10 best things to do in Zakynthos, Greece

Zante (or Zakynthos in Greek – ζάκυνθος) is part of the archipelago of the Ionian Islands, which lie to the west of mainland Greece and include Corfu, Cephalonia, Lefkada, Ithaca, Paxos… Even if the island is very touristy in summer (especially many British tourists), it remains no less sublime. We went to Zante (Zakynthos) at Easter time and it’s an island we really liked. So here we share our top 10 things to do in Zakynthos. The must-see places, best sights and our favorites attractions. Firstly, if you want to know where to stay in Zakynthos, we’ve made a selection of hotels and accomodations in our article Where to sleep in Zakynthos?

If you can, go off-season to discover its magnificent turquoise beaches, underwater caves, steep cliffs plunging into the sea and mountainous, wooded inland landscapes. Zakynthos is also known as a breeding ground for loggerhead turtles, also known as caretta caretta turtles.

1- Admire Navagio Shipwreck Beach

Summer 2024: Navagio beach will be closed to the public due to fears of landslides.

If you had to see just one thing in Zakynthos, it would obviously be Shipwreck Beach. A marvel! Some say it’s the most beautiful beach in the world, and we’re not far from thinking they’re right.

It’s THE most photographed beach in Greece, a real picture postcard. We may have seen it in photos dozens of times, but it still took our breath away when we saw it “in real life”.

Here we admire a bay with waters so blue they look like they’ve been retouched on Photoshop. Surrounded by steep white cliffs, this white sandy beach is home to the rusting wreck of the Panayotis, which gave the beach its name.

In 1983, a ship smuggling cigarettes ran aground here. The crew fled before the police arrived, leaving the boat and merchandise on the sand.

How do I get there?

The shipwreck beach is visible from a promontory overlooking the site (by car, follow the ” Ship-wreck view ” signs). Beware: in midsummer, you’ll have to be patient if you want to see the wreck from the footbridge at the top of the cliff.

The only way to reach the beach itself is by water cab from the nearby port of Agios Nikolaos, or by caïque from Porto Vromi, Limni Keri or Kokinou. Be careful, though, as the beach is often closed to the public, so you won’t be able to walk on the white sand.

We also spotted this day trip that takes you on a boat tour of Navagio shipwreck beach and the Blue Caves . Or how about this private excursion to the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach. These walks allow you to explore the sublime Shipwreck Bay and swim in the crystal-clear, vibrant blue waters.

2- Visit the town of Zante (Zakynthos)

Zakynthos City is the island’s capital. Unfortunately, it was devastated by an earthquake in 1953, which destroyed almost all the ancient monuments.

There’s nothing exceptional about this town, but it’s well worth a visit.

So, here are the main points of interest:

• Dionysos Solomos Square, named after the island-born composer of the Greek national anthem Ode to Freedom (1798-1857).
• The Byzantine Museum houses a model of what Zante looked like before the 1953 earthquake. We found it interesting to see what the island looked like before the earthquake. The museum also houses sculptures, frescoes and religious icons from several of the region’s monasteries and churches.
• Agios Markos square, with its pastel-colored facades. Very lively in the evening, with bars and restaurants
• the Bokali hill overlooks the town. At the top is a Venetian fortress known as the ” kastro ” (open Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 2pm). From here, there’s a breathtaking view over the town of Zante (Zakynthos).
• Romas Mansion: this magnificent mansion built in the 1660s is one of the few historic buildings not destroyed by the 1953 earthquake. Once home to British governors during the English protectorate, before becoming the residence of the Romas family, this mansion was converted into a museum in 2007. Filled with books, period furniture and family portraits, it gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of former aristocrats.
• Agios Dyonisos Church, with its high bell tower. The island’s patron saint is buried here. Admire the frescoed ceiling and superb stained-glass windows.

Zakynthos is a great island for cycling, and Baja Bikes offers bike rentals as well as guided electric bike tours.

If you would like to stay in Zakynthos , take a look at the website Booking where you’ll find a wide range of accommodation (hotels, apartments, houses…).

