Zakynthos Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Zakynthos gives you the complete experience of one of the most beautiful islands in the Ionian Sea, from the extraordinary Navagio Shipwreck Beach and the remarkable Blue Caves to the hidden villages of the interior, the extraordinary Venetian old town, the loggerhead turtle nesting beaches and the finest hidden coves on the island. This route covers the full Zakynthos: the iconic Navagio and Blue Caves, the Venetian Zakynthos Town, the remarkable Byzantine monastery of Anafonitria, the extraordinary Keri Caves and lighthouse, the loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches, the hidden villages of the Zakynthos interior and the finest beaches from Gerakas to Porto Limnionas.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Zakynthos Airport (ZTH) or ferry from Kyllini on the Peloponnese
Getting Around
Car essential for the full island experience. Roads are good throughout.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, boat trips, beaches and village walking
DAY 1
ZAKYNTHOS TOWN
MORNING
ZAKYNTHOS OLD TOWN AND BYZANTINE MUSEUM
Zakynthos Town was rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake in the original Venetian style, its remarkable arcaded streets and neoclassical churches giving the finest reconstructed Venetian townscape in the Ionian islands. The Byzantine Museum on Solomos Square contains the finest collection of post-Byzantine art saved from the earthquake. Museum entry approx 4 euros. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
BOCHALI CASTLE
The Bochali Castle above Zakynthos Town gives the finest panoramic view over the town, harbour and the Peloponnese coast across the Ionian Strait. The extraordinary church of Agios Georgios inside the castle walls is the finest Venetian ecclesiastical building remaining on Zakynthos. The remarkable views over the Ionian Sea are extraordinary at sunset. Entry free. Drive: Walk to town
AFTERNOON
CHURCH OF AGIOS DIONYSIOS AND WATERFRONT
The Church of Agios Dionysios contains the silver casket with the relics of St Dionysios and the finest collection of religious silver in the Ionian islands. The extraordinary bell tower gives the finest harbour view. The remarkable Zakynthos waterfront promenade at sunset, with the Peloponnese mountains across the water, is the finest evening walk on the island. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bochali village above Zakynthos Town contains the finest hidden viewpoint on the island, its traditional kafeneion on the village square giving the most authentic local experience in Zakynthos with extraordinary views over the town and Peloponnese. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on Solomos Square Outstanding Greek coffee on the finest square in the Ionian islands. | Lunch: Taverna in Zakynthos old town Outstanding Zakynthian lunch with local skordostoumbi and excellent Ionian wine. | Dinner: Restaurant on the waterfront Outstanding fresh seafood dinner on the extraordinary Ionian Sea waterfront.
DAY 2
NAVAGIO AND BLUE CAVES
MORNING
NAVAGIO SHIPWRECK BEACH
Navagio is the most photographed beach in Greece, its extraordinary white limestone cliffs enclosing a turquoise cove with the rusting wreck of the MV Panagiotis giving the most iconic beach landscape in the Mediterranean. Accessible only by boat from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos. Boat trip approx 15 euros return. Drive: Continue by boat
MIDDAY
THE BLUE CAVES OF CAPE SKINARI
The Blue Caves of Cape Skinari are the most extraordinary sea caves in the Ionian islands, their arch-roofed caverns reflecting the extraordinary blue Ionian water in shades of turquoise and cobalt. Small boats enter the caves for an extraordinary swimming and snorkelling experience unlike anything else in the Ionian Sea. Boat trip approx 10 euros. Drive: Drive south
AFTERNOON
ANAFONITRIA MONASTERY
Anafonitria is the most extraordinary medieval village on Zakynthos, its remarkable 15th-century monastery where St Dionysios lived containing the finest Byzantine frescoes on the island. The extraordinary medieval tower and the remarkable traditional village give the finest heritage experience in the Zakynthos interior. The drive through the north coast olive groves is extraordinary. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary viewpoint above Navagio Beach at the top of the limestone cliffs is accessible by road and gives the finest cliff-top view in the Ionian islands, 200 metres above the extraordinary turquoise bay. Free. Arrive at sunrise before any other tourists for the most extraordinary experience.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before Navagio boat Early start. The Shipwreck Beach is extraordinary before 11am before the tour boats arrive. | Lunch: Fish taverna near Porto Vromi Outstanding fresh Ionian fish near the Navagio boat departure point. | Dinner: Restaurant in Zakynthos Town Outstanding Zakynthian dinner after the extraordinary north coast and caves day.
DAY 3
SOUTHWEST COAST
MORNING
KERI CAVES AND LIGHTHOUSE
The Keri Caves on the southwest tip of Zakynthos are the most extraordinary sea caves on the island, their remarkable arched rock formations at sea level giving the finest boat cave experience in the southern Ionian islands. The extraordinary Keri lighthouse above the caves gives the finest view over the open Ionian Sea from the highest accessible point in southwest Zakynthos. Boat trip approx 15 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LAGANAS TURTLE WATCHING
The Laganas Bay is the most important loggerhead sea turtle nesting site in the Mediterranean. The extraordinary turtle watching boat trips from Laganas give the finest wildlife experience in the Ionian islands from June to August. The remarkable ARCHELON turtle rescue centre gives the finest insight into conservation outside the boat. Boat trips approx 15 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
GERAKAS BEACH
Gerakas is the finest beach on Zakynthos, its extraordinary golden sand and turquoise water at the southern tip giving the best natural beach experience in the Ionian Sea. The beach is a loggerhead turtle nesting site protected by the Marine Park. The remarkable rocky headland of Cape Gerakas gives the finest view over the open Ionian Sea from the south. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sekania beach within the Marine Park is the most important loggerhead turtle nesting beach in the entire Mediterranean, completely closed to protect the nests. The ARCHELON turtle rescue centre in Laganas accepts volunteers and gives the finest insight into sea turtle conservation in Europe. Free to visit the centre.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe before Keri drive Early start for the Keri Caves. The southwest coast is extraordinary in the morning light. | Lunch: Taverna near Keri or Laganas Outstanding Zakynthian lunch near the southwest coast. Fresh fish and local Ionian wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Zakynthos Town Outstanding dinner in the old town after the extraordinary southwest coast and turtle day.
DAY 4
EAST COAST
MORNING
PORTO ZORO BEACH AND SOUTHEAST COAST
Porto Zoro is the most extraordinary beach on the southeast coast of Zakynthos, its remarkable sheltered cove of vivid turquoise water and white pebbles flanked by limestone cliffs giving the finest natural beach on this side of the island. The remarkable snorkelling around the limestone rocks is the finest on the southeast coast. Free beach. Drive: 30 min drive north
MIDDAY
XIGIA SULPHUR BEACH
Xigia is the most extraordinary beach on the northeast coast of Zakynthos, its remarkable natural sulphur springs bubbling up through the sea floor giving the most unusual swimming experience on the island. The warm sulphurous water is said to have remarkable therapeutic properties. The extraordinary limestone cliffs above the tiny beach give the finest natural landscape on the northeast coast. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
ALYKES AND ALIKES SALT FLATS
Alykes is the finest long beach on the northeast coast of Zakynthos, its remarkable shallow turquoise water and golden sand giving the best family beach on the island. The extraordinary salt flats behind the beach, the only natural salt pans in the Ionian islands, attract remarkable birdlife including flamingos in autumn. The traditional village of Alikes is the finest on the northeast coast. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Cape Kryoneri on the northeast coast between Xigia and Alykes is the finest hidden headland on Zakynthos, its remarkable natural swimming platform cut into the limestone rock giving the finest sea swimming from the land anywhere on the island. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Free. Short walk from the coast road.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before southeast drive Early start for Porto Zoro. The southeast coast beaches are finest in the morning before the boats. | Lunch: Taverna at Xigia beach Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the extraordinary sulphur spring beach on the northeast coast. | Dinner: Restaurant in Alykes or Zakynthos Town Outstanding Zakynthian dinner after the extraordinary east coast beach day.
DAY 5
ZAKYNTHOS INTERIOR
MORNING
MACHAIRADO AND THE CHURCH OF AGIA MAVRA
Machairado is the most extraordinary village in the Zakynthos interior, its remarkable Church of Agia Mavra containing the finest collection of gilded woodwork and Byzantine icons in the island and the most important pilgrimage site in Zakynthos after Agios Dionysios. The extraordinary bells of Machairado are the finest in the Ionian islands. The traditional village square is the finest in the interior. Entry free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
AGIOS LEON AND THE INTERIOR VILLAGES
Agios Leon is the most extraordinary traditional village in the Zakynthos interior, its remarkable position on the central ridge giving extraordinary views over both the Ionian Sea to the west and the plain to the east. The extraordinary olive groves and vineyards of the Zakynthos interior give the finest rural landscape on the island. The village kafeneion is the most authentic in Zakynthos. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PORTO LIMNIONAS SEA CAVE
Porto Limnionas on the west coast is the most extraordinary sea inlet on Zakynthos, its remarkable narrow channel of extraordinary turquoise water cutting into the limestone cliffs giving the finest natural swimming experience in the Ionian islands from the rocks. The extraordinary colours of the water in the afternoon light are unlike anywhere else on the island. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Drogarati cave above the Livadi plain in the Zakynthos interior is the finest stalactite cave on the island, its ancient cavern containing extraordinary formations and an underground lake visible from the path. Almost entirely unknown to tourists despite being signposted from the main road. Approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Village kafeneion in Machairado Outstanding traditional Greek coffee and pastries in the finest village square in the Zakynthos interior. | Lunch: Taverna in Agios Leon Outstanding traditional Zakynthian lunch in the finest authentic village restaurant on the island. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Zakynthos Town Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary Venetian old town. Zakynthian specialities and mandolato.
Where To Stay
Zakynthos Town, Nights 1 to 4 Best base for the entire island. Hotels from 60 to 150 euros. Central for all directions. Tsilivi, alternative Resort area north of town with good beach. Hotels from 50 to 120 euros. 10 minutes to Zakynthos Town by car. Budget option Guesthouses in Zakynthos Town from 35 euros. Compact old town, walkable from most accommodation.
Top Tips
1. The Navagio clifftop viewpoint is free and gives the most extraordinary view in Greece. Arrive at sunrise before any other tourists for the full experience.
2. Navagio boat: go before 11am. The beach fills with boats by midday. Porto Vromi boats are smaller and less crowded than the large boats from Agios Nikolaos.
3. Turtle watching: book with ARCHELON charity in Laganas for the most ethical experience. The turtles are remarkable in the bay from June to August.
4. Xigia beach sulphur springs are extraordinary but the beach is tiny. Go early morning before the few sunbeds are taken. The sulphurous water is warm and unusual.
5. The Zakynthos interior on Day 5 is entirely undiscovered by tourists. The olive groves, traditional villages and extraordinary views are the finest on the island.
6. Porto Limnionas sea cave is best in the afternoon when the low sun hits the extraordinary turquoise water inside the limestone inlet. Free and almost entirely unvisited.
Total Budget
80 to 150 euros/day