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One week in Zakynthos: the ultimate itinerary
A trip by SophieTzatchickieOne week in Zakynthos: the ultimate itinerary
See the best of all parts of the island – including all the 50-shades of blue waters you can wish for, sandy beaches, the neoclassical buildings of Zakynthos town, green hills, and cute, traditional villages.
Yoma Cove Suites
Five cave suites in the quiet north, up by Volimes near the Shipwreck coast.
9.6 Alternative places to stay
ZakynthosDay 1
Zakynthos Town & Bochali hill
Zakynthos Town
Begin your journey with a leisurely walk through Zakynthos Town. Immerse yourself in the local architecture. A swim can be taken on Plaz, the town beach. There are also several museums you can visit during the morning. For a full list, check [my Zakynthos guide](https://tzatchickie.gr/product/zakynthos-travel-guide-by-tzatchickie-e-book/).
Agios Dionisios Church
A must-visit, this church stands as a testament to the island's rich history and religious significance, as St. Dionysos is the patron Saint of the island. There's a little Ecclesial museum next to the church as well.
Bochali
Drive up to Bochali village and be mesmerized by the panoramic views it offers over Zakynthos town. If you do not wish to swim, or have already done so, stay here for dinner and a cocktail.
Kalamaki beach
Head to Kalamaki beach and relax on the sandy shore. On the far side of the beach (near the Crystal Beach Hotel) it is quiet and you can see the bay in all its beauty without the crowds of the Laganas area.
Airport Cafe
Near Kalamaki beach you can spot planes at sunset time from the Airport Cafe. The runway sits just beyond the beach, and watching aircraft descend against golden light is genuinely thrilling – Zakynthos's answer to St. Maarten's Maho Beach.
ZakynthosDay 2
The Keri caves & lighthouse
Keri Caves Boat Tour
Embark on a boat trip at Keri or Agios Sostis that takes you to the Keri Caves, Myzithres, Piscines Beach and the enchanting Cave of Love. The bluest ever, crystal-clear waters are out of this world. Till Myzithres you can also drive yourself when renting a boat up to 30hp; if you want to go to Piscines and the Cave of Love you have to hire a skipper. At the end of the tour, pass by Marathonisi (Turtle Island) and the Laganas bay. If you're lucky you can swim with turtles!
Keri Lighthouse
Drive to the Keri Lighthouse and the Myzithres viewpoint and witness a breathtaking sunset. You can either romantically dine here, or go to the cute Keri village for dinner, or for a sweet at Nitzi cafe.
ZakynthosDay 3
Porto Limnionas & Grampsas wine
Olive Press Museum
Dive into Greek olive oil by a visit of the Olive Press Museum, near Laganas. Here you can see how olive oil was once produced and is produced now. Also, you can taste different oils for free and of course, buy them as a souvenir.
Grampsas Winery
Closeby the Olive Press Museum, one of the best wineries to visit is Grampsas. The finger food served with the tasting is of high quality as well. Local grape varieties you won't find on supermarket shelves – this is wine discovery at its most personal.
Porto Limnionas
Porto Limnionas is perfect for snorkeling and jumping off some rocks. This narrow inlet on the west coast is surrounded by cliffs, with water so clear you can count fish from above. The taverna perched on the cliff edge serves fresh fish with views that make you forget your fork.
Porto Roxa
Porto Roxa offers a wooden diving board to jump into the sea from. This rocky swim spot on the west coast has the same crystal-clear turquoise as neighbouring Porto Limnionas, with fewer crowds and a genuine sense of discovery. Bring water shoes and snorkel gear.
Ambelostrates
The winery Ambelostrates is one of the cutest and most atmospheric dinner spots of the island. You will dine on one of the terraces surrounded by trees and with a view of the vineyard. The village of Kiliomenos, in which it is located, is also a must visit!
L'ete Sunset Bar
Watch the sun drop into the Ionian from this west coast perch – one of Zakynthos's most popular sunset spots. L'ete combines the cocktail bar atmosphere with panoramic sea views that turn golden every evening. Arrive early enough to claim a good seat; the show is worth the wait. A reliable choice when you want sunset dining without committing to a full taverna meal.
ZakynthosDay 4
Gerakas, Banana & Porto Zoro
Gerakas beach
Gerakas is a must-visit on the Vasilikos peninsula, because this is an area where the endangered Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs. Behind the beach you can find the Turtle Rescue Center which explains all about the species and how people on the island are trying to protect them. The long, sandy bay with a stunning backdrop of green & clay cliffs is not to be missed.
Banana Beach
If you like it all organized, do not miss out on Banana Beach. A long, sandy bay with some great beach bars, watersport options and beach parties in high season. There is a free bus line even during the summer months from Argassi and Laganas.
Porto Zoro beach
On the far side of Porto Zoro beach, you can find rocks that when wet, provide clay you can put all over your body to enjoy a natural clay mask. Free spa! The beach itself is long enough to find a quiet spot even in high season.
ZakynthosDay 5
Navagio & the Shipwreck viewpoint
Porto Vromi beach
Drive to the stunning beach of Porto Vromi and embark on a 3-hour boat tour to Shipwreck beach. You'll have the chance to swim at the amazing White Beach and Porto Steniti as well, and discover some caves. This cruise can be booked through [Porto Vromi Maries Cruises](https://shipwreck-zakynthos.com/).
Navagio beach
Zakynthos's crown jewel – a crescent of white sand accessible only by boat, with a rusting shipwreck as its centrepiece. The MV Panagiotis ran aground here in 1980, and the cove it chose couldn't be more dramatic: vertical white cliffs, water that shifts from turquoise to deep blue. Boat tours from Porto Vromi give you about 30 minutes on the beach – time enough to swim, photograph, and feel the scale of it all.
Shipwreck Viewpoint
After the tour, drive up to Shipwreck viewpoint to see the amazing beach from above. The rusting hull of the MV Panagiotis framed by towering white cliffs and turquoise water delivers the iconic Navagio shot that graces every Greek travel guide.
Anafonitria Monastery
A medieval monastery perched in quiet hills, best visited on your way to or from the Shipwreck viewpoint. Anafonitria's stone tower and Byzantine church feel wonderfully remote – monks still live here, and the courtyard garden is a welcome pause after the adrenaline of Navagio. St. Dionysos himself once served as abbot here, connecting this tranquil spot to the church you visited on Day 1.
Sunset Michalis Taverna
A no-frills west coast taverna where the sunset is the main course. Michalis keeps it simple – fresh fish, grilled meats, honest Greek salads – but the location, perched above the Ionian with unobstructed western views, elevates everything. The kind of place where you arrive for dinner and stay until the stars come out. Perfect after a day on the water at Navagio.
ZakynthosDay 6
Exo Hora & Korakonisi
Agrodesmos Cheese Factory
Discover local delicacy 'ladotiri' (spicy goat cheese) and see how it is produced at the Agrodesmos traditional cheese factory. The handmade cheeses make excellent gifts, and the staff explain the centuries-old techniques with genuine pride.
Exo Hora Village
Go to the super cute village of Exo Hora, where you will find colorful buildings from before the 1953 earthquake, as well as the oldest olive tree (over 2,000 years old) on the island. There are some nice shops selling traditional products and souvenirs and cafes to sit at.
Korakonisi
If you are a snorkeling fan, you can not miss the Korakonisi swim spot. It is in fact a rocky islet with a large stone arch in it, and a stroke of water between the islet and the land which looks like a natural, emerald-green swimming pool. The entrance is via a set of stairs on the side of the rocks. Not suitable for people who have a hard time walking.
ZakynthosDay 7
The Blue Caves & Xigia beach
Askos Stone Park
Askos Stone Park is a must-visit for anyone, but especially for families with children! This is a park and 'zoo' where you can take a 1-hour walk through nature, feed and pet some animals like deer and even a raccoon. It is purely beautiful to see what they have created here.
Potamis Dive Spot
Visit the Potamis Dive Spot and take a short and cheap boat tour with [the Potamis Brothers](https://potamitisbros.gr/) to the stunning Blue Caves. The caves reflect sunlight off white limestone, turning the water an electric, almost neon blue. On calm days, you can swim right into the cave mouths.
Blue Caves
Sunlight hits white limestone and turns the water an impossible, electric blue – this is Zakynthos's other iconic sight. A short boat trip from the Potamis Dive Spot takes you right into the cave mouths, where the light effect intensifies. On calm days you can swim inside, and the blue reflection paints your skin. Best visited in the morning when the sun angle is optimal, though sunset tours offer their own magic.
Xigia beach
A hidden pebble beach on the northeast coast where sulphur springs tint the water a unique milky turquoise. Xigia Pelagaki is the local favourite – slightly harder to reach, significantly less crowded, and arguably more beautiful than its neighbour. The white pebbles and crystal water are classic northeast Zakynthos, and the surrounding cliffs create a natural amphitheatre. Bring snorkel gear – the underwater landscape matches the surface.
Makris Gialos beach
White pebbles, turquoise water, and the kind of quiet that northeast Zakynthos does best. Makris Gialos is a long, narrow beach where you can find solitude even in August. The water is immediately deep enough for proper swimming, and the transparency is extraordinary – you'll see every fish, every rock, every colour shift. Pack a picnic and stay until the afternoon light turns everything golden.
Nobelos Bio restaurant cafe
Nobelos is a beachfront bio restaurant with delicious food and an even better view. If you want to spend the day here, on a sunbed or in a hammock on the beach, you can do so as well when you spend a minimum of €50 per person.