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The third-largest Ionian island, Zakynthos (Zante) is best explored from the sea: the cliffs of the west coast, the Blue Caves in the north, the turtles of Laganas Bay in the south. This guide brings together its 10 must-sees, including the famous Navagio beach, now closed to landing, and the practical information to plan your stay.
Overview
Zakynthos (or Zante) is the third-largest Ionian island, in Greece, known for its turquoise beaches, the Laganas National Marine Park that protects the Caretta caretta turtle, and the famous Navagio cove.
Zakynthos, also called Zante, is the third-largest island in the Ionian Sea, off the west coast of Greece. People come for its turquoise water and sandy beaches, but also for its Venetian and Byzantine heritage and its protected nature.
Three images sum up the island: the Navagio cove ("Shipwreck Beach") framed by white cliffs, the Blue Caves of Cape Skinari at the northern tip, and Laganas Bay, the heart of the Zakynthos National Marine Park where the Caretta caretta turtle comes to nest.
The island combines organised beaches, traditional inland villages (Keri, Volimes, Anafonitria), nightlife in Laganas and protected sites, on a territory you can cross in a day by car or scooter.
10 places to take with you
In the guide's order, ready for Google Maps or your GPS.
Book the activities from this guide
Our picks for Zakynthos, well rated and free to cancel.
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Cruise to the Blue Caves and off Navagio
€35 per person (GetYourGuide price 2026)
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Speedboat: turtles, Marathonisi and the Keri Caves
€30 per person (GetYourGuide price 2026)
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Sunset at the Keri and Myzithres viewpoint
€45 per person (GetYourGuide price 2026)
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Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach)
On the northwest coast of Zakynthos, Navagio Beach – "Shipwreck Beach" – is a white-sand cove framed by tall limestone cliffs, reachable only by sea. It takes its name from the freighter Panagiotis, which ran aground here in a 1980 storm (reportedly carrying contraband) and still rests on the sand.
After the 2018 rockfall and the 2022 earthquake, a geological inspection judged the cliffs unstable. Landing and swimming beneath the cliffs are banned: the beach is now viewed from a boat, which must keep its distance from the shore, or from the clifftop lookout near the village of Anafonitria.
It remains one of the most photographed landscapes in Greece: pale sand, turquoise water and the rusted wreck.
Blue Caves
At the island's northern tip, below Cape Skinari, the sea has carved a series of caves and arches into white limestone, where light bouncing off the sea bed turns the water electric blue. You enter them by small boat and swim when the sea is calm.
Trips leave from Agios Nikolaos or the Cape Skinari harbour, and many combine the caves with a pass off Navagio, on the same north-west coast.
Marathonisi
In Laganas Bay, Marathonisi islet owes its nickname of "Turtle Island" to its shape and to its loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting beaches. It lies within the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, created in 1999, which protects nesting from May to October.
You approach it by boat from Agios Sostis, Laganas or Keri; some trips stop for a swim off the beach, in very clear water. Nesting beaches are closed at night and part of the bay bans fast boats.
Gerakas Beach
At the southern tip of Zakynthos, on the Vasilikos peninsula, Gerakas is a golden-sand beach with shallow, calm water in a preserved natural setting.
It is part of the Zakynthos National Marine Park and is one of the main Caretta caretta nesting beaches. Access is therefore regulated: the beach is open from 07:00 until sunset and you must stay close to the waterline so as not to disturb the nests. There are no hotels or buildings on the beach; a wooden path leads down from the car park to the sand.
Zakynthos Town, St Mark's Square and Bochali
Rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake, the capital keeps its Venetian layout around St Mark's Square, where the Solomos Museum honours the poet Dionysios Solomos, author of the Greek national anthem, and the island's leading figures. Along the seafront, the church of Agios Dionysios holds the relics of the patron saint.
Above the town, the Bochali district and its Venetian castle give the best view over the harbour and the Vasilikos peninsula.
Keri Caves
In the south-west of the island, below the cliffs of Cape Keri, a string of sea arches and caves opens onto turquoise water. The site can only be reached by sea, by boat from Keri, Agios Sostis or Laganas, and is often combined with Marathonisi islet.
Above, the Keri viewpoint near the lighthouse looks down on the cliffs and the Myzithres rocks, one of the island's finest sunsets.
Xigia beach
On the north-east coast, about twenty kilometres from Zakynthos Town, Xigia is a small pebble beach below white cliffs. Sulphur springs emerge from sea caves in the rock face, giving the water a milky tint and a distinctive smell.
Bathers coat themselves in the white clay from the rocks before rinsing off in the sea. The beach is short and very busy in summer.
Cameo Island (Agios Sostis)
Facing Agios Sostis harbour, about 16 km south of Zakynthos Town, the small Cameo islet is reached by a wooden footbridge. It has a small pebble beach, pine trees and a bar, within the National Marine Park.
People come to swim and snorkel in clear water, and for the view over Laganas Bay and Marathonisi.
Anafonitria Monastery
In the hills of the north-west, Anafonitria Monastery was founded in the mid-15th century, during the Venetian period, around an icon of the Virgin. Saint Dionysios, the island's patron, lived here as a monk and then abbot in the 16th century.
Its defensive tower, now a bell tower, guards the entrance to a flower-filled courtyard. The nearby village is also where the road to the Navagio viewpoint starts.
Porto Limnionas
On the west coast, below the village of Agios Leon, Porto Limnionas is a rocky cove with turquoise water and no sand, where you swim from the rock slabs and small ladders. A taverna overlooks the inlet.
It is reached by a narrow mountain road, about thirty kilometres from Zakynthos Town. It is one of the best spots on the island for snorkelling and for sunset, facing the open sea.
Cruise to the Blue Caves and off Navagio
Two and a half hours by boat from Agios Nikolaos along the wild north coast: a swim in the Blue Caves, a pass by Agios Andreas bay, then a stop off Navagio to see the wreck from the water, since landing is banned. The highlight: the electric-blue water inside the caves.
Allow €35 per person on GetYourGuide, with free cancellation. Book a late-morning departure for the light in the caves.
- 2.5 hrs
- €35 per person (GetYourGuide price 2026)
Speedboat: turtles, Marathonisi and the Keri Caves
Three hours by speedboat in the National Marine Park: past Cameo islet, turtle watching in Laganas Bay, the Keri Caves on the south-west coast and two swim stops, one of them off Marathonisi. The highlight: a turtle surfacing to breathe near the boat.
Allow €30 per person on GetYourGuide, with free cancellation. Turtles are mostly around from May to October.
- 3 hrs
- €30 per person (GetYourGuide price 2026)
Sunset at the Keri and Myzithres viewpoint
A four-hour small-group trip to the south-west of the island, up to the Keri viewpoint facing the Myzithres rocks, to watch the sun set over the Ionian Sea with a drink in hand; the guide takes the photos. The highlight: the sun sinking behind the Myzithres rocks.
Allow €45 per person on GetYourGuide, with free cancellation. A good option without a car, as the road to Keri is narrow.
- 4 hrs
- €45 per person (GetYourGuide price 2026)
Getting there
By air to "Dionysios Solomos" Airport (ZTH) — domestic flights from Athens (~1h) and seasonal international flights — or by ferry from Kyllini (Peloponnese), a crossing of about 1h to 1h15.
By air. Zakynthos International Airport "Dionysios Solomos" (IATA code ZTH) handles domestic flights from Athens (about 1 hour) and many seasonal international flights from April to October. The airport is a few kilometres south of Zakynthos Town.
By ferry. The shortest crossing links Kyllini (Killini), on the west coast of the Peloponnese, to the port of Zakynthos Town: the trip takes about 1h to 1h15, with several daily departures (more in July-August). This is the option for bringing a car from mainland Greece.
Getting around
A rental car is the most practical option; scooters and quads round out the choice, and KTEL buses connect the tourist areas. In Greece, you drive on the right.
Rental car: the most practical option for reaching secluded beaches and inland villages. Book ahead in high season.
Scooter or quad: handy for short trips, but the mountain roads are narrow and winding.
Bus (KTEL): the network links Zakynthos Town to Laganas, Tsilivi and other villages; cheap but less flexible.
Boat excursions: essential for the Blue Caves, the Navagio viewpoint or Marathonisi, departing from Zakynthos Town, Laganas, Agios Nikolaos or Porto Vromi.
Tip: in Greece you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Take care on the winding mountain roads.
What to do
Sail to the Blue Caves and Navagio, watch the turtles of Laganas Bay, swim at Porto Limnionas or Xigia, and head up to Bochali and Keri for sunset.
The island is best seen from the sea: the Blue Caves and Navagio in the north, turtles, Marathonisi and the Keri Caves in the south. On land, a car lets you link the Navagio viewpoint, Anafonitria Monastery, west-coast coves such as Porto Limnionas, then Xigia and its sulphur springs in the north-east.
In the evening, Zakynthos Town and Bochali hill, or the Keri lighthouse, offer the finest sunsets. Mount Vrachionas, the island's highest point, looks over the west.
Food
Ionian cuisine blends Greek and Venetian influences: sartsa beef stew, ladotyri cheese aged in olive oil, and mandolato almond nougat.
Zakynthos's cuisine reflects its history between sea and land, with a strong Venetian imprint. A few specialities to try:
- Sartsa: beef stew in a spiced tomato sauce.
- Ladotyri: a local cheese aged in olive oil.
- Mandolato: an almond nougat, the island's traditional dessert.
You will also find Greek classics (moussaka, fish and seafood) and local olive oil, in the tavernas of villages such as Keri or Volimes.
Climate & seasons
When to go to Greece?
Monthly averages over the past 5 years (Open-Meteo).
Best months
- April
- May
- June
- September
Avoid
- July
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our take | ||||||||||||
| Weather | ||||||||||||
| High | 15° | 15° | 16° | 20° | 25° | 32° | 35° | 34° | 29° | 24° | 20° | 16° |
| Rain (mm) | 133 | 65 | 61 | 36 | 34 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 53 | 94 | 187 | 111 |
| Beach | Beach May | Beach June | Beach July | Beach August | Beach September |
What to do by season (autumn)
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Beach
Warm air and water, little rain.
When to go
The best window is May to September. July-August is the hottest and busiest; May-June and September offer a good balance of weather, crowds and prices.
Zakynthos has a Mediterranean climate: hot dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The tourist season runs roughly from May to October.
- July-August (peak season): peak heat (often above 30 °C), crowded beaches and sites, the highest prices.
- May-June and September (shoulder season): warm weather, pleasant sea (warmest in September), fewer people and gentler rates.
- November-March (low season): cooler (10-15 °C) and rainy; many hotels and restaurants close.
The Marine Park's protection period, which covers the nesting of the Caretta caretta turtle, runs from 1 May to 31 October: this is also the window to hope to spot turtles in Laganas Bay.
Budget
Allow €30-45 for a boat trip, €5 for Cameo, about €13.50 for the ferry from Kyllini; car hire is the main cost in summer.
Boat trips to the Blue Caves, Navagio or the turtles cost €30-45 per person (GetYourGuide prices 2026), small-group options a little more. Entry to Cameo Island is €5, and the Navagio and Keri viewpoints are free.
To get there, the Kyllini-Zakynthos ferry (about 1 hr 15, four departures a day in peak season) costs around €13.50 per passenger and €38 per car, as a guide. On the island, car hire, essential for the west coast, is the main expense in July-August: book early.
