Zakynthos (Zante) Island Guide | Beaches, Villages & Things to Do

Popular Destinations in Zante

Beyond the famous Navagio Beach and Blue Caves, Zakynthos has plenty of areas worth discovering.

• Laganas Bay, part of the National Marine Park, is the main sea turtle nesting ground and offers sandy beaches and water sports.
• If you are looking for a quieter alternative, head to Porto Vromi, with its small pebble beach and boat access to hidden caves.
• Marathonisi Island, also known as Turtle Island due to its shape, can be reached by boat. It has amazing swimming spots where you dive off the boat.
• Inland, the traditional mountain villages of Keri, Volimes, and Macherado have kept their authentic Zakynthian architecture and way of life.
• Zakynthos Town itself is worth exploring for its Venetian-influenced architecture, museums, and lively waterfront dining scene.

The Beaches That Made Zakynthos Famous

Zakynthos’s coastline is nothing short of spectacular. The island’s beaches range from organized resort areas with full facilities to remote coves accessible only by boat. You can even pick a different beach every day, and you still won’t see them all!

Navagio Beach, often called Shipwreck Beach, is Zakynthos’s most famous landmark. Accessible only by water, this stunning cove features brilliant white sand, impossibly clear turquoise water, and dramatic limestone cliffs that tower overhead. The rusting shipwreck that gives the beach its name adds an unexpected element to the already breathtaking scenery.

The west coast is a totally different side of Zakynthos. Here, steep cliffs drop into deep blue water, creating dramatic swimming spots and hidden caves. Porto Limnionas and Porto Roxa offer crystal-clear water for snorkeling and diving. Many coves are only accessible by boat, which makes the whole experience even more special. If you prefer to stay on land, the surrounding cliffs provide stunning viewpoints.

The island’s east coast beaches are more developed and particularly family-friendly. Tsilivi, for example, has a long stretch of golden sand with shallow waters perfect for children. It’s backed by a lively resort town with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Alykanas and Alykes have similar amenities in a slightly quieter setting. Their beaches feature water sports, sunbeds, and beach bars.

If you are looking for something more pristine yet accessible, the southern beaches within the National Marine Park offer a distinct experience. Gerakas, Daphni, and Sekania are protected nesting sites for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). These beaches have limited facilities to help protect the wildlife, but the trade-off is unspoiled beauty and the chance to witness conservation in action. Visit in the evening, and you may see turtles coming ashore to nest – an unforgettable experience.

Explore the 15 best beaches in Zakynthos, Zante, Greece!

Photo from Porto Limnionas

Natural Wonders Beyond the Beaches

Zakynthos’s natural attractions extend well beyond its shoreline. The Blue Caves, on the northern tip of the island, are a series of geological formations carved by the sea over millennia. The caves are best experienced by boat, ideally in the morning when sunlight penetrates the water and creates the vivid blue illumination that gives them their name. The water here is so clear and the light so intense that everything, including boats, rocks, and even your skin, takes on a sparkling blue glow.

The island’s interior reveals a different landscape entirely. Rolling hills covered in olive groves, cypress trees, and vineyards create a patchwork of greens that contrast beautifully with the surrounding blue sea. The mountainous central region offers panoramic views and cooler temperatures, a welcome respite during hot summer days.

Keri Caves, in the island’s southwest, is the perfect place to explore by boat. The rock formations here create natural arches and hidden swimming spots that most visitors never see. Local boat operators know the area intimately and can guide you to the best locations.

Towns and Villages: Where Culture Lives

Zakynthos Town, the island’s capital, combines Venetian architecture with modern Greek life.

The town was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1953. However, many buildings have since been reconstructed in their original style, preserving their elegant arches, bell towers, and neoclassical facades typical of the pre-earthquake city.

Solomos Square, named after Greece’s national poet Dionysios Solomos (who was born on Zakynthos), is the town’s social hub. The nearby church of Agios Dionysios, the island’s patron saint, features impressive frescoes and a museum housing religious artifacts.

The town’s harbor area, Strada Marina, buzzes with activity. Waterfront cafés and restaurants offer front-row seats to the comings and goings of fishing boats, ferries, and private yachts. The market area behind the main square offers a glimpse of local life, with vendors selling fresh produce, local honey, olive oil, and traditional products.

Mountain villages have a completely different feel. Keri village, perched high on the island’s southern cliffs, offers sweeping views over the sea and has a traditional way of life that larger resort areas have lost. The village’s lighthouse, a short drive away, offers one of the island’s most spectacular sunset viewpoints and great photo opportunities.

Volimes, in the mountainous north, is known for its textile traditions and handicrafts. Here you’ll find locals still practicing traditional weaving techniques. They create embroidered linens and textiles for which Zakynthos has been known since the Venetian era. You will also find traditional products like honey and olive oil. And the village is a gateway to the Blue Caves and Navagio Beach.

Bohali, just above Zakynthos Town, has spectacular views over the capital and the bay. The ruined Venetian castle here offers a glimpse into the island’s strategic importance during centuries of foreign rule, while the village itself has a quiet, traditional character with excellent tavernas serving home-cooked local specialties.

