Last updated: September 2026
Zante holidays – the island is also known as Zakynthos – offer a spectacular combination of world-famous natural scenery, lively British-friendly resorts and important wildlife conservation that makes this one of Greece’s most visited and beloved Ionian islands. The sight of Shipwreck Beach from the clifftops above is one of the most photographed views in all of Europe, while the island’s beaches provide crucial nesting habitat for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. Zante is an island of genuine contrast and remarkable beauty.
Zante suits a wide range of UK travellers. Laganas on the south coast offers a lively resort atmosphere with a long sandy beach. Tsilivi on the east coast is calmer and particularly well suited to families. The Vassilikos peninsula in the south provides beautiful, quieter beaches and direct access to the turtle nesting areas. Zakynthos Town itself has Venetian elegance and a cosmopolitan waterfront, and the island’s boat trip circuit – Blue Caves, Shipwreck Beach and the turtle viewing area – is among the best in Greece.
Navagio – Shipwreck Beach – is undoubtedly Zante’s most iconic sight and one of the most photographed beaches in the entire world. The image of the rusting hulk of the MV Panagiotis, surrounded by brilliant white sand and enclosed by sheer limestone cliffs rising from the most extraordinary shade of turquoise water, is instantly recognisable globally. Seeing it for the first time from the clifftop viewpoint is genuinely jaw-dropping.
The beach itself is accessible only by boat – no road reaches it – and regular boat trips depart from several points along Zante’s coast, particularly from Porto Vromi bay and from Zakynthos Town. The boat journey through the sea caves and along the dramatic north-west cliffs is spectacular in itself. The beach gets very busy in peak season, but even with other visitors present, Navagio retains its capacity to amaze. The clifftop viewpoint is accessible by road and is equally impressive.
The Blue Caves at Cape Skinari on Zante’s north-west tip are a magical natural phenomenon formed by centuries of wave erosion through the island’s white limestone cliffs. Inside the caves, the water glows in extraordinary shades of vivid blue and turquoise as sunlight refracts through the clear shallow water and reflects off the pale cave walls. The effect is genuinely breathtaking and unlike anywhere else in Greece.
The caves are visited by boat from the small port at Cape Skinari – small wooden boats take visitors right into the largest caves for the full light effect. The best time to visit is in the morning when the sun angle is optimal for the blue light effect. Many boat trips from the main resorts combine the Blue Caves with a visit to Shipwreck Beach into a single full-day excursion – one of the finest day trips available anywhere in Greece.
Laganas on Zante’s south coast is the island’s most developed and lively resort, long popular with younger British travellers for its long sandy beach, buzzing nightlife and affordable package deals. The main beach at Laganas is over 9 km long and backed by a strip of bars, restaurants and clubs that is among the liveliest in the Ionian islands. For those seeking a sociable, energetic holiday, Laganas delivers.
The bay at Laganas is also critically important habitat for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), which nests on the beach from June to August. The National Marine Park of Zakynthos protects the nesting areas and imposes restrictions on beach use and water activities in certain zones. Respect for the turtles is important – and responsible visitors are rewarded with the extraordinary experience of seeing these ancient creatures in their natural habitat. The park’s visitor centre in Gerakas provides excellent information.
Tsilivi, on Zante’s east coast north of the capital, is one of the island’s most popular family resorts. The bay is beautiful – a gently curving sweep of sandy beach with calm, shallow water ideal for children – and the resort itself is well developed without being overwhelming. Hotels, apartments, tavernas and bars line the beachfront, with a good range of facilities including pedaloes, watersports and beach volleyball.
The resort has a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere during the day and a lively but not extreme evening scene, making it well suited to families who want some evening entertainment without the extreme clubbing culture of Laganas. The road between Tsilivi and Zakynthos Town is easy to navigate and the capital is well worth an evening visit for its waterfront restaurants and gelato stops.
The Vassilikos peninsula stretching south from the main resort areas is one of Zante’s most beautiful and ecologically significant areas. The peninsula’s beaches – Gerakas, Dafni, Banana and Porto Zoro – are among the finest on the island, and several are important loggerhead turtle nesting sites strictly protected by the National Marine Park. Gerakas in particular is a stunning beach of golden sand with excellent facilities and a wonderful natural setting.
