Zante travel guide

April 28, 2025By maverickbirdPosted in Europe, Greece, Outside India

Table of Contents

Sometimes it takes just one photo to start dreaming of visiting a place. Zante happened to me like that. I had once seen a photograph of its incredible blue water and dreamed of visiting it. It took me nearly seven years to make that wish come true, and I am glad that I went there. Zante, without a doubt, is one of the loveliest Greek islands. It has just the perfect size – easily navigated by car – and has plenty of neighbouring islands for day trips. It has its brash, commercial strip, which is lined with pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, and resorts with swimming pools and hutch-like rooms.

An island for quiet stays

Then, there are the sleepy villages that offer visitors basic sea-facing homestays. The owners are warm and friendly there, and despite speaking only Greek, they make one feel at home. Supermarkets are not within walking distance, and without a rental car, moving around from these places is difficult. For more solitude-seeking travelers, Zante offers quiet hill hamlets with only 7-8 houses. Olive trees grow there in profusion, and the only sound one usually hears there is of donkeys braying or church bells tolling. Having a rental car is an absolute necessity, as public transportation is spotty around the entire island. Therefore, no matter what your tastes and budget are, a Zante trip, especially if you want to explore the island. requires a bit of planning.

Where is Zante?

Zante or Zakynthos, as it is popularly known, is a stunning Greek island. It belongs to the Ionian cluster of islands and is not far from Corfu. Famous for the breathtaking Navagio (Shipwreck) beach, Zakynthos has featured in endless travel articles. It is very popular with the Dutch, German, and English visitors, and offers a bit of something to everyone.

How to reach

Zakynthos is accessible by plane and by ferry. Its domestic airport (ZTH – International Airport Dionysios Solomos) is well-connected with Athens, Kefalonia, and many European cities. The airport is not far from the main town and is conveniently reachable by a taxi from all parts of the island. The ferry to Zante departs from Killini on the west coast of the Peloponnese. The journey takes around an hour, and in summer, these ferries run daily.

When to go

We visited in July of 2024 and thought it to be perfect. Although it was busy, the days were endlessly sunny and the sea was bathwater warm. Evenings were breezy, and the sunsets were absolutely glorious. According to the travelers´ reviews, April, May, September, and October are the best months to visit for visiting Zante, with May being the best. Winters on the island are cold and often rainy.

Where to Stay and Getting Around

This popular Greek island has plenty of resorts, hotels, and homestays. If you like a bit of a party and flashing lights, then Laganas is your best bet. For quieter stays, choose a homestay in any of the local villages. Hiring a car is the best way of getting around in Zante. There are plenty of car rental agencies, and you can hire one right at the airport. Public transportation is not very reliable, and taxis are the only alternative. The island is served by local buses that are operated by KTEL Kakynthos, but these services run only in the summer months and do not follow a punctual schedule.

Things to Do

Although the mention of Zante at first conjures up a vision of the famous shipwreck beach and impossibly blue waters, there are more things to do at this gorgeous Ionian island. Take a look at the different things to do in Zakynthos.

The spectacular ´´Shipwreck Beach´´ – The Navagio beach is located on the northeastern coast of Zakynthos. This famous cove has a stunning backdrop of rugged white limestone cliffs that encircle a sugar-white beach and turquoise water. On the sand lies the picturesque wreck of the MV Panagiotis, the shipwreck of a container ship dating back to the 80s. At the time of writing in 2025, Shipwreck Beach was closed to tourists. The site could be viewed from the sea on a sailing trip or from the Navagio Beach Viewpoint from the cliff-top above. It can be easily reached by taxi or a group tour, but be aware that in summer it can get very crowded.
Explore the ´´Blue Caves´´ – Zante´s famous Blue Caves lie on the northern part of the island. Accessible by boats from the little port of Skinari, these are magnificent limestone sea coves and natural arches that are surrounded by deep blue waters. Their formation is such that the turquoise waters reflect on the white cave walls, thus shading them in myriad hues of blue. A visit to these caves is usually combined with a Shipwreck Beach trip. Jumping off the boat into these turquoise waters is very popular among the visitors and is great fun. It is forbidden to swim to these caves from the shore, and it can be very dangerous.

Go beach hopping – If you are a beach lover, then Zante will spoil you with choices. You can visit the tiny islet of Marathonisi, famous for being the hatching ground of loggerhead sea turtles; explore the Pelagaki Beach with its white pebbles, or relax on the golden sands of Kalamaki. More adventurous tourists can go the Gerakas Beach with its impressive dunes or lounge at the photogenic Porto Liminonas.
Don´t forget the Keri Caves – Usually combined with a trip to Marathonisi, Keri Caves are drop dead gorgeous. A labyrinth of sea caves set against a backdrop of white cliffs, Keri Caves is a very popular site for snorkeling.
Monasteries and Museums – Although not as well-endowed as Crete or Rhodes, Zakynthos has a smattering of religious monuments and a Byzantine Museum. The churches and monasteries worth visiting include Agios Dionysios, Panagia Skopiotissa, and the monasteries of Anafonitria and Agios Georgios Krimnon, located near Navagio Beach.

Leave the sea turtles alone – Although an extremely popular day tour, it is best to avoid visiting Turtle Island. Zante is a major nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles, an endangered species, and many of the island´s beaches have protected areas where they can lay their eggs and hatch in peace. Although the turtle tours take place on glass-bottom boats, the sheer number of tourists congregating in one area can drive any turtle away. For a more sustainable option, you can volunteer with ARCHELON and assist the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece with the nesting turtles.
The charming Cameo Island – Accessible by a wooden bridge and an entrance fee of 4 Euros, this charming island offers rocky coves for snorkeling and swimming. However, in mid-summer, it can get very crowded, so arrive early to grab a spot!