Home to Greece’s Most Famous Beach, Zakynthos Island is a Dream Destination

Dreamy Shipwreck Beach is one of the iconic images of the Greek Islands. Here’s how to visit, plus why there’s more to love about Zakynthos.

The Greek Islands have become an annual summer destination for us these past few years. 

In fact, my husband, Dave, and I have visited more Greek islands than I can count at this point (25, maybe 30?). Last summer, it was the Sporades Islands. The summer before, the Saronic Islands. And, of course, the glorious Cyclades make their way onto every summer itinerary. 

And yet, somehow the Ionian Islands have always slipped through the cracks. 

This summer, we are finally fixing that! 

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will undoubtedly blow on more flights (it’s a vicious cycle).  All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you. 

This year, for our anniversary trip, the itinerary is all about the Ionian island group. And since we’re planning to take a ferry from Corfu to Bari to continue the trip to Italy, we decided to start in the south with Zakynthos and work our way north. 

Zakynthos (also called Zante) has a reputation for mass tourism and rowdy summer crowds, so I admit I was a little skeptical going in. That’s not exactly our scene. 

But parts of the island are also very family-friendly. In fact, I was moderately surprised to see dozens of families with kids under 5 on our flight to the island (also not our scene, haha).

So, what would we find on Zakynthos?

A party island? A family island? Or something in between?

It turns out that Zakynthos is a large, diverse island with plenty of space for everyone to coexist and enjoy the kind of perfect summer vacation that defines the Greek Islands.

Now, with that mystery settled, let’s get to know Zakynthos!

🗺️ Zakynthos in a Nutshell

Located in the Ionian Sea off the western coast of Greece, Zakynthos is the third-largest island in the Ionian Islands group.

The main town is Zakynthos Town (also called Zante Town), which sits on the eastern coast around the main port. It’s where most ferries arrive, where you’ll find the bulk of hotels and local restaurants, and where you’ll want to base yourself if you want easy access to pretty much everything.

Zakynthos is known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal-clear water, and loggerhead sea turtles (the famous Caretta caretta).

But, of course, most people have heard of Zakynthos for one reason – Shipwreck Beach.

Arguably the most photographed beach in all of Greece, it’s one of the most iconic images of the Greek Islands.

I’d be lying if I said checking Shipwreck Beach off my Greek Bucket List wasn’t the entire reason for our visit. I mean, you can’t really say you know the Greek Islands (and I like to think I do!) if you haven’t visited this iconic spot.

How to Get to Zakynthos

✈️ By Air

Zakynthos has its own airport (ZTH) with direct international flights from several European cities during the summer season — London, Amsterdam, and other major hubs are well-served.

Dave and I flew from our home in Hawaii through Seattle and then Amsterdam, where we caught a non-stop to Zakynthos with Transavia.

Two connections instead of three made a huge difference after two long days of travel. Plus we’ve been to Athens several times (if you haven’t, a few days in Athens is a must).

If you’re flying from within Greece, domestic flights connect Athens to Zakynthos regularly. The flight from Athens to Zakynthos takes about 45 minutes, which beats the drive + ferry connection significantly.

⛴️ By Ferry

The most common ferry route from mainland Greece is from the port of Killini on the western mainland. The crossing takes roughly 1.5 hours with Levante Ferries.

There are also ferry connections from Kefalonia, but as I learned the hard way this summer, they don’t start until much later than you’d think.

After extensive ferry travel in the Cyclades, Sporades, and Dodecanese, we’re used to finding reliable inter-island connections starting around mid-May.

The Ionian Islands, it seems, do not work that way.

Regular ferry service between the Ionian islands doesn’t ramp up until mid-June.

For our trip in early June, there was no direct ferry between Zakynthos Town and Kefalonia. There was one late night option between Agios Nikolaos on the northern tip of Zakynthos to Pessada on the southern tip of Kefalonia.

But the mid-day ferry to Kyllini on the mainland with a connection to Poros, Kefalonia worked better with our itinerary and only added an hour or so to our travel time.

(Unfortunately, getting between islands on the rest of our Ionian itinerary would only get harder!)

Tip: The absolute best site for booking ferries in Greece is FerryHopper.com.

🚗 By Car

If you’re road-tripping through Greece, you can drive to Killini and take the ferry across.

Once on the island, a rental car is the best way to explore. Zakynthos has small villages, viewpoints, and beaches that are difficult or impossible to reach by public transport alone.

🏨 Where to Stay

Zakynthos Town is my recommendation for a base, especially if you’re here for a short stay like we are.

You’re steps from the main port, walkable to restaurants and shops around Solomos Square, and within a short walk of a variety of boat excursions.

The village of Argassi, just south of town, is another solid option — slightly more resort-feeling, but still convenient.

