The Greek island of Zakynthos is known for one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe – Navagio Beach. However, this green island has much more to offer. Majestic cliffs, breathtaking views, blue caves, sulfur beaches, and even a turtle island can all be explored within a week. You can drive to hidden beaches, or go hiking down the cliffs. And if you’re lucky, you may snorkel not only with fish but also with giant loggerhead turtles.
Detailed Google map with attractions
Detailed map of our points of interest[/caption>
1. Navagio Beach & Viewpoint
For those who haven’t heard of one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe – Navagio Beach, know that once you come here, you will agree with all those articles. The locals in Greece often call this most photographed beach Shipwreck, because there is a huge wreck of a stranded ship (according to smuggling legends). We recommend first viewing this beach from a bird’s-eye perspective – the Navagio Beach Viewpoint, which you can easily reach by car. There are several unofficial viewpoints, but during our visit, only the main one with an iron bridge was open, where you have to endure a queue. The beach is hidden behind majestic cliffs, so the best photos are taken around noon when the direct sunlight hits. You can only reach the beach by boat from several locations – we departed from the nearest port, Porto Vromi. You then have about an hour to enjoy this paradise.
2. Keri Viewpoint
Keri Viewpoint is a fabulous lookout point with cliffs and a photogenic rock. The unpaved viewpoint is about a 10-minute walk from the main road. The better and safer option is from the Keri Lighthouse restaurant, where we enjoyed great food and drinks along with the views. I won’t describe it further unnecessarily, just take a look at the photo. One of the most romantic places for us, where we had to return even on our last evening 🙂 As a curiosity, there is a pole with the largest Greek flag at the restaurant. Along the way, we recommend a stop at the interesting Damianos Cave.
3. Korakonissi
Korakonissi Area is a rocky valley with a stone window and a bay for swimming. It is a magical place as if from a movie. Before descending to the beach, there is a stylish panoramic café. You can unfold your towel on the rocks, and the best way to enter the water is by jumping 🙂 It’s great for a swim here, and at the same time, you can snorkel in the middle of the bay along the rocky cliff. We were even lucky enough to come across two red starfish. The roads to the western beaches are generally quite winding but paved, so you have nothing to fear with careful driving.
4. Filipoi Beach
Filipoi Beach was one of the most secluded beaches on the island for us. Located in the north of the island, you can reach it via a precarious road with a steep descent at the end. Perhaps it’s because of this that you will experience divine peace in a rocky cove with crystal clear water. You can enjoy swimming in a cave or jumping off the rocks here.
5. Porto Limnionas Beach
Porto Limnionas and Porto Roxa are coves surrounded by cliffs. There is beautiful transparent water, numerous caves around, and opportunities for cliff jumping. You can lounge on the rocks or concrete. An interesting observation was that the water was much colder when swimming into the caves. Limnionas Beach also has a large tavern where you can refresh yourself.
6. Xigia Beaches
In Zakynthos, you can also find unique sulfur beaches called Xigia. The main Xigia Beach is located near the Xigia Kanteen restaurant, where you can also park. It is a small cove with yellow sand, rocks, and water tinted white. It’s a bit unusual to swim in water with a sulfur smell, but since it has healing properties, why not. And in the end, even your swimsuit didn’t smell that bad, so you don’t have to worry about throwing it away. We also recommend Taverna Xigia, where you can enjoy large portions of delicious food with a perfect view of the smaller beach called Little Xigia. They also serve local Levante beer, which you can take with you on the go.
7. Marathonisi Island
Marathonisi Island, also known as Turtle Island, is an island near Laganas beach. Nature has shaped the island in the form of a turtle, and if you are lucky, you can even snorkel with turtles. Conservationists have created a reserve where loggerhead sea turtles can lay their eggs. An optional trip from Laganas includes turtle watching, snorkeling in caves, and relaxing on the beach on the island itself. You are promised that the captain will surely find a turtle along the way. During our boat trip, we could not only watch it emerge from the water but also swim beneath the glass bottom of the boat.
8. Laganas
The resort of Laganas is an ideal starting point on the island where we also stayed. If it weren’t for the corona, it is one of the busier places with plenty of bars and restaurants along the beach promenade. We can recommend Cubaneros bar and Filoxenia restaurant, which is more inland. Laganas Beach is a long sandy beach with a very gradual entry into the sea. Further east, it connects to Kalamaki Beach, where you can watch airplanes landing. From Laganas, be sure to arrange a trip by glass-bottom boat to the turtle island; the price is negotiable.
9. Macris Gialos Beach
Macris Gialos is a cozy and easily accessible beach in the northern part of the island. It has a pebble beach, caves, and nice views of the nearby island of Kefalonia. You can park your car by the main road, so consider it a must-stop on your way to the northern part of the island. Sunbeds are available for a fee.
10. Exo Chora olive tree
In the picturesque town of Exo Chora, you can find the third oldest olive tree in the world. It is approximately 2000 years old and is still in good condition. The town also features the well-preserved church of Agios Nikolaos from the 17th century, which survived a significant earthquake in 1953.
