Home Travel Top 15 Beaches in Zakynthos You Can’t Miss in 2023

Top 15 Beaches in Zakynthos You Can’t Miss in 2023

0


The beaches in Zakynthos are some of the most stunning stretches of sand not only in the Ionian Sea but in all of Greece. This island is blessed with sunny weather, hidden coves, dramatic cliffs and powdery white sand, so if you’re coming to Greece for a beach holiday, this might be the island to choose.

From the sunsets on lovely Tsilivi Beach to the world-famous images of Shipwreck Cove, the sandy beaches in Zakynthos (Zante) range from calm bays perfect for families to spectacular secluded natural harbours surrounded by dramatic cliffs.

In a Hurry Finding Beaches in Zakynthos?

If you’re looking for the best beaches in Zakynthos for families, sand, sunsets, couples or parties, or you’re just looking for the best Zante beach overall, click the links below to quickly jump to the particular beach on this page and read more about it. 

We spent nearly two weeks with a rental car (and a rental boat) exploring the island of Zakynthos, trying to discover every secret enclave and Ionian lagoon we passed by. We explored the entire island and swam in the best beaches that Zakynthos has to offer.

Rent a Boat in Zakynthos, Greece

Best Time to Visit Zakynthos for Beaches

Peak Season: July & August
High Season: June-September
Shoulder Season: April-May & September-October
Off-Season: November-March

The best time to visit Greece is between the months of March and October, but for beaches, you’ll want to come during the warmer months when the sea temperature rises enough to go for a swim.

Anytime between May and September is perfect for sunbathing and enjoying the Ionian beaches of Zakynthos, but during the summer high-season months of July and August, the beaches can get uncomfortably crowded, particularly the popular ones like Navagio and Laganas.

The absolute best time to visit in my opinion is in April to May or September to early-October when the Ionian Sea is still a decent temperature for swimming, but there aren’t so many people crowding the beaches.

According to Holiday-Weather.com:
Hottest Month: July ( 26°C / 79°F)
Coolest Month: January (11°C / 52°F)
Sunniest Month: July (12 hours/day)
Wettest Month: December (170mm of Rainfall)
Warmest Sea Temperature: August (26°C / 79°F)

Top 15 Best Beaches in Zakynthos

Sitting on the sand and soaking up the sun is one of the best things to do in Zakynthos, so in this post, I’m going to break down the top 15 best beaches including the former Blue Flag Beaches that you won’t want to miss.

I’ll include the best nearby restaurants, hotels, apartments and facilities on each beach so that you’ll know exactly what to expect before arriving on the sand.

Here it goes. Our list of the best beaches in Zakynthos…

1. Navagio Beach

Navagio Beach and Shipwreck Cove in Greece

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Navagio Beach, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Couples
🏖 Type of Sand: White Pebbles
🏠 Facilities: None

Without a doubt, the most visually striking of all of the beaches in Zakynthos is Navagio Beach (aka Shipwreck Cove). It’s a breathtaking white sandy bay surrounded by dramatic 200-meter high cliffs and some of the most electric blue Ionian water I’ve ever seen. 

The 157-foot ship that ran aground here during a terrible storm in 1980 still sits frozen in time on the sand — a sight which only adds to the mystic allure of this enchanting beach.

There are two ways to see Navagio Beach, either by boat (the only way to access the beach and swim there) or by car (from a viewpoint on the cliffs 200 meters above the beach itself).

The best way to get to the viewpoint is to rent a car for the day (prices start at €15) while the best way to actually go to the beach, walk on the sand, explore the shipwreck and go for a swim is by joining a day tour which will take you there by boat.

Day tours start at around €45 per person and most will also stop at the beautiful Blue Caves for a swim before heading to Navagio Beach. Check GetYourGuide for highly recommended trips to Shipwreck Cove.