Photo from Zante Town

Zante Town: Culture, Charm & History

Zante Town, the heart of Zakynthos, is a graceful blend of island soul and centuries-old elegance. It is the island’s cultural compass, humming with life, history, and the gentle rhythm of the sea, beneath soft terracotta rooftops and sunlit balconies draped in bougainvillea.

Begin wandering along the Strada Marina, the town’s charming waterfront promenade. Yachts rock lazily in the harbor, cafés spill onto the pavement with the scent of coffee and citrus, and the Ionian breeze carries the melodies of conversation and distant church bells. As you turn inland, the streets grow narrower, more colorful — a mosaic of pastel façades, wrought-iron balconies, and echoes of Venetian grace that survived both time and tremor.

Named after the national poet of Greece, Dionysios Solomos, born here, Solomos Square embraces light and culture. The neoclassical lines of the Byzantine Museum rise with quiet dignity, housing icons, frescoes, and sacred art rescued from churches lost in the great earthquake of 1953. It is a place where silence feels reverent — a bridge to the island’s spiritual and artistic heritage.

However, the town’s jewel is the Church of Agios Dionysios. Its tall bell tower presides over the harbor like a watchful guardian, while inside, gold accents and candlelight lead you toward the silver reliquary of Zakynthos’ beloved patron saint. This sacred space is a site of deep devotion and a masterpiece of post-Byzantine architecture, where faith and beauty reside in harmony.

Zante Town feels like a gentle conversation between centuries, told through archways, piazzas, and the warm hospitality of its people. Walk its streets and step into the path of poets, pilgrims, traders, and dreamers, drawn to the island’s enduring charm.

Activities, Adventures, and Explorations

Zakynthos is big enough to offer activities and adventures to active travelers.

Boat trips

Boat trips are among the most popular activities, with tours ranging from large group excursions to private charters. Full-day tours usually include Navagio Beach, the Blue Caves, and stops at various swimming spots along the coast. Smaller boat rentals give you the freedom to explore at your own pace, and discover hidden coves and swimming holes that aren’t part of standard tours.

Diving and snorkeling

With such astonishing seas and cliffs, diving and snorkeling are exceptional. The clear waters, marine life, and underwater rock formations attract many divers seeking to explore the underwater environment. You will find several dive centers that offer courses for beginners, as well as guided dives for certified divers. Popular dive sites include the Keri Caves and many spots along the west coast where visibility often exceeds 30 meters.

Hiking and cycling

If hiking and cycling are your thing, the island’s terrain offers plenty of opportunities, particularly in spring and autumn when temperatures are milder. Trails wind through olive groves and connect mountain villages. You also get to discover the island from high above and from remote viewpoints. While marked hiking routes are limited, local guides can take you to areas you wouldn’t find on your own.

Water sports

Water sports are available at most organized beaches. Jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, and banana boat rides are standard at resort beaches like Tsilivi and Laganas. For something more adventurous, sea kayaking tours along the coastline give visitors a completely different perspective on the island’s stunning cliffs and hidden caves.

Horse riding

Horse riding through olive groves and along quiet trails is a peaceful way to explore the countryside. Several stables offer rides for all experience levels, from short excursions to half-day adventures.

Religious Tourism

Zakynthos holds special significance for Orthodox Christian pilgrims. The Church of Agios Dionysios in Zakynthos Town houses the relics of Saint Dionysios, the island’s beloved patron saint, in an ornate silver reliquary. The church’s impressive bell tower and richly decorated interior attract both worshippers and visitors throughout the year, with particularly large celebrations on August 24th and December 17th for the saint’s feast days.

It’s hardly the only place worth visiting, though. The Monastery of Agios Georgios ton Krimnon (St. George of the Cliffs) in Keri is tranquil and peaceful, with breathtaking coastal views. And Panagia Skopiotissa Monastery in Bochali is another peaceful retreat with panoramic vistas.

Throughout the island, small chapels dot the hillsides and coastline, many dating back centuries and still actively maintained by local communities. If you like hiking, you will certainly discover them!

Check the best things to do in Zakynthos (Zante)

Food and Wine: Tasting Zakynthos

Zakynthian cuisine reflects the island’s history and geography. Centuries of Venetian rule left their mark on local dishes, while the fertile land and surrounding sea provide exceptional and fresh ingredients.

Local specialties

Local specialties include “skordostoumbi,” a rich meat and garlic stew traditionally served at festivals, and “fritoura,” tiny fish caught in local waters and fried whole that’s a taverna staple. Zakynthos also produces excellent cheeses, particularly “ladotyri,” a hard cheese preserved in olive oil that develops deep flavors as it ages.

Olive oil and honey

The island’s olive oil, produced from groves some of which are centuries old, is considered among Greece’s finest. Many farms offer tastings and tours that explain the production process from harvest to pressing. Likewise, local honey, particularly thyme honey from bees that buzz around the island’s wild herbs, has a distinctive flavor that reflects Zakynthos’s unique nature.

