Looking for the best places to visit in Zakynthos? In today’s article we will discuss explore the best attractions, the best time to visit and the best places to stay on the island.
One of the best ways of improving our knowledge, culture and expanding our horizons is by traveling to new places and immersing ourselves in discovering new cultures.
If one of your resolutions is to travel more, our article shows a glimpse over the beautiful Zakynthos island, surrounded by the stunning turquoise sea, filled with rich history, wonderful local cuisine, as well as kind and welcoming people.
In this article, we will be showing the most important places to visit in Zakynthos and also talk a little bit about the Psarou region of the island, a personal favorite, a tranquil place where time stands still for a moment and the days are long and peaceful.
When leaving, you will feel like you also leave a piece of your heart behind and you will without a doubt want to return to this breath-taking island.
Best Places to Visit in Zakynthos
1. Go to the Navagio Beach
Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach is one of the most beautiful places to visit during your stay in Zakynthos, accessible only by boat. It has stunning turquoise waters and white sand and it is surrounded by towering cliffs.
Navagio Beach is also called Smuggler’s Cove, depicting the shipwreck that lies upon its white sand up to this day, an old smugglers vessel washed up on the shore a long time ago.
2. Explore the Blue Caves
The Blue Caves of Volimes are also an important attraction that you should see. They are accessible by boat as well, available from the principal port of Zakynthos.
The beauty of the caves lies in the reflections that are created inside of them, as both the stunning waters and the colors of the sky get reflected into them, creating a magical spectacle that is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset.
Due to the beauty of the waters, diving is a popular activity here, which allows you to take in the marvelous underwater scenery as well as the stunning shades of blue.
This one-in-a-lifetime experience will stay in your heart forever, making you want to return to the ravishing Zakynthos island.
3. Visit Zakynthos Town
Zante Town, both the capital of the island as well as the main port is a place with a mix of rich history, amazing scenery as well as an upbeat nightlife.
During the centuries, many cultures have left their mark on Zakynthos, as it has been under the occupation of the Byzantines, the Ottoman Turks, the English, the French, and particularly the Venetians.
The Venetian influence can be seen throughout the town, as the occupation lasted for 400 years.
On May 21, 1864, Zakynthos along with the other Ionian islands were unified into the Greek state.
Among the most important historic sites you can see in Zante are the Bohali Venetian Castle where you can see Venetian relics, the Post Byzantine Art Museum where you can see diverse artwork, the Church of Agios Dionysios, the patron saint of the island, located near the port, or the Solomos Museum.
While in Zante, you should try the local cuisine, as there are many restaurants, coffee shops, and bars scattered around the waterfront, in close proximity to the port.
There are family-friendly restaurants as well as more fancy places where you can enjoy a haute cuisine experience.
If you are in Zakynthos for its nightlife, in Zante there are a few clubs open during the summer months, but the most popular area for wild parties is Laganas, which is located 15 minutes away from the town.
Laganas is also one of the most popular beaches with amazing waters where you can practice a bunch of watersports and numerous bars and it also has affordable sun-beds and umbrellas.
4. Go on a trip to Marathonissi
Marathonissi is a little island close to Zakynthos with beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, lush greenery, and caves, well-known for the Caretta Caretta turtles that come and lay eggs in the golden sand.
You can explore this little piece of paradise by booking an online tour, for example, and going on a short cruise.
While visiting the island, you can see the turtles’ nests and go swimming in the stunning turquoise waters.
5. Visit the picturesque Volimes Village
If you would like to see a more rural part of Zakynthos, you should visit Volimes village during your stay; it is located 31.5 km northwest of the town and it includes two parts: upper and lower Volimes (Ano and Kato).
The village maintains its original beauty and it’s a great place to see different churches (like Agia Paraskevi and Agios Georgios Krimnon) as well as houses built in stone which managed to survive the 1953 earthquake.
There are also a few windmills that remind the visitors of the village’s past.
6. Go Scuba diving
If you are a water sports lover and want to discover an underwater paradise, the beautiful Ionian sea surrounding Zakynthos is a perfect place for scuba diving where you will find numerous amazing diving spots around its coastline.
There are many diving centers that offer diving excursions suitable for all ages and most of them can be found in places like Laganas, Alykanas, Limni Keriou, Argassi, Tsilivi, as well as Vassilikos.
Among the most popular diving sites we mention the Keri Caves, the island of Marthonissi, the Octopus, and Barracusa Reefs found in Keri Peninsula, Lakka.
7. Enjoy the beauty of the Zakynthos beaches
During your stay in Zakynthos, make sure to go to a few of the most beautiful beaches and spend some days basking in the warm sun rays, swimming in the turquoise waters, and feeling your worries melting away.
Among the best beaches you should visit, we mention Porto Limnionas (crystalline water, cliff diving, a nearby taverna), Saint Nicholas Beach (suitable for families, sandy beach with sunbeds and a nearby bar), Navagio Beach (the most renowned beach in Zakynthos), Mizithres Beach (stunning and only accessible by boat), Banana Beach (where you will find a vibrant atmosphere and also ideal for practicing water sports).
There are many other beaches for you to check out during your trip such as Kalamaki Beach, Laganas Beach, Alikes Beach, Dafni Beach (a protected space that is also part of the National Marine Park), Xigia Sulfur Beach (its waters are rich in sulfur and it is said to have beneficial properties, especially for the skin).
8. Visit Kefalonia Island
After exploring the beautiful Zakynthos island, why not embark on a little adventure and take a day to visit Kefalonia?
You can go there by bus or by boat if you like and see Argostoli, the island’s capital, and discover different local attractions such as monasteries, lake Melissani, the Drogarati Cave, and Myrtos Beach.
