Things to Do in Zakynthos: Activities, Sites, and Experiences
Zakynthos (also known as Zante) sits in the Ionian Sea and is most famous globally for one image: the rusting shipwreck on a white sand beach enclosed by white limestone cliffs. That beach - Navagio - is worth the visit, but the island has considerably more to offer. Prices listed are approximate as of 2026.
Take a Boat Trip to Navagio Beach and the Blue Caves
The combination of Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) and the Blue Caves in the north of the island is the standard boat trip from Zakynthos, and with good reason.
Navagio Beach is only accessible by sea - a small bay enclosed by white limestone cliffs on three sides, with white sand and the rusting hull of the MV Panagiotis (which ran aground in 1983) at the back. The water is a shade of turquoise that defies description. Boats dock at a platform and visitors swim or wade to the beach. The bay gets busy from 10am to 2pm. Full-day tours that visit in the early morning or late afternoon are significantly less crowded.
Blue Caves are a series of sea caves in the cliffs of Cape Skinari at the northern tip of the island. The light entering through underwater openings turns the water inside an intense, electric blue - photographs of the effect look exaggerated but are accurate. Small boats enter the caves; there is not room for larger vessels.
Standard boat trip from Zakynthos Town: approximately €20–35 per person depending on the operator and what is included (lunch, snorkelling gear). From Porto Vromi (north-west): approximately €15–25. Half-day tours to Navagio only are available.
Watch Loggerhead Sea Turtles in Laganas Bay
The National Marine Park of Zakynthos was established specifically to protect the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting beaches in Laganas Bay on the south coast. Zakynthos has one of the highest concentrations of Caretta caretta nests in the Mediterranean - approximately 1,000–1,200 nests per season.
Turtle spotting boat tours operate from Laganas from late May through August, running at dawn or dusk when turtles are most active at the surface. Prices run approximately €20–30 per person as of 2026. Responsible operators follow National Marine Park guidelines and maintain safe distances.
Rules: The central strip of Laganas Beach and adjacent sections of beach are closed from dusk to dawn during nesting season (June–September). Swimming is permitted during the day. Umbrellas cannot be staked in the sand in the protected zone. Boat access to Daphni Beach (the main nesting beach) is restricted. Respect the guidelines - fines for violations are significant.
Visit the Venetian Castle and Bohali Quarter
The ruins of the Venetian Kastro sit on a hill above Zakynthos Town, surrounded by pine forest and offering the best panoramic view of the bay and town. The castle was built and reinforced over centuries of Venetian rule and was largely destroyed in the 1953 earthquake. Entry is free. The walk up from town takes about 20 minutes; a taxi or car is easier in heat.
The Bohali quarter, just below the castle, is the most atmospheric part of the hilltop - a small square with cafes and tavernas where locals sit in the evening. One of the better sunset views on the island.
Explore Zakynthos Town
Zakynthos Town (Zante Town) was almost entirely destroyed by the 1953 earthquake and rebuilt in a neoclassical style that, while uniform, gives the town a coherent character. The main square (Plateia Solomou) has the Byzantine Museum (entry approximately €4, strong collection of icons rescued from island churches after the earthquake) and a waterfront promenade.
Church of Saint Dionysios on the waterfront is the patron saint’s church - an elaborate interior with the saint’s relics and a beautifully painted ceiling. Free entry.
The town’s restaurants and shops are concentrated around the main square and the parallel streets behind the waterfront. Livelier in the evening; most shops close in the afternoon.
Drive the Vasilikos Peninsula
The southern tip of the island - the Vasilikos peninsula - has some of the quietest and most attractive beaches on Zakynthos, away from the mass tourism of the Laganas strip. The road narrows to a single track at the end but the drive is straightforward with a hire car - compare car rental options for Zakynthos before you arrive.
Gerakas Beach at the tip of the peninsula is a protected turtle nesting beach and one of the most beautiful bays on the island - wide, with fine golden sand and clear water. The beach closes at sunset during nesting season and umbrellas are restricted in the protected zone. Porto Zoro and Banana Beach further up the peninsula have sunbeds and more facilities.
Stroll the Keri Cliffs (Marathonisi)
The south-west tip of the island has the Keri Lighthouse and sea cliffs with views over the water. From here, small boats run to Marathonisi (Turtle Island) - a small islet where turtles rest and which provides a different perspective on the bay. Boat trips cost approximately €10–15 per person return.
The drive along the south coast to Keri passes through olive groves and gives a quieter view of the island than the main road north.
Explore Zakynthos with boat tours and guided experiences at GetYourGuide.
For the complete Zakynthos island guide including where to stay and how to get here, see our Zakynthos travel guide. For beaches from Navagio to Gerakas and the turtle nesting areas, see best beaches in Zakynthos. For restaurants in Zakynthos Town and the resort areas, see best restaurants in Zakynthos. Comparing Ionian islands? See our Corfu vs Zakynthos guide and Kefalonia vs Zakynthos comparison.
See Also
- Zakynthos Travel Guide - island overview with where to stay, Navagio, and getting there
- Best Beaches in Zakynthos - Navagio Shipwreck, Gerakas, Laganas, and Porto Zoro
- Restaurants in Zakynthos - Zakynthos Town, resort areas, and waterfront dining
- Zakynthos Tours - Blue Caves boat trips, turtle watching, and island excursions
- Kefalonia vs Zakynthos - comparing the two southern Ionian islands
- Corfu vs Zakynthos - comparing the most visited Ionian islands
- Kefalonia Travel Guide - the neighbouring Ionian island, 45 minutes by ferry
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many days do you need in Zakynthos?
- Three to four days is enough to see the main highlights - Navagio Beach, Blue Caves, Laganas sea turtle area, and Zakynthos Town. Five days allows more relaxed beach time and exploration of the Vasilikos peninsula in the south.
- How do you get to Navagio Beach?
- By boat only - there is no road access. Boat tours from Porto Vromi (20 minutes, the nearest port) or from Zakynthos Town (1–1.5 hours) operate daily in season. A standard boat tour costs approximately €15–25 per person from Porto Vromi, or €20–35 from Zakynthos Town, depending on what is included.
- Can you see loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos?
- Yes - Zakynthos hosts one of the most important loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting sites in the Mediterranean, on the beaches of Laganas Bay. Turtle spotting tours run at night from late May through August. The National Marine Park of Zakynthos regulates access to protect the nesting sites.
- Is Zakynthos better than Corfu?
- They are different islands. Zakynthos has more dramatic scenery (Navagio is one of the most photographed beaches in the world), stronger beach club culture, and the turtle nesting beaches. Corfu has a more significant historic town, more varied terrain, and a calmer overall atmosphere.