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Where to Stay in Zakynthos

Zakynthos — Ionian Islands

Find the best places to stay in Zakynthos — from the authentic capital Zante Town and the family-friendly sands of Tsilivi to the famous nightlife of Laganas, the wild Vasilikos Peninsula and the quiet north coast of Alykes. A complete guide to Zakynthos hotels and areas.

Zante Town (Authentic & Central)Tsilivi (Families)Laganas (Nightlife)Vasilikos (Nature & Peace)

Relaxing stays, beautiful views and authentic hospitality — organized in a clear and practical way.

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Description

Zakynthos — known internationally as Zante — is one of the most varied islands in the Ionian Sea, and the choice of where to stay determines almost everything about the kind of holiday you have. The island ranges from a lively, genuinely Greek capital with Venetian architecture and an active harbor, to organised family resorts on long sandy beaches, one of the most energetic nightlife destinations in Europe, and a protected southern peninsula of olive groves, loggerhead turtle nesting grounds and some of the most spectacular scenery in Greece. It also happens to be the island closest to Shipwreck Beach — Navagio — one of the most photographed places on earth, accessible by boat from the northwest coast. The right base makes all of this accessible; the wrong one can leave you feeling stranded or overwhelmed.

1. Zakynthos Town (Zante Town): The most authentic and well-connected base

Zakynthos Town — universally known as Zante Town — is the capital and main port of the island, and consistently the most underrated base for independent travelers. The town was almost entirely destroyed by the devastating 1953 earthquake but was rebuilt in Venetian style, and its waterfront, pedestrian lanes, neoclassical churches and broad Solomos Square — named after Dionysios Solomos, who wrote the Greek national anthem — retain genuine character and urban energy. The promenade between Solomos Square and the Church of Agios Dionysios is one of the most pleasant evening walks on the island. The Byzantine Museum here houses a remarkable collection of post-Byzantine icons rescued from churches destroyed in the earthquake. As the hub of the island's bus network and the departure point for the ferry to the Peloponnese, Zakynthos Town gives you more flexibility than any other base without a car. The beaches immediately around town are modest, but Tsilivi is just fifteen minutes north and the Vasilikos peninsula twenty minutes south. Hotels range from well-positioned harbor-front addresses to boutique rooms on the quieter inland streets, and prices are noticeably more reasonable than the resort areas.

2. Tsilivi: The best all-round base for families

Tsilivi sits on the east coast of Zakynthos, five kilometres north of the capital, and is the island's most consistently recommended base for families. Its sandy beach stretches for over two kilometres with calm, clear water and a well-organised promenade of tavernas, beach bars and water sports operators directly behind the shoreline. The atmosphere here is lively but measured — active enough to feel like a proper resort, calm enough that it never tips into the intensity of Laganas. The village centre has a good mix of restaurants serving both Greek and international food, and the bus to Zakynthos Town runs regularly throughout the day. The nearby beaches of Bouka and Gaidaros provide quieter swimming alternatives for families who want to escape the main beach crowd. Hotels in Tsilivi cover the full range from family-friendly studios and apartments to mid-range resorts and some of the island's most complete four-star properties with pools, spas and children's facilities. It is the first recommendation for any family visiting Zakynthos for the first time.

3. Laganas: Europe's most famous party resort — and more

Laganas sits on the southern coast of Zakynthos and has been one of Europe's most celebrated summer nightlife destinations for decades. Its main strip — a continuous stretch of over a hundred bars, clubs and beach venues — draws tens of thousands of young visitors every summer, and the energy from early evening until dawn is unlike almost anywhere else in Greece. Superclubs like Rescue and CherryBay, foam parties, beach events and the concentrated density of the nightlife strip give Laganas a character entirely its own. The beach itself is long and sandy, and the daytime atmosphere is more relaxed than the nighttime reputation suggests. It is worth being direct about who Laganas suits and who it does not: if you are traveling in your twenties and want a high-energy, social, sun-and-nightlife holiday at affordable prices, Laganas is excellent value and enormous fun. If you are traveling as a couple seeking quiet, as a family, or as anyone who needs to sleep before 3am, it is genuinely not the right choice. Rooms in central Laganas are frequently disturbed by noise well into the early hours throughout the peak season. Booking accommodation a short distance from the main strip significantly improves the experience for visitors who want the beach without the full nightlife intensity.