Wine

Wine production on Zakynthos dates back millennia. While not as famous as some other Greek wine regions, the island produces interesting varieties, particularly from indigenous grapes like “Goustolidi” and “Avgoustiatis.” Several wineries welcome visitors for tastings and tours and give insights into both traditional and modern winemaking techniques.

Dining and eating out

Dining options range from traditional tavernas serving home-cooked dishes to fine dining at contemporary restaurants.  

Many of the best meals come from the simplest places, like family-run tavernas where the menu changes daily based on what’s fresh and what grandma decided to cook. In some places, you may not even choose your dishes; instead, the owner brings out a series of mezze, grilled fish or meat, salads, and local wines, charging a reasonable fixed price for the meal.

Photo from our restaurant, Target Taverna

When to Visit

Zakynthos is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate.

Summer (June through September) brings hot, dry weather with temperatures often reaching 30°C or higher. This is peak season when the island is at its liveliest, beaches are fully operational, and all activities are available. Popular sites can be crowded, especially in July and August.

Spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) offer excellent conditions for many travelers. Temperatures are warm but not oppressive, perfect for hiking and exploring. The sea remains warm enough for swimming through October. Wildflowers carpet the countryside in spring, while autumn brings the grape harvest and a more relaxed pace. If you stay through November, you can even experience the olive harvest for olive oil. Many hotels and restaurants remain open, but crowds thin out considerably after mid-September.

Winter turns the island into something quite different. While many tourist facilities close, Zakynthos returns to local life. The weather can be rainy and cool, but mild days are common. This is the time to enjoy authentic island culture, though swimming and many outdoor activities are not as easy.

Where Does the Name Zante Come from?

The name “Zante” dates to the Venetian period, when the Republic of Venice controlled the island (from the late 12th century until 1797). The Venetians adapted the Greek name “Zakynthos” into Italian, creating “Zante.”

The original Greek name “Zakynthos” is actually much older and dates back to ancient times. According to Greek mythology, the island was named after Zakynthos, son of the Arcadian chief Dardanus, one of the island’s earliest settlers.

While the island has always been “Zakynthos” in Greek, “Zante” became the common name in Italian and eventually spread to other European languages during the centuries of Venetian rule. Today, Greeks use “Zakynthos” exclusively, but both names are used interchangeably outside Greece.

Getting Around and Practical Information

Zakynthos International Airport has direct flights from many European cities during the summer months, with more limited service in winter. The island is also accessible by ferry from the Greek mainland port of Kyllini, a journey of about an hour.

The best idea is to rent a car to explore the island, as it gives you freedom to discover mountain villages, remote beaches, and viewpoints at your own pace. The road network is generally good, though some mountain roads can be narrow and winding. Scooters and ATVs are popular for shorter distances, particularly among younger visitors, though caution is advised as accident rates can be high.

Taxis are available but can be expensive for longer journeys. Many hotels arrange transfers, and some offer shuttle services to popular beaches. Organized tours provide transportation to major sites but limit your flexibility and time at each location.

The island is relatively compact – about 40 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide – which means it’s easy to cover significant ground in a day. Bear in mind that the winding mountain roads mean that distances that look short on a map can take longer than expected to drive.

Travel Tips for Zante

• Book your accommodation well in advance if visiting in July or August, as summer is the high season and hotels fill up quickly.
• Rent a car to explore at your own pace. There are taxis and tours, but a car gives you the freedom to discover quieter villages and beaches.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine areas where the sea turtles nest.
• Visit popular sites like Navagio Beach early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid midday crowds and intense heat.
• If you’re visiting turtle nesting beaches, respect the marked areas and don’t use flash photography near the water at night.
• Learn a few basic Greek phrases. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort, even if they speak English.
• Experience a stress-free journey in Zakynthos with the Easy Zante Transfers! Our skilled drivers will offer you a comfortable transfer all over Zakynthos island!

Zakynthos is Your Holiday Destination

Zakynthos has something for every visitor.

You can spend your mornings at organized beaches with all facilities, your afternoons exploring remote coves, and your evenings in traditional mountain villages or lively resort towns like Laganas. You can look for adventure or relaxation, tourist amenities or authentic culture, popular attractions or off-the-beaten-path discoveries: Zante has it all!

The island is generous, and its people warm and welcoming. You don’t have to choose between natural beauty and convenience, or between Greek authenticity and modern comfort. It offers all of these things, and you can pick and mix the holiday adventures that suit your lifestyle. That includes Zante’s famous sandy beaches, its protected wildlife, its rich cultural heritage, its outdoor activities, and, simply, the beauty of a Greek island with excellent weather and amazing people.

No wonder that Zakynthos has earned its reputation as one of the Mediterranean’s most rewarding destinations!

Start Planning Your Zakynthos Holiday

Every visit to Zakynthos creates its own story, and today you can write your own. Explore our accommodation options, read our detailed guides to the island’s regions and attractions, and plan your holiday in Zakynthos your way.