Read more about Navagio beach

Where to Stay Near Navagio Beach

  • Eden Villas: From $180/night (☆9.4)
    Lovely modern rooms with king-size beds, an outdoor pool and views of the mountain. Eden Villas is situated in Anafonítria. Navagio Beach is 2.7km from the property. Free private parking is available on site.
  • Luxury Villa: From $80/night (☆9.1)
    Luxury Villa 3min from the famous Shipwreck is situated in Volimai and offers a bar, a garden and a private beach area.
  • Villa Margarita: From $170/night (☆8.7)
    Featuring a garden, an outdoor pool and pool views, Villa Margarita is set in Anafonítria. The air-conditioned accommodation is 2.3 km from Navagio Beach.

2. Porto Azzuro

Porto Azzuro Beach Bar

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Porto Azzuro, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Couples, Soft Sand
🏖 Type of Sand: Soft Golden
🏠 Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Umbrellas, Sunbeds

Porto Azzuro is one of the more popular Zakynthos beaches. Located on the Vasilikos Peninsula about 11 kilometres (a half-hour drive) from the capital of Zante Town, Porto Azzuro is a breathtaking hidden cove probably most famous for the series of stone karsts that jut out from the water directly in view from the sand.

This is a great beach for families and there are plenty of facilities including a great beach bar (Porto Azzuro Beach Bar), sunbeds and umbrellas for rent (€12/day for a set of 2 with umbrella), as well as toilets and showers. 

There aren’t any watersports available on this beach, which actually makes it much more peaceful than some others on the island. The sand here is very soft and the water is crystal clear, making it a great beach to relax on the sand and enjoy an afternoon.

Read more about Porto Azzuro

Where to Stay Near Porto Azzuro

  • Villa Levante: From $32/night (☆9.7)
    Villa Levante is located in Vassilikos and has nice rooms with private balconies and panoramic views of the Ionian Sea located just a hundred meters from Porto Azzuro Beach where guests can use free sunbeds provided by the hotel.
  • Villa Contessa: From $35/night (☆9.7)
    Opening out to a furnished balcony or terrace overlooking the Ionian, the air-conditioned units of Villa Contessa are fitted with Coco-Mat mattresses and pillows and allergy-free bed linen, as well as some modern amenities like a flat-screen TV, laptop-size safe, a kitchenette with fridge, electric kettle and coffee maker.
  • Blue House Apartments: From $100/night (☆9.9)
    About 150 meters from Porto Azzuro Beach, the family-run Blue House self-catering Apartments in Vasilikos Village offer a garden with a terrace and view of the Ionian Sea and garden.

3. Gerakas Beach

Gerakas Beach at Zakynthos, Greece

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Gerakas Beach, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Couples, Soft Sand
🏖 Type of Sand: Golden Soft Sand
🏠 Facilities: None

A popular nesting ground for the beautiful caretta caretta (loggerhead) turtles, Gerakas beach is a stunning, long stretch of golden sand at the end of the southeastern peninsula of Vasilikos. It’s also my favourite Zante beach due to the calm water.

As part of the Zakynthos National Marine Park, the beach is only open from 7 am to 8 pm because, during the twilight and dark hours, there’s a high chance that turtles will be either hatching or laying eggs at that time.

That doesn’t mean you don’t have a good chance of seeing these animals at Gerakas Beach. At any time of the day you might come face to face with a turtle, so be sure to bring your snorkel and mask when visiting this beach.

There are some sunbeds and umbrellas for rent on the beach as well (€8 for two chairs and an umbrella for the day), but you won’t be able to bring your own umbrella here and just post up in the sand. That’s because you could be laying right on a turtle nest!

There isn’t all that much natural shade here, so you’ll likely have to pony up the cash, but the rangers who rent the umbrellas here are friendly and some of the money goes back to turtle conservation.

