Zakynthos, or Zante as it is known by its Italian name, is an island that belongs to the Ionian islands group on the west part of Greece, together with other famous Greek islands, such as Corfu, Kefalonia and Lefkada. Thanks to its fertility and natural beauty, the Venetians, who ruled the island from 1484 to 1797, used to call it “Fiore di Levante”, which means the flower of the east.

The island of Zakynthos Greece is around 25 miles long and 12 miles in width. The total area of the island is just over 400 kilometres² and its highest point is atop Vrachionas Mountain at a total elevation of 2486 ft.

Zakynthos boasts about 76 miles of breathtaking coastline, but not all of it is stunning white sand like that found on Shipwreck Beach (Navaggio). Much of the coast is craggy cliffs and dramatic rock formations.

By Ferry: The ferry from mainland Greece (Kyllini, Peloponnese) has scheduled departures seven times per day starting at 5:30 am and the last sail is at 10:30 pm. The journey takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes and the price varies based on season but it’ll usually cost you around €47 – €56 per person each way.

By Plane: To get to Zakynthos quickly, you’ll likely want to fly, either from Athens with Olympic or Aegean airlines, or sometimes you can find direct flights from major European cities like London, Amsterdam, Prague, Edinburgh and Rome. These direct international flights usually only connect Zante to the rest of Europe during the summer months.

A lot of people choose to rent a car in Athens and drive over to the Ionian Islands. If you want to do this then you’ll have to pay the car fee on the ferry to bring it to Zakynthos. You can also rent a car when you get to the island.

Breathtaking natural landscapes, seductive views, towering mountains on its north and west side, quaint villages, enticing beaches and a vivid nightlife make every traveler fall in love with this paradise island!

Above all, Zakynthos is particularly famous for its beaches. Navagio Zakynthos, Laganas and Blue Caves are some of the top beaches in Zakynthos, just to name a few.

There are many different areas to stay on Zakynthos Island with the most popular beach destinations clustered together on the south and eastern coasts of the island. For more on where to stay click here.

The South: Busy resort towns like Laganas and the popular Turtle Island make this the most visited part of the island. While other places have better beaches, this is where you’ll find the most restaurants, hotels, bars and nightlife.

The North: Mostly deserted mountains, olive groves, pine forests and dramatic cliffs along the coast, you won’t find as much going on up north aside from the most famous sight on the island, Navagio Beach. While there are a few luxury resorts and villas up here, most don’t stay long in the north.

The East: Aside from the small but bustling port of Zante Town, the east is a series of developed beach towns that stretch on either side of the capital.

The West: Empty and mountainous, most people only come to the west on a trip around the island with a stop at the famous sunset spot of the Cliffs of Keri.

Given that Zakynthos is quite a big island, the best way to get around is by car. Zakynthos International airport “Dionysios Solomos” is 2.5 miles away from Zakynthos town, so your best bet is to grab a taxi or rent a car for your transportation. For more information, check out Getting Around Zakynthos.

If you plan to travel to Zakynthos by boat, then local buses might serve you better, as there is a bus station close to the port, serving many itineraries around the island’s mainland.

Another means of transportation by boat, which is the best option to get to Zakynthos beaches, such as Navagio beach, Blue Caves beach and Marathonisi. For more on getting around the island click here.

Zakynthos Town is the capital of Zakynthos. It is perched on the foothills of Bochali hill, on the east side of the island.

Zakynthos used to have beautiful architecture, influenced by the Venetians, the French and the English. Although an earthquake destroyed the imposing Venetian mansions and neoclassical buildings in 1953, the town still has a unique charm!

Begin your exploration from the bustling waterfront that starts from Solomos Square and ends at the church of Agios Dionysios, to enjoy the beautiful sea and sunset views. Then, make your way to the square of Agios Markos and the square of Agios Dionysios, which date back to the Venetian rule. Also, don’t miss a visit to Solomos Square, the Museum of Post Byzantine Art and enjoy the view to Zakynthos Town from the remains of the Venetian Fortress.

The currency of Greece is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival.

For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Greece by clicking here.

English may be spoken at your hotel and in the tourist areas, but not everywhere. Greeks do have great regard for those that try to speak Greek so it is a good idea to learn a few phrases. We suggest you get a good English-Greek guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

Greek food comes in many shapes, forms and varieties to keep even the most demanding traveler satisfied! So It's no surprise that pretty much every island has some amazing restaurants, and Zakynthos is no different.

As one would expect from an archipelago, fresh fish and seafood are plentiful. Fishermen supply tavernas directly, often docking right outside and handing over the catch to the chef. In the interior of the islands, fish is less common but not missed, thanks to the abundance of lamb, cheese, and a host of locally grown vegetables.

Good restaurants abound in the Ionian Islands and many have superb seafront positions, making it possible for kids to play on the beach after polishing off their lamb and chicken souvlaki!

Greek dining establishments vary enormously and most Greeks consider the best places to be those where the food is plentiful and well-cooked, not necessarily where the setting or the cuisine is the fanciest. It is not uncommon, therefore, to find some of the best food in the most unexpected, off-the-beaten-track places. The combination of traditional cooking and outside influences has produced a vast range of restaurant types and here below are a few you might come across during your stay in the Ionian Islands:

Estiatorio - restaurants that have a wider selection of food and wine than tavernas, usually open for lunch and evening meals.

