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Zakynthos, with its turquoise waters and stunning landscapes, is a Greek island that promises both adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re looking to uncover hidden gems, enjoy authentic Greek culture, or just soak up the sun, there’s something here for everyone. After spending about two weeks on the island, here are 15 out of many amazing things to do in Zakynthos.
But first things first ✨
📱Looking for mobile data? If you don’t have an EU SIM card, then how about getting a Greek E-SIM instead of a physical card? You can install it before your trip, and you’ll immediately have data when landing in Greece. And they even have a free welcome SIM!
First time? Check out these 10 Things you need to know before travelling to Zakynthos!
1. Go to a wine tasting at a winery
If you are a wine lover (or even if you are not), a tasting at a local winery is a must! There are multiple wineries on the island, and you have different tasting options. I visited Grampas Winery, where, for €19 per person, I got to try four wines, accompanied by some snacks. The wine tour also included a tour around the winery, and I also ended up bringing a bottle home.
2. Visit Zante town
A trip to Zakynthos wouldn’t be complete without spending some time in Zante Town. It’s the heart of the island, blending local culture with a lively yet laid-back atmosphere. You can wander through charming streets, grab a coffee in one of the squares, and soak up the Venetian architecture.
It’s also a great spot to do some shopping and enjoy some local cuisine at any of the numerous restaurants.
3. Rent a boat and drive around the island
One of the best ways to explore Zakynthos is by renting a boat and cruising around the island at your own pace. Picture it: crystal-clear waters, hidden coves, and beautiful beaches you can only reach by sea. We even spotted some seals in one of the caves, which was such a cool experience!
It’s a mix of adventure and relaxation, with the freedom to stop for a swim whenever you want. Totally worth it!
4. Go Horse riding at the beach
I was not even aware that this was possible, but you can go on a horse riding tour, not just along the beach but instead even into the water. The total tour took about 2 hours, and be prepared for your clothes and shoes to get wet, but it was such a fun experience!
5. Stunning views at Porto Limnoimas
Porto Limnionas isn’t just about the incredible views and pristine waters—the adventure begins on the road to get there. The narrow, winding streets leading to this hidden cove are a bit of a thrill, but totally worth it once you arrive.
When you’re ready to take a break from swimming or exploring the underwater caves, there’s a charming restaurant perched right above the cove. It serves up fresh, local food with an unbeatable view of the sea.
6. Discover the Iconic Shipwreck on the Beach
And just like visiting Zante town, a trip to Zakynthos wouldn’t be complete without visiting the iconic Navagio Beach, or Shipwreck Beach. The beach is only accessible by sea, so you can either rent your own boat or hop on a boat tour to get up close to the famous wreck.
The white sand, dramatic cliffs, and bright turquoise waters make it one of the most stunning spots on the island. If you’re more into views from above, there’s a fantastic viewpoint where you can take in the whole scene from the cliffs.
Whether you’re on the sand or looking down from the top, it’s an absolute must-see!
7. Explore the Keri Caves
The Keri Caves are another must-visit spot if you’re exploring Zakynthos by boat. Located on the southwestern coast of the island, these caves are a stunning mix of deep blue waters and impressive rock formations. The best way to experience them is by boat—either renting one yourself or taking a guided tour.
You can stop and swim in the caves, where the water is so clear you’ll be able to see all the way to the bottom. This was one of my high lights of my trip to Zakynthos.
8. Learn about the turtles at the Turtle Center
If you’re interested in learning about Zakynthos’ famous loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), the Turtle Center is a great stop. Here, you can learn about the conservation efforts to protect these endangered creatures. And while turtle-spotting boat tours are popular, they can be harmful to the turtles’ natural habitat.
It’s an eye-opening experience that reminds you how vital it is to protect Zakynthos’ wildlife. It’s free to enter, but you can definitely leave some donations here.
9. Spot loggerhead sea turtles
While you can go on a boat tour to view some turtles, these can actually be harmful to the turtles, and ideally you want to avoid them. But that’s not to say that you can’t spot turtles anywhere else. At the harbour in Agios Sostis, you can see two sea turtles that are being fed there if you are lucky, that you can see from the shore.
10. Discover the Blue Caves
The Blue Caves are one of Zakynthos’ most magical natural wonders. Found along the northern coast of the island. Again, you can visit them by renting your own boat, or by joining a guided boat tour.
The larger boats can’t enter the smaller caves, so renting a smaller boat gives you a chance to get up close and really soak in the beauty of these natural formations. If you are joining a guided tour, it makes sense to join a tour that combines the blue cave with a visit to the shipwreck, such as this one.
11. Purchase some high quality olive oil and visit an Olive press museum
Zakynthos is home to countless olive groves, some of which are hundreds of years old, producing some of the finest olive oil in Greece. So if there is one souvenir, that you want to bring back from Zakynthos, it would be olive oil. There are multiple places across the island where you can purchase olive oil, such as the olive press museum.
12. Go Scuba diving to see the rock formations
Zakynthos is a great place to go diving, and there are multiple dive schools on the island. You might spot lion fish during your dive, and enjoy the beautiful rock formations, and even do cage dives.
I haven’t dived in years, so I was quite scared to do a dive again. I ended up during a refresher course and a fun dive with Divers Paradise in Laganas. And while it was still a bit scary, they did a great job, and it was still a great experience. I would definitely recommend them if you are looking for a dive school on Zakynthos.
13. View the cliffs of Keri
For breathtaking views, head to the Keri viewpoint. It’s one of the most spectacular spots on the island, offering panoramic views of towering cliffs, endless blue seas, and the famous Myzithres rock formations. There is a restaurant here as well!
How to get here? Best to rent a car! Check out Discover Cars to compare rental car prices or Rentalcars.com!
14. Go Snorkelling at Dafni beach
If you don’t want to go scuba diving, but still want to experience the marine life, then you should absolutely do some snorkelling while on the island. I found Dafni beach to be a great place to do some snorkelling. The water was very clear and there were many rock formations, home to a lot of fish, which was a lot of fun to see.
Dafni beach is also a beautiful beach to spend the day, and driving to Dafni beach is also an adventure by itself. You are guaranteed to experience some stunning views of the sea and surrounding areas.
15. Enjoy some food by the sea at Nikos beach bar
One of my favourite restaurants I visited near the beach was Nikos beach bar! The food was great, which some beautiful view of the beach and sea (Porto Roma beach). And it also was not busy at all hear, would highly recommend.
And these were some of the best things to do in Zakynthos! Which of these activities would you like to do?
Have a great day!
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