Read more about Gerakas beach

Where to Stay Near Gerakas Beach

  • Villa Levante: From $32/night (☆9.7)
    Villa Levante is located in a lush hillside about a 15-minute drive North of Gerakas Beach and about 5 minutes outside of the town of Vasilikos. Rooms are air-conditioned and they also have small apartments with kitchens or kitchenettes and private bathrooms.
  • Villagio Studios & Apartments: From $67/night (☆9.7)
    This is another lovely place just 10 minutes drive north of Gerakas beach and just on the outskirts of Vasilikos town. They have an amazing 9.7/10 from reviews on Booking.com, this complex is also close to Casa Playa Beach and just 800 meters from Agios Nikolaos Beach.
  • Athena Studios: From $67/night (☆9.3)
    At just 150 meters from the sand, Athena Studios is one of the closest accommodation options to Gerakas Beach. Rooms are bright and modern with local furnishings and light wood accents. They have one and two-bedroom apartments available. All have kitchens, TVs and patios.
  • Porto Zorro Beach Hotel: From $146/night (☆7.1)
    We only ate at the restaurant here, but the hotel looked really nice. The rooms were facing over Porto Azzuro Beach which is one of the best sandy beaches in Zakynthos and the restaurant on site serves up some really tasty Mediterranean food.

4. Banana Beach

Banana Beach at Zakynthos

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Porto Azzuro – Southeast Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Couples, Soft Sand, Parties
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Soft Sand
🏠 Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Umbrellas, Sunbeds

Banana Beach is located 15.4 kilometers (25-minute drive) south from the capital of Zakynthos Island, Zante Town, and about 19 kilometers (27-minute drive) from the popular beach town of Laganas. At 2 kilometers, it’s also the longest on the island.

Even though there’s a long, broad stretch of golden sand here, its proximity to Zante Town and the many free shuttles that can bring you here means that a lot of people come to this beach, particularly in the high season (July and August).

There are a few beach bars that line the sand, but my favourite is Banana Bayan Beach Bar which has hundreds of sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent (from €8 per day) and great food and service.

There’s a lot of watersports available on Banana Beach as well, making it a popular spot for young people and families. You rent jet skis and Seados here, and you can also hire a boat to take you out tubing, wakeboarding or skiing.

Read more about Banana beach

Where to Stay Near Banana Beach

  • Alegria Villas: From $141/night (☆9.6)
    Technically this hotel is nearer to St. Nicholas Beach, but Alegria Villas Complex in Zakynthos is a great place to stay if you’re looking for self-catering villas overlooking the Ionian Sea. They have 2 and 3 bedroom villa units as well as a large duplex for rent.

5. Porto Limnionas

Porto Limnionas from aerial

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Porto Limnionas, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Couples
⛱ Type of Sand: Rocky Cove
🏠 Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Umbrellas, Sunbeds

While Porto Limnionas can’t really be classified as a “beach” per se (because of the lack of sand), it was still one of my favourite places to swim around the island. Instead of a beach, you have a bunch of rocks to jump off into the clear water.

This is a calm cove on the west side of the island with massive cliffs sheltering it. There’s a decent taverna with sunbeds for rent and lots of places to hang out on the rock cliffs and in the sun. 

This is another one of the beaches in Zakynthos where you’ll definitely want to bring a snorkel and mask (no rental shops here). The water here is crystal clear and the caves that surround the secluded bay are a fascinating place to spot a variety of fish species.

Read more about Porto Limnionas

Where to Stay Near Porto Limnionas

Actually, there aren’t all that many great hotels near Porto Limnionas, so if you want to stay close enough to this picturesque cove, then I’d recommend staying in Keri Town or Laganas and then driving here.

6. Spanzia

Banana Beach at Zakynthos aerial view

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Spanzia Beach, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Soft Sand
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Sand
🏠 Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Umbrellas, Sunbeds

Spanzia is a small beach between Porto Azzuro and Banana Beach in the southern Vasilikos Peninsula about 20 minutes south of Zante Town by car. It’s actually just a little bit north of Banana Beach and is part of the same long stretch of sand.

Similar to Banana Beach, there are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas for rent here and there are watersports as well. It’s close enough to Banana Beach that you can also just walk down the sand a bit and enjoy the restaurants there.

7. Kalamaki Beach

Kalamaki Beach in Zakynthos

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Porto Azzuro – Southeast Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Couples, Parties, Soft Sand
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Sand
🏠 Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Umbrellas, Sunbeds

Laganas’ slightly quieter cousin, Kalamaki Beach is still busy but offers a bit of a quieter atmosphere than its southern neighbour. There are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas for rent here and the sand is soft and golden as well.

