Zakynthos in Greece best things to see and do

Last modified on January 20th, 2023 at 10:24 am

Zakynthos in Greece is a beautiful island, surrounded by the Ionian Sea. It is the third-largest island out of all the Ionian Islands, meaning there’s so much to see and do here! Read on to find out all the best things to do in Zakynthos in Greece!

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Tourism in Zakynthos in Greece

Zakynthos is a very popular island in Greece! If you’re not familiar with its name, then perhaps the name Zante is more recognisable to you, as this is often what it is also referred to. It is most popular with 18-30 year olds who like bars and nightclubs, and many tour operators operate in Zakynthos in Greece due to such high demand!

Zakynthos isn’t just popular for its nightlife scene, it is also blessed with an incredible underwater world. There are lots of wonderful coral reefs around the island and some of the most amazing creatures in the Mediterranean can be spotted in the crystal clear sea.

Tourism in Zakynthos in Greece is also very popular due to how accessible it is, as there is an international airport, which has regular connecting flights to other airports in Greece as well as other destinations, mainly in Europe. There are also two ports in Zakynthos which makes the island a great location for island hopping in Greece as the main port connection is to Kefalonia, another well-known island in Greece.

Zakynthos is mainly popular for welcoming inbound tourists, and in 2021, welcomed 408 thousand visitors from the UK – making the UK the leading tourist market, since 2019 in fact. Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are also very popular in regards to these nationalities visiting Zakynthos.

Why visit Zakynthos in Greece

Why visit Zakynthos in Greece? Well if you love beautiful beaches, welcoming locals, lively nightlife and are in search of a true holiday feel, then Zakynthos in Greece is perfect for you!

Zakynthos is filled with history and in Greek mythology, the island was said to be named after Zakynthos, who was the son of the well-known Arcadian chief Dardanus. The island was also almost destroyed by a series of earthquakes in 1953. These earthquakes caused all but three historic buildings to be levelled, but you can still see the remains.

You should also visit Zakynthos for the amazing weather! On average, the weather in Zakynthos is around 26°C throughout the year. The warmest months are July and August, where even the sea temperature is a nice 26°C too! The coldest months are January and February, as it is about 11°C – which is still a good temperature if you’re from a colder country!

Where is Zakynthos in Greece

Where is Zakynthos in Greece? Zakynthos is a part of the Ionian Islands, located in the Ionian Sea. It’s located in the southwest of Greece, and other close islands nearby are Lefkada and Kefalonia.

You can arrive at Zakynthos by boat or plane, as both are very popular options for people to travel by. When on the island, there it’s recommended to hire a car to get around as it can be very steep in some areas. There is also a bus route that has great connections all over, as well as for an affordable price – the only downside is that it may be a bit hard to carry all your luggage on it.

How big is Zakynthos in Greece

How big is Zakynthos in Greece? Great question! Surprisingly, Zakynthos is quite small – but there is still plenty to do! It is 405.55 km² big and the coastline of Zakynthos is roughly 123 km. The island is around 40km long, and 20km wide, making it perfect if you don’t have a lot of time to explore.

Because of how small Zakynthos is, this means that it is fairly fast to travel to all the major attractions and destinations on the island.

Where are the best places to stay in Zakynthos in Greece

There are plenty of great places to stay in Zakynthos in Greece, here are some of the best:

Budget

Yria Hotel – Located right in the heart of the city centre, Yria Hotel is the perfect hotel if you want a great hotel on a budget. Every room is very spacious and modern, as well as has aircon to keep you cool in the Greek heat! The rooms also feature a minibar, and all have free WiFi for all guests to enjoy. Not only that but there is also 24-hour room service, and a tasty continental breakfast is served every day. Yria hotel also caters for business travellers as there is a dedicated business facility equipped with PCs.

Letsos Hotel – Situated right next to the gorgeous Alkyes beach, this hotel features plenty of amazing things for guests to take advantage of. There is a bar on-site, which is great to unwind in and serves a plethora of tasty drinks, as well as even a games room for children and adults to let out their competitive side. Each stylish room at Letsos Hotel has an ensuite that comes with a bath and shower, as well as free amenities to use. It is a great place for tourists who are exploring Zakynthos by car, as they also have a free, secure car park for guests.

Piccadilly – Located right next to the beach, Piccadilly has lots of great things to offer – even as a budget hotel. Every room has a beautiful view, and its own balcony to look out on the crystal clear sea from. There is also a fully equipped kitchen in certain units, so you can make your own meals – but it’s not a problem if you want to eat out also, as the hotel offers a great bar and restaurant, which serves amazing food at a very affordable price! Additionally, there is an a la carte breakfast available for guests to enjoy every morning.

Mid-range

Pansion Mary – Only a 5-minute walk away from the beach, you will be sure to enjoy staying at Pansion Mary! It is the perfect hotel for families with kids to stay at, as there is a children’s playground for little ones to let out their energy. It’s only 9km from the city centre, which makes it very accessible and easy to get to. Every room has either a sea view or a beautiful floral garden view for you to sit on the balcony and enjoy. Furthermore, there is also a kitchen unit in every room in case you prefer to prepare your own food.

Cavo Orient Beach Hotel – This gorgeous hotel has its own outdoor pool and a sun terrace to lounge on and soak up the sun. It is located in Tragaki, just a few minute’s drive away from Zakynthos city centre, making it a more peaceful place to stay if you prefer the quiet life. The hotel has an incredible buffet and a la carte restaurant that looks out onto the sea, as well as a stunning garden and children’s playground if you are visiting Zakynthos with kids. There is free WiFi for all guests and many rooms come with a balcony accompanied with either sea or pool views. Rooms also come with kitchen facilities and a pristine bathroom, with free luxury amenities.