4. Vasilikos Peninsula: The most beautiful and peaceful corner of the island

The Vasilikos Peninsula extends southward from Zakynthos Town into the Zakynthos National Marine Park and is the most naturally extraordinary part of the island. Its landscape of endless olive groves, undeveloped coastline and crystal-clear water is completely distinct from the resort areas to the north, and the combination of spectacular beaches — Gerakas, Porto Roma, Banana Beach, Dafni and the hidden coves of the peninsula's eastern shore — makes it the strongest base for travelers who want nature, beauty and peace as their primary experience. Gerakas Beach in particular is one of the finest in the Ionian Islands: a long arc of pale sand backed by low cliffs, with exceptionally clear water and an important loggerhead turtle nesting area that restricts access from dusk to dawn and bans watersports entirely to protect the eggs. Banana Beach, by contrast, is well-organised for watersports and attracts a more active crowd. Accommodation across the peninsula ranges from simple studios among the olive trees to boutique villas and design-forward resort properties with infinity pools. A car is essential here — distances between beaches and services are too large for walking — but for travelers with their own transport, Vasilikos consistently receives the strongest reviews of any area on the island from visitors who return year after year.

5. Alykes and the North Coast: Calm beaches, shallow water and a relaxed pace

The northern stretch of Zakynthos's east coast — encompassing Alykes, Alykanas and the quieter villages beyond — is the most genuinely relaxed part of the island, and one of the most overlooked by first-time visitors. Alykes has the longest sandy beach on the eastern coast, with calm, shallow water ideal for families with young children, and a distinctive salt lake behind the beach that attracts flamingos in spring. The village has a full range of tavernas, bars and accommodation without the intensity of Tsilivi or the noise of Laganas. A car makes the north coast significantly more enjoyable, opening up the mountain villages of the interior, the Byzantine monastery of Agios Georgios at Kryonerida and the rugged western cliffs. For couples and families who want a straightforward, honest beach holiday without the pressures of the main resort zones, Alykes and the north coast offer the best balance of amenities and relaxation on the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which area of Zakynthos is best for a first visit?+

Zakynthos Town is the most versatile first base — it gives you authentic Greek urban life, good transport connections, and easy reach of every part of the island within twenty to thirty minutes by car. For families who want to be directly on the beach from day one, Tsilivi is the stronger practical choice. Avoid Laganas as a first base unless the nightlife specifically is the main purpose of the trip.

Can I visit Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) from any base on the island?+

Yes, but the journey time varies significantly. From Zakynthos Town the drive to the northwest coast takes around 50 minutes. All boat tours to Navagio depart from the port at Agios Nikolaos on the northeast tip of the island, regardless of where you are staying. The tours typically last around two to three hours, include the Blue Caves, and run daily throughout the summer.

Do I need a car in Zakynthos?+

For Zakynthos Town and Tsilivi, a car is optional. For the Vasilikos Peninsula, Alykes and any exploration of the island's interior, western coast or less-visited beaches, a car is essential. Arranging a rental for at least part of your stay is strongly recommended.

Is Zakynthos good for families with young children?+

Yes, particularly Tsilivi and Alykes, both of which offer long, sandy, shallow beaches with calm water and family-friendly accommodation. The Vasilikos peninsula is also excellent for families who want more space and nature. Laganas is not recommended for families.

What is the best time to visit Zakynthos?+

Late May through June and September to early October are the ideal periods. The sea is warm, the island is lively without being overwhelmed, and prices are significantly lower. Peak season — particularly August — is extremely busy. The turtle nesting season runs from June to August.

Are the loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) really visible in Zakynthos?+

Yes, and Zakynthos has one of the most important loggerhead turtle nesting populations in the Mediterranean. The best chances of spotting turtles in the water are on the beaches of the Vasilikos Peninsula — particularly Gerakas and Dafni — and in Laganas Bay. Hatchlings emerge between August and October. The WWF Zakynthos information centre at Gerakas Beach provides excellent guidance on how to observe the turtles without disturbing them.