Zakynthos Greece (also called Zante Island) is a small, beautiful island that bobs within the Ionian Sea of western Greece.
With superb lodging choices, improbable eating places, welcoming locals, and a few of the greatest seashores in Greece, it’s no shock why this island is without doubt one of the fastest-growing vacationer locations within the nation.
After travelling round Greece for almost 3 months in complete, we nonetheless think about Zakynthos considered one of our favorite islands to go to. We spent 10 days there, exploring by renting a automobile and a ship, and obtained to see lots of the island’s highlights.
A Full Zakynthos Journey Information
Though the south of the island is dominated by principally mundane resort seashore cities providing the standard inclusive vacation packages, the north and middle of Zakynthos remains 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. In the event you’re in search of a seashore vacation, that is considered one of 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 all the things it’s essential find out about travelling to this fascinating Greek island.
About Zakynthos Greece
Zakynthos Greece is also called “Zante” and “the Flower of the Levant”. Positioned within the Ionian sea about 250 kilometres west of the capital of Athens, it’s maybe most well-known for Navagio Seashore, a wide ranging cove surrounded by dramatic 200-meter excessive cliffs.
Immediately there are round 40,000 individuals residing on the island, however throughout the excessive vacationer season, as many as 2.9 million vacationers descend on Zante and the opposite Ionian islands.
The capital is Zante city, a captivating seaside metropolis with many eating places, bars and historic websites. After we visited, Zante was a quiet place to be, however I’m certain that within the excessive season this port metropolis could be bustling.
See Additionally: The Final Information to Greek Journey
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 couple of small islets round Zakynthos together with Marathonisi and Kalonisi to the south.
How Massive 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 beautiful shoreline, however not all of it’s beautiful white sand like that discovered on Shipwreck Seashore (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 may 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 Might) or fall (September to November) when it’s not too scorching 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.
In the event you don’t thoughts being round crowds, then summer time (June to August) can be a good time to go to. In the event you get too scorching, you possibly can at all times head to one of many many seashores to chill down.
We final visited Zakynthos within the spring and it was lovely. The times had been scorching, however the evenings tended to chill down sufficient that we had been snug whereas sleeping and the ocean was nonetheless heat sufficient for a (chilly) swim.
Easter, Christmas and July & August are absolutely the peak customer instances for Zakynthos and through these instances the costs can skyrocket.
Winter (November to March) is an okay time to go to as nicely, however don’t count on to go swimming as the ocean temperature can dip to 12°C (54°F) in January and February. You might also discover that many eating places and inns 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 couple 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 instances 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 primarily based on season but it surely’ll normally value you round €47-56 per particular person every method.
By Air
To get to Zakynthos shortly, you’ll doubtless wish 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.
Examine Ryan Air, Volotea, British Airways, Jet2, Ellinair and different price range airways for direct flights to Zante in June by September.
By Automotive
Lots of people select to hire a automobile in Athens and drive over to the Ionian Islands. If you wish to do that you then’ll should pay the automobile payment on the ferry to deliver it to Zakynthos.
After we had been on Zakynthos Island, we rented a automobile and it’s an effective way to get round, so whether or not you wish to hire it in Athens and drive all the way in which to Kyllini to catch the ferry, or fly to Zakynthos and hire it there, it’s price having a automobile.
The place to Keep When Touring Zakynthos
There are a lot of completely different areas to remain on Zakynthos Island with the preferred seashore locations clustered collectively on the south and japanese coasts of the island. Listed below are the very best locations to remain in Zakynthos.
Zakynthos at a Look:
- The South: Busy resort cities like Laganas and the favored Turtle Island make this essentially the most visited a part of the island. Whereas different locations have higher seashores, that is the place you’ll discover essentially the most eating places, inns, bars and nightlife.
- The North: Largely abandoned mountains, olive groves, pine forests and dramatic cliffs alongside the coast, you received’t discover as a lot happening up north other than essentially the most well-known sight on the island, Navagio Seashore. Whereas there are a couple of luxurious resorts and villas up right here, most don’t keep lengthy within the north.
- The East: Except for the small however bustling port of Zante City, the east is a sequence of developed seashore cities that stretch on both aspect of the capital.
- The West: Empty and mountainous, most individuals solely come to the west on a visit across the island with a cease on the well-known sundown spot of the Cliffs of Keri.
Zante City
The capital metropolis of Zakynthos is a good little city proper on the ocean. That is the biggest metropolis on the island, however in our opinion, it’s not the very best place to remain. There are many vacationer inns and eating places right here, but it surely’s not on the nicest seashore and it’s extra of a bustling port metropolis than a vacationer attraction.
Learn Extra: A Full Journey Information to Zante City
Laganas
Most individuals who go to Zante will keep in Laganas. That is the principle vacationer middle well-known for events and fashionable with younger vacationers and European college students on brief holidays. There are many nice lodging choices right here together with low-cost residences, good resorts and funky boutique inns.