If you want to take a boat, head to Port Zakynthos, where you’ll find plenty of options.
Make sure to book your tour in advance and discover another Greek jewel during your trip!
9. Other fun activities to enjoy during your trip to Zakynthos
If you would like to immerse yourself even more into the island’s history, customs, and natural beauty, we recommend you plan some other activities that will enhance your travel experience, such as booking a boat trip to the Navagio Shipwreck, booking a wine tasting tour or an olive oil one, create some ceramic art and learn a little bit of pottery, learn Greek cuisine from a professional chef or go to the turtle’s island with a glass bottom boat.
Our favorite place in Zakynthos: Psarou
Psarou is a quiet part of the island located on the east side of Zakynthos, around 3-4 km from Alykes.
It is covered in lush greenery, and here you will feel like the days are longer and the time passes somehow slower. There are many olive trees scattered all over and you can hear the songs of the cicadas during the day.
This beautiful place remains unscathed by the hustle and bustle of tourism and it is perfect if you want to enjoy a peaceful vacation, away from noise and crowds.
Psarou Beach has soft sand and the waters and turquoise and crystal-clear even in bigger depths, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
The other nearby beaches are wild and unspoiled and it’s a delight to discover them and enjoy their ethereal and eternal splendor.
Psarou Beach
In Psarou, there are a few markets that you can reach on foot and a supermarket that you can go to by car. There are also a few nearby tavernas serving authentic Greek cuisine located near the sea, offering a stunning view.
We recommend you rent a car while you’re on holiday here, so you can get around easily.
During your stay in Psarou, we also recommend you go to Ammoudi (meaning sand in Greek), another beautiful sandy beach with amazing scenery; here you will find two tavernas where you can enjoy lunch and a peaceful afternoon.
Another highlight of this lovely piece of Paradise is the people; the locals are kind, generous, polite, educated, and wholesome. They have a sunny disposition and they love to laugh and share their joy with others.
Psarou is a breathtaking little gem in Zakynthos that will stay in your heart forever and the fond memories will entice you to go back there time and time again.
When to go to Zakynthos
The best period to visit Zakynthos is during spring (April and May) and during autumn (September and October). If you don’t like the heatwave, we recommend you go in early September, when the sea water is almost 26° C (73° F).
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °C | 16.1 | 15.4 | 15.7 | 16.5 | 19.4 | 23.3 | 25.8 | 26.2 | 25.9 | 22.9 | 20.3 | 17.7 |
| °F | 61 | 59.7 | 60.3 | 61.7 | 66.9 | 73.9 | 78.4 | 79.2 | 78.6 | 73.2 | 68.5 | 63.9 |
During the summertime, the island is crowded and the temperatures are very high. It is not advisable to plan a trip during winter either, as the weather is cold and it rains.
Where to stay in Zakynthos
There are numerous accommodation options in Zakynthos, depending on the area and your personal preference.
If you plan on staying in the town, there are plenty of hotels and apartments that you can book and are close to the town center and the beach, such as Bitzaro Boutique Hotel, Sea Front Spirit Apartments, Capolavoro Suites, only to mention a few of them.
If you are a nightlife enthusiast, then you should book your accommodation in Laganas, as there are many nightclubs, bars, beach clubs, and cocktail bars to check out.
The nearby beaches are stunning and a great place to wash the “late-night sins” and recover after a night of partying.
In Laganas, the prices are more affordable and you’ll find many accommodation options like Dora’s Apartments (close to the beach), Breeze Luxury Rooms (also close to the beach), Stathis Studios II with Sea View (beachfront and close to restaurants, the beach and shops).
For a family vacation, Alykes and Tsilivi are perfect; Alykes is a great place if you have younger kids because the waters are calm and shallow and there are many fun activities for them to enjoy.
Teens will also have a lot of fun in Alykes as there are many water sports they can enjoy like wind-surfing and jet-skiing.
Tsilivi is another good option for a family vacation, especially if you have a more adventurous side and want to enjoy various water sports.
You could also go to Tsilivi Water Park and spend a fun day filled with laughter with your kids and family.
Both Alykes and Tsilivi offer a good range of accommodation options, such as Kanela Studios (Alykes, close to the beach), Apartment Vorrisi (beachfront, Alykes), Hotel Villa Basil (close to the beach, Tsilivi), Dionisos Luxury Suites (close to the beach and the downtown, Tsilivi).
If you would like to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and enjoy some peace and quiet, Psarou could be one of the best options for you.
Psarou is ideal if you want to enjoy unspoiled beaches, tranquility, and long, sunny days surrounded by nature.
There are enough accommodation options to suit everyone’s taste, but we would like to recommend a personal favorite, Pansion Mary Studios (close to downtown). The host is lovely, kind, and eager to listen to her guest’s requests. She will always welcome you with a heart-warming smile.
Furthermore, Argassi is great if you are traveling on a budget; here you will find many B&Bs and hostels (Stella Studios, Theodora Studios) but also lovely beaches, tavernas, restaurants, beach clubs, and bars.
There are plenty of accommodation options available for you to choose from before booking your next holiday in Zakynthos, just make sure you do your research before and read the reviews from previous guests, in order to choose the best one for you.
How to get around in Zakynthos
Our best advice is to rent a car during your stay so you can be able to explore the island at your own pace and reach different local attractions, like beaches, ancient archaeological sites, and nightclubs, but also go to stores and supermarkets.
To conclude, Zakynthos, also called by the Venetians “Fioro di Levante” (Flower of the East), is a charming island with stunning scenery, lovely beaches with turquoise waters, a rich history, delicious cuisine, and friendly locals.
It is a perfect choice for your next holiday, each part of the island offering different experiences for you to discover and enjoy.