ZakynthosIonian Islands · Greece

All About Zakynthos

Named after the son of Dardanus, Zakynthos is the third-largest island in the Ionian archipelago. Situated to the northwest of the Peloponnese Peninsula, it is commonly known as Zante. Taking a ferry to Zakynthos is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets. Historically, several empires, from the Romans to the French and the Russians, have claimed the island through the centuries. Although the British finally ceded Zakynthos to Greece in 1864, the Venetians left the most significant mark, having ruled over the island from 1485 to 1797.

Brimming with distinct attractions, present-day Zakynthos is a tourist magnet with close to three million visitors enjoying its beauty every year. Moreover, keen travelers will find that the island still maintains its traditional persona once you step away from the popular villages. Simultaneously, the 123km coastline of Zakynthos is full of natural surprises and home to some of the most exotic beaches in Europe.

Left in shambles after a devastating earthquake in 1953, Zakynthos has since come up as the quintessential island destination, to the point that no vacation in the Ionian is complete without a few days here.
 

Routes and Ferries to Zakynthos

The cheapest way to reach the island is by purchasing ferry tickets to Zakynthos from Killini. Boats leave the port city situated on the western coast of the Peloponnese twice daily. Operated by Levante Ferries, the trip cost is very economical at €9.50 one-way per foot passenger. Tickets for this 1 hour and 15-minute voyage are available for booking on Ferryscanner.

Flying to Zakynthos is only a slightly faster travel option. It takes 45 minutes from Athens to Zante’s airport, located 4.5km from Zakynthos Town. Upon arrival, taxis are ideal for a transfer to your hotel. The ride to Zante Town usually costs €12. Connections from Athens and Kefalonia are available throughout the year. However, during the summer months, you can catch a plane to Zakynthos from numerous European cities such as Rome, Vienna, Helsinki, Geneva, Amsterdam, Berlin, and many more.
 

Port of Zakynthos

The port in Zakynthos Town serves as the main harbor for the island. Situated on the southeastern coastline, it provides sufficient space for ferries as well as fishing and private boats to moor. Cruise ships, though, have to anchor out in the sea. Several shops, bars, and restaurants line up alongside the harbor, which is a couple of minutes away from the town center. If staying elsewhere in Zakynthos, you can take a taxi or a bus from the port.

Additionally, Sostis and Keri are seaside villages with smaller harbors where private boats can moor. During the summers, you can get ferry tickets to Zakynthos from Pessada in Kefalonia to Agios Nikolaos Skinari. This small port in the north is also where you may book a day tour to Shipwreck Beach. Use Ferryscanner to compare prices, routes, ferry companies and book ferry tickets to Zakynthos.
 

Best Beaches

With so many fantastic beaches scattered around in every possible direction, travelers can visit a different seaside retreat in Zante every day of their vacation. To call the beaches in Zakynthos iconic is an understatement, and to experience them fully, go prepared with your suntan lotion and spend hours soaking in the rays. Ultimately, the hardest part of visiting beaches in Zakynthos is parting with them as the day comes to an end.

Shipwreck Beach

By far one of the most famous beaches in the world, there is a good chance you’ve seen a video or photo of Shipwreck Beach long before setting foot on Zakynthos. Known locally as Navagio Beach, access to this heavenly white-sand and pebble strand is only via the sea. The 1983 wreckage of a freighter lying nonchalantly in one corner gives the beach an imitable character, as does the massive white cliffs in its background and the aquamarine-colored sea. Shipwreck Beach is on the northwest coast, 35km from Zakynthos Town. To reach here, take a boat tour that allows you to swim and lounge for 30 to 60 minutes. If wishing to stay longer, hire a private boat. One can also drive to the cliff edge for panoramic views of the beach from high above.

St. Nicholas Beach

On the eastern coast, 14km south of the capital city, is one of the most popular beaches in Zakynthos. St. Nicholas lies in a sheltered bay, protecting sunseekers from wind and presenting them with calm and shallow waters. Named after a chapel, situated on its left-hand side, this sandy beach is wide, long, and has a free bus service from Zante Town. Known for its extreme watersports, a notably younger crowd comes here to indulge in jet skiing, flyboarding, and water-skiing.

Porto Limnionas Beach

Adding to the diversity of beaches in Zakynthos is Porto Limnionas on the western shore. An unorthodox beach, it is an entirely rocky cove wherein access to the water is by jumping off lowing lying boulders. To reach here, take the road to village Agios Leon and then the path to the bay. While the beach isn’t recommended for kids, adults should visit here for a cool and refreshing dip in light blue waters. A beach shack at Porto Limnionas provides refreshments and sunbeds.

