If you are looking for things to do in Zante, you’ve come to the right place: we spent 14 nights touring the island with a rental car at the end of October, as part of a more than two-month trip through the Ionian Islands. In this guide, we tell you about the 18 places we liked the most, complete with a map, where to stay, how to get there, and all the tips we wish we had known before going.
Zante (or Zakynthos, its Greek name) is famous worldwide for just one photo: Navagio Beach. But we’ll let you in on a secret: the island is much more than that. White cliffs, blue caves, sulfur thermal springs, and sea turtles… An island that surprised us from start to finish!
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Things to do in Zante: Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Destination | Zante (Zakynthos), Ionian Islands, Greece. |
| Recommended days | 4 to 5 days for a complete tour. |
| Best time | May, June, September, and October (pleasant weather and fewer crowds). |
| Daily budget | €60-90 per day for two people (including rental car). |
| Transport | A rental car is essential for greater freedom. |
| Recommended accommodation | Alykes/Alikanas (tranquility) or Tsilivi (good location). |
| Essentials | Navagio viewpoint, Blue Caves, Porto Limnionas, Marathonisi Island, and Cape Keri. |
| Important note | Navagio Beach is closed to the public until at least October 2026. |
1. Navagio Beach viewpoint, the icon of Zante
We start with the most famous thing to see in Zante: Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach. The image of the rusty ship stranded on white sand, surrounded by cliffs and turquoise water, is one of the most photographed postcards in all of Greece.
The closure of Navagio Beach: what you need to know
A key piece of information that almost no blog keeps updated: Navagio Beach is closed to the public. Since the 2022 earthquake, you cannot go down to the sand due to the risk of rockfalls, and Greek authorities have extended the ban until at least October 31, 2026. Boats are also not allowed to approach within about 50 meters of the shore. If any agency promises to let you land on the beach, be skeptical: it is not permitted.
Also, don’t try to look for the “secret paths” that circulate on social media to peek outside the official viewpoint: the cliffs are unstable, there have been serious accidents, and the police impose fines on those who cross the fencing. That said, there is good news for the future: there is an official plan worth nearly 9 million euros to stabilize the cliffs, preserve the ship, and expand the beach between 2026 and 2030, with the idea of allowing landing again.
How to see Navagio today: viewpoint and boat
Is it still worth going? Totally. The viewpoint above the cliffs, near the Anafonitria monastery and the village of Volimes, gives you THE view of the bay from above. We arrived early in the morning and there was almost no one there. Seeing that electric blue from the edge of the cliff is something we won’t forget. There is a dirt parking lot, a kiosk, and the platform is less than a 5-minute walk away.
The other way to see it is by boat: excursions enter the bay and stay at a safe distance, with plenty of time for photos of the ship from the water. We did both and recommend doing the same: viewpoint and boat, because they are completely different experiences.
2. The Blue Caves, one of the best things to do in Zante
The Blue Caves are on the northern end of the island, near Cape Skinari, and they were one of our favorite excursions. They are limestone rock formations with natural arches where the water takes on such an intense blue color that it looks photoshopped. Smaller boats go directly into the caves, and if the sea is calm, they let you swim right there.
In our case, we went on a boat from the port of Agios Nikolaos and combined the caves with a view of Navagio on the same trip. The reflection of the water on the cave walls stains everything blue, even your skin when you get into the water. Incredible!
TIP: book the excursion early in the morning when the sun hits the right angle and the sea is usually calmer. In the afternoon, the wind can make entering the caves difficult.
3. Cape Skinari and its lighthouse
Since you are in the north for the Blue Caves, head to Cape Skinari, the northernmost point of Zante. There is a lighthouse, a couple of stone windmills converted into accommodation, and beautiful views towards Kefalonia, which can be seen clearly across the water on clear days.
From here, stairs also lead down to the sea, where local boats set off for the caves. It is a quiet area without major tourist developments, although the climb is not very easy if it’s very hot. Ideal for watching the sunset with the Ionian Sea in the background. We stayed for a good while taking photos and had a lovely time.
4. Porto Limnionas, the island’s most beautiful natural pool
If there is one place on the island that we fell in love with, it’s Porto Limnionas. It’s not a traditional beach: it’s a rocky cove on the west coast, a kind of miniature fjord with crystal-clear emerald water. You enter the sea via stairs or by jumping from the rocks, and there are caves to explore while swimming.