There are also some fantastic luxury beach resorts, as well as cheaper and cozier guest houses and apartments.

8. Laganas Beach

Laganas Beach, Zakynthos, Sand Dunes

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Laganas Beach, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Parties, Couples, Soft Sand
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Sand
🏠 Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Umbrellas, Sunbeds

Laganas Beach is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of place. If you come here in July and August, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this is a party-crazy, jam-packed stretch of sand that caters mostly to club-goers and package holiday tourists. But there’s a lot to love about Laganas.

Outside of the crowded summer months, Laganas Beach has plenty to offer visitors and it doesn’t feel like such a crazy place to be. Lots of excellent restaurants, wonderful accommodation options and a good location on the island make this the most popular place to stay for most visitors.

This is also a place where you have a decent chance of seeing the Loggerhead turtles, but they aren’t coming around as much now that the beach is so busy. I saw a few, but not as many as I’d hoped.

If you plan to stay on this beach during the peak season, don’t let my initial description completely put you off. There are still families and couples that love this beach town and if you stay a little bit away from the action, you can still have a relatively peaceful time.

Read more about Laganas beach

Where to Stay Near Laganas Beach

  • Memories Apartments: From $87/night (☆9.1/10)
    Memories Apartments are luxurious, resort-style small apartments a few minutes walk to the beach. They have a massive seasonal pool for guests to use as well as a barbecue area and plenty of common space. The rooms have flat-screen TVs, mountain views (or pool or garden views), small kitchenettes and free wifi around the entire property.
  • Golden Sun Resort & Spa: From $320/night (☆8.7/10)
    Technically on Kalamaki Beach about a 10-minute walk up the sand from main Laganas Beach, Golden Sun Resort & Spa is a luxury, Adults Only place located right on the sand. Some units have a private pool, while others have a small private hot tub. The room rate includes breakfast.

9. Tsilivi Beach

Aerial View of Tsilivi Beach, Zakynthos

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Tsilivi Beach, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Couples, Soft Sand
⛱ Type of Sand: Fine, White Sand
🏠 Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Umbrellas, Sunbeds

As we spent most of our time in nearby Psarou, Tsilivi Beach was one of our go-to places for a swim while we were in Zakynthos. There are a few good restaurants on the beach here, some decent accommodation options and a considerably quieter vibe than Laganas Beach.

There are sunbeds and umbrellas for rent on Tsilivi Beach (prices start at €7 per day for two sunbeds and an umbrella) as well as some watersports like windsurfing, skiing, tubing, pedaloes, jet skiing, and paragliding.

If you’re looking for a more laid back atmosphere, while still having enough amenities, then this is a great place to stay. Even if you don’t stay here, you should make it one of your stops on a round-the-island tour.

Read more about Tsilivi beach

Where to Stay Near Tsilivi Beach

  • Katarina Rooms: From $60/night (☆9.6/10)
    This is where we stayed in Zakynthos. If you don’t mind driving 10 minutes from Tsilivi Beach area to Psarou, you can stay where we chose to stay, Katarina Rooms. These super-modern looking little places offer great value for money. 
  • Olea All Suite Hotel: From $395/night (☆9.3/10)
    Just an 11-minute walk from Tsilivi Beach, this beautiful luxury hotel offers an outdoor pool, a full fitness center and a massive terrace overlooking the sea. The units all have flat-screen TVs, AC, a desk, a private bathroom and a wardrobe.
  • Zante Maris Suites: From $200/night (☆9.1/10)
    Another beautiful luxury hotel just 13 minutes to Tsilivi Beach by foot, Zante Maris has a variety of rooms, most with AC and views. There is a massive shared pool and some of the more luxury suites have a heated swim-up pool.

10. Alykes Beach

Alykes, one of the best beaches in Zakynthos

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Alykes Beach, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Soft Sand, Couples
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Sand
🏠 Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Umbrellas, Sunbeds

After two weeks of travelling around the island and trying to find the perfect beach, Alykes Beach was near the top due to the great beach bar here. 

We loved it for the calm water, sandy shores and the wonderful little taverna that we found here right on the sand. Even if you don’t plan on staying in Alykes town near the beach, I recommend coming for a meal and some drinks at Porto Paradiso bar.

