Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Zakynthos! If you are planning a trip to this stunning Greek island, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re seeking the perfect wedding location, the best time to visit, or seeking out the most memorable boat trips, we’ve got you covered! I spent 10 days on the island this august exploring not only the beauty of the natural island but also the beauty that can be made on the island while celebrating a family wedding. So keep reading to find out how you can enjoy the most of your trip the beautiful Zakynthos.
Best Time to Visit and how long to stay in Zakynthos:
Zakynthos welcomes visitors with open arms throughout the year but the best time to visit is during the summer months. From June to September, the island experiences warm, sunny weather with clear skies, making it perfect for enjoying the spectacular beaches and outdoor activities. The shoulder months of May and October are also great times to visit as the weather is still pleasant and the crowds are smaller. As for how long to stay 4 days would be enough to see everything the island has to offer however, it maybe a little rushed. If you are looking for somewhere to truly relax and enjoy a sight every other day or so I would say you could spend a week on the island and not get bored.
Getting Around
Getting around the island is not that easy without your own form of transport. Public transport on the island is limited with only about 6 buses a day connecting the tourist towns together. Many people hire quads to get around the island however, these can become pricey quickly and in the hot summer sun quite uncomfortable. Therefore I would highly recommend hiring a car before you go to pick up and drop off at the airport to make getting around the island as easy, convenient and comfortable as possible.
Look below for car rentals to suit you.
Where to stay:
When choosing accommodation in Zakynthos, consider areas like Zante Town for a mix of culture and convenience, Lagan’s for nightlife and Vasilikos for a more relaxed beach holiday. Luxury seekers can opt for Tsilivi or Alykanas, while budget travellers can find affordable options in Zakynthos Town or beachside guesthouses. As we visited during the summer holidays we decided to stay in an adults only hotel in the Tsilivi area called Sunrise Zante Hotel it was affordable, had a free breakfast and gave us a nice bit of tranquility during those hot and humid days. Sunrise Zante was also within walking distance to the town with many restaurants and shops aswell as a little beach. If traveling with children Caretta Paradise Resort and Waterpark is a good place to stay with its own water park to keep the little ones entertained.
Look below to find a hotel to suit your getaway needs.
What to do on the Island:
Navagio Beach
Visit the iconic shipwreck beach, see it from above or join a boat trip and go and see it up close on a boat trip. Currently though you are unable to set foot on the beach and depending on when you visit and how much wind the island is experiencing some or all of the shipwreck may be covered. When we visited we decided to go and see it from above, if you do decide to drive there factor plenty of time to get there on the winding roads. Even from above though the view was great. There is a safe viewpoint that has had a safety railing placed there or you can climb along a cliff for an alternative view but be careful as this is not recommended.
Keri Caves
Make Sure to find some time to explore the stunning blue sea caves along the coast of Zakynthos. These can be seen from above but are best seen and experienced from below. If possible join a boat trip that will take you two visit them or even better hire a boat for a day for a more personal trip and giving you the opportunity to take as much time as you want to explore the caves along the coastline.
Turtle Spotting
Turtles can often be spotted around Zakynthos if you are visiting between July and October you could have the chance to see turtle hatching. They generally hatch during the night however National Marine Park of Zakynthos on the south end of the island opens at 7am and if you are lucky you could see a few of the little loggerhead stragglers heading to the sea. Alternatively Agios Sostis Harbour is a great spot to go and see adult turtles at any time during the day.
Beach Days
While Zakynthos has a very rugged cliff coastline there are some beautiful beaches dotted around it. Lagunas beach to the south and Xygia Sulfer beach on the north east side of the island are two beautiful sandy beaches however, due to the limited number and size of the beaches and the large number of tourists and locals that want to use them they get very busy so get there early to find a good spot.
South Island Boat Trip
Experience the beauty of the islands coastline is like nothing you could experience on land. We were lucky enough to experience a sunset tour leaving from Agios Sostis Harbour going past Cameo Island and having our first swim spot at turtle island. Named after the shape of the island looking like a turtle. Jump in the sea and experience the crystal clear warm waters. Before, jumping back on the boat and heading to Keri Caves. It was here that we enjoyed jumping off the boat into the deep clear waters and went for the majority of our first little cave swim. It was honestly amazing and as the sun Starts to set we jumped back on the boat to enjoy the sight while heading back to port. If there is one thing to do while in Zakynthos it would definitely be this boat trip.
Look below to find a boat tour for you.
Cameo Island
Cameo Island is a gorgeous little island just a short wooden bridge off of Agios Sostis Harbour. This is where we got to enjoy watching two amazing people promise to love each other forever. If you are looking for a destination wedding have a look at Cameo and if not its a beautiful island to visit anyway with a bar on a lookout point and a swim spot below make sure to add Cameo Island to your list of things to do while in Zakynthos.
Mini Golf
Mini Golf is one of those things that everybody seems to love while on holiday and we went many times while in Zakynthos. We visited Fantasy Mini Golf in Planos which has 3 18 hole courses aswell as a nine hole course. World Tour Mini Golf in Argassi has two 18 hole courses with various world monuments dotted around. Both courses have bars which serve a range of drinks including my favourite cocktail slushies.
Pool Days
Lastly while in Zakynthos make sure to enjoy some time in the pool. With the hot and humid weather a few hours in the pool is great to just relax and unwind. We booked a room with our own pool to get that extra little bit of piece and id recommend doing the same.
Where to Eat:
There are restaurants lining the streets all over the island so you will never struggle to find somewhere to eat. However, below are a few places that I ate that would definitely recommend.
Wine and Roses
Wine and Roses is located in Planos and they offer Traditional Greek and Mexican food. They also offer dinner parties at short notice so if you have a party while there they can accommodate.
Nona Resturant
Nonas is a beautiful traditional greek restaurant in Planos. It is family run and offers a range of dishes that were all absolutely delicious. Here we tried a range of greek dishes that we had never had before and everyone of them came out beautifully presented and were full of flavour.
Warm and Fresh Bakery Demetis
If you are looking for somewhere for lunch or just a beautiful fresh pastry you have to try this bakery. Their baguettes and bagels are made fresh with quality ingredients and they have a whole cabinet full of pastries for you to finish with a little sweet treat.
Zakynthos is a captivating blend of stunning landscapes, rich culture and unforgettable experiences. From the iconic Navagio Beach to the captivating Cameo Island this greek island offers something for everyone. As you plan your next getaway, I hope this post gives you ideas on where to go and what to do to help you create lasting memories.
This post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission on at no cost to you.