek Ionian Islands are Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lefkas, Ithaca and Kythira, and some smaller islands too.

    The Ionian Islands of Greece

    The Greek Ionian Islands are Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lefkas, Ithaca and Kythira, and some smaller islands too.

  • Travel information about Kythira in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights to Kythira and the best things to do

    Kythira, or Kithira or Kithera, in the Ionian islands of Greece

    Travel information about Kythira in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights to Kythira and the best things to do

  • Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Zakynthos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Zakynthos

    Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Zakynthos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Life as a waiter on Zakynthos tells what it was like for travel writer Mike Gerrard to work in a Greek restaurant, the Mantalena in Alykanas.

    Life as a Waiter on Zakynthos

    Life as a waiter on Zakynthos tells what it was like for travel writer Mike Gerrard to work in a Greek restaurant, the Mantalena in Alykanas.

  • Travel advice on Ithaca (Ithaka or Ithaki) in the Greek Ionian islands, with information on ferries and flights and the best things to do.

    Ithaca, or Ithaki or Ithaka, in the Ionian Islands of Greece

    Travel advice on Ithaca (Ithaka or Ithaki) in the Greek Ionian islands, with information on ferries and flights and the best things to do.

  • Walking on Paxos is the best way to discover this tiny island south of Corfu in the Ionian Islands, with its wooded hills and terraces of olive trees.

    Walking on Paxos

    Walking on Paxos is the best way to discover this tiny island south of Corfu in the Ionian Islands, with its wooded hills and terraces of olive trees.

  • Travel advice and information on Paxos near Corfu in the Ionian islands, information on ferries and flights, what to do in Gaios, Lakka and Longos or Loggos.

    Paxos

    Travel advice and information on Paxos near Corfu in the Ionian islands, information on ferries and flights, what to do in Gaios, Lakka and Longos or Loggos.

  • Antonis Maroudas is a Zakynthos winemaker who lives on the 'wine road' and is one of the people who make Zakynthos.

    Zakynthos Winemaker

    Antonis Maroudas is a Zakynthos winemaker who lives on the 'wine road' and is one of the people who make Zakynthos.

  • Travel information about Lefkas in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights and the best things to do beaches, sailing, windsurfing.

    Lefkas

    Travel information about Lefkas in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights and the best things to do beaches, sailing, windsurfing.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Greece Bans Sunbeds, Umbrellas, Bars on 198 Beaches

    Sunbeds, umbrellas, and all sorts of constructions have been banned on 198 beaches across Greece according to a joint ministerial decision signed this week by Economy & Finance Minister Kostis Hatzida…

    Read More

  2. 4 Guesthouses in Zagori that Are Worth Visiting

    Amidst the mountains and spectacular scenery, these four traditional guesthouses in the heart of Zagori, Epirus, offer the very best in Greek hospitality.

    Read More

  3. Greece’s 10 Highest Mountains

    From myth-laden peaks to rugged alpine trails, we explore ten of Greece's highest mountains, where untamed beauty and boundless adventure meet.

    Read More

  4. Paris 2024 Olympic Flame Lit at Ancient Olympia, Countdown to Games Begins

    The Olympic flame that will be burning for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer was lit in Ancient Olympia on Tuesday, April 16. Located in western Peloponnese, Ancient Olympia is one of the most…

    Read More

  5. April 17 Greece National Strike to Affect Public Transport, Ferry Travel

    Public transportation in Athens as well as ferry travel in Greece will be disrupted on Wednesday, April 17, due to a 24-hour strike called by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), the cou…

    Read More

  6. The Ikaria Way

    the-ikaria-way-front-and-back-cover-900.webp
    Greece Travel Secrets reviews the Greek cookbook, The Ikaria Way by Diane Kochilas, containing 100 delicious plant-based recipes.

    Read More

  7. Greece Announces Steep Fines for Beach Access Violations

    The Greek Finance Ministry announced this week that it would taking strict measures including fines of up to 60,000 euros to ensure that Greece’s beaches are always accessible to the public. Fines ran…

    Read More

  8. Cyprus-Greece Ferry Connection to Start on May 29

    For a third year in a row, the ferry service linking Cyprus with Greece is scheduled to resume operations on May 29. The Cypriot-flagged Daleela, which can transport 400 passengers and 200 vehicles, w…

    Read More

  9. Greece Aiming to Include Knossos on UNESCO’s World Heritage List

    The Region of Crete announced this week that all actions had been taken to include the world-famous archaeological site of Knossos on Crete on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

    Read More

  10. Two Top Floors of Athens Hotel Blocking Acropolis View Shut Down

    The Greek Tourism Ministry announced this week that it had sealed off the two top floors and the rooftop bar of a hotel in the center of Athens which were blocking views to the Acropolis.

    Read More