When you order food or drinks from the funky tiki-style bar on the sand, you can use the sunbeds and umbrellas for free (a rare treat in Zakynthos). The cocktails are great, the beer is cold and the food is delicious.

Read more about Alykes beach

Where to Stay Near Alykes Beach

  • Kanela Studios: From $80/night (☆9.6/10)
    Kanela Studios is a great option for those looking to do the same close to Alykes Beach. These cozy and well-decorated studios are just 30 minutes from the sand and are surrounded by a lush garden with a stone-paved sun terrace.
  • Villa Ana Alykes: From $78/night (☆9.8/10)
    Set just 100 meters from Alykes Beach, Villa Anna offers a holiday home with 2 comfy air-conditioned rooms with a patio and free wifi. There is a kitchen, dining area and washing machine.

11. Xigia Beach

Beaches in Zakynthos: Xigia Beach Aerial View

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Xigia Beach, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Soft Sand, Spa Treatment
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Sand
🏠 Facilities: Umbrellas, Sunbeds

If you’re looking for a swim along with a free spa treatment, then look no further than the beautiful Xigia Beach. There is a natural sulfur hot spring here that pours a milky (and somewhat smelly) white ooze into the water, turning all of the water in the cove a cloudy colour.

This may not sound that appealing, but the spring actually has many healing properties and a lot of people come to this beach to enjoy its effects.

When you first get to the beach, the smell will be pretty strong, but trust me, you’ll get used to it. Head out into the cove and look for the spot between the rocks where the sulfur spring pours out (there are usually some people hanging out here). 

Simply wade, stand or float close to the spring and after a few minutes, you’ll start to feel your skin getting smoother. The water here is said to help with joint, bone and skin-related diseases. 

Read more about Xigia beach

Where to Stay Near Xigia Beach

  • Emerald Suites: From $300/night (☆9.7/10)
    Emerald Suites is a 4-Star hotel north of Xigia Beach in a town called Askos. It has good reviews on Google and Booking.com and rooms here start at around $300 / night in the shoulder season.
  • Xigia Beach Residence: From $60/night (☆9.8/10)
    Xigia Beach Residence is walking distance to Xigia Sulphur Beach and is the closest and most affordable options you’ll likely find in the area. Each unit comes with a balcony, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a seating area with a sofa, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom.

12. Psarou Beach

Psarou Beach sunset

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Psarou Beach, Zakynthos
👍 Good For: Families, Couples, Soft Sand, Sunsets
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Sand
🏠 Facilities: Restaurant, Bar

The little cove containing Psarou Beach was awarded a Blue Flag for cleanliness, and although it was technically revoked in 2018, you wouldn’t know it by looking at it. The beach still has squeaky clean sand and crystal clear water and is one of my favourites on the island thanks to the wonderful Taverna Psarou.

We came here a couple of times for sunset at the tavern and enjoyed wine on the deck while watching the sun dip behind the mountains of Zakynthos island.

Nearby Psarou village is where we decided to base ourselves for our exploration of Zakynthos and we loved it. We stayed in the beautiful Katarina Rooms Apartments and enjoyed the modern studio apartments at this family-run guest house.

Read more about Psarou beach

Where to Stay Near Psarou Beach

  • Paradisso Beach Villas: From $150/night (☆9.9/10)
    The villa complex here boasts three elegantly appointed villas which are all inspired by classic Ionian architecture and interior design. They have fantastic views out to the sea and are surrounded by lush gardens.
  •  Calypso Villas: From $150/night (☆9.4/10)
    These luxurious and stylish villas are set on the perfect location with free parking overlooking the gorgeous Ammoudi Beach. Each villa is individually designed with the Ionian style in mind and is surrounded by lush gardens.
  • Psarou Studios: From $45/night (☆9.3/10)
    This is a great place for families and couples with a lovely location overlooking the sea. This family-run hotel is set right on the beach and has a complex consisting of units with basic kitchens. There’s a children’s playground on-site and there’s also a great Greek taverna.

