Welcome to my Frequently Asked Questions about the best places to stay in Zakynthos, you can see more about where to stay in Zakynthos in this guide 13 Best Areas to Stay in Zakynthos.
Where To Stay In Zakynthos For Families?
Kalamaki is the most popular tourist resort for families, particularly those with young children. The eponymous beach, which runs along the south of the region, is a long expanse of soft golden sand against shallow waters, perfect for young children to paddle and play. Meanwhile there are several facilities dedicated to keeping children of various ages entertained, including the Caretta Fun Park Centre and the Kalamaki Mini Golf course.
The Vanessa Hotel is a ‘very good’ option near the beach, with a large pool and family bar area.
Vasilikos is another excellent option, at the end of the southeastern peninsula of the island. Smaller and quieter than the resort town of Kalamaki, Vasilikos has a number of smaller beaches to choose from. The Zakynthos Sea Turtle Rescue & Information Centre is a wonderful place for the whole family to learn about the island’s endangered Caretta Caretta turtles.
The Areti Orfeas Studios are a ‘fabulous’ self-catering option, near to Gerakas Beach and the turtle information centre.
Where To Stay In Zakynthos For Couples?
Couples can enjoy the various amenities of the tourist beach resort of Laganas. Popular as a party town, there is plenty of vibrant nightlife to keep you entertained of an evening. Meanwhile during the day, a number of tour companies are available to transport you to the various romantic locations and sights around the island.
The long stretch of beach is ideal for relaxing during the day, whether sunbathing on the soft sand or playing together in the shallow waters. In the evening, the cocktail bars, tavernas, and cafes that run along the back of the beach provide a beautiful date night setting, where you can enjoy dinner and drinks whilst looking out over the ocean.
The ‘superb’ Shellona Rooms & Apartments offer beautifully decorated rooms with an exotic, rustic vibe and stunning ocean views.
Where To Stay In Zakynthos For Nightlife?
Laganas is the undisputed capital for nightlife on Zakynthos. The main Laganas Road is lined with popular clubs and bars that provide the iconic party scene the island is famous for. If clubs aren’t your preferred nightlife scene, the long beach is backed by a row of tavernas and cocktail bars where you can sip your drinks whilst enjoying views over the ocean.
The area is well populated with hotels and accommodation options to suit every budget. Plenty of affordable options line the main party district, so you won’t need to worry about a long journey home at the end of your night out.
Casa Del Mar is a ‘superb’ option at the southern end of Laganas strip, conveniently placed between the clubs and the beach.
Best Time to Visit Zakynthos?
With its southern Mediterranean climate, Zakynthos has mild winters and comfortable temperatures year-round. However, if you are looking to spend time lazing on the beach, you will probably want to avoid the cooler winter months.
Temperatures peak in July and August, remaining pleasantly warm even at night, and stay comfortable through October.
Party season in Zakynthos runs from June through September, with its peak in July and August. If you are heading to Zakynthos specifically to take advantage of the nightlife scene, you will benefit from checking ahead to see what events are being hosted and when. Pre-planning not only helps you make sure you are visiting when your favourite club is hosting the best party, but also allows you to prebook tickets, which can really help with budgeting.
If you want to steer clear of the bustling nightlife and the rowdy crowd that comes with it, avoid Laganas for most of summer. The rest of the island has considerably less of a nightclub culture, so you will be safe from noisy revellers even in the height of summer.
How to get Around Zakynthos?
Zakynthos is well serviced by its public bus system, which runs routes accessing all populated areas on the island. Routes between the larger tourist towns and more populated south end of the island are more frequent, though you can definitely get around the whole island by bus if you are staying further north.
The whole island is served by a single operator, KTEL, so it’s easy to check bus routes and timetables through their website before you head out.
If you prefer more independence and convenience for your travelling, there are many car rental services both at the airport and in most towns across the island. Visiting smaller towns is entirely possible by bus but hiring your own car means less time waiting around for the less frequent service.
Some of the most popular tourist sites on the island are in more remote, difficult to access locations, such as Navagio ‘Shipwreck’ Beach, which is only accessible by boat. No need to worry though, as there are plenty of dedicated tour services available to transport you to and from most of the primary tourist locations.
Best Things to Do in Zakynthos?
Navagio ‘Shipwreck’ Beach, is inarguably the most iconic sight to see on the island of Zakynthos. Images of this sheltered cove with the rusted ship laying in the middle of the sand are all over the internet and tourists flock from across the world to see it for themselves every year.
The cove is only accessible by boat but plenty of tour companies around the island offer cruise trips to the site, so you won’t have any trouble finding a tour to suit you.
Aside from its human history, Zakynthos is a naturally beautiful place with stunning biodiversity. One of the best-known inhabitants of the island is the endangered Caretta Caretta Loggerhead Sea Turtle. There are various beaches around the island that act as vital breeding grounds for the turtles, two of the most prominent being Vasiliki and Marathonisi.
You can find a lot of turtle-centric souvenirs and craft goods for sale on the island, so if you love turtles you can definitely find some charming trinkets to take home.
Of course, one of the major reasons people visit Zakynthos is its reputation as a party island. If you want to experience the island’s famous nightlife scene, you should head to Laganas, where popular nightclubs line the main road, and a plentiful array of bars flanks the long sandy beach.
If you are more interested in the historical and cultural sites, there are plenty of old buildings and ruins dotted around the island, including the remains of a venetian castle just outside of Zakynthos Town and several old monasteries around Anafonitria.
That’s my Frequently Asked Questions about the best places to stay in Zakynthos. See more about Greece travel here: