Zakynthos Greece (also called Zante Island) is a small, gorgeous island that bobs within the Ionian Sea of western Greece.

With wonderful lodging choices, improbable eating places, welcoming locals, and a number of the best beaches in Greece, it’s no shock why this island is without doubt one of the fastest-growing vacationer locations within the nation.

After travelling around Greece for practically 3 months in whole, we nonetheless contemplate Zakynthos one among our favourite islands to visit. We spent 10 days there, exploring by renting a automotive and a ship, and received to see most of the island’s highlights.

A Full Zakynthos Journey Information

Regardless that the south of the island is dominated by largely mundane resort seashore cities providing the standard inclusive vacation packages, the north and heart of Zakynthos continues to be an thrilling place to discover.

The craggy, cliff-strewn coastlines that encompass Zakynthos bless it with some breathtaking white sand seashores tucked in secluded coves and sheltered by dramatic skyscraper cliffs. If you happen to’re in search of a seashore vacation, that is one among your greatest choices in Greece, however don’t be fooled into considering that’s all Zante has to supply.

On this information to Zakynthos Greece, I’m going to interrupt down every little thing that you must find out about travelling to this fascinating Greek island.

About Zakynthos Greece

Zakynthos Greece is also called “Zante” and “the Flower of the Levant”. Situated within the Ionian sea about 250 kilometres west of the capital of Athens, it’s maybe most well-known for Navagio Beach, a wide ranging cove surrounded by dramatic 200-meter excessive cliffs. 

Right now there are round 40,000 folks residing on the island, however throughout the excessive vacationer season, as many as 2.9 million tourists descend on Zante and the opposite Ionian islands.

The capital is Zante city, an enthralling seaside metropolis with many eating places, bars and historic websites. Once we visited, Zante was a quiet place to be, however I’m positive that within the excessive season this port metropolis can be bustling.

See Additionally: The Ultimate Guide to Greek Travel

The place Is Zakynthos?

Zakynthos is positioned within the southernmost a part of the principle Ionian island chain round 20 kilometres west of the Greek mainland and 249 kilometres from Athens. The island of Kefalonia is 50 kilometres north of Zakynthos. There are additionally a number of small islets round Zakynthos together with Marathonisi and Kalonisi to the south.

How Huge Is Zakynthos?

The island of Zakynthos Greece is round 40 kilometres (25 miles) lengthy and 20 kilometres (12 miles) in width. The entire space of the island is simply over 400 kilometres² and its highest level is atop Vrachionas Mountain at a complete elevation of 758 meters.

Zakynthos boasts about 123 kilometres (76 miles) of gorgeous shoreline, however not all of it’s gorgeous white sand like that discovered on Shipwreck Beach (Navagio). A lot of the coast is craggy cliffs and dramatic rock formations.

The entire inhabitants of Zakynthos is 40,759, however as I discussed earlier, this quantity is far increased throughout the peak tourism season when vacationers outnumber the locals 10 to 1.

The Finest Time to Go to Zakynthos Greece

You possibly can just about go to Zante at any time of the 12 months, however our favorite time to go to is within the spring (March to Could) or fall (September to November) when it’s not too sizzling and there are fewer vacationers. The costs of lodging are additionally a lot decrease right now with financial savings of as much as 50% in our expertise.

If you happen to don’t thoughts being round crowds, then summer time (June to August) can be a good time to go to. If you happen to get too sizzling, you possibly can all the time head to one of many many seashores to chill down. 

We final visited Zakynthos within the spring and it was stunning. The times had been sizzling, however the evenings tended to chill down sufficient that we had been comfy whereas sleeping and the ocean was nonetheless heat sufficient for a (chilly) swim.

Easter, Christmas and July & August are absolutely the peak customer occasions for Zakynthos and through these occasions the costs can skyrocket.

Winter (November to March) is an okay time to go to as properly, however don’t anticipate to go swimming as the ocean temperature can dip to 12°C (54°F) in January and February. You may additionally discover that many eating places and accommodations are closed right now.

Getting There & Away

Zakynthos Greece is a comparatively simple island to get to due to its shut proximity to mainland Greece. You’ve a number of choices for attending to Zante and leaving the island when your trip is completed.

By Sea

The ferry from mainland Greece (Kyllini, Peloponnese) has scheduled departures seven occasions per day beginning at 5:30 within the morning and the final sail is at 22:30. The journey takes round 1 hour and quarter-hour and the value varies based mostly on season however it’ll normally value you round €47-56 per particular person every approach. 

