Top 5 things to do in Zakynthos, Greece
Zakynthos, or Zante, is a haven for white sandy beaches, electric blue water, giant sea turtles, and beautiful sea caves. Located on the western coast of Greece, Zante is surrounded by the stunning Ionian Sea and characterized by breathtaking white cliffs and some of the best beaches in all of Greece. Though the cyclades typically get most of the attention, we found Zakynthos quickly became one of our favorite places in all of Greece. We spent 3 days traveling around and exploring this island. There really is so much to do and we can’t wait to share with you our top picks of how best to spend your time in Zakynthos!
Before we dive into the details, we wanted to share a few quick overview items of the island for planning your stay:
AT A GLANCE
Currency: EURO, most places take credit card
Language: Greek, most people speak at least some English
Typical weather: Mild arid climate, warm sunny summers and cool winters
Nearby Airport: Zakynthos International Airport, (ZTH)
Best way to get there: Daily Flights in from Athens or ferry from other Greek island
Ideal stay: 3-7 days
GETTING AROUND ZAKYNTHOS:
Car: We decided to rent our own car to have the most freedom to drive around and explore and were happy we did. Especially as the nights can get a little chilly it was nice to not have to ride a scooter back in the dark if we went out for sunset and dinner in another part of the island. To be honest, this island is quite large and the only way to really see it in its entirety is to rent a car. The hills can be steep and distances between destinations can be far, so we highly recommending a car for your stay. We used a local company www.eurohire.net for our rental and it was affordable and they dropped the car off at our hotel even!
Scooter: Though this may be a good option on other Greek islands, Zante is just too big and quite steep to really take in with only a scooter.
Bus: Always an option, but we would not recommend this if your time is limited! Buses can also be tricky when going to more remote parts of the island where there aren’t direct routes.
WHERE TO STAY IN ZAKYNTHOS:
Olea All Suite Hotel - this stunning 5 star hotel is surrounded by olive trees on a picturesque hill and is only 10 minutes drive from Zakynthos town and airport. The overall vibe is chic and very relaxing. Probably our top recommendation for a romantic getaway to Zante.
Galaxy Hotel - part of the BW Premier collection, Galaxy Hotel is located right in Laganas, but still a little bit removed from nightlife area. The beach front is quiet and beautiful and their onsite restaurant has incredible food.
WHAT TO DO IN ZAKYNTHOS:
NAVAGIO (SHIPWRECK BEACH)
Also called the Smugglers’ Cove, this beach is located on the north-western part of the island. There is an enormous shipwreck next to some of the island’s most electric blue water. You can only access the cove by boat and timing your visit here is crucial. If you go early in the morning, the beach is still in shade from the cliffs, so can be a bit chilly, but there will be less people. Peak hours start in the late morning between 11 am - 3pm when the beach is in full sun. It can get kind of crazy during the summer months with all the larger tour outfits bringing their groups. But the crowds tend to taper in the late afternoon, which from that point on, the beach is quite enjoyable. Especially around sunset, there is virtually no one on the beach (though you will have to arrange for a private boat since most of the group tours don’t offer this time). We went with a boat company that had multiple boats operating throughout the day, so we didn’t necessarily need to return on the same exact boat we arrived with. This was nice, because then we were able to spend as long as we wanted on the beach.
Something you cannot miss, is taking a walk along the cliff’s edge overlooking the beach for a truly incredible view. The viewpoint is about 30 minute drive from the boat docks, but definitely worth your while. Be sure to proceed cautiously, and mind your step as you hike, as the rocks crumble easily and a fall could be fatal. When we went, the cliff area was closed off until 6pm, so check in with the locals or at your hotel when you arrive, to see if timing has changed.
2. BLUE CAVES
This is usually combined with a visit to Navagio, as they are very close to each other, and the boat companies all pass by. They really are a sight to be seen, but the waters can be quite rough, so swimming is not a guarantee. Best time to visit is in the morning when the sun rays create dramatic shadows and reflections along the walls and water is typically more calm. If you want to have more than 10-15 minutes in the caves, would also recommend chartering your own boat to assure you have more time for cave diving and swimming.
3. RENT A BOAT IN KERI
This was the happy surprise of our trip! We have never rented a boat for ourselves outside of the US, but we concluded that if there is anywhere to do it, Zakynthos is the place. We took a boat out for 2 hours to explore the dramatic white coastline along the southwestern portion of the island. You’ll find more sea caves and arches on this side of the island and a high chance of seeing a few sea turtles as well! The area is the most prominent nesting area for Caretta Caretta Loggerhead turtles in all of the Mediterranean, so you are bound to see a few cruising by!
4. CHAPEL OF AGIOS NIKOLAOS
We have seen many photos of this gorgeous church, so we wanted to visit ourselves. Dramatic lighting here would be in the morning, as the sun peaks over the bell tower, but we visited in the afternoon which still equally gorgeous!
5. DRIVE THROUGH KAMPI WITH DINNER AT MICHALIS TAVERN
The western coastal region is full of rolling mountains and dramatic cliff views of the Ionian Sea. There are so many cute little authentic Greek towns peppered along the coastline with charming bougainvillea overflowing the narrow streets and alleyways. Michalis Tavern is one of the original restaurants in the area and has arguably the best sunset view for dinner on the entire island
If you’re craving an idyllic European Summer, Zakynthos is definitely somewhere to add to your list. It has all the charm of a Greek island, with paradise beaches, stunning cliffside views and a less touristic vibe. Although we spent only 3 days here, we could easily have spent a week. Since the island is pretty large compared to other greek islands, do yourself a favor and allocate a good chunk of time to really soak in everything Zakynthos has to offer.
Let us know if you’ve visited Zakynthos or have any questions in the comments below!