3- Admire the sunset from Cap Keri

Along with Shipwreck Beach, Cape Keri is one of our favorite spots on Zakynthos. It’s a superb spot, in the very south of the island. The best time to come here is in the evening to watch the sunset from the lighthouse (2km from the village). Follow the“faros keriou” signs (φάρος κεριού).

For a more comfortable version, you can also watch the sunset from the aptly-named Sunset Tavern, just to the right as you enter the village of Keri. The sunset panorama from the terrace is lovely. What’s more, here you can enjoy meat roasted on a spit for several hours, moist and delicious.

Our kids loved Keri too, but for a completely different reason: because it’s home to the world’s largest Greek flag (approved by the Guinness Book of World Records). A large 670m² blue and white flag flies in the sky in front of the lighthouse.

4- Zakynthos National Marine Park

The Bay of Laganas is home to the Zakynthos National Marine Park. Created in 1999, this park was developed to help protect caretta caretta turtles.

Zakynthos National Marine Park is the most important nesting ground for caretta caretta turtles in the Mediterranean. Over 500 females come to lay their eggs on the various beaches in the south of the island every summer. Unfortunately, the reproduction of caretta caretta turtles is threatened by tourism. Noise and artificial lights at night frighten females into fleeing and dying at sea. What’s more, the eggs are fragile and can be destroyed by holidaymakers on the beaches where the turtles come to lay their eggs.

To find out more about Zakynthos National Marine Park, visit the marine park’s website.

Finally, if you’d like to see turtles up close, we recommend this sea turtle observation cruise, or this glass-bottom boat tour.

5- Boat, diving, snorkeling: the pleasures of the sea

To discover the wonders of Zakynthos, invisible from land, a boat trip is a must. The scenery is really superb.

There are several options: a complete tour of the island, a visit to the Blue Caves and/or Shipwreck Bay.

You’ll find various agencies on the island: on the seafront of Zakynthos town, in Agios Nikolaos, in Porto Vromi, etc. You can also book your excursions to Zante online. In high season, it’s best to book before you arrive on the island to make sure you have enough space.

You also can rent your own boat or sailboat, by the day, for few hours or days, with or without a license, with or without a skipper… We recommend the agency Click&Boat which rents sailboats, catamarans and motorboats.

And for sports enthusiasts, we highly recommend the Manawa website, which offers a host of fun activities in Zante, including diving and snorkeling for example. A treat! To see the different activities on the island, click here.

6- Marathonissi or Turtle Island

If you have time, don’t hesitate to visit Marathonissi or “Turtle Island“, just off Keri beach. We reach this large rock by boat. On Keri beach, you can rent a small motorboat without a license. Very easy to drive, even for novices. Prices vary according to agency, number of people and type of boat required. You can also book your boat online Click&Boat website.

If you come between late May and September, you’re sure to see some sea turtles.

There are two undeveloped beaches on the island, with white sand and turquoise waters. From time to time, however, a boat bar passes by, serving drinks and snacks.

Our advice: go early in the morning (around 9-10am) before it gets crowded.

7- The Blue Caves (Galazia Spilia in Greek)

The Blue Caves are a natural wonder on the island of Zakynthos. We loved these landscapes of white cliffs pierced by azure caves. In fact, these are not caves per se, but rather arches carved into the cliffs by the sea. The sea is turquoise and we never tire of admiring the underwater light effects caused by the sun’s reflection bouncing off the cave walls and the water below. They give the impression that the water is illuminated from below.

You can visit the Blue Caves by caïque from the ports of Agios Nikolaos or Porto Vromi (price: around €20/adult). Most excursions include swimming stops. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and a mask if you have one. We loved swimming in the incredibly azure water (our children even asked us if someone had put dye in the water to make it so blue).

Our advice: go in the morning, the color of the water is magnificent… and it’s less crowded than in the middle of the day.

You’ll find various companies offering this excursion on the Get Your Guide website.

8- The beaches of Zakynthos

You’ll find beautiful beaches all around the island. The beaches in the south-east are the most famous, as they are superb… but a little too busy and developed for our taste. Personally, we preferred the beaches and coves to the north and west of the island. Perhaps less spectacular, but more charming.