Alykanas Beach

A 20-minute drive from Zakynthos Town will bring you to Alykanas Beach on the eastern coast. This vast and sandy strand promises an eventful day full of activities for all ages. The Ionian Sea alongside is crystalline, calm, and shallow, perfect for children to splash around. If arriving from Brindisi with ferry tickets to Zakynthos, this is one of the beaches you’ll see towards the end of your journey. An excellent spot to snorkel, kayak, and paddleboard, Alykanas has restaurants, toilets, showers, and sunbed rentals, often at a discounted rate of €5 per day.

Laganas Beach

An extensive beach in the south-central part of the island, Laganas’ location in a bay makes it a safe place to visit with children. The water here has a beautiful shade of blue and is shallow enough to play around carelessly. About 10km from Zakynthos Town, the beach starts getting crowded by noon, and the party continues at the bordering bars and restaurants post sundown. On-site facilities include WCs, sunbeds, taverns, and watersports. Many restaurants offer free sunbeds if you purchase food and drinks. From the south end of the beach, sun-worshipers can walk over a wooden bridge to the islet of Agios Sostis. The area around Laganas is a protected reserve where you’ll more than likely come across a few loggerhead turtles.
 

Places to Visit

Vacationing in Zakynthos is about romantic strolls through picturesque villages, fascinating discoveries of the natural world, and appreciating relics from a long-gone yet unforgotten era. The different places to visit in Zakynthos are more than just excursions. Instead, they are an unimaginable treat for the eyes.

Blue Caves

Blue Caves are a network of limestone caverns on the northern tip of the island. The water here takes on an almost psychedelic shade of blue and is a joy to swim in. Glass bottom boat tours from Skinari to Blue Caves often promise turtle spotting along the way. A 40-minute trip costs €10 per person. While in the area, head to the nearby Skinari Lighthouse for glorious views. Close to the lighthouse is a windmill, a tavern, and a path to the sea below.

Marathonisi Islet

Marathonisi is an islet in Laganas Bay, famously known as Turtle Island. Uninhabited and a part of the protected Zakynthos Marine Park, the soft sandy beach of the island is where loggerhead turtles are known to lay eggs. It is nevertheless possible to hit the beach on the islet during the day. Glass bottom boat tours to Marathonisi regularly sail from different locations along the southern coastline. A 3-hour trip including a stopover at Keri Caves will cost you €45.

Keri Lighthouse

The Keri Lighthouse stands tall on a 300-meter-high cliff on the southeastern tip of Zante. Although this top-of-the-world vantage point promises astounding 360-degree views, visitors must sit at the clifftop restaurants to truly appreciate the panoramas. Famous for hoisting a larger-than-life Greek flag, the eatery serves classic local cuisine. It is an idyllic spot for a romantic dinner at sunset. For daring souls, a small platform hovering over the edge makes for a memorable photo opportunity.

Askos Stone Park

A must-do excursion with kids, Askos Stone Park is in the north of the island, 30km from Zakynthos Town. The 124-acre park consists of a forest reserve, a cage-free zoo, and is an archeological site with ancient stables, basins, and cellars. Inside, children can pet and feed deer, raccoons, goats, and pigs. On special days they offer a cow milking activity. There’s plentiful greenery at the park, but it’s best to visit earlier in the day to avoid the afternoon sun.

Zante Town

Zakynthos’ capital might not be the most impressive of villages, but it has unmatched quality, making it the perfect base for your island holiday. Situated alongside the eastern coast, Zante Town has a 1.5km long waterfront that comes alive in the evenings. The quaint courtyards with cafes and pedestrian-only streets lined with shops give the town a more touristic appeal. Zante Town has several monasteries and churches, and Dionysios Solomos Square is where you’ll find the Town Hall and the Statue of Freedom. Also from Zante, take a 2km trip to Bohali Hill, on top of which is a 17^th-century Venetian Castle.
 

Transportation Around Zakynthos

Zakynthos does have a bus service, but it is limited in terms of routes, which don’t cover the entire island. Most buses start from Zante Town, with prices ranging from €1.50 to €3.50.

Renting a car is pretty straightforward, economical, time-saving, and the best way to explore some of the remote areas of Zakynthos. A typical small car rental comes to around €20 per day, including insurance. Motorbikes and ATVs are only slightly cheaper but easier to park and ideal for riding on narrow island roads.

Taxis wait around tourist-heavy villages, or you can book one in advance. Agree upon your trip costs beforehand to avoid an unnecessary debate with the driver later.  Just like ferry tickets to Zakynthos are a fantastic way to reach the island, boat tours are excellent for exploring it in a scenic manner. Organized trips, private vessels with a captain, or renting your own low-power boat are the three possibilities available for tourists wanting to visit secluded beaches and coves.