The 15 Most Beautiful Sights on Zakynthos

Zakynthos is the southernmost of the islands in the Ionian Sea, off the west coast of the Greek mainland. Like the other Ionian Islands (Corfu, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia, and Paxos), Zakynthos is very green, creating a beautiful contrast with the azure-blue waters of the surrounding sea and the pearly-white beaches. You’ll find many tourist resorts, especially along the southern coast. But that’s exactly what makes it so much fun—not just lounging on the beach, but also discovering Zakynthos’s other attractions.

The island was under Venetian rule for over three centuries, and they gave Zakynthos the nickname Il Fiori di Levante, or the Flower of the East. In the mountainous interior, you’ll find yourself in a world completely different from that of the sometimes-crowded beach towns. You’ll need to rent a car to drive through the beautiful countryside to authentic Greek villages and rugged rocky coves, since public transportation doesn’t take you nearly everywhere. What’s more, with a rental car on Zakynthos, you can plan your own itinerary. Below, we’ll give you tips for the most beautiful spots and sights on Zakynthos.

Zakynthos Town

The capital of Zakynthos is often called Zante (which is its Italian name) or chora, which simply means “the city.” Virtually nothing remains of the buildings from the Venetian era, as an earthquake in 1953 almost completely destroyed the city. Still, Zante is a very charming place, with arcades lining the streets to shield you from the bright sun. The city is beautifully situated on a bay in the southeastern part of the island. In the evenings, many locals stroll along the waterfront promenade or across the spacious Solomos Square. On that square stands one of the few surviving old buildings in the city, the small 16th-century church of Agios Nikolaos Molos. The ruins of the castle on a hill west of the city also date back to the Venetian era. Unfortunately, only the outer walls and the main gate remain. On that gate, you can see an image of the Lion of St. Mark, the symbol of Venice.

The Zakynthos Museum on the central square mainly displays religious Byzantine art. The paintings, frescoes, icons, and sculptures were salvaged from churches that had collapsed in the earthquake. Would you like to know what the capital looked like before this catastrophe? There is a scale model of the city from around 1950.

Bohali

As you drive your rental car toward the castle ruins, you’ll pass through the hilltop neighborhood of Bohali. Just before you reach the top of the hill, you’ll see a footpath leading to another hill, Lofos tou Strani. It’s a beautiful park filled with pine and olive trees. It’s historically significant because the poet Dionysios Solomos wrote the poem that is now Greece’s national anthem while sitting under these trees. If you drive on, you’ll come to a small square where you’ll have a fantastic view of Zakynthos and the sea. You can even make out the Greek mainland, the Peloponnese. There are outdoor cafes where you can enjoy the panoramic view while sipping a drink.

Turtle Center

Zakynthos is known as an island where many loggerhead sea turtles (official name: Caretta caretta) nest. Unfortunately, the most popular beaches are also the places where these sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Before you set foot on one of these beaches or consider booking a “turtle tour,” you should really visit the Turtle Center. The information center is located 100 meters from Gerakas Beach, and there you’ll learn a lot about the animals in the National Marine Park, which covers a large part of Zakynthos’s southern coast. The volunteers are dedicated to protecting the marine life around the island. Sustainable tourism is the key here, and boat tours to spot turtles are not part of that. It may seem wonderful to see the turtles swimming in the sea, but it causes these animals a great deal of stress. They are also sometimes injured by collisions with boats. The information center is open daily during the turtles’ nesting season, from April through October.

Navagio Beach (Shipwreck)

On the northwest coast lies the most photographed beach in Zakynthos: Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach or Smugglers’ Beach. This is where the wreck of a ship lies that, in 1980, was en route from Turkey to Italy with a cargo of contraband cigarettes and ran into heavy weather off the coast of Zakynthos. It’s not just the wreck that captures the imagination; it’s mainly the location: a relatively narrow beach flanked on both sides by towering cliffs. These cliffs are unstable, however, and after a rock face collapsed twice, the beach itself has been declared off-limits. You can still take an organized boat tour there, but the boats anchor about a hundred meters from the shipwreck. It’s better to drive your rental car to the high lookout point, three hundred meters above the beach. There are several trails starting from the parking lot, but be careful not to stand too close to the edge! It’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset, but you certainly won’t be alone…

Blue Caves

There are many caves and caverns along the rugged coast of Zakynthos, but the most spectacular are the Blue Caves in the north, near Cape Skinari. It’s not hard to guess why the caves are called that, as the sunlight creates bright blue hues, both in the seawater and reflected off the rock walls. Since these caves are located on the eastern side of the island, this effect is most beautiful early in the morning. The large arches formed by erosion—through which most boats sail—are particularly striking.