Southern beaches

• Gerakas beach: this is certainly the most beautiful beach on Zakynthos, lined with red and white cliffs. Partly developed and partly wild, it is partially occupied by naturists. Here, we love the perfectly clean water, and it’s a pleasure to swim in the translucent sea. This is one of the turtles’ nesting beaches, and access is therefore prohibited from sunset to sunrise from May to October. You’ll find turtle protection instructions on the beach.
• Banana Beach: a long sandy beach, unfortunately overcrowded in summer. The natural setting is certainly beautiful (dunes and pine trees), but mass tourism has damaged the bay. Here you’ll find a wide range of activities (pedalos, jet-skis, inflatable games, beach bars, etc.).
• Kaminia beach
• Porto Roma cove (accessible by car), surrounded by small cliffs, relatively quiet.
• Dafni beach: a large, quiet bay accessible via a dirt track that is difficult to negotiate. This beach is partly reserved for caretta caretta turtles, which come here to lay their eggs.
• Laganas: a beautiful beach but overrun with restaurants, hotels, bars and amusement arcades….

Beaches to the north and west of Zakynthos

• Numerous coves: often accessible only by boat
• Ammoudi beach: peaceful, with a taverna
• Makris Gialos beach: a small beach of sand and pebbles, with translucent waters (undeveloped, so bring sun and water protection).
• The small beach of Porto Vromi with its pebbles and transparent waters

For more details, take a look at our article The most beautiful beaches of Zakynthos.

9- The villages of Zakynthos

Admittedly, they’re not spectacular, but if you drive through them, stop for a few moments to savor the atmosphere.

• The village of Keri (in the south of the island): an authentic, peaceful mountain village. A church, stone houses, a small square and a few taverns.
• The village of Volimes (north of the island): quiet lanes, houses preserved from the earthquake, small churches.
• Kambi (or Kampi), a village perched atop a cliff with a lovely sunset view. Here, we recommend the Mihalis tavern.
• Limni Keri (south): a pretty, peaceful, secluded fishing port that also invites you to enjoy the good life.
• Kiliomeno (center of the island): a stone village. Here, in a house reputed to be the oldest on the island, you’ll find a simple, rustic tavern called Alitzerinoi.
• The village of Louha (center of the island) and its tavern
• the village of Maherado (in the center of the island), where Greeks come to admire the icon of the Agia Mavra church
• Exo Hora (to the west), home to the island’s oldest olive tree. It’s said to be 2,500 years old.

10- Discover the interior and its thousand-year-old olive trees

Finally, don’t hesitate to explore the center of the island. Admittedly, the roads are sometimes narrow and “twisty”. But they pass through beautiful landscapes of ancient olive trees, pines and vineyards. We particularly enjoyed the contrast between the turquoise coastline and the mountainous, wooded interior. What’s more, while the areas around the beaches are very touristy and built-up (with karaoke, amusement arcades, mini-golfs and various tourist attractions), the interior of the island remains calm and authentic. With an air of the countryside, you come across tractors and farms with chickens, turkeys, goats and sheep.

Excursion :

If you don’t have a car, or if you’d just like to enjoy a day Off and let yourself be guided, we’ve spotted this excursion that might interest you:

• Visit the hidden treasures of Zakynthos by off-road 4×4. Duration: 7h. An original way to discover Zakynthos off the beaten track. On the program: lush valleys, charming villages and breathtaking bays! Start with Agia Marina, Giri and Loucha, then admire the centuries-old olive tree at Exo Hora. Then on to the rocky shores of Porto Steniti, the villages of Anafonitria and Orthonies, the church of Agios Georgios Krimnon and the monastery of Panagias Spileotissis. Finish with a delicious traditional meal. Multilingual driver-accompanist. And the advantage of booking with Get Your Guide is that cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance.

*****

To get to Zante, you can also book your ferry tickets on the Ferry Hopper website.

And to find out more about Zakynthos, see also our articles :

• Practical information on how to get to Zakynthos, in what season, how long to stay, etc.
• Where to stay in Zante? Our selection of hotels and accommodations
• But also Zakynthos’ most beautiful beaches
• Rent a car or motorcycle in Zante

Finally, if you’re looking for accommodation in Zante, take a look at Booking.

Laure M.