Zakynthos Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Visit
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Zakynthos is one of Greece’s most recognizable islands. Even if you don’t know its name, you have most definitely seen photos or videos of it online.
Most likely, you’ve seen Shipwreck Beach, also called Navagio Beach, with its famous rusted ship sitting in a cove surrounded by enormous cliffs and some of the bluest water you’ve ever seen.
People love visiting Zakynthos for its dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, sea caves, beautiful beaches, boat trips, and pretty much every other water activity you can think of.
But before you plan a trip to Zakynthos, there are a few things you should know.
Zakynthos
I first visited Zakynthos when I was six months old, so I can’t exactly tell you what my first experience of the island was like. But I have been back several times since then—when I was about seven, again when I was twenty, and most recently last summer. I think Zakynthos may actually be the Greek island I have visited the most.
So while I can’t remember that first trip, I have had plenty of opportunities to get to know the island.
And every time I go back, I am reminded of two things: Zakynthos is really, really beautiful, and it is really, really touristy.
Where Is Zakynthos?
Zakynthos is one of the Ionian Islands, located on the western side of Greece.
It is closest to Kefalonia, another Ionian island, and the two are close enough that you can visit both on the same trip. There are boat excursions that take you between the islands, making it possible to stay on one and take a day trip to the other.
The Ionian Islands also have a noticeably different look from the Cyclades.
If your mental image of Greece is whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and dry, rocky landscapes, you’re probably thinking of the Cyclades.
The Ionian Islands tend to be much greener, with more vegetation, lush hillsides, and incredibly deep blue water.
Zakynthos definitely fits that greener, bluer Ionian Island look.
Why Visit Zakynthos?
From world-famous scenery to lesser-known corners of the island, Zakynthos has a lot to offer.
You can spend your days relaxing on beautiful beaches, swimming in crystal-clear water, exploring sea caves, taking boat trips, looking for sea turtles, or simply driving around and seeing where you end up.
There is a particularly good combination of relaxation and adventure here. You can spend half a day doing absolutely nothing on a beach and then spend the afternoon bouncing around the Ionian Sea on a boat.
And there are a lot of organized excursions for visitors. Most of them revolve around the ocean in some way—boat tours, cave tours, snorkeling, turtle-watching, swimming trips, sunset cruises, and more.
This makes Zakynthos an easy destination for couples, families, and groups of friends because you can build your trip around whatever kind of vacation you want.
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That said, there is one thing you should know going in: Zakynthos is touristy.
I spend a lot of my time in Greece in places that aren’t particularly touristy, so the sticker shock is always real when I visit the islands. Zakynthos is no exception.
In fact, I would say it is the most touristy Greek island I have visited so far.
Tourism is very much a part of the island’s identity. You can walk down a street and see booth after booth advertising boat tours, excursions, rentals, and other activities.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just means you should go to Zakynthos expecting a popular tourist destination rather than a quiet little Greek island where you accidentally stumble upon the only taverna in town.
And honestly, there is a reason so many people come here.
The island is gorgeous.
Shipwreck Beach (Navagio Beach)
If there is one place that made Zakynthos famous around the world, it is Shipwreck Beach.
You have probably seen the photos: a rusty shipwreck sitting in a secluded white-pebble cove, surrounded on all sides by towering limestone cliffs and bright blue water.
The ship arrived in the cove in 1980 after the cargo ship Panagiotis ran aground during bad weather. Over the years, the shipwreck became one of the most recognizable sights in Greece.
There is also a viewpoint above the cove where you can look down at the famous scene from above. I haven’t been, but it looks incredible.
The beach is surrounded by giant cliffs, so traditionally the main way to reach it has been by boat. However, access to the beach itself has been restricted because of the danger of falling rocks from the surrounding cliffs. Rules and restrictions can change depending on current conditions, so make sure you check what is allowed before and during your trip.
You can still enter the cove by boat when conditions allow and see the shipwreck from the water.
I first visited Shipwreck Beach in 2017, and it was spectacular. I knew immediately that when my best friend visited Greece for the first time, I had to take her there too.
I’ve always visited as part of a group boat tour, but there are other options. Depending on current regulations and conditions, you may also be able to arrange a private boat with a captain or rent a boat yourself.
And I have to say something about the shipwreck itself.
The photos are much more flattering.
Up close, the ship is worn out, dingy, covered in graffiti, and looks like you need a tetanus shot just from looking at it.
I think I expected it to still look like a wooden shipwreck. Instead, it is very clearly old, rusty, and made of corrosive metal.
But honestly?
Who cares.
Because the water.
The water inside that cove is INSANE.
It is the most electric blue water I have ever seen. It is so intensely blue that even after seeing it in person multiple times, I am still not entirely convinced it is real.
The shipwreck may not look quite as glamorous up close as it does on Instagram, but the water absolutely lives up to the hype.
The Blue Caves
The Blue Caves are another one of Zakynthos’s most famous attractions, and, unsurprisingly, they are another place where the ocean is the star of the show.
The caves are natural formations carved into the island’s cliffs along the northern coast. The sunlight reflecting through the water creates that intense blue color that gives the caves their name.
And yes, the water really does look like that.
Again, the only way I have visited the Blue Caves is by boat. I have taken two different group boat tours there, and both experiences were worth it.
The first time I visited, we were allowed to swim inside the caves.
It was nuts.
The water was this magical, sparkling blue, and swimming inside the caves made the whole experience feel completely different from simply looking at them from a boat.
