Zakynthos

Navagio Beach

Ναυάγιο

northwest

A cove on the northwest coast, enclosed by white cliffs over two hundred metres high, where the wreck of the smuggler's ship Panagiotis has rested since 1980. Access is by sea only, with visitors stepping straight from the boat onto the sand.

Tip: The clifftop overlook is a separate location from the boat landing — for the famous shot from above, you need to drive there separately, as the boat trip doesn't include it.

Admission:

boat trip from €20

Time needed:

half a day

Blue Caves

Γαλάζιες Σπηλιές

northern tip

A network of sea caves and rock arches at the island's northern tip near Cape Skinari, where sunlight reflects off the white limestone seabed and turns the water a deep blue. Small boats sail directly inside.

Tip: Go early in the morning around eight, when the sun hits at the right angle — by afternoon the caves fall into grey shadow and the effect vanishes.

Admission:

boat trip from €15

Time needed:

2 h

Laganas National Marine Park

southern bay

A shallow bay on the island's south side, the largest nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean — more than a thousand females arrive here each summer to lay their eggs. The park enforces strict rules: speed limits on boats, a nighttime ban on beaches, and designated boat corridors.

Tip: Turtles are reliably seen from a glass-bottom boat out of Keri harbour, not while swimming at Laganas.

Admission:

boat trip from €25

Time needed:

half a day

Marathonisi Islet

southern bay

An uninhabited islet in Laganas Bay nicknamed Turtle Island for its shape. It has two beaches — a sandy one where turtles lay eggs, and a pebbly one with sea caves. Access to the sandy side is restricted during nesting season.

Tip: Boats leave from both Keri and Limni Keriou; the crossing from Keri is shorter and cheaper.

Admission:

boat trip from €20

Time needed:

half a day

Zakynthos Town

Ζάκυνθος

Zakynthos Town

The capital, rebuilt in its original Venetian style after the 1953 earthquake, with the arcaded Solomos Square, the Church of St. Dionysios, and a Venetian fortress on the hill above town with views over the whole bay.

Tip: A steep path leads up from town to Bochali Fortress — at the top are cafés with the best view over the city and harbour.

Admission:

fortress from €4

Time needed:

3 h

Porto Limnionas

west coast

A rocky cove on the west coast with no sand, where people jump into clear water from flat limestone slabs. The depth begins right at the shore, making it one of the best spots on the island for snorkelling.

Tip: There's no beach or shade here — bring an umbrella and shoes you can climb back over the rocks in.

Admission:

free

Time needed:

half a day

Keri and the cliffs

southwest

The island's southwest tip, with a lighthouse, a view over the Mizithres cliffs rising from the sea, and a harbour from which turtle-watching boats depart. The overlook by the café has the best sunset on Zakynthos.

Tip: The clifftop café has a terrace right over the drop — arrive an hour before sunset, since the table by the railing can't be reserved.

Admission:

free

Time needed:

half a day

Gerakas Beach

southeast

A sandy beach on the Vasilikos peninsula within the national park, framed by ochre cliffs and under the strictest protection on the island. It's the single most important turtle nesting site and is fully closed at night from May to October.

Tip: Umbrellas may only be planted in the marked strip near the water — nests are higher up in the dry sand and marked with cages.

Admission:

free

Time needed:

half a day

Volimes village

north

A mountain village in the north known for its woven rugs, lace and honey, sold right along the roadside. It's the starting point for the Navagio overlook and the turn-off to the blue caves.

Tip: Textile prices here are noticeably lower than in the resorts, and haggling is expected — the same item costs double in Laganas.

Admission:

free

Time needed:

2 h