Zante Holidays

Zante can be the holiday that you want it to be; relaxing, cultural, romantic, family-friendly, adventurous, or heavy on the partying. It's all up to you 

The south coast has Laganas, famous for things you might not want to explain to your mother. The east coast is where Irish families have been coming for years - Tsilivi, Alykes, quiet beaches and a gentle, laid back evening mood. The west coast is dramatic and wild, with cliffs that drop into a sea so blue it looks like a filter from your camera. And then there's the north, where the famous shipwreck hides in a cove you can only reach by boat.  

May, June, and September are the friendliest times to visit - warm weather, manageable crowds, and the turtles are usually active in the bay. July and August are busy, hot, and expensive (and wild if you're in the wrong area). Book accommodation and boat trips well in advance if you're travelling at those times of year. The island stays warm into October, with sea temperatures still pleasant for swimming and the crowds have already thinned out.  

The public bus network connects the main towns, but services are limited, especially on the west coast. A hire car gives you freedom to explore the viewpoints, the hidden coves, and the mountain villages. The roads are narrow in places, and parking in Zakynthos Town can be a bit problematic, but a hire car is a great way to explore the island even further. ATVs and scooters are popular but it's no advisable to use them on the main roads.  

Where you're located can have a huge impact on your holiday in Zante. Tsilivi is the family favourite - a sandy beach, plenty of restaurants, and a lively but not chaotic atmosphere.  

Alykes is quieter, with a shallow bay and a relaxed pace of life. Laganas is for those who want buzzing nightlife and don't mind the noise. Zakynthos Town offers culture, shopping, and easy access to boat trips, and the west coast has small villages and stunning views, but not so many amenities.  

Zante is affordable compared to other Greek islands. Eating out won't break the bank for sure - a gyros (a bit like a kebab) is a few euros, a sit-down meal with wine is approximately €15-20 per person. The local wine is fine, and the house rosé is often better than you'd expect. Supermarkets are well-stocked for picnics and bottled water should you need it.  

It's import to remember a few things that will make your holiday even better. 

The island's turtles are protected by law - strictly protected. Keep your distance on the beach, don't shine lights on them at night, and never touch the sand where nests are marked. The famous Shipwreck Beach is often closed to swimming due to rock-fall risk - you can still see it from the water, and in fact, that's the view you really want. And the sea caves are best visited in the morning, when the sun turns the water electric blue.  

Pick the Zante that's right for you, and get ready for the holiday of a lifetime. 

The morning boat trip to Shipwreck Beach is the one everyone talks about. You approach the cove from the sea, the cliffs rising sheer on either side, and then you see it - a rusting smuggler ship stranded on white sand, the water sparkling like turquoise gemstones. It's a stunning sight, unfortunately, you can't swim here anymore; rockfalls have seen to that. But the view from the deck of your boat, with the sun lighting the wreck, is the photograph you came for. Go early, before the crowds and the heat, and it feels like you own the place.  

From there, the boat usually heads north to the Blue Caves. The water here does something strange when the sun hits the arches - it glows like a neon light. Small boats can enter the caverns, and some trips let you jump out and swim. The water is cold, clear, and unforgettable. Bring a waterproof phone pouch, you'll want proof of the experience.  

Back on land, the west coast is a must visit for those who leave the beach behind (even for a short time). The walk from Kampi to the lighthouse at Keri takes about an hour each way, along cliffs that drop straight into the Ionian Sea. Go late afternoon, when the light softens, and stay for sunset - but a torch for the walk back. The taverna at Keri serves fresh fish and cold wine, and the view across to the Peloponnese Islands is stunning.  

The turtles are the island's other famous residents. Laganas Bay is a protected marine park, and loggerhead turtles nest on the beaches of Vassilikos. You can spot them from a glass-bottom boat or a kayak - just keep your distance, no flash photography, and never chase them. The education centre at Gerakas Beach is excellent for families, teaching kids why these ancient creatures need their space.  

When hunger hits, avoid the tourist traps on the harbour in Zakynthos Town. Walk a few blocks inland, find a taverna with check tablecloths and a grill out front, and order pastitsada - slow-cooked beef in a rich tomato sauce, spiced with cloves and cinnamon. Or sofrito, veal in garlic and white wine. The house rosé is fine, the bread is fresh, and the bill won't hurt your pocket.  