The second time I visited, we weren’t allowed to swim at all. We stayed on the boat and looked at the caves from the water.
Still cool.
But obviously, getting to swim inside them was cooler.
That said, there are real dangers involved with swimming in sea caves, including changing tides, waves, and falling rocks. Whether swimming is allowed can depend on conditions and regulations at the time of your visit, so follow whatever rules are in place.
The caves are cool.
They are not worth risking your life over.
The Best Things to Do in Zakynthos
A lot of the best things to do in Zakynthos involve water.
Some of the most popular activities include:
- Visit Shipwreck Beach
- Explore the Blue Caves
- Take a boat tour
- Go snorkeling or scuba diving
- Relax on the beaches
- Visit viewpoints overlooking the Ionian Sea
- Watch the sunset
- Look for sea turtles
- Take a sunset cruise
- Explore the island’s coastline
Zakynthos is also an important nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles, so if you go looking for them, make sure you do so responsibly. Give wildlife plenty of space and follow any rules designed to protect the turtles and their nesting areas.
Because there are so many companies offering tours and excursions, you don’t necessarily have to figure everything out months in advance.
Before booking anything, take your time researching the options available to you. Compare the itinerary, group size, duration, reviews, and price rather than automatically choosing the first boat-tour booth you see.
You can usually book online ahead of time, or book in person once you are on the island.
Getting Around Zakynthos
I recommend renting a car if you can.
Having your own transportation is the easiest way to give yourself flexibility on the island. You aren’t stuck planning your entire day around someone else’s schedule, and you can stop somewhere interesting when you see it.
If you have a very set itinerary and aren’t planning to wander much, you may be able to get around using public transportation, although I’ve never personally used it on Zakynthos.
Another option is staying in one of the port towns or somewhere close to the airport, depending on how you are arriving and what you want to do. If you plan to spend most of your time taking organized excursions, you may not need a car as much as someone who wants to explore the island independently.
Mopeds and ATVs are also popular.
I’ve never rented one myself, but my brothers have, and they said it was fun. Just remember that driving a smaller motorized vehicle requires concentration, especially on unfamiliar roads.
And after spending an entire day in the sun, swimming, walking around, and generally exhausting yourself, hopping on a moped and driving across an unfamiliar island might be the last thing you actually want to do.
If you do choose a moped or ATV, make sure the driver is sober, well-rested, competent, and comfortable operating the vehicle (same goes for renting a car). If everyone in your group has their own vehicle, everyone needs to be able to drive safely.
Basically: have fun, but don’t let vacation brain convince you that traffic laws and common sense went on vacation too.
How Many Days Do You Need in Zakynthos?
I recommend staying for at least two full days in Zakynthos (i.e arrive on a Friday and leave on Monday).
That gives you enough time to see some of the major attractions, take a boat trip, spend some time at the beach, and explore a little without feeling like you are sprinting from one activity to the next.
If you want a slower-paced, more relaxed trip, aim for four to five days or more.
There is enough to do on the island to fill a longer stay, especially if you want to spend time actually relaxing rather than treating every day like a checklist.
Grab your FREE
✨Ultimate Greece Travel Starter Guide!!!✨
Skip the overwhelm — I pulled together the must-knows so you don’t have to dig through a million sites.
Best Time to Visit Zakynthos
The best time to visit Zakynthos is generally the same as the best time to visit Greece as a whole.
September is my favorite month.
The weather is still warm enough for swimming and enjoying the beaches, but the intense summer crowds begin to ease. It’s also generally a more comfortable time to explore than the hottest part of summer.
Late May through June is another great option.
July and August are absolutely good months to visit—but they are also the busiest, hottest, and generally most expensive months.
The best time for you to visit depends on what you want from your trip, how much heat you can handle, how much you want to spend, and how much you care about avoiding crowds.
Zakynthos Travel Tips
A few things I’d keep in mind when planning your trip:
- Rent a car if possible. It gives you much more flexibility.
- Book popular boat tours early if you’re visiting during peak season.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and be mindful of the marine environment.
- Wear good shoes if you’re visiting viewpoints or exploring rocky areas.
- Carry some cash for smaller businesses and purchases.
- Arrive early at popular attractions when possible.
- Don’t expect Shipwreck Beach to be empty. It is one of the most photographed places in Greece for a reason.
- Respect wildlife and marine areas, especially around nesting sea turtles.
- Check current conditions before visiting Shipwreck Beach and the Blue Caves. Access and swimming rules can change depending on weather, safety concerns, and local regulations.
- Compare excursions before booking. There are plenty of options, and the first tour booth you see isn’t necessarily the best one.
Is Zakynthos Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
Zakynthos may be one of the most touristy Greek islands I’ve visited, but there is a reason for that.
Some places become popular because they are actually that spectacular.
And Zakynthos really is.
The water is ridiculously blue. The cliffs are dramatic. The caves are beautiful. The beaches are gorgeous. And there is something about being out on the Ionian Sea and seeing this landscape from the water that photographs don’t quite capture.
Just go into your trip knowing what kind of island you’re visiting.
Zakynthos is popular, busy, tourist-oriented, and sometimes expensive. But that doesn’t make it any less beautiful.
If you have the time, venture beyond the most famous Instagram spots and explore some of the island for yourself. Take the scenic road. Stop at a beach that wasn’t on your original itinerary. Find a taverna that isn’t surrounded by tour groups.
Because yes, you should absolutely see the famous places.
But sometimes the best part of a Greek island is the place you weren’t originally looking for.
Have you been to Zakynthos yet?
Let me know↓🥰