Many boat tours depart from Agios Nikolaos, but an alternative is the dock near the white-and-blue Greek windmill Potamitis, just south of the Blue Caves. Bring your goggles and snorkel, but if you don’t have them, you can still see the underwater world through the glass bottoms that most boats have.

Black Cave

The Black Cave isn’t located on the coast, but in the middle of the island, near Kallithea. You can drive part of the way toward the cave from that village, but the road gets narrower and narrower. If you’d rather not drive on such a narrow road, you can park your rental car in Kallithea, for example near the little church. Be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes, because the climb to the cave is definitely not easy. There are ropes along the trail to hold onto, and you’ll definitely need them. Your efforts will be well worth it, as you’ll enjoy fantastic views along the way. After the descent, you’ll be grateful for the little café there, where you can buy delicious, refreshing juices.

Vrachionas

The highest point on Zakynthos is Mount Vrachionas (756 m). Just outside the picturesque village of Loucha, a dirt road leads to the summit. Most people rent a quad bike to reach the highest point, since rental cars aren’t allowed on such roads. The summit is slightly marred by the communication towers standing there, but you’ll enjoy a magnificent view of the entire island.

Aged olive trees

Zakynthos is full of gnarled olive trees, and it has been that way for a very long time. In the village of Exo Chora on the west coast stands an olive tree with a very whimsical shape. You could also call it “wrinkled,” and that’s not surprising, since it’s the oldest olive tree on the island. No one knows for sure, but it’s estimated to be about two thousand years old. Its impressive trunk makes for a great photo.

Another remarkable olive tree can be found just outside Elies in northern Zakynthos. On the road to Korithi, you’ll pass a twin olive tree—the “old twin olive tree”—which is said to be “only” a thousand years old. Don’t park your rental car right in front of the trees; instead, park a little further down the road on a side street.

Mountain Villages

As we mentioned in the introduction, the interior of Zakynthos is a world apart from the seaside resorts along the popular beaches. For example, drive your rental car to Volimes, which consists of two parts: Ano and Kato, meaning “below” and “above.” It’s known for products such as hand-woven rugs and ceramics. Scattered throughout the village, you’ll see several small churches. If you drive from Volimes to Anafonitria, you’ll pass the turnoff to Navagio Beach, so you can take in the view of the shipwreck on this trip.

Anafonitria takes its name from the 15th-century monastery of the same name, where the patron saint of Zakynthos spent the final years of his life. Here, too, the villagers have roadside stalls selling local products such as honey, marmalade, and olive oil. There’s also a wide selection of taverns with terraces situated a bit higher up, offering beautiful views of the surrounding area. Round out your day exploring the mountain villages in Porto Vromi Bay or at the white cliffs near Kampi and enjoy the sunset there.

Keri / Myzithres / Eros Cave

There are two villages on the island called Keri, which often causes confusion. One of them, on the coast, is officially called Límni Keri, which means “Lake Keri.” Not surprisingly, it lies on a lagoon, which, incidentally, has become quite overgrown. From the pebble beach, you have a view of the islet of Marathonisi.

Quite different is the intimate village of Keri, a little over five kilometers by car from Límni Keri. In the center, there are a few outdoor tables, and here you’ll find yourself mingling with the locals as they enjoy their coffee or a glass of ouzo. There’s a good road between this village and the coast. From the terrace of the Lighthouse Tavern, you can see the famous Mizithres Rocks. A dirt road leads to those rocks, but don’t drive your rental car on it, because the terms and conditions state that you’re not allowed to drive on such roads. Walk there, and you’ll have a fantastic view from above of these jagged limestone rocks.