Where to stay
Zakynthos Town for heritage and transport, Laganas for nightlife and the bay, Tsilivi for families, Vasilikos and Keri for nature and quiet.
- Zakynthos Town (Zante): the capital, near the port and transport, handy as a base and for heritage.
- Laganas: a long beach and lively nightlife, on the edge of the Marine Park's protected bay.
- Tsilivi: a quieter resort, family beaches, a good choice of restaurants.
- Vasilikos: to the southeast, wild beaches (including Gerakas) and calm coves, ideal for nature.
- Keri: a hilltop village in the south with sea views, close to the Keri caves and Marathonisi boat trips.
Safety
Zakynthos is a safe destination. The main precautions concern the sea, driving on mountain roads, and strictly respecting the National Marine Park rules for the turtles.
Zakynthos is a safe tourist island. The main points to watch are natural and regulatory:
- Navagio Beach: since the 2022 landslide, landing and swimming beneath the cliffs are banned due to rockfall risk. View the beach from the lookout or from a boat kept at a distance.
- National Marine Park: on the nesting beaches (Gerakas, Marathonisi, Laganas), stay near the waterline, do not disturb the nests, keep your distance from the turtles and follow the rangers.
- Sea and roads: check the marine forecast before renting a boat; drive carefully on the narrow, winding mountain roads (you drive on the right).
Formalities
Greece is in the EU, the euro area and the Schengen Area. EU/EEA citizens move freely; non-EU nationals fall under the 90-days-in-180 rule. Currency: the euro.
Country and zone: Greece is a member of the European Union, the euro area and the Schengen Area. The currency is the euro (EUR).
Entry: EU and EEA citizens travel freely with a valid ID card or passport. Non-EU nationals are subject to the Schengen rule of 90 days within any 180-day period for a short stay; check whether a visa is required for your nationality.
Tourist tax: Greece levies a per-night charge (the "Climate Crisis Resilience Fee"), whose amount varies by accommodation class and season; it is paid directly at the property.
FAQ
Navagio is closed to landing through 31 October 2026; reach the island by air (ZTH) or ferry from Kyllini; turtles can be seen from May to October; you drive on the right and the currency is the euro.
Is Navagio Beach open?
No. Since the 2022 landslide, landing is banned (the measure runs through 31 October 2026). You can only see it from a boat kept at a distance from the shore or from the clifftop lookout.
How do I get to Zakynthos?
By air to "Dionysios Solomos" Airport (ZTH), with domestic flights from Athens (~1h) and seasonal international flights, or by ferry from Kyllini (Peloponnese), a crossing of about 1h to 1h15.
When can you see the Caretta caretta turtles?
The Marine Park's protection period runs from 1 May to 31 October, covering nesting in Laganas Bay (Gerakas, Marathonisi, Sekania).
Do I need a visa?
EU/EEA citizens travel freely. Non-EU nationals fall under the Schengen rule of 90 days within any 180-day period.
Where should I stay?
Zakynthos Town for heritage and transport, Laganas for the bay and nightlife, Vasilikos and Keri for nature and quiet.
Which side do you drive on?
On the right, like the rest of continental Europe; you overtake on the left.
What currency is used?
The euro (EUR): Greece is a member of the EU, the euro area and the Schengen Area.
What are the best months?
May-June and September: warm sea, fewer people and lower prices. July-August is the peak of heat and crowds.
Sources
The figures in this guide come from the sources below, checked on the publication date.
- www.visitgreece.gr
- www.nmp-zak.org
- www.nmp-zak.org
- european-union.europa.eu
- home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- www.zth-airport.gr
- en.wikipedia.org
- en.wikipedia.org
- pappaspost.com
- www.greeka.com
- www.zakynthos-guide.com
- www.greeka.com
- www.ferries.gr
- commons.wikimedia.org
- commons.wikimedia.org
- commons.wikimedia.org
- commons.wikimedia.org
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