If you have a second day on the water, skip the big tour boats and book something smaller. The trip to Marathonisi Island (turtle-shaped, with a lovely sandy beach) and the Keri Caves (quieter than the Blue Caves) feels more intimate. You'll swim in water so clear you can see the bottom at twenty metres. 

Evenings in Zante offer a lot of choices. Laganas has its famous strip - bars, clubs, and a crowd that's here for the night. If that's your scene, go, if it's not, Tsilivi has a lively but less chaotic energy, and Zakynthos Town has cocktail bars and live music in Venetian squares. Or skip it all and find a clifftop taverna in Kampi, order a glass of local wine, and watch the sun sink into the Ionian Sea.  

Zante has so much to offer Irish holidaymakers. It's a morning on a boat, an afternoon with turtles, an evening with good food and a view, and there's always the sea and the beach. 

Zante's beaches are as varied as the island itself. The east coast offers long, sandy stretches with shallow water and family-friendly amenities. The west coast is wilder, with rocky coves, dramatic cliffs, and a sea that shifts from deep blue to brilliant turquoise. The south has Laganas and its famous strip, but also protected bays where loggerhead turtles nest in peace. And then there's the north, home to the iconic Shipwreck Beach, accessible only by boat. Each has its own personality.  

Here are fifteen of the best, from the famous to the forgotten. 

• Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) - The iconic cove with a rusting smuggler's hull on white sand. You can't swim here due to rockfalls, but the view from the water is unforgettable.  
• Gerakas Beach - A protected bay in the National Marine Park. Soft sand, shallow water, and a key nesting site for loggerhead turtles. Keep your distance and enjoy.  
• Porto Limnionas - A rocky cove on the west coast with turquoise water and a small taverna. Perfect for snorkelling, but bring water shoes - the rocks are sharp.  
• Laganas Beach - Long, sandy, and backed by the island's famous strip. Busy, lively, and unapologetic. Great for people-watching and water sports.  
• Tsilivi Beach - A family favourite on the east coast. Sandy, shallow, with plenty of sunbeds, water sports, and tavernas behind the beach.  
• Dafni Beach - A quieter neighbour to Gerakas, also within the Marine Park. Soft sand, clear water, and a chance to see turtles without the crowds.  
• Alykes Beach - A long, sandy stretch on the east coast, with shallow water and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Sunbeds, tavernas, and a salt lagoon nearby.  
• Kalamaki Beach - Another turtle-nesting beach within the Marine Park. Soft sand, shallow water, and strict rules to protect the nests - no sunbeds, no umbrellas.  
• Porto Vromi - A small pebble beach on the west coast, the main departure point for boat trips to Shipwreck Beach. Limited facilities, but the view across the bay is super.  
• Marathonisi Beach - On a protected islet in Laganas Bay, shaped like a turtle. Sandy, shallow, and accessible only by boat. Popular with day trippers.  
• Agios Nikolaos (North) - A small harbour village on the northern tip, with a pebble beach and boats to the Blue Caves. Quiet, with a couple of excellent tavernas.  
• Keri Beach - A pebble cove at the southern tip, near the famous lighthouse. Quieter than the east coast, with a few tavernas and stunning sunset views.  
• Xigia Beach - A small, rocky cove on the west coast, known for its sulphur springs. The water smells a bad, but it's said to be therapeutic. Bring old swimwear.  
• Agios Sostis - A pebble beach near Laganas, with the famous Cameo Island just offshore. Quiet, with a couple of seafood tavernas and a relaxed vibe.  
• Vrontonero Beach - A tiny, rocky cove near the Blue Caves. No facilities, just turquoise water and a sense of discovery. Reachable by boat or along a steep path.

Zante's food is rooted in the connection between the land and the sea, with a dash of Venetian influence left over from centuries of rule.  

The island's signature dish is pastitsada - slow-cooked beef or rooster in a rich tomato sauce, spiced with cloves, cinnamon, and allspice, served over thick pasta. It's hearty, fragrant, and the taste of a Zante Sunday. Sofrito is the other classic local dish: thin slices of veal cooked in white wine, garlic, and parsley, the sauce is so good you'll want to mop it all up with bread.  

The sea provides the rest of the menu. Bourdeto is a spicy fish stew from the island's fishing communities, hot with red pepper, served with potatoes or bread. Psarosoupa is a simpler fish soup, light and lemony, perfect after a morning on the water. And the little fried fish - marides or atherina - you'll find at beachside tavernas are best eaten whole, crispy, with a squeeze of lemon and a cold beer.  