The entire coastline here consists of jagged sea caves and rock arches, which can only be reached by boat. To do so, you’ll need to go to Límni Keri, where you can book a boat tour or rent a small boat to sail on your own. Many boat tours stop at the Keri Caves and then continue via Mizithres to the Eros Cave. That’s a massive cave with a sandy beach inside. In this romantic spot, you’ll understand why this cave is named after the Greek god of love. The light in this cave is most beautiful early in the morning.

Rock Arch

You can reach the so-called Rock Arch on the west coast from Koiliomenos via a paved road, though some sections are very steep and you’ll have to navigate a few sharp hairpin turns. Don’t drive all the way to the end of the road; instead, park your rental car at the kiosk with a small terrace. From there, walk down a very steep path (fortunately, there’s a handrail) until you reach the spectacular view of the rock arch. This is not suitable for people with mobility issues!

Mount Skopos

Want to stretch your legs? Then hike to the summit of Mount Skopos (492 m), also known locally as Vasilikos, in the southeastern part of the island. Although there is a small road leading up, in many places it’s more like a trail with loose stones. Don’t drive your rental car up there.

There are two places where you can start the hike. If you start in Kalamaki, you can park your rental car at the Cave Bar and walk to the summit in about two hours. From Argassi, you can park just outside the resort on a small lot right next to the main road leading to the village of Vasilikos. From there, the route is slightly shorter—about four kilometers. It’s even half that distance to a viewpoint just before the summit.

It’s quite a climb, but your reward is a fantastic view. At the summit stand the ruins of the Panagia Skopiostissa monastery, whose church, oddly enough, is actually well-preserved. There’s a small café right near this monastery. You can grab a nice cold drink there, but don’t forget to bring enough water for the hike. Sunscreen is also a must, since there are no trees on the mountain.

White Sandstone Mountains

There’s no shortage of remarkable cliffs, rocks, and caves on Zakynthos, but many of them can only be fully appreciated from a boat. Did you know that there are also interesting geological rock formations on land? That’s the case just north of Gerakas Beach, where you’ll find jagged sandstone rocks. The name “White Sandstone Mountains” is a bit of an exaggeration—they aren’t very tall—but these intriguing rocks are definitely worth a visit. If you follow the path further up from the rocks, you’ll have a beautiful view of Gerakas Beach and the rock formation on the south side.

Cameo Island

Agios Santos is a beach resort west of Laganas Beach, and its main attraction is a small island off the coast. You can reach Cameo Island via a wooden walkway, after which you climb up a stone staircase. This leads you to a terrace with a stunning view of the Zakynthos coastline. On the other side of the islet is a small pebble beach. It’s sometimes (temporarily) off-limits because a newlywed couple is having their photos taken at this idyllic spot. Since the island is privately owned, you have to pay for access. When you leave the island, you’ll receive a souvenir: your photo on a keychain. It can get very crowded here, as there’s not much space on the beach. So be sure to go early in the morning.

Beaches of Zakynthos

The southern coastal strip of Zakynthos is the most touristy. The most popular beach resort is Laganas, located on the bay of the same name. Kalamaki is also situated on this bay and is frequented by young British tourists. Both towns are known for their cocktail bars, lively parties, and extravagant nightclubs. A popular family beach is Tsilivi on the east coast, near Zakynthos Town. Argassi Beach is also close to the capital, and there you can clearly see that the coastline used to run differently, as the bridge from the Venetian era now lies in the sea.

The Vassilikos Peninsula in the southeast boasts several gem-like sandy beaches, including Banana Beach and Porto Zoro, which is a particularly picturesque beach thanks to several large rock formations in the sea. The peninsula’s most beautiful beach is the 600-meter-long Gerakas Beach, located in the far southeast. It is bordered by a protruding rocky promontory that is very narrow and lower in the middle, as if a giant had taken a bite out of it. That section is therefore called Jason’s Bite. During the sea turtle nesting season, this beach is closed between sunset and sunrise.

Dafni Beach is also beautiful (featuring overhanging rocks, among other things), but it’s a bit harder to reach via a narrow and, in some places, very steep road. There are many turtle nests. Fortunately, most are marked with a wooden fence, but it’s best to pick out a lounge chair at a beach bar rather than spreading your towel among the turtle nests.

