Zakynthos Travel Guide

Zakynthos is both lush and tranquil, and sun lovers visit for its incredible coastline and beautiful bays. The island's main town is reminiscent of Venice, with its reconstructed neoclassical buildings. Architectural highlights include the historic St Mark's Square and Solomos Square, as well as a Venetian Fortress and the St Dennis Cathedral.

Zakynthos town will definitely delight history buffs, whose first stop should be the Solomos Mausoleum, which is dedicated to the island's aristocracy of bygone days. The Byzantine Museum is another gem, given that it sports splendid icons and frescoes salvaged from the island's beautiful medieval churches, which didn't survive the massive earthquake in 1953.

Lagana and Geraka may be the island's best-loved beaches. Their white sands are the nesting grounds of Caretta-Caretta sea turtles. Further inland, mountain villages share local hospitality, good food and wine, and are home to monasteries tucked away within the greenery. Zakynthos isn't exactly a party island, though its nightlife does offer variety. Visitors can choose from pubs, bars and nightclubs. The trendiest spots are on the south end of the island, mostly in Laganas, Argassi, Kalamaki, Tsilivi and Alykes.

Things to do in Zakynthos

Blessed with gorgeous, unspoilt beaches and turquoise waters, Zakynthos is the perfect destination for a relaxing holiday. Visitors will find some of the island's best beaches in the Vassilikos area. Ocean lovers could also take boat trips to the Smugglers Cove Shipwreck, or the unforgettable Blue Caves near Volimes. Marathonisi Island's secluded and unspoilt beaches are another must-see. The protected environment has seen no touristic development, as it's a breeding ground for turtles. Swimmers can enjoy some of the area's sea caves. The island's lush interior also holds wonderful treasures, which include small monasteries and some good museums, such as the Solomos Mausoleum and the Byzantine Museum.

Zante Beaches photo

Zante Beaches

Zante is renowned for unspoilt beaches and rich marine life and it is a great island for nature-lovers. The beaches on the island are also known for their beautiful emerald green water. The region of Vassilikos has some of the best beaches on the island and a favourite is St Nicholas, which has great watersports facilities. Gerakas is also very popular, voted one of Greece's best beaches. Gerakas is a long, sandy beach with lovely and unusual rock formations. Many of the holiday resorts have their own beaches for visitors to enjoy, and these are the Zante beaches with the best amenities; generally the beaches do not have restaurants and bars because their lack of development is their greatest attraction. The Kalamaki, Porto Zoro and Laganas beaches are all beautiful. Loggerhead sea turtles can be seen at Laganas Bay, home to the National Marine Park. Navagio beach is also a great favourite, famous for its shipwreck: the 'Panagiotis' was wrecked in 1982 while smuggling a large cargo of cigarettes and trying to evade a customs patrol in stormy weather. There is a view point (of somewhat dubious stability) from which the wreck can be seen, and there are also boat trips available to the beach where the ship lies.

Blue Caves photo

Blue Caves

Located near a picturesque village called Volimes, the Blue Caves are one of Zakynthos Island's best-loved attractions. Only accessible by boat, these striking rock formations put on an unforgettable show. Essentially, the caves capture and reflect light in a marvellous variety of blues; visitors will enjoy the best displays at sunrise, sunset, or from under water while scuba diving. Oftentimes, visitors can enjoy round-island boat trips that include the caves and Navagio Beach, with its famous shipwreck. Small, 25-passenger boats are generally more pleasant than 300-seaters, as they can sail into the caves, which is a magical experience.

Marathonisi Island photo

Marathonisi Island

Marathonisi is a small island in Laganas Bay, completely unspoilt by human inhabitants. There are two main beaches on this island: the white sands of the larger beach are the nesting area of the endangered Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) sea turtle; and the smaller pebble beach is home to a couple of interesting sea caves. Visitors can swim into these caves, or paddle a boat around them, and they create a snorkeller's paradise. The Monachus sea seal, also an endangered species, also visits the island to reproduce and visitors may even be lucky enough to see some of these rare animals. The natural pine, olive and green oak forests on the island are another beautiful attraction. There is no development on the island, which is part of the National Marine Park, and visitors are advised to take water and supplies for the day. There is a little picnic snack boat that circles the island and provides refreshments to visitors, but it is best for visitors to assume they will be fending for themselves while they are on the deserted island. The National Park ensures that the beach is empty of people by sunset so that the turtles, who come ashore at night, are not disturbed.

Zakynthos Climate and Weather

Zakynthos enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm summers. It receives cool, gentle summer breezes, called 'Meltemia', as do a number of Greece's northern islands. Otherwise, the season can be swelteringly hot. Rainfall is fairly heavy during winter. Along with its many underground springs, Zakynthos' generous precipitation makes it greener and more fertile than many other Greek islands. Rainfall is unlikely in summer, which is peak tourist season. For travellers who'd prefer to avoid tourist crowds, late spring and early autumn are good times to visit. Temperatures are milder and the sea is pleasantly warm. Springtime visitors will also find an especially lush setting after the rainy season. Both seasons experience passing rain showers, though the weather is generally sunny.