We went at the end of October and were lucky enough to have it almost to ourselves. The day was cool, and there was a bit of wind. There is a tavern above the cove with a view of the sea that gets crowded in high season; if you go in July or August, arrive early because the parking lot is small.
For us, it’s an absolute essential in Zante, especially if you like snorkeling: the underwater visibility must be spectacular.
5. Korakonisi, the secret islet of the west coast
Very close to the village of Agios Leon, on the same west coast as Porto Limnionas, hides Korakonisi: a rocky islet attached to the coast, with a natural stone arch and deep blue waters. It is one of those spots that doesn’t appear in brochures and that many travelers consider one of the best things to see in Zante.
It’s a wild place with no services of any kind: you reach it via a narrow dirt road and have to carefully climb down the rocks. It’s an area for cliff jumping and snorkeling, suitable only when the sea is calm. If you are looking for nature in its purest state far from the crowds, add it to your route along with Porto Limnionas: they are just a stone’s throw from each other and combine perfectly in the same afternoon.
6. Xigia Beach, natural sulfur bath
Xigia Beach is unique in Zante: sulfurous waters spring from the cliff face and mix with the sea, and it is said that bathing here has therapeutic properties for the skin and joints. The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival is the smell of sulfur, similar to eggs… but you get used to it quickly, hahaha.
It’s a small pebble beach with water of a beautiful milky blue color due to the minerals. You descend from the road via a small path, and there is a bar in season. We stopped on the way between the north and the capital, enjoyed the scenery, pure nature, tranquility, and continued our trip. A different experience you cannot miss.
7. Zakynthos town, the city reborn from an earthquake
The island’s capital, also called Zakynthos or Zante town, is different from the typical villages of the Greek islands. In 1953, an earthquake destroyed it almost completely, so it was rebuilt with neoclassical style buildings, wide squares, and streets with arcades.
These are the points we liked most about the capital:
- Solomos Square: the main square, dedicated to the poet Dionysios Solomos, author of the Greek national anthem.
- Church of St. Dionysius: the temple of the island’s patron saint, with its bell tower visible from the entire port.
- St. Mark’s Square: the most picturesque, with its cafes and the Venetian air the island preserves.
- The harbor promenade: ideal for a walk at sunset watching the boats.
Many travelers also recommend the Byzantine Museum, right in Solomos Square, if you are interested in religious icons rescued after the earthquake. The city can be explored easily in half a day.
8. Bohali, the capital’s viewpoint
Climbing just a few minutes by car from the center, you reach Bohali, a neighborhood on the hill with the remains of a Venetian castle and the best views of the city and the port. At sunset, with the lights turning on below… it’s a magical moment.
There are a couple of cafes with terraces where you can have a drink while looking at the bay. The castle is surrounded by pine trees and you can visit the grounds; many travelers recommend entering for the views rather than the ruins themselves. We preferred the walk around the neighborhood and the viewpoint, which is free and beautiful.
9. Laganas Bay and Kalamaki Beach, the kingdom of the turtles
Laganas Bay is the heart of the Zakynthos Marine National Park, created to protect the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), which nests on these beaches between May and August. Kalamaki Beach, with its golden sand and shallow waters, is one of the main nesting areas.
We went to Kalamaki with the hope of seeing a turtle and learned something important: you have to go with respect. During nesting season, there are closed sectors, you cannot stick umbrellas anywhere, and the beach is closed at night so as not to disturb the nests. Turtles are easier to see from the water on boat trips around the bay.
Laganas is also the most party-oriented area of Zante, with bars and nightlife aimed at young tourism, especially British. If you are looking for tranquility, it is better to stay elsewhere on the island and only come for a visit.
10. Marathonisi Island, the turtle island
Facing Laganas Bay is an islet shaped like a giant turtle (really, the shape is somewhat similar!) called Marathonisi. It is one of the most beautiful short excursions recommended in Zante: you reach it by small boats departing from Laganas, Agios Sostis, or Keri, and it’s the area with the highest chances of seeing turtles swimming.
The islet is uninhabited and protected: it has a small white sand beach where you can disembark for a while (outside the nesting areas) and sea caves on the other side. On our boat trip around the bay, we saw a turtle poking its head up near the boat, and it was one of those moments that makes the whole trip worth it.
11. Cameo Island and Agios Sostis port
At one end of Laganas Bay is Cameo Island, a tiny islet attached to the mainland by a wooden footbridge over turquoise water. It is one of the most photographed spots on the island: during the day it functions as a beach club (you pay an entrance fee that usually includes a drink), and many travelers choose it for weddings and photo sessions.