13. Agios Sostis

Beaches in Zakynthos, Agios Sostis

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Agios Sostis, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Couples, Parties
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Sand & Rocky Shores
🏠 Facilities: Sunbeds, Umbrellas, Restaurant, Bar, Watersports

If you’ve ever seen the picture of the tiny rocky island connected to Zakynthos by a beautiful suspension bridge over the water, then it was Agios Sostis. This is definitely one of the most picturesque places on the island, but its close proximity to Laganas Beach means it’s no secret either.

The tiny bay of Agios Sostis can be extremely packed during the summer months, as can the bridge that leads to tiny Cameo Island. When we visited Zakynthos, the island was closed for a wedding, but we saw it from the sea when we rented a boat for the day.

Because of the bars nearby, this is a decent place to party during the day.

A tiny cove sits on the southern end of the island and there are large white cotton drapes that dangle between the rocky cliffs on either end of the bay, blowing in the wind over the sand.

There’s no beach on the island itself, but it’s a cool place to visit from Agios Sostis Beach where there are plenty of facilities like umbrellas, restaurants, bars, and watersports.

Where to Stay Near Agios Sostis

For hotels, I recommend staying near Porto Azzuro or Banana Beach as there are more options there.

14. Turtle Island

Turtle Island Beach in Zakynthos aerial view

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Turtle Island, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Couples, Soft Sand, Snorkelling
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Sand
🏠 Facilities: None

The best way to visit Turtle Island (Marathonisi Island) is as part of a day trip to go swimming with the loggerhead turtles.

This island is actually located opposite Keri Beach in Laganas Bay of southern Zakynthos and while you’ll have to take a boat to get here, the small pocket of white sand and the opportunity to see the famous turtles make the trip worthwhile.

The island is part of the Zakynthos National Marine Reserve and the tiny beach here is home to up to 1,300 nests in the turtle breeding season of April to June.

Be sure that if you’re visiting as part of a tour, you go with an eco-minded company that will respect the fragile ecosystem at this beach. If you go by yourself, be careful not to get too close to any of the marked nesting sites and if you see a turtle while swimming, give it space. Learn more about being a responsible traveller in our post here

Click here to check out our post all about snorkelling with turtles responsibly on Zakynthos Island.

Read more about Turtle Island

Where to Stay Near Turtle Island

As Turtle Island is a part of the Zakynthos Marine Park, there are no hotels on the sand. The only ones that get to sleep on this beach are the turtles. If you’re looking for hotels nearby, head to Laganas Beach or Keri.

15. Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos, beaches in Zakynthos

QUICK TIPS:
📍 Location: Agios Nikolaos, Zakynthos
👍 Good for: Families, Couples, Parties
⛱ Type of Sand: Golden Sand
🏠 Facilities: Sunbeds, Umbrellas, Restaurant, Bar, Watersports, Ferries

If you’re going to be transferring between Zakynthos and the island of Kefalonia, then you’ll likely come to the small port town of Agios Nikolaos to catch the ferry, but this is much more than just a ferry terminal.

The old fishing village of Agios Nikolaos has been getting a bit of a makeover lately and the increasing gentrification has actually helped turn this otherwise nondescript town on the northeast corner of Zakynthos into a growing tourism destination.

The sand at the beach here is white and pebbly, but when the sun is overhead it illuminates the bay turning the Ionian water into a neon blue. There are a few decent restaurants and hotels nearby, so if you’re planning on taking the ferry, it wouldn’t be a waste if you spent a night or two in Agios Nikolaos.

At the very least you should stop in this town and go for a swim at this beach as part of your itinerary around the island.

Getting to Different Beaches in Zakynthos

Getting to the different beaches in Zakynthos is really easy if you have your own vehicle, but can be a bit of a hassle when trying to do it yourself. Below I’ll list the different ways to get to the beaches in Zakynthos, but we definitely recommend hiring a car.

It may seem overwhelming to try to see 15 beaches in one trip to Zakynthos, but if you rent a car you can easily see 4 or 5 beaches in a single day. It only takes a few hours to drive around the entire island and most of the time you won’t have to drive for more than an hour to get from one beach to another.

