Zante, or Zakynthos, is one of Greece’s most popular summer destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Our itinerary covers the unmissable spots of this island’s true nature paradise, with golden beaches and turquoise waters, sheer cliffs, and incredible caves.
But that’s not all: the island is famous for being a complete destination, as it also offers picturesque villages, nightlife, and cultural attractions that can please every kind of tourist.
In this article, we will discuss the 5 must-see places in Zakynthos and the activities you can do to make this holiday unforgettable.
Navagio Beach or Shipwreck Beach
The first place on the list is Navagio beach, one of the most famous and most photographed beaches on Zakynthos. High cliffs frame the white sandy beach where the wreck of a ship lies. The ship MV Panagiotis, which was probably carrying a cargo of smuggled cigarettes, had an engine problem and got stuck in a shoal. Today, this beach is also called the Shipwreck Beach and can only be reached by sea, from Porto Vromi and Agios Nikolaos. We recommend going there in the morning, as the sea is calmer than in the afternoon, either with a group boat trip or by renting a RIB boat.
Marathonissi – Turtle Island
The small, uninhabited island of Marathonissi is located a short distance from Limni Keri beach and is known as a breeding site for loggerhead sea turtles. Apart from the possibility of spotting the turtles, you can relax on the two beaches of the island, one pebble beach from which you can swim to a huge cave, and one sandy beach, where the turtles lay their eggs (in fact, it is always guarded by marine park volunteers).
Most boat trips to the island of Marathonissi depart from Agios Sostis, and some offer tours that also include a visit to the Keri caves or Myzithres.
Keri Caves
Imagine 18 kilometres of coastline dotted with spectacular caves carved into the rocky cliffs: welcome to the Keri caves! Located southwest of Zakynthos, they are the perfect place to swim at the foot of the sheer cliffs, snorkel, and admire the Keri lighthouse, which dates back to 1925. Many of the caves have just enough of an entrance to swim in, while others are large enough to enter by boat. They are surrounded by crystal-clear waters and deep seabed rich in marine fauna and flora.
Vassilikos Peninsula
The Vassilikos peninsula boasts a series of sandy beaches that would tempt anyone to roll out their beach towel and relax to the sound of the waves. The most beautiful and distinctive beaches, recommended if you are looking for relaxation, are those of Dafni, home to the Zakynthos Marine Park, and Gerakas, characterized by shallow waters. On the other hand, if you are looking for a bit of fun, don’t miss Saint Nicholas beach. Frequented by young people, there is no shortage of entertainment here, with music, bars, and water sports of all kinds, such as jet skis, parasailing, and waterskiing.
5 Blue Caves
The Blue Caves of Zakynthos, in the north of the island, feature incredible archways that are the result of thousands of years of erosion. The sun’s rays entering the caves give the water a turquoise colour that will make you want to swim in. While visiting the caves, you can stop at one of the many sandy beaches of Cape Marathia or reach the Mizitres stacks by boat. The Blue Caves extend from Agios Nikolaos and end near Cape Skinari, and can often be reached by boat in combination with the Wreck Beach.