Right next door is the small port of Agios Sostis, from where several of the small boats that tour the bay in search of turtles depart.
Our recommendation: if you go in high season, go early or admire it from the port, because the islet is small and gets crowded quickly. Off-season, however, the postcard view of the footbridge with the light blue water is beautiful and without people.
12. Gerakas Beach, the wildest in the south
At the end of the Vassilikos peninsula is Gerakas, which for us is the most beautiful sandy beach to see in Zante. It is a golden half-moon surrounded by light clay cliffs, inside the marine national park, so it remains without buildings stuck to the sand.
As a turtle nesting area, it has hours: you can only enter during the day and part of the beach is always cordoned off. There is a turtle information center at the entrance that is worth visiting. The water is shallow and super transparent, ideal for children.
TIP: if Gerakas is full or you are looking for something even quieter, many travelers recommend the neighboring Dafni beach, also a nesting area, with access via a more complicated path that scares off the crowds and a couple of taverns right on the beach.
13. Cape Keri and the Mizithres cliffs
The southwest of the island gave us one of the most beautiful sunsets of our entire trip through Greece. From the village of Keri, you go up to the lighthouse (Keri Lighthouse), where there is a tavern with a terrace hanging over cliffs of more than 200 meters. From there, you can see the Mizithres, two white pyramidal rocks emerging from the turquoise sea.
The contrast of the white of the rock with the deep blue of the Ionian is impressive. Arrive at least an hour before sunset to get a spot, especially in summer. In our case, at the end of October, we were almost alone and the sky was painted orange… one of those moments you don’t forget.
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14. Kampi and its cliffs, the other great Zante sunset
If the Keri sunset is out of your way, the classic alternative on the west is Kampi, a small village atop cliffs over 300 meters high, crowned by a large stone cross that commemorates those fallen in the Greek Civil War. It is one of the most striking panoramic points on the island and one of the things to do in Zante that locals recommend most.
There are a couple of taverns with terraces facing directly west: order something cool and wait for the sun to sink into the Ionian. The drop into the void is so vertical that it’s a bit impressive to lean over, so keep your distance from the edge, especially with wind or children.
15. Porto Vromi, the hidden cove of the west
Porto Vromi is a narrow cove nestled between cliffs on the west coast, with intense blue water. From here, some of the smaller boats that go towards Navagio Bay depart, a shorter and cheaper alternative than the large boats that leave from the main port.
The descent by car is via a winding road with beautiful views. The cove itself is small, with a pebbly beach and a bar in season. If you want to see Navagio from the water without spending half a day sailing, this is a great option.
16. Volimes, Anafonitria, and the interior villages
Zante is not just coastline. The interior of the island is full of olive groves, vineyards, and mountain villages where life follows a different rhythm. Volimes, in the north, is the best known: famous for its artisanal textiles, honey, and local cheese, with stalls from producers on the main street.
We stopped on the way to the Navagio viewpoint and bought thyme honey and olive oil directly from the producer. Very close by is the 15th-century Anafonitria monastery, where according to tradition St. Dionysius, the island’s patron saint, lived his last years: many travelers visit it on the way to the viewpoint for its stone tower and courtyard full of flowers.
We also recommend stopping through Exo Chora, with its square and an ancient olive tree that is said to be over 2,000 years old, and through Maries and Agalas if you like to get off the tourist circuit. Driving through these inland routes, you understand the authentic Zante, the one that has always been.
17. Agios Nikolaos Beach and the Vassilikos peninsula
The Vassilikos peninsula, to the southeast, concentrates several of the best sandy beaches on the island: Agios Nikolaos (with its islet that you reach by swimming), Banana Beach (the longest and with the most atmosphere, ideal for water sports), and Porto Zorro, with its rocks emerging from the water.
It is a green area, with vegetation reaching almost to the sea, and much quieter than Laganas. If your plan is beach and relaxation, for us it is the best area of the island to spend a couple of days. The taverns facing the sea in Vassilikos were where we ate the best in all of Zante.
18. Alykes Beach and the quiet north
We close the list of things to do in Zante with the area of Alykes and Alikanas, on the northeast coast. These are wide sandy beaches, with calm and shallow waters, surrounded by small villages with a family atmosphere and local taverns. Alykes owes its name to the old salt pans that can still be seen behind the beach.