By Air

To get to Zakynthos rapidly, you’ll possible need to fly, both from Athens with Olympic or Aegean airways, or typically you could find direct flights from main European cities like London, Amsterdam, Prague, Edinburgh and Rome. These direct worldwide flights normally solely join Zante to the remainder of Europe throughout the summer time months.

Test Ryan Air, Volotea, British Airways, Jet2, Ellinair and different funds airways for direct flights to Zante in June via September.

By Automotive

Lots of people select to lease a automotive in Athens and drive over to the Ionian Islands. If you wish to do that then you definately’ll need to pay the automotive payment on the ferry to carry it to Zakynthos.

Once we had been on Zakynthos Island, we rented a automotive and it’s an effective way to get round, so whether or not you need to lease it in Athens and drive all the best way to Kyllini to catch the ferry, or fly to Zakynthos and lease it there, it’s value having a automotive.

The place to Keep When Touring Zakynthos

There are numerous completely different areas to remain on Zakynthos Island with the preferred seashore locations clustered collectively on the south and jap coasts of the island. Listed here are the most effective locations to remain in Zakynthos.

Zante City

The capital metropolis of Zakynthos is a good little city proper on the ocean. That is the most important metropolis on the island, however in our opinion, it’s not the most effective place to remain. There are many vacationer accommodations and eating places right here, however it’s not on the nicest seashore and it’s extra of a bustling port metropolis than a vacationer attraction.

Learn Extra: A Complete Travel Guide to Zante Town

Laganas

Most individuals who go to Zante will keep in Laganas. That is the principle vacationer heart well-known for events and in style with younger vacationers and European students on quick holidays. There are many nice lodging choices right here together with low-cost flats, good resorts and funky boutique accommodations.

Learn Extra: A Complete Travel Guide to Laganas Beach

Agios Sostis

Simply 2 kilometres west of busy Laganas is the extra laid again Agios Sostis. This can be a walkable distance from Laganas, so it typically will get busy with day trippers, significantly those that come for the picturesque Cameo Island which is linked to the mainland by a beautiful little bridge (you’ve in all probability seen the pictures), in addition to close by Turtle Island.

Tsilivi & Planos

Tsilivi and Planos are one other probably the most in style seashore locations in Zante. The family-friendly, calm, shallow, 2 kilometre lengthy “Blue Flag” seashore of Tsilivi is without doubt one of the most stunning and most secure to swim in. There are numerous lodging choices in each cities and nice eating places alongside the ocean right here as properly.

Learn Extra: A Complete Travel Guide to Tsilivi & Planos

Psarou & Ammoudi

Sandwiched between the extra in style cities of Tsilivi to the south and Alykes to the north, Psarou is the place we stayed after we final visited Zante Island. I’ve to say that it’s positively not one of many major vacationer sizzling spots in Zakynthos, Greece. However, we beloved it there! We stayed in a beautiful little trendy house and paid solely $22 / evening (due to shoulder season reductions).

If you happen to’re going to remain in Psarou, I’d positively advocate having a automotive as a result of it doesn’t have as many eating places and leisure choices as a number of the different, extra touristy cities in Zante.

Learn Extra: A Complete Travel Guide to Psarou

Argassi

Partway down the Vasilikos peninsula earlier than you attain the seashores of Banana Beach and Porto Azzuro you’ll discover Argassi. Set conveniently between a number of the greatest seashores on the island and the buzzing capital, this city has nice resort and house choices, wonderful Greek eating places and first rate public transport hyperlinks due to its proximity to Zante City.

Vasilikos

The city on the peninsula of the identical identify that stretches out of the southeastern a part of the island a number of kilometres south of the capital, Vasilikos is a comparatively untrodden a part of Zante Island. That is the place you’ll discover some spectacular seashores like St. Nicholas, Banana Seashore and Porto Azzuro. There’s first rate lodging choices down right here and a few nice eating places.

Kalamaki

Slightly east of busy Laganas and a little bit west of Zante City, Kalamaki is the goldilocks seashore city of the south on this respect. Because of the nesting turtles, there aren’t any accommodations proper on the sand and there aren’t any watersports, which give the sandy seashore right here a pleasant, enjoyable environment. Kalamaki is a good place for {couples} and households.

Keri

There’s a Keri Village on the west of the island and Keri Seashore city on the southeast, that are a few 10-minute drive aside and each provide nice lodging choices. Keri seashore has a number of good resorts and accommodations close to the sand, whereas Keri Village has dramatic views over the cliffs out in direction of the Ionian Sea in addition to the picturesque lighthouse.

