Unmissable Zakynthos
Our guide to the local secret gems...
Towns & Villages
AGIOS NIKOLAOS
In the north east, the tiny harbour town of Agios Nikolaos is a charming destination with a handful of seafront tavernas and watersports opportunities; it also serves as a handy gateway to Shipwreck Bay’ and the ‘Blue Caves’.
LOUCHA
Beautiful Loucha was one of the few villages on the island left untouched by the earthquake, and it will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time.
MIKRO NISI
A tiny coastal hamlet overlooking a picturesque islet - home to a couple of lovely restaurants.
KAMBI
This tiny west coast village is a hidden paradise famous for its breathtaking sunset views. The perfect place for a sundowner.
Dining & Drinks
La Storia Taverna
On the edge of a little beach at the far side of the port, serving delicious rosé and baby calamari.
Agios Nikolaos | +30 2695 031635
Madrakia Taverna
Welcoming, family-run taverna serving traditional, authentic Greek dishes right on the beach. Best avoided on Sundays when it gets overly busy.
Agios Nikolaos | +30 697 345 0794
Nobelos Hotel and Restaurant
Hotel with it’s own private beach, sun loungers, beach drinks and food service. More expensive thean the average taverna.
Agios Nikolaos | nobelos.gr | +30 26950 31400
The Deli by Peligoni
Part of Peligoni but open to all; The Deli sells fresh and dry produce including coffee, pastries and
bread. It offers a great breakfast from 8.00am -11.30am each day and also a trattoria style dinner on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm including wood fired pizza and pasta. Great little casual pit stop.
Sofias/The Art Bar – Opposite The Deli
A magical bar full of Sofia and her grown children’s art work. A real late night haunt for those
living in the area. She also offers a delicious, rustic mezze style dinner but needs to be booked in
advance. Open from 6pm till late (roughly 3am) for drinks but closed on Sundays.
Skinos
New this year, Skinos offers a beautiful swimming pool and sun loungers (20-50 Euro min spend).
The also have a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food is generally light, lovely grilled Bream with local greens etc. although we actually voted the beef patties the best thing on the menu, astonishingly juicy. No real need to book in advance.
Agios Nikolaos | +30 2695 031380
The Windmill
A lovely spot up in the hills with great views. The restaurant offered a noticeably different menu to
many other tavernas. We highly recommend their house dips, the ceviche and they do a mean steak. There are often specials of the day too. It get’s very busy so recommend booking in advance.
Askos | +30 2695 031555
Mikro Nisi
An old institution for the North of the island, Mikro Nisi is under new management this summer
with the Peligoni Club, but unlike the club it is open to all. The menu is still Greek but now a bit
more elevated and you will find prices are higher than other tavernas. Gorgeous swimming location too. They offer a water taxi service picking up from the Peligoni Club (5 min drive or 10 min walk) charged at 15 per head for both ways. Recommend booking usually.
+30 26950 31506
Zanzzi Bar
Late night bar in the port, offers pretty decent cocktails and run by a lovely couple who embrace
fun! They serve some snacks. No booking required and also open all day.
Agios Nikolaos |zanzzi-bar.com
Mooring Café
Next to the mini market in the port, this café is a great spot for grabbing coffees and breakfast/
brunch whilst watching the hustle and bustle of the port. They are open in the evening for drinks too – expect very generous pours of spirits.
You will also find Gyros here (Greek style kebab; pork or chicken wrapped in a pita with tzatziki,
veg and fries)) should you want one of the cheapest and tastiest snacks/meals around.
Agios Nikolaos | +30 2695 031504
Fishaladia
Although Alykes beach can be quite crowded it is very popular due to the sand beach and endless
shallow water. Fishaladia offers good food from ceviche to calamari and certainly the more elevated option on this beach. Comfy sun loungers can be booked in advance although with the unmovable umbrellas and large beds you do sacrifice being able to move in to the sun a little.
Alykes Beach | fishalida.com | +302695085008
Kaminaki/Shouting Dennis’s
A favourite for many tourists, Dennis is … a character. Although parts of the experience are
haphazard it is usually very amusing and his slow cooked pork on the spit is excellent. 25 minute
drive from KB up in the hills of old town of Volimes, can be nicely timed to tie in with some pottery
shopping.
Volimes
Alesta
If you are going in to Zakynthos town for shopping or just a little evening potter then we
recommend Alesta. It is Italian focused, the Arancini and delicious and it is renown for its pizza.
Zaknythos Town | +30 2695 042830
Dominicale
A real treat. Probably one of the most beautiful settings on the island, on the water in the south of
the island and has a miniature old church on site. This is more fine dining and great for a lovely
dinner out.
Argassi | +30-26950-42817
Nico’s Beach Bar and Restaurant
A truly charming and authentic taverna in a beautiful cove. All the food is homemade and we highly recommend the fish done on the oil drum BBQ outside. The “cheese balls” and prawn pasta are also very tasty. Wine options are a little all over the place but lovely owner Yiannia is not against you bringing your own. It is probably a 75 min drive so ideally this is somewhere to visit whilst on a boat trip around the island.
