Zakynthos
Travel Guide
Everything you need to know before and during your visit — beaches, food, activities, and practical tips from people who live here.
Where to Go
Zakynthos has over 50 beaches — from world-famous Navagio to hidden coves only reachable by boat. Here are the ones worth your time.
Navagio BeachShipwreck Bay
The iconic image of Greece. A rusted shipwreck sits on white pebbles enclosed by sheer limestone cliffs. Accessible only by boat — the 20-minute crossing from Porto Vromi is worth every minute.
Boat access onlyBlue CavesNorth Cape
Sea caves carved into the cliffs near Cape Skinari. The water turns brilliant turquoise as sunlight refracts through the cave entrances. Best visited in the morning when the light is right.
Boat access onlyPorto ZoroEast Coast
Clear turquoise water, fine sand, and dramatically beautiful rock formations. Far less crowded than Laganas, making it ideal if you want calm water and a relaxed atmosphere.
SnorkellingVassilikos PeninsulaSouth-East
A string of beaches — Banana, Gerakas, Dafni — along a protected coastline that is also a sea turtle nesting ground. Gerakas Beach is managed by turtle conservation and closes at dusk.
Turtle nesting areaLaganas BaySouth Coast
The longest beach on the island. Part of the National Marine Park — no motorised watersports in the main zones to protect nesting loggerhead turtles. Great for walking and early-morning swims.
Marine ParkXigia BeachNorth Coast
A natural sulphur spring flows into the sea here, making the water feel like a warm bath. Small beach, big experience. The water has a distinctive milky blue tint and is said to be good for the skin.
Sulphur springsWhat to Eat
Zakynthian cuisine is distinct from mainland Greek food — heavily influenced by Venetian rule, with softer spices, rich meat dishes, and excellent local wine.
Local Dishes to Try
- Sofrito Veal braised in white wine, garlic, and parsley — a Venetian legacy and the island's signature dish. Order it everywhere, it varies by taverna.
- Stifado Slow-cooked rabbit or beef stew with pearl onions, cinnamon, and cloves. Best eaten in the hills above Keri or Agios Leon.
- Mandola The local almond candy — crunchy, sweet, slightly citrusy. Sold in every bakery and souvenir shop. Take a bag home.
- Ladotyri Hard yellow cheese aged in olive oil. Slightly salty, very rich. Great with local wine.
- Pasteli Sesame and honey bar — a traditional Greek energy snack, made in Zakynthos with local thyme honey. Excellent after a swim.
- Fresh grilled fish Caught daily. Sea bream, sea bass, octopus — ask which fish came in that morning and order that.
Where to Eat
The best food is almost never on the waterfront — prices are high and quality often suffers. Walk one or two streets back from the port in Zakynthos Town and you'll find proper tavernas run by locals.
Look for: hand-written menus, full local family tables, no touts outside the door.
Local Wine
Zakynthos produces its own wines — particularly whites from the Verdea grape variety, and the local rosé. Ask for house wine (the carafe) at most village tavernas — it's usually excellent and cheap.
Coffee Culture
Greeks take coffee seriously. A freddo espresso (cold espresso over ice) or Greek frappé is the standard summer drink. Sit, order one, and watch the world go by — no one will rush you.
Things to Do
Zakynthos rewards those who get out on the water. The best beaches are inaccessible by road, and the coastline looks entirely different from the sea.
Rent a Boat
No licence required for boats up to 30HP. Hire one for a day, load up a cooler, and explore the coast at your own pace — Navagio, Blue Caves, hidden sea caves. The most flexible way to see the island.
See Boat RentalsBoat Excursions
Join a guided group trip to Navagio and Blue Caves, or book a private excursion to explore the coastline with a local skipper. Departures from both the north and south of the island.
See ExcursionsCar & Scooter Rental
The island is about 40km long and has good roads through the interior. Rent a car to reach the hilltop villages, the west coast viewpoints, and the quieter beaches that buses don't serve.
See Car RentalsHiking & Villages
The mountainous interior is very different from the beach strip. Villages like Keri, Agios Leon, and Macherado have stone churches, olive groves, and views across the island. The Skopos mountain trail above Argassi takes about 90 minutes return and offers panoramic views.
Sea Turtle Watching
Zakynthos is one of the most important nesting grounds for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean. Night boat trips to observe nesting turtles are available in July–August from licensed operators — only in permitted zones, with strict no-light rules.
Before You Go
Honest, practical advice from people who live on the island year-round — not from a travel brochure.
Best Time to Visit
Essential Tips
- Getting around: Rent a car or scooter — public buses cover the main routes but schedules are limited. Taxis are metered from Zakynthos Town.
- Cash: Smaller tavernas and beach vendors are cash-only. ATMs are in Zakynthos Town and Laganas. Carry some euros at all times.
- Driving: Roads in the hills are narrow. Go slow around bends. Fuel up in town — there are no petrol stations on the Vassilikos peninsula.
- Water: Tap water is drinkable but tastes of chlorine. Most locals drink bottled. Buy a large bottle and refill a reusable one.
- Language: English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Learning a few Greek words — "efharisto" (thank you), "kalimera" (good morning) — goes a long way.
- Navagio viewpoint: The cliff-top viewpoint above Shipwreck Beach has no barrier. Keep children close and step away from the edge — the rock crumbles. The beach itself is safer and far more beautiful.
- Turtle rules: Do not approach nesting turtles on the beach at night. Do not use flash photography. Stay behind the rope markers on Gerakas and Dafni beaches after sunset.
- Early start: Beaches fill up fast in July and August. Arrive before 9am to get a spot at Porto Zoro or Banana Beach. Or arrive by boat — you can anchor in the bay.
Getting to Zakynthos
Zakynthos International Airport (IATA: ZTH) has direct flights from most major European cities in summer. Flight time from London is around 3.5 hours; from Germany about 2.5 hours. The airport is about 4km from Zakynthos Town — a short taxi or transfer ride. Ferries run year-round from Kyllini on the Peloponnese (about 1 hour crossing). There is no ferry connection from Kefalonia in winter.
Airport TransfersStart Planning Your Zakynthos Trip
We've been on the island for years. Whether you need a boat, a transfer, or an excursion — we can help you make the most of your time here.