Learn Extra: A Full Journey Information to Laganas Seashore
Agios Sostis
Simply 2 kilometres west of busy Laganas is the extra laid again Agios Sostis. It is a walkable distance from Laganas, so it usually will get busy with day trippers, notably those that come for the picturesque Cameo Island which is linked to the mainland by a stunning little bridge (you’ve most likely seen the photographs), in addition to close by Turtle Island.
Tsilivi & Planos
Tsilivi and Planos are one other one of the vital fashionable seashore locations in Zante. The family-friendly, calm, shallow, 2 kilometre lengthy “Blue Flag” seashore of Tsilivi is without doubt one of the most lovely and most secure to swim in. There are a lot of lodging choices in each cities and nice eating places alongside the ocean right here as nicely.
Learn Extra: A Full Journey Information to Tsilivi & Planos
Psarou & Ammoudi
Sandwiched between the extra fashionable cities of Tsilivi to the south and Alykes to the north, Psarou is the place we stayed once we final visited Zante Island. I’ve to say that it’s positively not one of many major vacationer scorching spots in Zakynthos, Greece. However, we cherished it there! We stayed in a stunning little trendy house and paid solely $22 / evening (due to shoulder season reductions).
In the event you’re going to remain in Psarou, I’d positively advocate having a automobile as a result of it doesn’t have as many eating places and leisure choices as a few of the different, extra touristy cities in Zante.
Learn Extra: A Full Journey Information to Psarou
Argassi
Partway down the Vasilikos peninsula earlier than you attain the seashores of Banana Seashore and Porto Azzuro you’ll discover Argassi. Set conveniently between a few of the greatest seashores on the island and the buzzing capital, this city has nice lodge and house choices, superb Greek eating places and respectable 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 couple 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 respectable lodging choices down right here and a few nice eating places.
Kalamaki
Somewhat east of busy Laganas and a bit west of Zante City, Kalamaki is the goldilocks seashore city of the south on this respect. Due to the nesting turtles, there aren’t any inns 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 couple of good resorts and inns 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 Journey Information to Keri Seashore & Keri City
Alykes
If the scent of sulphur on the seashore doesn’t hassle you an excessive amount of, Alykes is an attractive 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. It is a conventional Ionian seaside village and is far quieter than a few of the extra developed seashore cities in Zante.
Learn Extra: Journey Information to Alykes Seashore
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 shortly being reinvented as a captivating little vacationer city. In the event you plan to go to Kefalonia by ferry, you’ll come right here to catch it, but it surely wouldn’t be a mistake to linger right here for some time.
Issues to Do When Touring Zakynthos
There are such a lot of issues to do in Zakynthos that we even have a submit devoted to it. However for the sake of this Zante journey information, I’ll listing a couple of of our favorite issues to do there.
Shipwreck Cove
After all, you possibly can’t go to Zakynthos with out experiencing the astonishingly lovely 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 option to really get to the sand).
That is indisputably one of the vital lovely seashores in all of Greece and is price a go to for certain. In the event you’re checking it out from the cliffs, remember to keep throughout 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 right here. Additionally don’t miss our submit which lists the High 15 Finest Seashores in Zakynthos.
Lease a Boat
This was considered one of our favorite issues that we did in all of Greece and possibly in all of our travels. Renting a ship in Zante is comparatively inexpensive and simple to do. You may both hire by your self, or rent a ship with a captain.
The price for renting a ship will likely be round €100 for the day plus fuel. Effectively price with the ability to discover the hidden coves of Zante island. Click on right here to find out about a few of the corporations.
For an opulent guided expertise you possibly can go for a tour. This tour in a non-public boat not solely takes you to Navagio Seashore but in addition blue-water caves and hidden coves. Click on right here for more information.
Spot Turtles
The reefs round Zakynthos are wholesome and are residence to the peculiar loggerhead sea turtle. These lovely sea creatures might be discovered within the Zakynthos Marine Park the place they usually 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 remember to select an organization with good critiques, and is eco-minded.
Try our submit all about how one can sustainably and responsibly swim with loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos.
See Additionally: 61 Issues to Do in Greece
Finest Seashores
The seashores in Zante are so breathtaking that you could be really discover it tough to peel your self away from the sand and discover the remainder of the island. Not all seashores listed below are created equal! Listed below are a couple of of the very best seashores on Zakynthos.
Be sure you additionally try our submit that lists the High 15 Seashores in Zakynthos You Received’t Wish to Miss.