Learn Extra: A Travel Guide to Keri Beach & Keri Town

Alykes

If the odor of sulphur on the seashore doesn’t trouble you an excessive amount of, Alykes is a good looking seashore in a secluded cove full with a free pure spa therapy. Geothermically heated mud pours into the seashore in between a few rocks giving the water a cloudy glow and your pores and skin a pleasant therapy. This can be a conventional Ionian seaside village and is far quieter than a number of the extra developed seashore cities in Zante.

Learn Extra: Travel Guide to Alykes Beach 

Agios Nikolaos

As you cross Alykes and proceed north, you begin to see much less and fewer growth and extra mountains and craggy cliffs, that’s till you attain the tiny port city of Agios Nikolaos (to not be mistaken for the seashore of the identical identify on the south finish of the island). This as soon as scruffy fishing village is rapidly being reinvented as an enthralling little vacationer city. If you happen to plan to go to Kefalonia by ferry, you’ll come right here to catch it, however it wouldn’t be a mistake to linger right here for some time.

Issues to Do When Touring Zakynthos

There are such a lot of things to do in Zakynthos that we even have a publish devoted to it. However for the sake of this Zante journey information, I’ll checklist a number of of our favorite issues to do there.

Shipwreck Cove

After all, you possibly can’t go to Zakynthos with out experiencing the astonishingly stunning Navagio Seashore (Shipwreck Cove). There are two methods to see the seashore, one is from the cliffs above the seashore trying down for that iconic picture, and the opposite is to take a ship to see it (the one solution to really get to the sand).

That is surely probably the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece and is value a go to for positive. If you happen to’re checking it out from the cliffs, make sure you keep inside the blocked off space as many vacationers have fallen to their deaths from these harmful heights.

Study extra about visiting Navagio Seashore (Shipwreck Cove) in our detailed information here. Additionally don’t miss our publish which lists the Top 15 Best Beaches in Zakynthos.

Hire a Boat

This was one among our favourite things that we did in all of Greece and perhaps in all of our travels. Renting a ship in Zante is comparatively inexpensive and straightforward to do. You possibly can both lease by your self, or rent a ship with a captain. 

The price for renting a ship can be round €100 for the day plus gasoline. Effectively value with the ability to discover the hidden coves of Zante island. Click here to find out about a number of the corporations. 

For an opulent guided expertise you possibly can go for a tour. This tour in a private boat not solely takes you to Navagio Seashore but in addition blue-water caves and hidden coves. Click here for more information.

Spot Turtles

The reefs round Zakynthos are wholesome and are house to the peculiar loggerhead sea turtle. These stunning sea creatures might be discovered within the Zakynthos Marine Park the place they typically come ashore to put their eggs within the evenings.

If you wish to higher your probabilities of recognizing a Loggerhead, then I like to recommend becoming a member of a tour into the marine park, and particularly, visiting Turtle Island. Journeys begin at round $30 per particular person and might be booked on the close by ports or on GetYourGuide. Simply make sure you select an organization with good evaluations, and is eco-minded.

Take a look at our publish all about how one can sustainably and responsibly swim with loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos.

See Additionally: 61 Things to Do in Greece

Finest Seashores

The seashores in Zante are so breathtaking that you could be really discover it troublesome to peel your self away from the sand and discover the remainder of the island. Not all seashores listed here are created equal! Listed here are a number of of the most effective seashores on Zakynthos.

Ensure you additionally take a look at our publish that lists the Top 15 Beaches in Zakynthos You Won’t Want to Miss.

Shipwreck Cove (Navagio Seashore)

I do know we’ve already included this on this publish as a factor to do, however it’s simply the most picturesque beaches in Greece and doubtless probably the most gorgeous stretches of sand on the earth. 

The water sparkles with unimaginable azure color and the sand is completely white. You will have to plan two days in your itinerary for Navagio Seashore so as to see it from the cliffs and truly go for a swim within the water in addition to a part of a day journey by boat.

Learn Extra: Guide to Visiting Shipwreck Cove/Navagio Beach

Alykes Seashore

This chilled-out little seashore was positively one among our favourites on the island of Zakynthos. The stretch of powdery golden sand was additionally house to our favorite seashore bar in Zakynthos, Porto Paradiso. The view from the restaurant out to the peerlessly blue water of the Ionian Sea is breathtaking (and the meals and cocktails are wonderful as properly).

Learn Extra: Alykes Beach Travel Guide

Xigia Seashore

One other extremely scenic seashore on Zakynthos Island, this quiet and secluded cove is sheltered on three sides by huge cliffs. The water is gorgeous and there’s even a sulphur sizzling spring right here (which explains the unusual odor). 