Porto Limnionas isn’t a beach, but a cove where people dive into the crystal-clear water from the rocks. Keep your eyes on the road as you descend from the village of Agios Leon to the coast along the delightfully winding road. In addition to being a great swimming spot, this rocky cove invites you to put on your snorkel mask and admire the underwater life. Just south of this spot is a similar cove, Porto Roxa. There’s an excellent rocky outcrop there from which you can jump into the water.

Xigia consists of three different beaches. The best known is the northernmost one, Sulfur Beach. As the name suggests, the water here contains a lot of sulfur, which comes from the karst caves on the right side of the beach. As a result, the sea here is somewhat murky and there’s a smell of rotten eggs. Still, this beautifully situated beach is very popular, as the water is said to be good for your skin and even have healing properties. We recommend arriving early, as it’s a small beach with a limited number of umbrellas. The other two beaches in Xigia are located a few hundred meters to the south. Wolf Rocks Beach is a bit harder to reach and therefore quieter. The southernmost beach is the triangular Xigia Pelagaki. At all of Xigia’s beaches, you can order from the taverns located higher up without having to walk back and forth. Your drinks and snacks are delivered via a small cable car!

Porto Vromi consists of two secluded coves located close to each other that are easily accessible by rental car, though each cove is reached via a separate road. You drive to one bay from Maries and to the other from Anafonitria. Both bays feature small white pebble beaches and crystal-clear water. You can also take an excursion to Shipwreck Beach or rent a motorboat to explore on your own—for example, to White Beach, which is accessible only by water. The rugged rocky coastline makes this an excellent spot for snorkeling, as the many crevices and sea caves provide shelter for various species of fish. Even more beautiful is Porto Stenitis, which is accessible via yet another separate road from Maries. Here, you can swim about fifty meters into a cave.

The pebble beach Makris Gialos on the northeast coast is also easily accessible by rental car. It’s a small beach and not very crowded. The same goes for the narrow Xehoriati sandy beach, which slopes very gently and is therefore perfect for small children.

Why Rent a Car in Zakynthos

There is public bus transportation on Zakynthos, but most routes start and end in the capital. Except for a few popular tourist resorts, there are no direct connections between other towns along the coast. In other words, if you’re traveling by bus, in most cases you’ll first have to return to Zakynthos Town to reach another destination. Also keep in mind that the schedule isn’t always reliable and that there are significantly fewer buses on Sundays. If you want to see more of Zakynthos than just a few tourist attractions, a rental car is essential. Not only can you visit places the bus doesn’t reach, but you can also set your own pace and stop wherever and whenever you want. Want to rent a car on Zakynthos with complete peace of mind? Then choose a rental car with our Worry-Free label!

Roads and Signage on Zakynthos

The main roads on Zakynthos are in good condition. In recent years, many of the smaller roads leading to lesser-known beaches have also been improved. While these used to be unpaved sandy roads, you can now often drive on a paved surface (asphalt or concrete). However, the small roads that descend to the coast sometimes have quite winding and steep sections. Make sure to rent a car with enough engine power, because you’ll have to climb that steep hill on the way back.

Always be alert to the unexpected. In rural areas, you might suddenly encounter a herd of goats on the road; in tourist areas, be on the lookout for young people on scooters who might suddenly appear.

Only in major tourist centers will you sometimes see road signs that are bilingual, written in both the Greek and Latin alphabets. Most directional signs are in Greek only. Although it’s hard to get lost on this small island, you’ll still want to follow the correct route to your destination. Google Lens can be a great tool for this.

Combine Zakynthos with Kefalonia or the Peloponnese

The islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia are close to each other, so why not go island hopping? Ferries depart from the port of Agios Nikolaos to Pessada on the south coast of Kefalonia. The crossing takes about an hour and a half. Even faster (about 75 minutes) is the ferry connection between Zakynthos Town and the port of Kyllini on the Greek mainland, specifically in the Peloponnese. If you’re heading there, you might find our guide to a road trip through the Peloponnese helpful. If you’re taking the ferry to another destination, it’s best to reserve two separate rental cars instead of bringing them on the ferry, as that’s often not allowed.