Lemon Garden – Lemon Garden is the perfect place to stay as it is only a 6-minute walk from the amazing Mavratzi Beach. There are lots of brilliant features on offer, such as a large outdoor pool to cool off in, free WiFi and a beautiful garden to relax in and smell all of the gorgeous flowers. Every room has its own seating area, dining area and its own fully equipped kitchen – not to mention, very comfortable beds!

High-end

Astarte Villas – This stunning villa is located in the traditional village of Koukounariá, right next to Tsilivi Beach. It comes with free WiFi for guests to enjoy, air conditioning, a large outdoor pool and a pretty garden to read a book in or sip on a refreshing drink. There is also lots to do such as play pin pong, pool or watch a movie on the big flatscreen TV! The villa features 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a dining area and a well-equipped kitchen – so it’s a home away from home!

Agro Art Boutique & Luxury Villa – With a fantastic outdoor and indoor pool, Agro Art Boutique & Luxury Villa has plenty for guests to make use of. There is private parking for all guests, free WiFi, large flatscreen TV, a fully equipped kitchen and even a hot tub, complete with bathrobes to feel pampered in and enjoy to your heart’s content!

Crystal Beach Hotel – Right next to the beach, Crystal Beach Hotel has plenty of things for guests to enjoy. There is a wonderful swimming pool overlooking the Ionian Sea, a restaurant with a large menu to suit so many tastes as well as two bars – and even a pool bar with flavourful drinks. Every room has a luxurious ensuite with amenities, as well as a mini-fridge, TV and balcony. The onsite restaurant serves only the best Greek and international cuisine, prepared with the freshest and finest ingredients.

What should you pack for a trip to Zakynthos in Greece?

When visiting delightful Zakynthos, you should remember to pack these essential items to ensure your trip goes as smooth as possible:

Water Resistant Beach Bag – Look stylish whilst keeping all your belongings in one place with this pretty beach bag that is also water-resistant – so you don’t need to worry about any accidental splashes from the water. Its design also fits right in with the beautiful buildings in Zakynthos – making your photos stand out even more!

Garnier Ambre Solaire Invisible Protect Mist SPF50 – This SPF50 Invisible Protect Mist is perfect for keeping your skin free from sunburns. It has a quick-dry, non-greasy formula which delivers high UVA and UVB protection for the whole family.

Zakynthos and Kefalonia Marco Polo Pocket Travel Guide – Learn all about the most hidden gems in Zakynthos and Kefalonia with this trusty Marco Polo Pocket Travel Guide that fits right in your pocket – it’ll become your new best friend when travelling around Zakynthos.

DOULAFASS Women’s Swimming Costume – Be the centre of attention with this beautiful teal swimming costume which is perfect for the pool or beach days. It’s lightweight also, so is ideal if you have limited luggage space!

Lotus Women Hera Flip Flops – These comfortable flip-flops are great for showing off your pedicure and super comfortable for walking around Zakynthos in Greece all day long!

What are the best things to do in Zakynthos in Greece

There are so many great things to do in Zakynthos in Greece, that you’ll have a hard time fitting them all in! Luckily, I’ve made you a list of the most unmissable things to do in Zakynthos:

One day small group tour to Navagio beach Blue Caves – Discover abandoned shipwrecks in the crystal clear sea as well as see bubbling hot springs – there’s so much to see and do on this tour! What’s more, is that you’ll even get a memorable visit to the Blue Caves in a glass-bottomed boat, that’ll let you see all the sea life under your very feet. There are also two panoramic lookout points over Navagio shipwreck, that the tour will stop at to allow you to take in the beauty, and additionally, a must-have photo stop at the gorgeous “Wedding Island” – because you’ll want to make sure these memories last a lifetime.

Zakynthos Small-Group Turtle, Cameo Island, Keri Caves Tour – Explore some of the best attractions in Zakynthos with a small half-day group tour, which is perfect for those who want a more personalised tour on a budget. You can choose between a morning tour or an afternoon tour – whichever suits you best! You’ll then get to ride in a luxury Mercedes-Benz as it takes you to Kalamaki to swim in the ocean and hopefully spot some adorable turtles. You’ll then get your own tour of the Keri Caves, visit Cameo Island, and head to Marathonisi, which is also known as Turtle Island – it’s the perfect tour for animal lovers.

Half-Day Greek Cooking Class of Zakynthian Culture with Lunch – Cook up delicious Greek food with the expertise of a professional chef, who is also a local to the island. You’ll get to try a plethora of dishes that you can choose to cook and ask any questions you may have throughout the day. After you’re done cooking, it’s then time to eat the tasty food you prepared – which is one of the best parts! You’ll get to learn all about Greek food as well as the history of Zakynthos.

Turtle Spotting Cruise in Zakynthos – Sail through the bright blue seas of Zakynthos, trying to spot native loggerhead turtles swimming in Laganas Bay. You’d also be able to take in the breathtaking views of Marathonisi and discover all the nature there. You can then get up close to the natural rock formations of Keri Caves, and dive into the waters to cool off.

Zante Water Village Admission Ticket – Zante Water Village in Zakinthos, is the island’s largest water park – making it a great fun-filled day for all of the family to enjoy. There are plenty of thrilling water slides to zoom down on, as well as other swimming areas with things to do such as a wave machine, relaxing Jacuzzis, and a lazy river to float in.