Taverna - a traditional Greek eating place, usually family-run and open in the evenings only.

Psare Taverna - a taverna specializing in fresh fish. Psistaria - a grill house, mostly found in the mountain villages and a favorite with the Greek people. Other than barbecued meats you will also be able to try Kokoretsi, a real Greek delicacy!

Pizzeria - there has always been a strong Italian influence in the Ionian Islands and this has extended to the cuisine too. Most places will serve a combination of Greek and Italian dishes.

Snack bars - Quick, easy and usually good value for money. A particular favorite with the Greeks are sweet or savory crepes and toasted sandwiches.

Souvlatzidika - serving small souvlaki (speared kebabs), pita gyros or gyros plates, either pork or chicken.

Zakaroplasteion - patisserie selling cakes, sweets and ice creams.

Ouzeri - traditional bars offering meze snacks with the drinks.

Kafeneion - a meeting place for the local male population who manage to spend a great deal of the day talking mostly about politics and football while drinking coffee.

You can pretty much visit Zakynthos at any time of the year. The best season to visit is in the Spring (March to May) or Fall (September to November) when it’s not too hot and there are fewer tourists. The prices of accommodation are also much lower at this time of year.

If you don’t mind being around crowds, then the Summer (June to August) is also a great time to visit. If you get too hot, you can always head to one of the many beaches to cool down.

Easter, Christmas and July and August are the absolute peak visitor times for Zakynthos and during those times the prices can skyrocket.

Winter (November to March) is an okay time to visit as well, but don’t expect to go swimming as the sea temperature can dip to 54°F in January and February. You may also find that many restaurants and hotels are closed at this time.

If you want to enjoy the best of the nightlife in Zakynthos then you’re going to want to stay in Laganas. This is where most of the late-night bars and clubs are located. Don’t expect as crazy parties as those found in Rhodes or Crete, but the nightlife in Laganas is still pretty good.

Check out bars like Rescue Club, Zeros Club and Pure Zante for some late-night parties and also check for advertisements around town that list upcoming events.

The main shopping street in Zakynthos Town is Odos Alexandras, two blocks back from the harbor esplanade, which has a number of shops selling leatherwear and gold and silver jewelry, all of which are handmade and well-designed.

Also, the shopping streets in the resorts concentrate on souvenirs and beachwear or toys and other essential holiday equipment such as sunblock, dive masks or snorkels. Ceramic workshops are also very popular among tourists, offering numerous gift ideas and fine pottery.

Shops and roadside stalls offer the visitor plenty of opportunities to buy cheap and colorful beachwear, designer knock-offs and conventional souvenirs as well as local produce.

While most know Zakynthos, Greece for the famous Navagio Beach (also known as ‘Shipwreck Beach’), there are so many other beaches to choose from. The island is bathed by emerald crystal water that gently laps onto its shore, boasting an array of golden sandy beaches, secluded bays and picturesque coves. Most beaches here are best seen by boat, unlike other Greek Islands. If you rent a boat, you’ll have access to more of the beaches on the island. The beaches only reachable by boat are what make for memorable swims with no one around, with your own private views of limestone cliffs and crystal clear water. Here are more beaches to discover in Zakynthos:

XIGIA SULFUR BEACH: The natural sulfur at this small beach makes for beautiful photos as the water takes on a milky turquoise hue. Go early, it fills up.

NAVAGIO BEACH: Easily the most famous beach on Zakynthos is Navagio. The best viewpoint is from above. As of 2021, there’s now a railed off platform for viewing. It’s crowded throughout the day and due to the sun’s path, you may not see it in full sun until after 11am. By boat your best chance of avoiding people is extra early (think 8am). You’re better off seeking out nearby beaches if you want a spot to yourself.

MIZITHRES BEACH: This breathtaking beach evolved from a landslide a couple years back that connected it to a large nearby rock. This spot is very unique to the island and it’s only accessible by boat.

KORAKONISSI: Not so much a beach as a swimming hole, this spot is best visited earlier in the day when the water is calm. There are cliff diving spots, but use caution as they are not marked.

PORTO LIMNIONAS: A local’s favorite, this beach has it all: crystal clear blue water, places to sun, cliff diving, a lively restaurant with views, and parking. Great to combine when visiting Korakonissi (above).

FILIPPOI BEACH: Towering cliffs surround this turquoise cove, with plenty of rocks to sun on. However, it’s not for the faint of heart! The drive down is steep, with one winding road that barely fits two cars. Best visited by boat if you’re not up for the task.

ST. NICHOLAS BEACH: A sandy beach at the very southern part of the island with sunbeds. Family-friendly, and there’s an option for water sports nearby.

NOBELOS BEACH: Not marked as this is the stone beach in front of Nobelos Restaurant. If you’re visiting for lunch or dinner, you can grab a sunbed here and easily spend the afternoon with a drink.

In an emergency, dial tel. 112

There are several pharmacies in Zakynthos Town and at least one in most resorts. If you require medicine after midnight, a doctor must contact the pharmacy first. For the location of the nearest pharmacy you should ask at your hotel.