Nestled in the heart of the Ionian Sea, the Greek island of Zakynthos, or as it is more commonly known Zante, is a popular destination with holiday makers. Boasting a wonderfully sunny climate, stunning sandy beaches and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, Zante is becoming more and more frequently visited by tourists from around the world. Inland, the verdant, mountainous scenery dappled with forests and rustic villages serves to lure tourists away from the beach sides to experience the beautiful countryside and authentic family run tavernas that can be found here. With a wealth of wonderful attractions Zante holidays offer something for everyone.
A variety of holiday types can be enjoyed on the island of Zante as each resort can cater for different types of holidays. The beautiful scenery and surroundings of Zante are enough to stir romance in anyone, some beautifully reconstructed neoclassical architecture, monasteries, impressive squares and old port towns are some of the wonders that await and with this combination of natural, historical and architectural attractions it is easy to see why Zante holidays are popular with couples of all ages.
Zante holidays are also popular with the party crowd, resorts like Laganas and Tsilivi offer excellent nightlife with an array of pubs, bars and clubs and excellent beaches to laze on during the day. For those looking for a quieter Zante holiday then a resort like Kalamaki is perfect: offering a wonderful beach but with a more relaxing atmosphere, perfect for family holidays.
Depending on how much or how little you want to do on holiday Zante has a resort to cater to your needs. Search now and find your perfect Zante holiday in 2024 and 2025 with Holidaygems.co.uk.
Kalamaki
The south coast resort of Kalamaki is a superb choice for a beach holiday.
With glorious weather, an endless stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear water, you can relax to your heart’s content a world away from the cares of home.
Add in a selection of laid-back bars, restaurants and tavernas and you have everything you need for an unforgettable getaway with family, friends or a loved one.
What’s more, you may even get the chance to spot loggerhead turtles nesting on the beach during the summer months.
Laganas
A livelier option for a holiday to Zante, Laganas offers a colourful nightlife as well as a fabulous beach.
Although a great spot for groups of friends, there are also plenty of accommodation options for families, with activities, entertainment and dining venues to suit every need.
Tsilivi
Located on Zante’s east coast, Tsilivi is an ideal choice for families and couples, providing a great mix of relaxation and entertainment in a beautiful setting.
By day you can spend laid-back hours stretched out on the beach. Then in the evening, venture out into the resort to discover its splendid restaurants, welcoming tavernas and vibrant bars.
Zante Town
The island’s capital, Zante Town has something to please everyone.
Here you can explore the vibrant waterfront, unwind on the beach and sample the delights of the many cafes, restaurants, tavernas and bars.
Zante Town also has much to offer in the way of nightlife, while the harbour is a great spot to hop on a boat and discover Zante’s stunning coastline.
The stunning island of Zante is blessed with gorgeous beaches.
From sun-drenched sands, captivating coves and breath-taking bays, this enchanting destination has it all, with options for relaxation, romance, water sports and nature all waiting to be discovered.
One beach definitely worth visiting is Navagio Beach, which is also known as Shipwreck Beach due to the stranded ship that rests on the sand. Accessible by boat, this stunning cove is a great spot for swimming, as well as grabbing some Instagrammable shots of the picture-perfect scenery.
If relaxation is your goal during your Zante holiday, Banana Beach is the place to go. The largest beach on the island, this golden stretch of sand has plenty of sunbeds to go around, while the crystal-clear water and nearby beach bars also add to the appeal.
Zante is also a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts, with the beaches of Laganas and Kalamaki providing nesting sites for loggerhead sea turtles.
Due to this you won’t find any water sports on these beaches, but that doesn’t mean you will miss out with Agios Nikolaos the place to go for aquatic activities.
If it’s seclusion you’re seeking, Porta Roxa Beach is the ideal spot. Located on the west coast, this charming cove offers a tranquil place to relax the sun. Not recommended for families with children, the area is mainly rocky and features a diving board for jumping in the inviting blue waters.
Zante Water Village
For a cool day out in the sun head to Zante Water Village. Fun for all the family awaits at this exciting attraction, with thrilling slides, a lazy river, jacuzzi, splash parks and much more besides on offer. Visitors can also grab a bite to eat, with a selection of food stalls provided.
Kart racing thrills
If it’s high-speed action you’re after, treat the whole family to an adrenaline-fuelled day on the track. Race against the kids and make some sensational memories along the way. Zante has a number of karting tracks to choose from, welcoming drivers from 5 and up of all abilities.
Go turtle spotting
You can’t beat watching loggerhead turtles in the wild, and a visit to Zante between May and October gives you plenty of chances to do exactly this. These wonderful creatures can either be seen on the beach while nesting, or swimming in the sea, if you fancy a boat trip.
Catch a movie under the stars
Enjoy a romantic evening out with a difference at Zante’s open-air cinema. This fabulous outdoor venue is the perfect holiday date night destination, where you can cuddle up to watch a movie with the stars above, as well as on the screen in front.
Hit the shops
Treat your loved one to a touch of retail therapy with a holiday shopping trip. Zante town is a great place to splash the cash with Solomos Square and Agios Markos Square home to an array of outlets selling everything from clothes to souvenirs.
All aboard for romance
Take in some of the spectacular coastal scenery of Zante, soak up the sun and swim in crystal-clear waters. All can be enjoyed on private sailing adventure, with plenty of skippered trips to choose from.
Party time
Zante has lots of options when it comes to nightlife, with a number of resorts offering pubs, bars and restaurants aplenty. While Laganas is well known as the island’s party capital, destinations such as Tsilivi and Zante Town also great spots to drink and dance into the small hours.
Water sports fun
Get ready for some splashing fun, with everything from water skiing and parasailing to wake boarding and canoeing on offer. Water sports centres can be found at Tsilivi, Agios Nikolaos and Banana Beach.
Explore on horseback
Discover Zante’s spectacular natural scenery with a guided horseback tour. Treks are available to suit all ages and experiences, with riders able to get to places they wouldn’t be able to in a car or on foot
Eat like a local
When it’s time to dine during your holiday to Zante, don’t miss out on the local culinary treats. Honey, olive oil, goat yoghurt and cheese are among the local produce well worth sampling, while dishes such as bifteki - a large meatball, cooked with parsley, onions and garlic - and the sweet puff pastry treat bougatsa should definitely be sought out.
Take the plunge
Zante is a great scuba diving destination, with an array of colourful aquatic fauna and flora to see in the waters off the coast. A number of PADI certified diving schools operate on the island, with courses for beginners and trips for more experienced divers.
Pay a visit to the Keri Caves
If scuba diving isn’t your thing, how about a visit to the Keri Caves? Accessible by boat, these spectacular arches are surrounded by dazzling turquoise water and provide a scenic spot for a swim.
Zante holidays are perfect for beach lovers so just sit back and soak up the sun on one of the islands glorious white sandy beaches. If you are looking for a little more activity then Zante offers great facilities for water sports especially scuba diving, water skiing and jet skiing. Other popular activities include boat trips around the island to admire its beauty or a boat trip to one of the neighboring Ionian islands or the Greek mainland.
For those interested in history Zante has a variety of inspiring sites to visit. Probably the most famous landmark of Zante is the shipwreck at smugglers cove, which is a must see on any Zante holiday. The Monastery of St George Germon is another popular site to visit, destroyed by pirates it was re-built in Venetian style in the 1600s. Zante town is also worth a visit to see some of the extraordinary historic architecture of the Churches and buildings.
Zante is also famous for being the nesting place of the endangered loggerhead sea turtles, so a popular sight to see on a holiday to Zante is one of these wonderful creatures in its natural environment.