May, June, September, and October (fewer people and good weather)
4 to 5 days to see it relaxed
€60-90 per day for two people (with rental car)
Greek (with English in tourist areas) / Euro (€)
Itinerary to see Zante in 4 or 5 days
With our experience of two weeks on the island, this is how we would organize a shorter trip:
- Day 1: Zakynthos town, Bohali, and sunset at Cape Keri with the Mizithres.
- Day 2: north of the island: Navagio viewpoint, Volimes, Anafonitria monastery, Cape Skinari, and excursion to the Blue Caves.
- Day 3: west coast: Porto Limnionas, Korakonisi, Porto Vromi, and sunset in Kampi.
- Day 4: Laganas Bay: boat trip through the marine park, Marathonisi, Cameo Island, and Kalamaki Beach.
- Day 5: Vassilikos peninsula: Gerakas, Banana Beach, and Xigia Beach on the way back.
If you have fewer days, prioritize day 2 and day 4: these are the two sides of Zante you cannot miss.
Gerakas Beach Zakynthos
Where to stay in Zante
Zante has accommodation for all budgets, but the area you choose changes the trip a lot. Our honest summary after two weeks on the island:
- Alykes / Alikanas: where we stayed. Quiet, family-friendly, well-located for the north. Recommended if you go by car.
- Zakynthos town: practical if you arrive by ferry or want services all year round, although there are no nice beaches nearby.
- Vassilikos: the best beach area, ideal for relaxation. More isolated, you definitely need a vehicle.
- Laganas / Kalamaki: lots of supply and good prices, but it is the noisiest and party-oriented area of the island.
- Tsilivi: intermediate, with a beach, family atmosphere, and good value for money.
➜ Find your accommodation in Zante at the best price
In this map you can see the accommodations available on the island with their prices updated according to your dates:
Makris Gialos beach
How to get to Zante
There are two ways to get to the island, and we used the ferry because we were touring the Ionians with a car:
By plane: Zakynthos “Dionysios Solomos” International Airport (ZTH) is only 5 km from the capital. In season it receives direct flights from many European cities, and all year round it has connections with Athens (less than 1 hour flight) with companies like Olympic Air and Sky Express.
By ferry: the classic route is from the port of Kyllini, in the Peloponnese, with Levante Ferries. The crossing takes 1 hour 15 minutes, operates all year round, and the ticket costs from about €13.50 per person (the car, from about €38). In summer there are up to 6 or 7 daily departures. In addition, from May to October there is a seasonal connection between Pessada (Kefalonia) and Agios Nikolaos, in the north of Zante, perfect if you are touring the Ionian Islands as we did. You can check updated schedules on the official website of Levante Ferries.
If you are coming from Athens by land, it is about a 3.5-hour drive to Kyllini (about 290 km), or you can combine KTEL buses from the Kifissos station to the port, coordinated with the ferry departures.
How to get around Zante
We’ll tell you straight: to really take advantage of the island, rent a car. We toured Zante for 14 days with a rental car and it was the best decision: the most beautiful places (Porto Limnionas, Cape Keri, Navagio viewpoint) are scattered all over the island and public transport is very limited.
The main roads are in good condition, although on the west coast and inland you will find narrow and winding roads: drive carefully and that’s it. Parking is free almost everywhere outside the capital. Quads and motorcycles are also rented, very popular in summer, although for Zante’s distances the car is more comfortable.
And without a car? The KTEL bus network connects the capital with Laganas, Kalamaki, Tsilivi, Alykes, and other tourist points, but with limited frequencies (and minimal off-season), and it does not reach the most beautiful spots on the west coast. The alternative is taxis, organized excursions that leave from the main hotel areas, or the boat tour around the island, which shows you the entire coast in one day.
Internet in Zante: eSIM for your trip
To get around the island we used Google Maps all the time (signs don’t always help, hehe), so having data as soon as you land is key. If your phone is compatible, the most practical option is an eSIM: you activate it before traveling and arrive in Greece with internet working, without looking for stores or changing the physical SIM.
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What to eat in Zante
The gastronomy was one of the surprises of our time on the island. These are the local dishes you have to try:
- Ladotyri: the typical Zante cheese, cured in olive oil. We bought it in Volimes and loved it.
- Sartsa: beef cooked in tomato sauce with garlic and local cheese, the most traditional dish on the island.
- Baked chicken with potatoes: a classic from the inland taverns, juicy and lemony. Simple and great.
- Mandolato: the local almond nougat, perfect to take as a souvenir.
- Thyme honey and olive oil: the island produces its own and you can get them directly from the producer.
