Zakynthos

White sand and the Blue Caves cradled by the cliffs of Navagio (Shipwreck Beach), the sea turtle sanctuary of Laganas Bay and sunsets over the west-coast cliffs — the Ionian Sea's most iconic island scenery.

Zakynthos (Zante in Italian) lies at the southern end of the Ionian Sea in western Greece and is the third-largest of the Ionian Islands, covering about 406 sq km. Its west side is lined with towering limestone sea cliffs, while the southeast has gentle sandy beaches and bays. Ruled by Venice for nearly three centuries, it was called the "Flower of the Levant," and after the great earthquake of 1953 the capital, Zakynthos Town, was rebuilt in its original style. The climate is Mediterranean, with the tourist season running May–Oct; July and August are the hottest and most crowded. From June to August loggerhead turtles nest in Laganas Bay, so some beaches are closed at night and umbrellas are not allowed. Late spring (May–June) and September offer comfortable water temperatures and fewer people, and are the most recommended times. Areas: in the northwest, visit the Navagio viewpoint, take a boat to Navagio and the Blue Caves, and see Anafonitria Monastery and the sunset from the Kambi cliffs; in the south, Laganas Bay is a national marine park, with Marathonisi island, the Keri sea caves and lighthouse, while the Vasilikos peninsula has beaches such as Gerakas and Banana Beach; in Zakynthos Town, stroll Solomos Square, the museums and the Church of St. Dionysios, and in the evening head up to Bochali and the castle for night views. Getting there: Zakynthos International Airport is about 5 km from town, with many European charter flights in summer; ferries also run from Kyllini port on the Peloponnese, taking about 1 hour. Buses on the island are limited, so renting a car or scooter is recommended; mountain roads in the west are narrow and winding. Allow 4–6 days. In recent years landing on Navagio Beach has often been prohibited due to the risk of rockfalls, so check before you go.

Top sights

• Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) – A shipwrecked smuggling vessel rests in a bay enclosed by white cliffs. Turquoise waters and white sand make this Greece's most famous beac…
• Navagio Viewpoint – A lookout platform on the cliff top, 200 meters above Navagio Beach, and the spot for the famous postcard view.
• Blue Caves – A group of sea caves at Cape Skinari on the northern tip of the island. Sunlight refracted through the water turns the sea inside the caves…
• Marathonisi (Turtle Island) – A small turtle-shaped island in Laganas Bay. Its southern white-sand beach is a nesting site for sea turtles, and blue-green sea caves surr…
• Laganas Bay (National Marine Park of Zakynthos) – The most important nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Visitors can take turtle-watching boat tours within the na…
• Keri Caves – Sea caves and rock arches beneath the cliffs of the Keri Peninsula at the southwestern tip of the island. The clear water makes it a popula…
• Keri Lighthouse & Mizithres Rocks – A lighthouse viewpoint on cliffs at the island's southernmost tip. It overlooks two white rock pillars in the sea, making it a great spot t…
• Porto Limnionas – A fjord-like small bay on the west coast, with no sandy beach. Visitors dive straight from rock platforms into clear, transparent water. It…
• Kampi Cross Sunset Point – A giant cross on a cliff top 300 meters above the west coast, Zakynthos's most classic sunset viewpoint.
• Porto Vromi – An emerald-green small bay between cliffs on the northwest coast. It is also one of the closest departure ports for speedboats to Navagio B…
• Anafonitria Monastery – A 15th-century monastery with Venetian-style defensive towers. Saint Dionysios, the island's patron saint, once lived here as a monk.
• Xigia Sulphur Beach – A small pebble cove on the northeast coast where sulphur springs on the seabed turn the water milky white. Locals say a soak in it is good…
• Makris Gialos Beach – A pebble cove on the north coast, with sea caves in the rocky shoreline. It is good for snorkelling, and boats also run from here to the Bl…
• Cameo Island (Agios Sostis) – A privately run islet linked by a wooden footbridge. White drapes, blue seas and the bridge make it a popular wedding and photo spot.
• Laganas Beach – A golden sandy beach about 9 km long, backed by Laganas, the island’s liveliest resort town for nightlife.
• Gerakas Beach – A crescent beach at the tip of the Vasilikos peninsula, framed by sandstone cliffs. It is a protected loggerhead nesting beach with a sea t…
• Dafni Beach – A quiet beach on the west coast of the Vasilikos peninsula within a turtle protected area. With shallow water and fine sand, it is far calm…
• Banana Beach – A long sandy beach on the east coast of the Vasilikos peninsula, named for its banana-like shape. It has full facilities and a range of wat…
• Tsilivi Beach – A family holiday beach about 5 km north of Zakynthos Town, with fine sand, shallow water, and a concentration of restaurants, watersports a…
• Solomos Square – The main square on the Zakynthos Town waterfront, surrounded by a statue of the poet Solomos, arcaded buildings and the Church of St Nichol…
• Museum of Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians – A museum honouring Solomos, author of the Greek national anthem, which houses the tombs of the poet and fellow poet Andreas Kalvos.
• Museum of Post-Byzantine Art of Zakynthos – Holds icons of the Ionian School and church relics saved before the earthquake, making it the best place to understand the island’s art his…
• Church of Saint Dionysios – A church housing the remains of Zakynthos’s patron saint in a silver casket. Its tall bell tower is a landmark of the harbour, and the inte…
• Venetian Castle of Zakynthos – A Venetian fortress on Bochali hill, where walls and ruins among the pine trees overlook the entire town and harbour.
• Bochali Viewpoint – A hillside village below the castle, where café terraces overlook Zakynthos Town and the harbour. The night views are especially lovely.
• Mount Skopos – A peak of nearly 500 m on the Vasilikos peninsula, with the ruins of an ancient monastery near the summit and views over Laganas Bay.
• Askos Stone Park – A zoo-style eco park in a northern valley, where traditional stone walls enclose habitats and you can get close to deer, goats and turtles.

Where to eat

• Porto Limnionas Bay Taverna – A seafood taverna perched above an emerald rock bay on Zakynthos's west coast. Swimming followed by lunch is a classic…
• To Kantouni – A traditional home-style restaurant beside the old town's pedestrian street, serving clay-pot stews cooked fresh daily…
• Kostas Brothers Taverna – An old family taverna founded in 1978 by the Vasilikos family. It uses its own olive oil and garden herbs, and serves d…
• Malanos Tavern – A family charcoal-grill place on the edge of town that locals favor. Affordable grilled meat skewers and generous daily…
• Prosilio Restaurant – A creative Greek restaurant set among olive trees on Akrotiri, reinventing traditional Zakynthian dishes with a deep wi…
• Keri Sunset Taverna – A red-and-white grill house outside Keri village with a terrace facing the Keri Cliffs sunset; generous mixed grill at…

Itineraries

• Ionian Islands Road Trip: Lefkada, Kefalonia & Zakynthos – Fly into Preveza and drive south, taking your car on ferries to hop through Lefkada, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos.