Best of Zakynthos

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Zakynthos
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is an island in the Ionian Sea, beloved for its sandy beaches lapped by clear, azure waters. Its most famous is Navagio, a remote cove only accessible by boat, whose beach is sheltered by soaring cliffs and home to a famous 1980 shipwreck. Other popular stretches of sand include Laganas, Gerakas, and Alykanas. Walk around the whitewashed capital, Zakynthos Town, for museums, shopping, and harborside taverns.

Most activities on Zante revolve around the sea; take boat trips to nearby Marathonisi Island, a nesting site for caretta caretta (loggerhead turtles), where, depending on the season, you may be able to swim with these endangered creatures. Cruise to the Keri or Blue Caves to snorkel among ancient caverns and stalactites, or sail all the way to the nearby island of Kefalonia. Back on land, Kimkim travelers have also enjoyed cooking lessons by the sea and traditional ceramics classes.
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Zakynthos port
Map of Explore Zakynthos Island - 6 Days
Explore Zakynthos Island - 6 Days

The bright blue waters off Zakynthos are home to rare loggerhead sea turtles and monk seals that have been returning to the island for generations. See what keeps bringing the turtles back and maybe even meet some of them yourself with this six-day itinerary that covers the island's beaches, villages, and vineyards.

Old stone bridge at Argassi beach
Map of Explore Zakynthos Island - 5 Days
Explore Zakynthos Island - 5 Days

Dip into Zakynthos island on this five-day itinerary. Named for the son of the Arcadian chieftain Dardanus, one of Zeus's many offspring, this Ionian island is home to rare sea turtle nesting grounds, scenic shipwrecks, stone villages, and more for you to explore.

Zakynthos' coastline from above
Map of Explore Zakynthos Island - 7 Days
Explore Zakynthos Island - 7 Days

According to some Greek myths, Apollo himself was inspired by the beauty of Zakynthos island. Many years later, the Greek national anthem was also written on the island.  See what you can compose with this week-long itinerary. You'll start and end in Athens, spending four nights on Zakynthos in between to take in the full concert of the island's attractions.

Zakynthos' shipwreck beach
Map of Historic Athens and Zakynthos - 8 Days
Historic Athens and Zakynthos - 8 Days

Once named the "Flower of the East" by the Venetians, the island of Zakynthos is in full bloom year-round. Discover its many enticements with this eight-day itinerary. You'll start off with the myths of the Acropolis in Athens, then set sail for four nights on the third-largest Ionian island, packed with boat tours, beaches, vineyards, and more.

Zakynthos Town central port
Map of Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 9 Days
Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 9 Days

See both the current and previous capital of Greece on this nine-day itinerary. You'll start in Athens before making a stop in Nafplio, the second capital of the Greek state after the war for independence. Then spend four nights on the island of Zakynthos to explore both its seas and inland shores before you return to Athens for one final temple sunset.

Peloponnesian views of the Aegean
Map of Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 10 Days
Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 10 Days

Helen of Troy may have made a dramatic exit from Mycenae, but you may find yourself wanting to stay a little longer with this 10-day itinerary packed with historic sites. Whether you're atop the Acropolis, strolling the Venetian streets of Nafplio, or wandering the former palace halls at Mycenae, you'll be surrounded by stories to fuel your afternoon daydreams as you conclude your itinerary with four nights on the island of Zakynthos.

Approaching the Lion Gate at Mycenae
Map of Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 11 Days
Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 11 Days

Some of the most dramatic feats of athleticism of the ancient world took place at Olympia, but you won't need to train quite at that level to take on this 11-day itinerary. After hearing the myths of the Acropolis, your tour will take you to seaside Nafplio, historic Mycenae, and the former stadium grounds at Olympia. Then head to the island of Zakynthos for four nights on the seashore before you return to Athens.

Bourtzi Castle in Nafplio Bay
Map of Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 12 Days
Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 12 Days

In the Odyssey, King Nestor receives Odysseus's son, who comes seeking word of his missing father. Join the long list of storied guests to Nestor's palace and others with this 12-day itinerary. Go from the Acropolis through historic sites at Nafplio, Mycenae, Pylos, and Olympia before sailing to the island of Zakynthos to explore its villages and vineyards, then return to watch the sun set over the Athenian Riviera.

Bay of Laganas on Zakynthos
Map of Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 13 Days
Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 13 Days

Take 13 days to meet some of the stars of Greek history with this itinerary that will take you through the tales of the Peloponnese. After an Acropolis mythology tour in Athens, you'll go through Mycenae, once home to Helen of Troy; the vineyards of Nemea believed to have come from the vines of Dionysus; Nestor's palace in Pylos; and the sanctuary at Olympia. Then sail to Zakynthos to end your trip on its shores, topped off by paying tribute at the Temple of Poseidon in Athens before you depart.

Monemvasia fortress on the Aegean
Map of Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 14 Days
Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 14 Days

Take two weeks to cross the stories of the Peloponnesian peninsula with this 14-day itinerary.  Start with the classics on the Acropolis, then make your way down through to the site of the kingdom of Mycenae, ancient vines of Nemea, and stadium at Olympia. Top it off with four days of shipwrecks and sea turtles on the island of Zakynthos before you return to Athens and thank Poseidon for your journey.

Off the coast of Zakynthos
Map of Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 15 Days
Historic Peloponnese and Zakynthos - 15 Days

Travel across both the Peloponnesian peninsula and Greek history with this 15-day itinerary. After a brief start in Athens, you'll go down to the sea to visit Nafplio and neighboring mythical Mycenae, then over to the castles of Mystras and Monemvasia. Set sail for the quintessential Greek island of Zakynthos to end your journey on its turquoise shores before returning to Athens for one final temple sunset.

Other popular travel destinations in Greece
Athens · Greek Islands · Cycladic Islands · Santorini · Crete · Naxos · Mykonos · Chania · Peloponnese · Northern & Central Greece · Nafplio · Tinos · Heraklion · Meteora · Ionian Islands · Kalabaka · Zagori · Thessaloniki · Corfu · Nafpaktos · Paros · Olympia · Delphi · Sparta & Mani · Syros · Mani Peninsula · Monemvasia · Dodecanese & Northern Aegean Islands · Rhodes · Milos · Rethymno · Kalamata · Corinth · Sparta · Saronic Islands · Sifnos · Kefalonia · Gortynia · Messinia · Port of Fiskardo · Parga · Drama · Hydra