Zakynthos

Zakynthos is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. Visitors come for Navagio cove, sea caves reached by boat, and the Bay of Laganas, where loggerhead turtles nest.

Find a room in Zakynthos Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Zakynthos

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Zakynthos, also called Zante, is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, about 9.5 nautical miles off the Peloponnese coast at Kyllini. At about 405.55 km², it is the third largest of the Ionian Islands. The island is shaped like an arrowhead. Its western half is a mountainous plateau with steep cliffs, and the eastern half is a fertile, densely populated plain where the road network is densest. The main town shares the island's name, is also called Chora, and sits on the northern coast as the administrative seat.

Navagio is a cove on the northwest shore, enclosed by high cliffs and reachable only by boat. Small boats also run to the sea caves around Cape Skinari. In the south, the Bay of Laganas is Greece's first National Marine Park and the main nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Laganas, the island's largest resort, is also the center of its bars and nightclubs. The northern and eastern shores have many wide sandy beaches, several of which fill up in summer. Summer is hot and dry, and most rain falls from November to January.

Zakynthos in five

Check Navagio access before you build a day around itThe famous cove is reached by boat, and a viewpoint above it is a short drive from the north. Rules on landing and cliff safety can change, so check the operator and the island's notices for your dates.Navagio and Blue Caves boat trips
Stay at least one night near Laganas Bay for turtle seasonLoggerhead turtles nest here in summer, and the protected marine park limits boat speeds and beach activity. Follow the park's signs and pick operators that respect them.
Hire a car if you stay outside the main resortsBuses link Zakynthos Town with the resorts, but the north, west and Vasilikos peninsula are far easier by car. Book early for July and August and check the pick-up point.Compare car hire
Book the ferry from Kyllini with a marginFerries link Kyllini on the Peloponnese with Zakynthos Town. Buses from Athens connect with them, so leave a cushion if you fly home the same day.Getting around Greece
Arriving from outside the EU? Plan for EESNon-EU visitors flying into Zakynthos on a charter or via an airport hub are registered under EES at the first border, so allow time on tight connections.EES explained

Things to do in Zakynthos

See all attractions in Zakynthos

Sight · ZakynthosKastro

brown concrete building near body of water during daytime

Church · ZakynthosSaint Dionysios Zakynthos Holy Orthodox Church

Museum · ZakynthosByzantine Museum of Zakynthos

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ZakynthosPut the places you like in Zakynthos on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Zakynthos Dionysios Solomos (ZTH), about 6 km from Zakynthos Town
Getting there: Flights from Athens and Europe; ferry from Kyllini, about 1–1.5 hours
Getting around: Rental car; taxis and boat tours for sights
Best base: Laganas for turtle bay and nightlife; Tsilivi for families; Town for ferries
Time needed: 4–6 days for beaches, caves and a car drive

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Mild, wet
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Mild, wet
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Spring, quiet
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°Easter, quiet
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Warm, open
JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Warm sea
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low24°Hot, peak
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, busiest
SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Warm sea, calm
OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh22°Low19°Mild, quieter
NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low16°Showers
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Mild, wet

Average daily high and low in Zakynthos Town, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Zakynthos

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 12°
Humidity: 85%
Wind: 36 km/h
Chance of rain: 98%

Zakynthos

10:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today19°16°98%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 98%.
Tue20°16°80%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 80%.
Wed20°14°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu20°14°1%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 1%.
Fri18°13°21%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 21%.
Sat17°12°28%Saturday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 28%.
Sun17°13°31%Sunday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 31%.

Updated 08:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Zakynthos

Rental car for ZakynthosNorth viewpoint, Vasilikos and the westCompare car hire

Boat trips around the islandNavagio, Blue Caves, turtle spottingCompare boat trips

eSIM for ZakynthosWeak signal on the west cliffsRead the guide

Insurance for an Ionian tripBoat days and rental-scooter coverRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Zakynthos, checked

Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
Non-EU visitors may be registered at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's current EES guidance before you travel.
The Bay of Laganas is a National Marine Park and the main loggerhead turtle nesting area. Keep your distance from turtles and nests.
Freshwater on the island is limited, so use water carefully during your stay.
In an emergency, dial 112, the EU-wide emergency number.

All Zakynthos guides

How toNavagio Beach and the Blue Caves: boat trips and viewpointChecked Oct 3, 2026

Head to headZakynthos or Kefallonia: which Ionian island to choose?Checked Oct 2, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Zakynthos: five bases from the Town to AlykesChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Zakynthos

Kefallonia

Larger neighbor island with caves and mountain roads

Read the guide Corfu

Northern Ionian island with an old town and green hills

Read the guide All of Greece

Athens, the islands and mainland planning

Read the guide

Zakynthos FAQ

How many days do you need in Zakynthos?

Four days is enough for a boat day, the northern viewpoint and a few beaches. Five to six days suit a beach week with time for the Vasilikos peninsula and a rest day.

Is Zakynthos worth visiting?

Yes, if you want beaches, boat trips and clear water. It is busy in July and August and the famous cove can be crowded, so go in June or September for a calmer trip.

Where is the best place to stay in Zakynthos?

Tsilivi suits families, Laganas suits groups who want a lively strip, and Zakynthos Town suits ferries and evenings. A car makes the north or Vasilikos easier to use as a base.

Do you need a car in Zakynthos?

Not if you stay in Laganas, Tsilivi or the Town and book boat tours. You need a car for the northern viewpoint, the west coast and quiet beaches. Roads can be narrow.

Can you see turtles on Zakynthos?

Sometimes. Loggerhead turtles nest in Laganas Bay in summer, but sightings are never guaranteed. Choose a boat operator that follows the marine park's rules and keeps its distance.