The family taverns inland and in Vassilikos were where we ate best: generous portions and lower prices than in the tourist areas of the coast.
Travel insurance for Zante
Greece is a safe destination, but a sprained ankle while walking down to a cove, a motorcycle fall, or medical attention on the island can ruin your trip (and your pocket). After more than 9 years of traveling the world, we don’t get on a plane without insurance: we always travel with IATI Insurance, and as a blog reader, you get a 5% discount on any of their policies.
For a trip to Greece and the islands, coverage for medical expenses, sports like snorkeling, and transfers is essential. We tell you about our experience and how to choose the best plan in our guide to the best travel insurance for Europe.
Map with things to do in Zante
In this map, we have marked the 18 things to do in Zante from this guide, along with the departure ports for excursions and areas where to stay, so you can organize your routes by area and not double back.
Excursions in Zante
Although the island is easily toured on your own by car, there are experiences that can only be lived from the water. The excursions that are most worth it according to our experience:
- Boat trip to Navagio and the Blue Caves: the island’s star excursion. Remember that in 2026 boats do not land on the beach, but the view from the water remains impressive.
- Cruise around Laganas Bay and Marathonisi: the best option to see Caretta caretta turtles in the wild.
- Full tour of the island by boat: to see the entire coast in one day, with stops to swim.
- Sunset boat tour: the west coast, with its cliffs, at sunset color… a different way to say goodbye to the day.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Zante
Can you go down to Navagio Beach?
No, Navagio Beach is closed to the public until at least October 31, 2026, due to rockfall risk, and boats must stay about 50 meters from the shore. You can see it from the cliff viewpoint near Anafonitria and from boat excursions entering the bay.
Is the boat trip to Navagio worth it even if the beach is closed?
Yes, for us it is still worth it: the boats enter the bay and seeing the wrecked ship from the water, with the white cliffs around, is impressive. In addition, most excursions combine Navagio with the Blue Caves, where you can swim if the sea permits.
How many days are needed to see Zante?
We recommend between 4 and 5 days to tour Zante in comfort: one for the capital and the south, one for the north with the Navagio viewpoint and the Blue Caves, one for the west coast, one for Laganas Bay and its turtles, and one for the Vassilikos beaches.
What is the best time to travel to Zante?
The best months are May, June, September, and October: good weather, warm sea, and many fewer tourists than in mid-summer. July and August are the hottest, most expensive, and crowded months. We went at the end of October and the island was quiet, although some tourist services were already closing for the end of the season.
How to get to Zante from Athens?
There are two options: a direct flight from Athens to Zakynthos airport (less than 1 hour) or by land to the port of Kyllini, in the Peloponnese (about 3.5 hours by car), and from there the Levante Ferries ferry, which takes 1 hour 15 minutes and operates all year round.
Do you need to rent a car in Zante?
Yes, we totally recommend it. The essential places to see in Zante are scattered throughout the island, public transport is very limited, and with a car, you can reach coves like Porto Limnionas or viewpoints like Cape Keri at your own pace. We toured the island for 14 days with a rental car without any problems.
Where can you see turtles in Zante?
Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) live in Laganas Bay, inside the Zakynthos Marine National Park. The easiest way to see them is on a boat trip around the bay or around the islet of Marathonisi. They nest on beaches like Kalamaki and Gerakas between May and August, a time when you must respect the closed areas.
Zante or Kefalonia? Which one to choose?
It depends on your travel style: Zante is smaller, more touristy, and has the most iconic landscapes (Navagio, Blue Caves, turtles), while Kefalonia is larger, quieter, and has spectacular beaches like Myrtos. We toured both and, if you have time, the best answer is to combine them: in season there is a direct ferry between Pessada and Agios Nikolaos.
Our opinion: is it worth visiting Zante?
After 14 nights on the island and more than two months touring the Ionians, our answer is a resounding yes. Zante surprised us much more than just the famous Navagio photo: the Blue Caves, Porto Limnionas, the sunsets at Keri and Kampi, and the turtles of Laganas make it a very complete island.
If you are putting together your trip through Greece, we recommend combining it with its neighbors: we tell you everything in our guides to what to see in Kefalonia and what to see in Paxos, two islands that also fascinated us. And if you are doubting between the Ionian and the Aegean, check our guide on what to see in Milos to compare.
We hope this guide with the 18 things to do in Zante helps you organize your own trip. If you have any questions, leave us a comment and we will be happy to answer you. Have a great trip!
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