For something sweet, Zante has its own specialties. Mandolato is a nougat of almonds and honey, traditionally made for weddings and Easter. Fouskakia are tiny fried dough balls, dusted with cinnamon and honey, served warm.  

Beyond the plate, the island's culture is layered. The Venetian Castle above Zakynthos Town is a ruin now, but the views over the bay are spectacular, and the walk up through the pines is worth it. The Byzantine Museum in the town centre holds icons, frescoes, and religious artefacts, housed in a building that was once a church. And the Church of Agios Dionysios (don't forget your scarf to cover yourself) is the island's patron saint, with a striking bell tower visible from across the harbour.  

The archaeological sites are modest but interesting. The Ancient Olive Tree near the village of Exo Chora is claimed to be over two thousand years old - still standing and still producing fruit. The Roman Villa at Tsilivi has well-preserved floor mosaics, tucked behind a small museum, and the Cave of Damianos near Keri holds stalactites, stalagmites, and a small chapel built into the rock.  

The Easter celebrations are among the most dramatic in Greece, with "balcony throwing" in Zakynthos Town - locals toss clay pots filled with flowers from their windows to welcome spring. The summer festivals in the villages feature live music, dancing, and enough food to feed the entire island. If you hear music, follow it, and if you see a procession, stop and watch.  

On Zante, there are a few other things you  might want to try. Ladotyri is a cheese aged in olive oil and has a salty and sharp taste. Noumboulo is pork filet cured in salt and spices, smoked, and aged - a rare treat you'll find in the mountain villages. And Retsina (traditionoal Greek wine) is an acquired taste, but the locals love it. And one last thing, don't leave without trying the local house wine - it's young, fresh, and poured from a jug.  

Zante's food and culture aren't about extravagance - not by a long shot. They're about doing simple things well - a slow-cooked stew, a sunset from a castle ruin, a village festival where strangers become friends.  

Taste it, wander it, and you'll understand why Irish holidaymakers come back again and again. 

First, you'll need to know the airport situation. Zakynthos airport is small, and in summer, it's chaotic. The runway runs right alongside the beach at Laganas, which makes for a spectacular landing photo but also means delays when the wind picks up. Pack patience in your hand luggage. The queue for passport control can be long, and rental car desks are understaffed in peak season. Book everything - car, accommodation, boat trips - before you leave home.  

The car question is simple: get one.  

The west coast viewpoints, the turtle beaches of Vassilikos, the mountain villages where pastitsada is done right - none of them work well on the bus network. The island is small enough to drive across in under an hour, but the roads are narrow, and Greek drivers have their own rules. Take it slow and pull over for faster locals. And never leave anything valuable in a parked car at a remote beach - break-ins can, and do happen here. 

Here's something to pack that you might not think of: water shoes. Porto Limnionas and the Keri Caves are beautiful, but the rocks are sharp (I mean a trip to the emergency room sharp). A dry bag for boat trips - you'll want your phone for photos, and salt water is not forgiving to technology. Sunscreen that won't wash off in ten minutes - and preferably coral-safe. And a sense of humour about the mosquitoes; they're not as bad as they say, but they are real. Bring the best DEET-based mosquito spray you can get, and maybe even an after bite calming gel to stop the itch. 

Budgeting is straightforward. The south coast (Laganas, Kalamaki) has cheaper accommodation and more competition, which keeps prices down. The east coast (Tsilivi, Alykes) is mid-range. The west coast has fewer hotels, so book early - Cassidy Travel can give you all the information you need. Food is cheap if you eat where locals eat - look for the place with the most scooters parked outside - and the house wine is fine.  

A few Zante-specific truths. The famous Shipwreck Beach is often closed to swimming due to rock-falls. Don't be that person who ignores the red flag. The turtles are protected by law; the fines for disturbing them are high, and the locals take it very seriously. The sea caves are best visited in the morning, when the sun hits the water at the right angle. And the nightlife in Laganas is loud and late - if that's not your scene, choose your accommodation accordingly.  

One final thing: The airport departure queues can be long, and the air conditioning struggles. Arrive two hours early and bring snacks. It's a small island with a small airport. The chaos is temporary, but the holiday is worth it for sure.