Nothing says summer like the Greek islands! We had been visiting the Cyclades for 2 consecutive years in the past and we felt that it was finally time to explore the Ionian. We knew from the start that Zakynthos island was going to be our first stop. Mainly because I had been dreaming for years to see the famous Navagio beach and a few other recommended spots.
I have created the ultimate travel guide to Zakynthos island for you, with all the information you’ll need to help you plan the perfect holiday to one of Greece’s most beautiful Ionian islands. Continue reading to find out how to get to Zakynthos from Athens, where to stay, what to see; including detailed information about Navagio beach. Also, helpful tips that are good to know before you visit and which will make planning a lot easier. Here is the ultimate guide to Zakynthos island.
THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO ZAKYNTHOS
HOW TO GET TO ZAKYNTHOS
You can get to Zakynthos island either by bus or catch a flight from Athens. Flights can get a bit pricey during the busy months of July and August but if you want to avoid the hassle of taking a bus, then I’d highly recommend that you go for this option. We decided to catch a bus leaving KTEL Kifisou, which dropped us off in Zakynthos town. The bus cost €26 and the ferry €9.50 per person. Since there are only a few routes per day, you should call the KTEL and ask them to reserve your seat. All you have to do is give them your name and your phone number.
Below are the departure times of the bus from Athens to Zakynthos:
- 08:30 (sometimes they have 2 buses. One departs at 08:30 and the second at 08:35)
- 12:45
- 17:00
BEST TOWNS TO STAY
The main towns in Zakynthos are Zante Town, Tsilivi, Alikanas, Laganas, and Vasilikos.
We decided to base ourselves in Tsilivi, and from there explore the island. Try to split your time equally between the East and the South of the island. This way you’ll be able to visit all the towns mentioned above and also allow enough time to relax by the beach.
ZANTE TOWN
We found Zante’s old town to be pretty but quite small. Therefore, a few hours should suffice to explore it. Be sure to visit in the morning or late evening when the locals go out and about and the town is bustling with people.
TSILIVI
We planned to stay one night in Tsilivi and then move to a different town for the remainder of our days in Zakynthos. However, we were made to feel at home by the owners of our hotel so we decided to extend our stay. From there, we rented a car and explored the rest of the island. Tsilivi town offers plenty to do for entertainment. Besides the cafes and restaurants, it also offers a small fun park with mini-golf, bumper cars, and even a ferries wheel. If you’re visiting Zakynthos island with your family, then Tsilivi is a great option.
ALIKANAS & ALYKES VILLAGE
These 2 neighboring charming villages are located on the northeastern coast of Zakynthos, roughly 20’ from Tsilivi. Much like Tsilivi, both Alikanas and Alykes is an excellent location for families and couples alike. During the day, life is quiet, as most people head over to the beach to cool down from the summer heat. During the evening the villages become more lively and the restaurants and bars are bustling with people. I particularly enjoyed walking along the Skourtis River towards where the Pentokamaro bridge is located and watch the sunset. If you’re a romantic, then do not miss a ride with the traditional horse-drawn carriages. It is such a beautiful experience!
LAGANAS
On the south coast of Zakynthos, you will find one of the island’s most popular towns, Laganas. If you came on the island for its nightlife, then there’s no better place to be than Laganas. Let yourself loose in its mile-long strip and enjoy the plentiful bars and clubs that the town has to offer. This is a great place to meet new people, have fun and enjoy a carefree summer holiday.
SIDE NOTE: Whilst you enjoy the party scene of Laganas, do it mindfully; respect the locals, be cautious and drink responsibly.
VASILIKOS
This was one of my favorite parts of Zakynthos island. Vasilikos balances perfectly beautiful beaches with lush vegetation and wonderful views. Whilst the younger crowd gathers at the famous beaches of Banana Beach and Porto Zorro, just a few minutes away, you can enjoy the serene scenery on the rugged side of the peninsula. This area is lovely no matter the type of holiday you’re after due to its diverse scenery. The best way to explore it is on wheels; car, scooter, or quad bike. However, bicycles are best to be avoided as the streets are not well suited for them.
BEST BEACHES IN ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND
NAVAGIO/SHIPWRECK BEACH
This one needs no introductions; Navagio is what made Zakynthos island famous around the world and also one of the main reasons why most people visit. Images from Navagio beach are recognized worldwide and everyone wants to visit this famous beach in Zakynthos at least once in their lifetime. What’s best, this wonderful beach is even better in reality! More about Navagio in the next section.
GERAKAS BEACH
Another stunning beach, is Gerakas, located in the south of the island, at Vasilikos. Park your car at the big parking located a few meters before the entrance to the beach. Then, make your way towards the flight of stairs that will take you down to the beach. The beach itself is sandy and wide, however, it is sectioned into two; the inner part which has been reserved by volunteers to protect the turtle nests, and the outer part where you can sunbathe.