Best Hotels on Zakynthos

Lesante Blu – The Leading Hotels of the World, Adults Only — For couples, this is the splurge option and it’s well worth the nightly rate. Many suites have private pools or hot tubs, perfect for honeymooners or anyone looking for a romantic getaway. With a private beach area, a variety of infinity pools, and multiple restaurants and bars, it’s a great choice for couples and honeymooners.

Aluasoul Zakynthos — The Aluasoul Zakynthos is a well-regarded adults-only resort with a strong reputation for service, food, and atmosphere. It’s a solid mid-range to upper-mid pick that covers all the bases without requiring you to take out a second mortgage.

Port View Apartment, Zakynthos Town — This is where Dave and I stayed, and we loved it. Located right on the harbor in Zakynthos Town, it’s walking distance from everything. Bonus: It has a washing machine. And after two days of travel, I knew we would need one at our first stop.

Best Airbnbs on Zakynthos

Zante Hidden Hills Bio Farm with Private Pool – Do you have a secret dream to stay in a windmill on your Greek Islands vacation? This one’s for you! Located in the tranquil village of Koiliomenos, this stone windmill villa was built to blend into nature. With two bedrooms, two baths, and a private pool, it’s perfect for a family looking for a unique place to stay.

Aroa – Three bedroom House – Located in North Zakynthos, this secluded 3-bedroom house is the perfect places to get away from it all on your Greece vacation. Surrounded by wide-open spaces, this ultra modern home with a large patio and pool area features incredible views of the Ionian sea.

🏖️ 10 Fun Things to Do on Zakynthos

If you have several days to explore Zakynthos, you can tackle one or two of these per day. Since we were on a tight schedule, we booked a full day trip that included most of the top sights listed below.

Our “Exclusive Shipwreck and Blue Caves Tour,” was a small group tour capped at just 10 guests. 

With only one full day on the island, it was the right call for us. But if you have more time, it’s easy to rent a car and do most of these yourself (although you’ll need to book a boat trip to cover some of the best sights).

Here are just a few of the best things to do on Zakynthos:

1. See Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) from the Viewpoint — and from the Water

Let’s be honest, this is probably why you came. It’s definitely why we came.

Navagio Beach — or Shipwreck Beach — is the image that put Zakynthos on the map. And let me just say, it absolutely lives up to the hype.

The rusted hulk of a MV Panagiotis freighter stranded on white sand, surrounded by towering white cliffs and water so blue it looks fake. This is more than an Instagram photo, this is the real deal. 

The ship washed ashore on October 5, 1980 while allegedly fleeing the Greek Navy during a contraband smuggling operation. Adding intrigue to a spot already too beautiful for words.

There are two ways to see the beach:

See it from above at the Shipwreck Beach Viewpoint. The viewpoint is accessible by road and a short (but hilly) hike along a paved path.

The views are spectacular but it was slightly alarming to see how close to the edge of the cliff you can get without supervision. I’m not sure I want to know how many people fall off this cliff every year.

Don’t worry, there are plenty of places to view it safely without getting too close to the edge. But, based on my observations, it seems everyone has a different level of acceptable risk when it comes to getting the perfect photo for social media.

But while the overlook is fantastic (and a must have shot), the real experience is getting down to the beach by boat. The only way in is by sea, and it’s worth every minute of the ride. 

Unfortunately, due to the risk of landslides, you can’t actually get off the boat onto the beach anymore. But the boat gets you close enough for some great photos!

2. Take a Boat Trip to the Blue Caves

The Blue Caves on the north coast of Zakynthos are one of those places that make you feel like you accidentally fell into a screensaver.

The way the light refracts through the cave openings and turns the water iridescent blue is genuinely hard to describe. 

Most boat excursions combine the Blue Caves with a visit to Navagio Beach where you can see the beach from the sea.

Boat trips depart from Porto Vromi on the northwestern coast of the island. You can book a tour in advance or just drive over and try to join a tour (in July and August, you’ll want to book in advance).

Our day trip included this boat trip on the itinerary (though it was an additional fee) and it was the highlight of our day.

In addition to seeing Navagio from the sea, we entered dozens of different caves and even got to swim in a few. We also made a stop a the next beach on my list…

3. See White Beach by Boat

If you thought Shipwreck Beach was the only sandy stunner on Zakynthos, this one will prove you wrong.

Accessible only by sea, this tiny white-pebbled cove is backed by soaring limestone cliffs. It reminds me a lot of one of my other favorite beaches in Greece, Lalaria Beach on Skiathos.

Read More: With 60 Beaches (& an Airport!) Skiathos is the Ideal Greek Islands Escape

There’s a small part of the beach with soft white sand but most of it is covered in the large white pebbles you’ll find on many Greek beaches.