Greece travel info

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts and 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use, including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.

Language

Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.

Money

The official currency is the euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. All major credit cards are accepted and ATMs are widespread.

Tipping

A service charge is automatically added to most restaurant bills and an additional tip is not expected, though it's always welcome. Rounding up the bill is sufficient for drinks at cafes; taxis, porters and cloakroom attendants will expect a tip.

Health

There are no specific health risks but everyone 12 years of age and older should get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before visiting Greece. Most health problems come from too much sun and too much food or alcohol, though there's also the risk of encountering sea urchins, jellyfish and mosquitoes. Medical facilities in major cities are excellent but some of the smaller islands are a long way from a decent hospital. Larger towns and resorts have English-speaking private doctors and the highly professional local pharmacies can usually deal with any minor complaint. Travellers should take along any necessary prescription medication. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. After Brexit, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for UK citizens. The GHIC allows UK citizens access to state healthcare during visits to the EU. The GHIC is not valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, nor is it an alternative to travel insurance.

Safety

Though Greece is a safe destination, peak tourist season usually sees a spike in petty theft cases, especially in crowded areas. Visitors should conceal valuables or store them in hotel safes and watch out for pickpockets. Violent crime is rare but there have been incidents on some islands; visitors travelling alone should not accept lifts from strangers.

Local customs

Though more traditional than the British in some ways, most Greeks are friendly and welcoming enough to seem intrusive to reserved British tourists. Greeks are also the heaviest smokers in Europe and will often ignore the smoking ban in public places. Swimwear is expected on the beach but tourists should dress properly in bars and restaurants.

Doing business

Greeks prefer to dress formally in dark-coloured suits for men and stylish outfits for women. Punctuality is important to them though meetings may not start immediately. Visitors should offer a firm handshake and maintain eye contact when greeting Greek men and women for the first time, and print business cards in both Greek and English. There is no ritual surrounding the exchange of business cards.

As Greeks like getting to know their colleagues before conducting any serious business, it's unlikely a deal will take shape at the first meeting. The local culture follows a hierarchical structure and visitors should show respect in the same way. Gift giving is common in social settings but not necessarily in business.

Duty free

Travellers visiting from inside the EU can bring in 800 cigarettes, or 200 cigars, or 400 cigarillos, or 1kg of tobacco, 10 litres of spirits with an alcohol volume over 22 percent, 20 litres of spirits with an alcohol volume under 22 percent, 90 litres of wine and 110 litres of beer.

Visitors arriving from outside the EU and are over the age of 17 will not pay duty for 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 100 cigarillos, or 250g of tobacco, 1 litres of spirits with an alcohol volume over 22 percent, 2 litres of spirits with an alcohol volume under 22 percent, 4 litres of wine and 16 litres of beer.

Communications

The international access code for Greece is +30 and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Free WiFi is available at cafes, hotels, restaurants and similar establishments throughout Greece; purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option to paying high international roaming costs.

Passport & Visa

The borderless region known as the Schengen Area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. All of these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option, and which allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all the aforementioned countries.

Non-EEA travellers to Greece must hold visible means of financial support to cover their stay in the country. It is also recommended that non-EEA members hold return or onward tickets, and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination. Passengers not holding onward tickets may be asked for proof of sufficient funds for their return or onward journey. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US citizens must have a passport that is valid three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for a touristic stay of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

British passports endorsed 'British Citizen', 'British Subject' (containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the United Kingdom), and 'British Overseas Territories Citizen' issued by Gibraltar, only need to be valid for period of intended stay in Greece. All other endorsements require at least three months validity beyond the period of intended stay in Greece.

A visa is not required for passports endorsed 'British Citizen', 'British Subject' (containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the United Kingdom), and 'British Overseas Territories Citizen' issued by Gibraltar. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period for holders of passports with any other endorsement.

Holders of identity cards issued by Gibraltar authorities, and endorsed 'Validated for EU travel purposes under the authority of the United Kingdom', do not require a visa to visit Greece.

Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay in Greece. No visa is required for a touristic stay of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay in Greece. No visa is required for a touristic stay of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay, and a valid Schengen visa, to enter Greece.

Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid on arrival in Greece. No visa is required.

New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay in Greece. No visa is required for a touristic stay of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Useful contacts

Greek National Tourism Organisation, Athens: +30 21 870 7000.

112 (general European emergency number); 1571 (tourist police)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Greek Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 939 1300.

Greek Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7313 5600.

Greek Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 6271.

Greek Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6271 0100.

Greek Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 348 2352.

Greek Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 676 7254.

Greek Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 473 7775.

Embassies / consulates in Greece

United States Embassy, Athens: +30 21 721 2951.

British Embassy, Athens: +30 21 727 2600.

Canadian Embassy, Athens: +30 21 727 3400.

Australian Embassy, Athens: +30 21 870 4000.

South African Embassy, Athens: +30 21 617 8020.

Irish Embassy, Athens: +30 21 723 2771.

New Zealand Consulate-General, Athens: +30 21 692 4136.