Laganas Beach
Laganas is popular not only for its party scene but also its beautiful sandy beach. The crowd here is young, the beach bars are loud and the vibe is lively. Rent a sunbed, kick back and spend a day swimming and sunbathing while listening to the upbeat tunes coming from the speakers of the bars located on the beach. The space is somewhat limited but if you don’t mind walking a few minutes, then you can find plenty of parking space in the little streets leading to the beach.
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Banana Beach
My first impression of Banana beach, as we were approaching the parking lot, was how neat and organized the beach was. There is ample parking and almost all spots are in shade, which is fantastic! As you make your way down to the beach, on the first level you’ll find a big bar – which also serves very good food – and plenty of tables spread across the large shaded terrace. The beach itself, is wide, well organized with sunbeds and umbrellas and the water is shallow; perfect for a good swim.
Xigia Beach
Xigia beach is located on the northeast side of Zakynthos island. The beach is best known as a natural spa due to the sulfur deriving from the rocks and ending up in the water. Besides the stunning views, the distinctive smell will be the first thing you’ll notice as you approach the beach. Xigia is, in reality, two beaches, on the right side is the most popular one but also the smallest. There is a small canteen on the top of the slope where you can get ice cream or a refreshment. On the left side is a slightly wider beach which was my favorite due to its dramatic scenery.
Zakynthos island is well known for its stunning beaches with emerald waters and the above ones are only a few of my favorite. There are so many more to discover which are equally beautiful; some are pebbly, others sandy, small, wide, with shallow waters but if there’s one thing that they all have in common, is the crystal clear waters.
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NAVAGIO “SHIPWRECK” BEACH IN ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND
I’d be lying if I said that Navagio beach wasn’t the main reason we wanted to visit Zakynthos island. Naturally, I was super hyped as we made our way to what is known as one of Greece’s best beaches.
There is good news and bad news concerning our experience. The good news is, that the views are breathtaking and they were absolutely worth the 15-minute trekking to the farthermost viewpoint. The bad news is that the access, which is off the beaten path, is prohibited to visitors until 6 pm.
In the last few years, the popularity of Navagio has skyrocketed resulting in many tourists eagerly trying to capture the best picture from this remarkable beach. Due to the rise of accidents in the area – there are no protective barriers at the edge of the cliffs – the authorities had to take action and close the access leading to the cliffs.
A platform has been installed where the first viewpoint is; as you enter the area, right after the parking. Unfortunately, you’ll be faced with a long queue, which is the last thing you want, especially if you’re visiting during the hot summer days. That part was quite frankly exhausting and not very rewarding at the end, seeing that the views from this point were not the best.
BEST TIME TO VISIT NAVAGIO BEACH
However, we asked a few locals and they told us that the guards’ shift ends at 6 pm, meaning that the area is unnamed from that time onwards. It seemed that this wasn’t such a secret after all because when we returned later in the afternoon, there were hordes of tourists already at the so-called “forbidden” part.
Another way to see Navagio beach and get closer to the Shipwreck is by boat. Several boat tours are departing from the port of Agios Nikolaos. This way you can spend a few hours at the beach and swim in the emerald waters. However, nothing beats the views from the cliffs.
USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND
Overall I loved our time in Zakynthos. The scenery is a harmonious blend of greenery and turquoise crystal clear waters. The picturesque villages only add even more charm to the already dreamy landscapes. Like with every Greek island, there are a few things that it’s good to know before you visit Zakynthos island. Here is some important information that will help enhance your experience on the island.
HOW TO GET AROUND IN ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND
Rent a car! I can’t stress enough how easier your life will be if you rent a car for the days that you will be in Zakynthos. The public transportation is not reliable and the buses don’t even go to many of the villages and remote beaches. Zante Town does not have many options for rent a car. I’d suggest you either grab a taxi or the local bus to the center of the town you’ll be staying at and from there rent a car. Whilst in Zakynthos, avoid taxis as much as you can as they’re extremely expensive.
TIP: Automatic cars in Zakynthos and most Greek islands are scarce and they’re usually 5-10EUR more expensive, per day. Therefore, if you drive a manual, you’ll save some money on your rental. Also, the more days you rent the car for, the cheaper it’ll be. The prices range between 50 – 60EUR per day for the automatic and 35 – 45EUR for the manual.
QUAD BIKES ARE DANGEROUS
Zakynthos island attracts many youngsters who love driving quad bikes fast. So be particularly cautious when you either rent one or you come across other drivers on the streets. Quad bikes are unstable and if you’re not used to them, they’re quite difficult to control. Even more so on rough terrains such as pebbly roads or serpentine streets. Other than that, you’ll find that Zakynthos is a very safe island to visit.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND?
The island may be small but seeing that it has so many different beaches that are worth visiting and fun tours that you should not miss, I’d say that 3 to 4 days should be enough. Locations such as Navagio beach may require half a day to fully enjoy the experience. If you add to that a few other beaches as well as excursions to Keri caves, Marathonisi, and Cameo island to name a few, then your days will be packed with activities and interesting things to see in Zakynthos island. Being on holiday is not just about being out and about exploring. It is also important to take time to relax and enjoy your carefree days. So be sure that you dedicate a full day to spend at the beach or by the pool, doing absolutely nothing!