Over the years, visitors have stacked the stones into “cairns” which gives the beach a unique (and very photogenic) look.

To get here, you’ll need to take one of the boat tours from Porto Vromi. Our day trip with Zakynthos tours included a stop at White Beach.

4. Spot Loggerhead Sea Turtles at Turtle Island 

One of the most important nesting sites in the Mediterranean for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), and the waters around what locals call Turtle Island are protected as a marine reserve.

You can often spot loggerhead turtles on boat trips around the bay — they surface regularly and seem entirely unbothered by human presence.

After Shipwreck Beach, this is the 2nd most popular day trip on Zakynthos. Most trips combine Turtle Island with a visit to the Keri Caves (see below).

We only had one full day on Zakynthos so we had to choose between this day trip and Navagio Beach. It was an easy decision since Navagio was the primary reason we came. Plus, we live in Hawaii, so we get to see turtles pretty often (though it never gets old!). 

If we’d had a second full day to explore Zakynthos, we definitely would have booked this trip.

We chatted with a couple on the ferry leaving Zakynthos, and they did the Zakynthos Half Day Tour and Cruise Turtle Island and Keri Caves during their stay. They loved it and so did their 4-year-old son. 

5. Drive the Keri Lighthouse Road and See the Keri Caves

The village of Keri in the south is worth a visit on its own, but the road out to the Keri Lighthouse is the real goal. The Keri Lighthouse restaurant at the end of the road has panoramic views that are as good as anything on the island.

While you’re in the area, Keri Beach is a quieter, more local alternative to the busier tourist beaches. And the Keri Caves offshore can be visited by Fiore di Levante excursion boats or private boat tours. Strong winds can make this stretch of coast choppy, so check conditions before you go.

6. Hike or Drive to Karanos Waterfall

Most people don’t associate Greek islands with waterfalls, which is exactly why the Karanos Waterfall surprises people.

It’s not Niagara, but it’s a lovely escape from the beach crowds and a chance to see a different side of the island’s natural beauty. The path can involve a dirt road and some walking, so wear real shoes for once.

7. Have Lunch or Dinner Overlooking the Cliffs of Kampi

A stop for lunch here was part of our full day tour of the island and it was one of my favorite parts of the day.

Overlooking the stunning Cliffs of Kambi, the Sunset Michali’s Taverna serves both lunch and dinner with a side of jaw-dropping views. It’s also one of the best spots on the island to watch the sunset.

8. Wander Zakynthos Town and Solomos Square

Zakynthos Town doesn’t quite have the seaside charm of Crete’s Chania or Naxos Town. But it’s still a fun town to explore in an afternoon.

The town was largely rebuilt after a major earthquake in 1953.

Much of what you see today is post-war reconstruction, but there are still stone structures, a Venetian castle above the town, and the lovely Solomos Square anchoring the waterfront.

It’s a real working Greek town, not a tourist set piece, and that comes through in the local restaurants and shops selling local products like olive oil and local honey.

9. Visit Xigia Sulfur Beach

Known as the island’s natural spa, the seawater at Xigia Beach contains sulfur and collagen that have healing properties. The beach has crystal clear waters and if you wade in waist-deep on the north end around the boulders, you’ll find a cave you can walk into.

There’s also a handy cafe perched above with gorgeous views, snacks, and restrooms.

10. See the Old Olive Tree

Zakynthos is home to more than 40,000 olive trees but only one of them is famous. Located in Exochora, the “Old Olive Tree” is estimated to be more than 2,000 years old. To this day, the tree is still cultivated by its owner and bears fruit every other year.

Wrapping up a terrific stay on Zakynthos Island

After two lovely days, it’s time to move on to the next island on our Ionian islands itinerary. But, I have to admit, we loved Zakynthos even more than we thought we would.

Sure, we came for Shipwreck Beach.

But the island is bigger and more varied than its single photogenic claim to fame.

And if you get even slightly off the main road and into the western coast, the small villages, the olive groves, and the dramatic scenery — it’s a completely different experience.

Zakynthos also has some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. Even with all its Instagram fame, Navagio is not overhyped. It really is that beautiful. And lesser-known gems like White Beach really surprised us.

Read More: The 7 Best Greek Islands for Beaches (You’ve Never Heard of #4)

The island has genuinely good food, crystal-clear water, and that particular Ionian warmth that felt different from the Cyclades but just as wonderful. 

The best months to visit are late May through early June and September — you’ll dodge the worst of the summer crowds while still getting great weather. Just factor in the ferry situation if you’re island-hopping early in the season.

If you have the time, give Zakynthos three or four days minimum. Rent a car, go slowly, and stop at every dirt road that looks like it might lead somewhere interesting. 

It usually does.

Next Stop, Kefalonia!