The peninsula has a quieter, more upmarket character than the main resorts, with boutique villas, apartments and smaller hotels scattered among the pine trees and olive groves. It is ideal for couples wanting beautiful beaches and a relaxed pace. The walk between beaches along the peninsula’s coastal paths reveals some of Zante’s most unspoilt scenery, and the tavernas at Banana Beach and Porto Zoro are excellent spots for a long lunch.
Argassi sits just south of Zakynthos Town on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the mountains. It is a small, convenient resort popular with those who want easy access to the capital and its facilities while still having a beach on the doorstep. The beach at Argassi is narrow but the setting is attractive, with views across the bay to the mainland mountains. Watersports are available and the resort has a good selection of tavernas and bars.
Zakynthos Town – the island’s capital, also called Zante Town – is a pleasant surprise for many visitors expecting a typical Greek tourist town. Rebuilt after the devastating 1953 earthquake in neoclassical style, the waterfront is elegant and cosmopolitan, lined with cafes, restaurants and the impressive Church of St Dionysios. The Byzantine Museum on the main square houses remarkable religious art salvaged from destroyed churches after the earthquake. An evening stroll along the Strani hill above the town offers superb views over the bay.
Zante International Airport Dionysios Solomos (ZTH) receives direct charter and scheduled flights from UK airports, with a flight time of approximately 3 hours from London. Direct flights operate from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and several other UK regional airports during the summer season. The airport is just 6 km from Zakynthos Town.
Transfers to the main resorts take between 15 and 45 minutes depending on location. Taxis are readily available and affordable. Car hire gives the most freedom for exploring the peninsula and the north of the island. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
| Airport | Zante International Dionysios Solomos (ZTH) |
| Main resorts | Laganas, Tsilivi, Argassi, Vassilikos, Zakynthos Town, Alykanas |
| Highlight | Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) – one of the world’s most photographed beaches |
| Best for | Families, couples, beach, wildlife (turtles), nightlife at Laganas |
| Climate | Hot and sunny May-October, mild winter, Ionian islands receive more rain than Aegean |
| Flight time from London | Approximately 3 hours |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | Greek |
Search4Sun compares thousands of Zante holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from local airports across the UK. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
For last-minute Zante deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates.
Yes – Zante (Zakynthos) is one of the most important loggerhead sea turtle nesting sites in the Mediterranean, and seeing these magnificent creatures is one of the highlights of any visit. The National Marine Park of Zakynthos protects the nesting beaches, and guided night watching tours operate responsibly during the nesting season.
The best place to see turtles in the water is at the dedicated turtle viewing area in Laganas bay, where the animals feed and can often be spotted from boats. The marine park operates strict rules about not disturbing turtles or their nests – please follow all guidelines to help protect this vulnerable species. The visitor centre at Gerakas provides full information about responsible turtle watching.
Zante works well for both. Families tend to gravitate towards Tsilivi for its calm, shallow beaches and family-friendly resort facilities, or the Vassilikos peninsula for its beautiful beaches and quieter pace. The boat trip circuit – Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach – is a highlight for children and adults alike.
Couples often prefer the Vassilikos peninsula or Zakynthos Town for a more romantic and less crowded experience. Laganas is best suited to younger adults seeking nightlife and a lively beach atmosphere. The island is versatile enough that different parts genuinely suit different types of traveller.
The classic Zante boat trip visits the Blue Caves at Cape Skinari, then continues around the dramatic north-west cliffs to Shipwreck Beach (Navagio), before returning via the turtle viewing area in Laganas bay. The trip takes a full day and is widely regarded as one of the best boat excursions in the Ionian islands.
Boat trips depart from Zakynthos Town, Laganas, Tsilivi and other resorts. Some trips include the opportunity to swim at Shipwreck Beach. Booking through your hotel or a reputable local operator is recommended. The National Marine Park sets rules about how close boats can approach turtle viewing areas and nesting beaches – responsible operators follow these guidelines carefully.
May, June and September are ideal months for a Zante holiday – warm enough for beach days and sea swimming, with fewer crowds than the July-August peak and more affordable prices. These shoulder months are also excellent for the boat trips, which run regularly throughout the season.
July and August are the busiest months and coincide with the peak turtle nesting season (June-August), so extra care around nesting beaches is important. October can still be pleasant but many businesses begin to close. The island is largely shut for tourism from November to April, though Zakynthos Town remains active year-round as a working capital.
Most popular full-day tours
Search4Sun has been comparing UK holiday packages since 2005. We work with some of the best ABTA-registered operators.
