Last Updated on August 4, 2025 by Samantha
Zakynthos is another great island known most famously for its shipwreck beach. It is not as well known as islands like Santorini or Mykonos but it is incredible in its own right. Zakynthos or Zante is the third largest island in the Ionian Sea. Zakynthos is one of the most popular of the Ionian Islands and is very different than the Cycladic Islands as it resembles nearby Venice with its cobblestone streets and Romanesque architecture.
WHEN TO VISIT ZAKYNTHOS
- June and September are probably going to be the best time to visit. The weather is warm and the crowds aren’t as heavy. This also means it’ll be a bit cheaper for you too.
- July and August are high season so it’ll be very hot, crowded and more expensive.
- April, May and October are the cheapest time to go but the weather is going to be hit or miss so you may not be able to visit the beaches while you’re there.
- November to March it is pretty cold so I would avoid going during these months.
HOW TO GET TO ZAKYNTHOS
Depending on where you are coming from, you can arrive by plane or ferry. I was coming direct from Athens so I opted to fly as it was fairly cheap and the flight was only 55 minutes. If you are coming from a neighbouring island, the ferry may be the better option.
GETTING AROUND ZAKYNTHOS
Zakynthos is a large island so I recommend renting a car, ATV or motorcycle while you are here. This will be the easiest way to get around the island. You will only be able to rent a motorcycle if you have a licence to rent one.
WHERE TO STAY IN ZAKYNTHOS
Budget – Majestic Hotel & Spa, Lesante Classic Luxury Hotel & Spa and Avalon Palace Hotel
Mid-Range – Crystal Beach Hotel, Contessina Hotel and Domes Aulus Zante
Luxury – Aliv Stone Suites & Spa, Olea All Suite Hotel and Zante Maris Suites
DAY 1:
Your first day on the island will be spent doing the Shipwreck Beach and Blue Caves excursion, which is a full day (9 hours). During the excursion you will stop at a restaurant for lunch.
For dinner, head to To Diafokereiko for a delicious traditional meal.
DAY 2:
Assuming you’ve rented a vehicle, today is your first day to explore the island on your own. I would start off by spending a bit of time exploring Zante town. Zante has the Venetian Castle of Bohali, several churches, shops and restaurants to explore. The castle has some really great viewpoints to check out.
After exploring the town, head to the Myzithres viewpoint. This viewpoint is going to offer some of the most stunning views on the entire island. It is absolutely stunning and shouldn’t be missed. After the viewpoint, head to the Keri Lighthouse Restaurant for lunch. This restaurant has great food and even better views. It is located just down from the Myzithres viewpoint so you can see it from another angle.
From the restaurant, you will head to Plakaki beach. This hidden gem is a rocky cove with clear waters great for swimming and snorkelling. You do have to climb down a cliffside trail but if you pay attention, it shouldn’t be too difficult. The views are stunning and a great way to spend the remainder of your afternoon.
For dinner, I recommend the Olive Tree Restaurant for a great authentic Greek meal. They use fresh ingredients and have some really great dishes to try. You will not be disappointed with a meal here!
DAY 3:
I’m a big beach person so I recommend spending your last day hitting the beaches. Start your morning by heading to Banana Beach. This large beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas for rent with a restaurant and free parking. This is a great place to spend the morning. If you don’t feel like paying for sunbeds, bring an umbrella and set up a spot in the sand.
You can eat lunch at the restaurant here or you can grab lunch at Porto Roma Restaurant. The restaurant is only a couple minutes away from Banana beach and isn’t too far away from your next beach. The restaurant has some delicious seafood options for you to enjoy as well as a stunning view of the water.
Once you’ve finished your lunch, head to St. Nicholas Beach to spend the remainder of your day. Thers is tons of sunbeds and umbrellas to rent, restaurants and watersports to enjoy. The water is crystal clear and a great spot to end your day.
For your last meal in Zakynthos and if you’re willing to make the drive, I recommend grabbing dinner at Nobelos Bio Restaurant. This restaurant came highly recommended to me by several people and will not disappoint. The restaurant has limited space so I do recommend making a reservation. Every dish is so fresh and exceeded my expectations. It is definitely worth the drive.
Zakynthos is an incredible island with so much to do. You will definitely love your time on the island.
