Zakynthos
From the Venetian capital to the sea caves of Keri, the turtle beaches of Laganas and the unmissable Navagio shipwreck.
Zakynthos punches above its weight for scenery. Navagio — the shipwreck beach enclosed by sheer white cliffs — is the most photographed beach in Greece. The island is also the main nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean, with Laganas Bay protected as a national marine park. Beyond the tourist resorts, the north and west of the island are dramatic and wild.
Getting there
Heavy summer charter airport — Aegean, Sky Express, Ryanair, charters from across Europe.
Read full route
No Piraeus ferry — reach Zakynthos via Kyllini (Peloponnese, ~3h drive from Athens). Frequent crossings.
Tip: Ryanair runs cheap direct flights from London/Manchester in summer — check before booking via Athens.
When to Visit
Zakynthos has the iconic Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) and Caretta-Caretta turtles (Laganas Bay). The package tourism in Laganas is intense in August — avoid that whole strip. Best May-September if you base yourself in the north or the Vassilikos peninsula. The Caretta nesting season runs May-October; respectful boat tours are worth it.
4-day itinerary for Zakynthos
Day 1: Zakynthos Town & the East
- 09:00 · Zakynthos Town
Rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake in Venetian style. Walk the waterfront, visit the Byzantine Museum with its rescued frescoes, and climb to Bochali castle for views over the bay. - 10:00 · Bochali Castle
Venetian castle above the town with panoramic views over Zakynthos harbour, the Ionian Sea and the Peloponnese mainland. The ruins are extensive and free to enter. - 11:30 · Byzantine Museum
Outstanding collection of Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons and frescoes rescued from churches destroyed in the 1953 earthquake. One of the finest Byzantine collections in Greece. - 13:30 · Lunch — Malanos
Legendary traditional taverna in Zakynthos Town, run by the same family for generations. Try the stifado and the local Verdea wine — a white wine unique to Zakynthos. - 16:00 · Tsilivi Beach
Sandy family beach on the east coast near the town. Calm, shallow, well organised. Good for a first-day swim. - 20:30 · Return to Zakynthos Town
Short drive back to Zakynthos Town (about 10 minutes). Solomos Square is the evening gathering spot — perfect for a stroll along the seafront before dinner.
Day 2: Laganas & the Turtle Bays
- 09:00 · Laganas Beach
Long sandy beach and the main nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Part of the National Marine Park. Do not go on the beach after dark from June-August — turtles are nesting. - 10:30 · National Marine Park
The oldest marine park in Greece, protecting the turtle nesting grounds. Boat trips from Laganas allow you to watch turtles swimming in the bay — operators must keep distance. - 13:00 · Keri Village
Traditional village at the southern tip with a lighthouse and extraordinary views of the sea caves below. Lunch at the village taverna. - 15:00 · Keri Sea Caves
Dramatic sea caves and arches at the southernmost point of Zakynthos. Boat trips from Keri harbour take you through the caves and to the Blue Cave for swimming. - 17:00 · Marathonisi Turtle Island
Small uninhabited island in Laganas Bay — one of the main turtle nesting beaches. Day trips by boat allow you to swim near the island. No landing on the beach. - 20:30 · Return to Zakynthos Town
Drive back from the Keri/Laganas area to Zakynthos Town (about 30 minutes). After a day with the turtles, the waterfront tavernas serve up the freshest seafood.
Day 3: Navagio Shipwreck
- 09:00 · Navagio Viewpoint
The most spectacular viewpoint in the Ionian — a sheer 200m drop to the shipwreck beach enclosed by white cliffs. Go early for perfect light and fewer people. Fencing at the edge — don't lean over. - 10:30 · Navagio Shipwreck Beach
Greece's most photographed beach — the rusting wreck of the Panagiotis (stranded 1980) on white sand between sheer white cliffs. Accessible only by boat from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos (20 min). Gets very crowded — go before noon. - 13:30 · Blue Caves
Sea caves at Cape Skinari where sunlight refracting through the turquoise water turns the caves an electric blue. Boat trips from Agios Nikolaos. The colour is best on sunny mornings. - 16:00 · Volimes Village
Traditional mountain village in the north of the island. Honey, textiles and local produce sold from the roadside. The best local products on the island come from here. - 21:00 · Return to Zakynthos Town
Drive back from Volimes to Zakynthos Town (about 1 hour through the central mountain road). The route passes through pretty villages — stop at Anafonitria monastery if there's daylight.
Day 4: West Coast & Departure
- 09:30 · Xigia Beach
Small pebble beach where natural sulphur springs bubble up through the seabed — the water has a slightly warm, mineral quality. Unusual and memorable. - 11:00 · Makris Gialos Beach
Long sandy west-coast beach — less busy than the east coast resorts, with clearer water and better scenery. - 13:30 · Alykes Beach
Long sandy beach with salt lakes behind it — the name means 'salt pans'. Calm water, family-friendly, and one of the better beaches near the resort strip. - 16:00 · Zakynthos Town — Departure
Return to Zakynthos Town for ferry or flight. Final coffee at the waterfront Plateia Solomou.
Top beaches of Zakynthos
Navagio (Shipwreck Beach)
The most iconic beach in Greece — the rusting hulk of the Panagiotis cargo ship stranded in 1980, sitting on white sand enclosed by 200m white limestone cliffs. No road access. No facilities. Just the wreck, the sand and the extraordinary blue water. Every visitor to Zakynthos must see it.
- Type
- Fine white sand
- Length
- 300 m
- Depth
- Shallow to medium — but cold, deep water beyond the sand
- Wind protection
- East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- None on the beach itself. Access only by boat from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos (20 min).
Laganas Beach
The longest beach in the Ionian islands and the most important loggerhead turtle nesting site in the Mediterranean. A unique combination — excellent swimming and sunbathing by day, turtle nesting by night. The marine park rules are strictly enforced.
- Type
- Fine golden sand
- Length
- 9 km
- Depth
- Shallow — very gradual, perfect for families
- Wind protection
- South-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare southern winds
- Facilities
- Fully developed resort beach. National Marine Park restrictions apply — no boats after 19:00, no beach access after dark June-August (turtle nesting).
Gerakas Beach
A beautiful sandy beach at the southeastern tip of Zakynthos, one of the most important turtle nesting beaches in Greece. Clear, calm water and a dramatic headland setting. The beach closes at sunset from June onwards — turtles have priority.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 600 m
- Depth
- Shallow — calm, clear water
- Wind protection
- South-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare southern winds
- Facilities
- Basic: small café, some sunbeds. Beach closes at sunset (turtle nesting area).
Porto Zoro Beach
One of the best beaches on the east coast — clear turquoise water, organised facilities and far fewer crowds than the main resort beaches. The rocks at each end are good for snorkelling.
- Type
- Fine sand and pebble
- Length
- 400 m
- Depth
- Medium — clear water, some rocks
- Wind protection
- East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- Good: sunbeds, beach bar, taverna nearby.
Banana Beach (Agios Nikolaos)
Zakynthos's most popular family beach — long, sandy, shallow and well-organised. The banana boat and water sports make it lively. Not the most beautiful setting on the island but excellent for families with young children.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 1 km
- Depth
- Shallow — safe for children
- Wind protection
- East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- Fully organised: sunbeds, water sports, beach bars, showers.