Don’t miss our full Guide to Visiting Xigia Beach.

Gerakas Seashore

Pronounced (Yer-ak-as), this lengthy, stunning stretch of sand within the far southeastern finish of the island is the right place to chill out for the afternoon. The sand here’s a reddish color and so are the encompassing cliffs, however the water is crystal clear and it’s comparatively quiet right here.

Learn Extra: A Guide to Visiting Gerakas Beach

Finest Eating places

Greece is without doubt one of the greatest nations on the earth for delicacies, so it’s no shock that just about each island on this archipelagic nation has some wonderful eating places, and Zante is not any completely different. Listed here are a number of of our favourites.

Porto Paradiso (Alykes Seashore)

📍Katastari 290 90, Zakynthos, Greece

This little place is about proper on the sand and simply has a cool vibe to it. Alykes Beach is one among our favorite seashores anyway, however having this stunning little seashore bar there actually saved us coming again.

The service is great and the appetizers are significantly scrumptious. Don’t miss the dolmades and the fish fillet. Additionally, for those who order meals right here, you get use of the seashore lounge chairs at no cost.

Lofos Restaurant

📍Unnamed Roadd, Meso Gerakari 291 00, Zakynthos Greece

The meals right here is completely scrumptious, however what makes this restaurant one among our favourites is the spectacular view of Zakynthos’ rugged inside. A lot of the tables line the railing on the deck so you’ve got a full panoramic view of the island.

Beers are round €2.50 and appetizers are simply €4 every so it is a place that’s good for any funds. Often, at a spot with a location like this, you’d need to pay further for meals, however Lofos retains their costs very reasonable. Plus, the house owners are very pleasant.

Take a look at our full review of Lofos and don’t miss this restaurant. 

Limnionas Tavern

This little restaurant is about on the cliffs over Limnionas Bay and is properly value a go to, if not only for the spectacular view. The sunbeds aren’t free right here (€4 even for those who purchase meals), however the restaurant is surprisingly moderately priced given its location.

The meals isn’t improbable right here, however its the one place to eat round Limnionas so give it a attempt for those who’re right here round mealtime.

Learn Extra: A Guide to Visiting Porto Limnionas

Zorbas

📍Main Street of, Planos 291 00, Zakynthos Greece

Situated in Tsilivi, this Greek restaurant serves up tasty, homely meals reminiscent of hen souvlaki with roasted potatoes, pita bread and salad, or piping sizzling stew. Wash all of it down with a carafe of the home wine and also you’re all set. 

The Nightlife in Zakynthos Greece

If you wish to take pleasure in the most effective of the nightlife in Zakynthos then you definately’re going to need to keep in Laganas. That is the place a lot of the late-night bars and golf equipment are positioned. Don’t anticipate as loopy events as these present in Rhodes or Crete, however the nightlife in Laganas isn’t unhealthy.

Take a look at bars like Rescue Club, Zeros Club and Pure Zante for some late evening events and likewise test for ads round city that checklist upcoming occasions.

Our Expertise Touring in Zakynthos Greece

Once we visited Zakynthos we had been really actually stunned by how a lot we beloved it. Earlier than we began planning the journey we hadn’t even heard of this tiny island within the Ionian Sea, however after leaving it, it’s now one among our favourites in all of Greece.

The one subject we had with Zante was the rubbish drawback. It might be getting higher now, however after we had been there the island had piles of rubbish on each nook and after we requested locals what was happening, they advised us that it’s a comparatively new drawback however the authorities was engaged on fixing it.

However the rubbish didn’t deter us from exploring the island and actually falling in love with it. We felt protected, welcomed and safe and getting round by automotive was simple.

We will certainly be returning to Zakynthos sooner or later quickly. Learn extra about our final expertise touring Zakynthos Greece here.

FAQs About Touring Zakynthos

Nonetheless have some questions after studying this Zakynthos journey information? Learn on for solutions to some incessantly requested questions on touring Zakynthos.

Now You Know About Touring Zakynthos

Thanks rather a lot for studying this Zante journey information. Zakynthos is a surprising island to go to with improbable seashores, a dramatic shoreline and loads of issues to do.

You will get low-cost flats on Booking.com and Airbnb, significantly within the shoulder and low season and getting round is straightforward when you’ve got a rental automotive (extremely advisable).

Attending to and from the island is straightforward as properly due to first rate worldwide direct flight connections and loads of public transport choices from Athens and different locations on the mainland.

Briefly, Zakynthos is without doubt one of the greatest islands in Greece and we will’t wait to return and discover it some extra.

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