Shipwreck Cove (Navagio Seashore)
I do know we’ve already included this on this submit as a factor to do, however it’s simply essentially the most picturesque seashores in Greece and possibly one of the vital beautiful 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 as a way 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: Information to Visiting Shipwreck Cove/Navagio Seashore
Alykes Seashore
This chilled-out little seashore was positively considered one of our favourites on the island of Zakynthos. The stretch of powdery golden sand was additionally residence 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 glorious as nicely).
Learn Extra: Alykes Seashore Journey Information
Xigia Seashore
One other extremely scenic seashore on Zakynthos Island, this quiet and secluded cove is sheltered on three sides by monumental cliffs. The water is beautiful and there’s even a sulphur scorching spring right here (which explains the unusual scent).
Don’t miss our full Information to Visiting Xigia Seashore.
Gerakas Seashore
Pronounced (Yer-ak-as), this lengthy, lovely stretch of sand within the far southeastern finish of the island is the proper place to loosen up for the afternoon. The sand here’s a reddish color and so are the encircling cliffs, however the water is crystal clear and it’s comparatively quiet right here.
Learn Extra: A Information to Visiting Gerakas Seashore
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 superb eating places, and Zante is not any completely different. Listed below are a couple 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 Seashore is considered one of our favorite seashores anyway, however having this lovely little seashore bar there actually saved us coming again.
The service is superb and the appetizers are notably scrumptious. Don’t miss the dolmades and the fish fillet. Additionally, should you order meals right here, you get use of the seashore lounge chairs totally free.
Lofos Restaurant
📍Unnamed Roadd, Meso Gerakari 291 00, Zakynthos Greece
The meals right here is totally scrumptious, however what makes this restaurant considered one of our favourites is the spectacular view of Zakynthos’ rugged inside. A lot of the tables line the railing on the deck so you’ve a full panoramic view of the island.
Beers are round €2.50 and appetizers are simply €4 every so this can be a place that’s good for any price range. Normally, at a spot with a location like this, you’d should pay further for meals, however Lofos retains their costs very reasonable. Plus, the house owners are very pleasant.
Try our full evaluate of Lofos and don’t miss this restaurant.
Limnionas Tavern
This little restaurant is about on the cliffs over Limnionas Bay and is nicely price a go to, if not only for the spectacular view. The sunbeds aren’t free right here (€4 even should you purchase meals), however the restaurant is surprisingly fairly priced given its location.
The meals isn’t improbable right here, however its the one place to eat round Limnionas so give it a strive should you’re right here round mealtime.
Learn Extra: A Information to Visiting Porto Limnionas
Zorbas
📍Primary Avenue of, Planos 291 00, Zakynthos Greece
Positioned in Tsilivi, this Greek restaurant serves up tasty, homely meals similar to rooster souvlaki with roasted potatoes, pita bread and salad, or piping scorching 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 very best of the nightlife in Zakynthos you then’re going to wish to keep in Laganas. That is the place a lot of the late-night bars and golf equipment are positioned. Don’t count on as loopy events as these present in Rhodes or Crete, however the nightlife in Laganas isn’t dangerous.
Try bars like Rescue Membership, Zeros Membership and Pure Zante for some late evening events and likewise examine for commercials round city that listing upcoming occasions.
Our Expertise Touring in Zakynthos Greece
After we visited Zakynthos we had been really actually shocked by how a lot we cherished 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 considered one of our favourites in all of Greece.
The one problem we had with Zante was the rubbish downside. It might be getting higher now, however once we had been there the island had piles of rubbish on each nook and once we requested locals what was happening, they instructed us that it’s a comparatively new downside 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 secure, welcomed and safe and getting round by automobile was simple.
We will certainly be returning to Zakynthos at some point quickly. Learn extra about our final expertise touring Zakynthos Greece right here.
FAQs About Touring Zakynthos
Nonetheless have some questions after studying this Zakynthos journey information? Learn on for solutions to some often requested questions on touring Zakynthos.
Zakynthos is thought for its lovely nature, similar to pristine seashores, blue water, sea turtles and seals. It’s additionally well-known for the extremely picturesque Shipwreck Cove (Navagio Seashore).
Completely! It’s considered one of our favorite islands in Greece. We particularly preferred the north and central elements of Zakynthos, away from the extra touristy south.
Not in our opinion. Though the island will get a large quantity of vacationers throughout excessive season, and tourism is nicely developed within the south of the island, there are many locations within the north and middle to get away from all of it.
We spent 10 days there and will have simply stayed longer. That stated, you possibly can see all of the highlights in 2-3 days.
Many individuals are drawn by the beautiful views of Zante’s shoreline, with its steep cliffs, white-sand seashores and deep blue water. The inside of the island has rather a lot to like too, with fairly villages and beautiful pure areas.
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 residences on Reserving.com and Airbnb, notably within the shoulder and low season and getting round is simple when you’ve a rental automobile (extremely beneficial).
Attending to and from the island is simple as nicely due to respectable 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.
Like This Article? Pin It!