Rental Car

This is easily the best way to drive around to the different beaches in Zakynthos. Car rentals start at around €15 / day and you’ll have to pay for your own gas, but given that many tour companies charge €30 per person per day for day trips around the island, the car quickly pays for itself if you plan to explore.

Our rental car on Zakynthos Island
Our Rental Car in Zakynthos (We Paid €15/day for 2 weeks)

If you share the cost with one or more people, it will be an even better value. We rented a car for our entire two-week visit to Zakynthos and when we return, we’ll definitely do it again. 

We book with Expedia.com any time we rent a car.

Public Bus

While there is a decent public transport system on Zakynthos, all buses run through the capital of Zante Town, so if you’re not staying there, you’ll always have to stop there on your way to another beach.

Also, there isn’t really a posted schedule, so you’ll likely find yourself waiting on the side of the road waiting for the next bus which in some cases could be an hour or two.

Buses from Zakynthos Town Go to:
Argassi – Xirokastelo – Vassilikos – Porto Roma – Tsilivi – Planos – Tragaki – Kipseli – Alykanas – Alykes – Katastari – Orthonies – Anafonitria – Volimes – Exo Hora – Kambi – Agios Leon – Agios Nikolaos – Machairado – Galaro – Gyri – Keri – Agalas – Lithakia – Laganas.

Check out e-Zakynthos for more info on the public bus system, or ask at your hotel.

Rent a Boat

We rented a boat on Zakynthos Island for the day and it came with a driver, but you can also just rent a boat in Zakynthos and drive it yourself. We did this in Corfu and it was one of the best day trips we’ve ever done.

In Zakynthos, you don’t need a boat license to drive boats around to the different bays, but you’ll need to follow the rental companies’ guidelines for your own safety.

Speedboat at Zakynthos, Greece
Our Rental Boat with Captain in Zakynthos

Usually, you can rent a boat for around €80 + gas. You’ll only be able to explore the bays near where you rent the boat, so if you want to see many beaches in Zakynthos by boat, then I recommend renting a boat for a day in the north, then another boat for a day in the south.

Day Tours

If you want to get to the secluded beaches like Navaggio Beach and the Blue Caves, you’ll want to go with a tour company that can bring you to the sand. There are plenty of tour companies around the island that offer this trip.

There are also some decent tours around the island. Check out GetYourGuide for day trips and tours around Zakynthos Island.

FAQs About the Best Beaches in Zakynthos

Still wondering which beach in Zakynthos to choose? Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions.

Does Zakynthos have nice beaches?

Of course! Going to a beach in Zakynthos is one of the main reasons tourists flock to this gorgeous Greek island.

Are there sandy beaches in Zakynthos?

Most of the best beaches in Zakynthos are sandy, ranging from the powdery white sand of Tsilivi to the soft golden sand of Gerakas. There are exceptions, though, such as Navagio Beach with its small white pebbles.

Can you swim in Zakynthos, Greece?

Yes, you can. It would be a shame to visit a gorgeous beach in Zakynthos without getting out into the water. One of the best beaches in Zakynthos for swimming is Navagio.

In which part of Zakynthos is best to stay?

Many people stay in Zante town because of its well-developed tourism infrastructure. If you want to be close to some of the best beaches in Zakynthos, you could also check out Vasilikos town.

Is Zakynthos too touristy?

Although Zakynthos receives quite a few tourists, there is still a great deal of authenticity to be found on the island. It’s also large enough that it’s not hard to find secluded spots.

Zakynthos Beaches in This Post

Looking for more than just sandy beaches in Zakynthos?

Enjoy the Beaches in Zakynthos!

Zakynthos is one of the best islands in Greece for a beach holiday and if you’re looking for white sand, blue water, and great snorkelling and diving opportunities, then the beaches in Zakynthos are likely as good as you’ll find in the Ionian.

Rent a car, rent a hotel and stay for a while. The beaches in Zakynthos may be what drive you to visit the island, but the friendly locals and overall vibe will make you never want to leave.

Images in this article are courtesy of Shutterstock, a website filled with stunning royalty-free images and videos. Learn more here

Like This Article? Pin It!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here