Vasilikos | +30 697 577 7544
Best Beaches
The beaches on the eastern side are well organised, with watersports, sunbeds, umbrellas, cocktail bars and plenty of people. In contrast, the beaches on the western coast are much more secluded and wilder.
Navagio Beach (‘Smugglers Cove’), north west coast
This is your Instagram moment. Better known by its nickname ‘Smuggler’s Cove’, Navagio Beach takes its anglicised moniker from the carcass of the Panagiotis, a vessel that ran aground in 1980 (reputedly while transporting contraband cigarettes from Turkey), and still lies on the whitest of white sand today. The beach is so remote that it can only be reached by boat.
Porto Vromi, west coast
A secluded, narrow, pebbly beach surrounded by a green and rocky landscape.
Limnionas Bay, west coast
There is good swimming in crystal clear water and dramatic scenery. It is one of the most hidden places on the island and there is a lovely little taverna where you can get something to eat.
Gerakas Beach, south coast
The most southern beach on the island, where the turtles go to hatch. Large areas are roped off around the nests and the beach can get very crowded.
St Nicholas Beach, south east coast
Lots of watersports and, for those who prefer to watch from the beach, plenty of beach bars, umbrellas and sunbeds.
Xigia Beach, north east coast
This sulphur and collagen spa beach is a must visit. The water from the springs is great for your health and really relaxing to float about in. The beach is very naturally beautiful – a small bay set between the cliffs. Go early.
Makri Gialos Beach, north east coast
A sandy seashore, crystal waters and a completely tranquil atmosphere. The natural health spa of Xigia is situated a few metres from the beach.
Do & See
Blue Caves
East of Cape Skinari, the Blue Caves are famous for the colour of the water in their deepest hollows – a deep azure, most striking in the bright morning light. Kianoun cave is the biggest. A trip is a must and you can reach them by boat trip from Agios Nikolaos.
Folklore Museum
The Folklore Museum has artefacts dating back to the XVI Century and brings the island’s history to life. Located in the tiny village of Pigadakia, just inland from the north east coast, close to Alykes.
Venetian Castle
Situated on an evergreen hill in the district of Bohali, the Venetian Castle was built on the ruins of the ancient acropolis (Psofida) and its fortifications, which are preserved, were completed in 1646.
Strani Hill
A beautiful wooded place that offers a captivating view. This was one of Dionysios Solomos’s favourite walks; it was here that the poet wrote the Hymn to Liberty, which later became Greece’s National Anthem. It a particularly good place to go at dusk, when the lights are on in Zante Town below.
St George’s Monastery
In Gremna (at the precipices), St George’s Monastery is situated in a breathtaking pine covered area, high above the sea and close to Anafonitria. Below the monastery, a path leads to the cave in which St Gerasimos, patron saint of Kefalonia, lived as a hermit.
Mini Golf
Sadly (for some) there is no championship golf course on the island, however there are 2 mini golf centres. The first is in Kalamaki and boasts koi fish, running streams and beautiful landscaping. The second is near Tsilivi, with an Irish bar and sports on the TVs.
Go Karting
There’s a great track in Zante, with top class equipment and a challenging track. Fun for ages from 5 years old to adult.
+30 26950 24892 | zantegokart.gr
Horse Riding
The Tsourakis family are well known locally for their fabulous horses. There are several trails from 30 minutes to 2 hours, through Laganas Valley, the sand dunes, the beach and the forest. Beginners and experienced riders are all welcome.
+30 69778 75792 | laganahorseriding.gr
Askos Stone Park
In the north, this extraordinary natural wildlife and stone park is a good place to go with children, who will enjoy feeding the deer and goats. Go in the evening, when the sun is lower, so that the animals aren’t sheltering in the shade.
askos.gr
On the Water
Diving
Diving is mainly available in the southwest of the island, where the most famous diving ground is - the Keri Caves. The northeast is not bad, but often wavy in the afternoon.
+30 26950 28481 or nero-sport.de (Nero Tauchsport, Keri)
+30 26950 29581 or eurodivers.nu (Zante Diving, Laganas)
Watersports
There’s something for everyone at St Nicholas Beach: ringos, bananas, water skiing, canoes, pedaloes, paragliding, jet skis, scuba diving…
+30 26950 35324 | zakynthoswatersports.gr
Boat Trips
There are lots of eco friendly, turtle friendly boat trips endorsed by the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. You can take a boat from the beach at Laganas, the port at Agio Sostis or from the smaller resorts of Agios Sostis, Porto Koukla and Keri.
Sailing
Greece’s sailing conditions are among best in the world and discovering beaches only accessible by boat is all part Zakynthos’ magic.
Island Hopping
ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Mainland
The ancient site of the original Olympic Games. There are many organised tours using the ferry from Zante Town to Kyllini, on the mainland. (The site is about 45 mins drive from the port).
STROFADIA (Strofades)
At 22 nautical miles south of Zakynthos, this group of two small desert islands make a fabulous boat trip destination. The larger island has an impressive 13th century monastery fort, with one remaining monk. If you are here at the right time, you may see thousands of migrating birds taking advantage of the rest stop these islands provide.
Please call first to check restaurants and museums are open, and check the relevant government guidance before travelling.
No responsibilty can be accepted by Scott Williams for any issues that may arise as a result of the enclosed recommendations and information.