Zakynthos
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Tips
8 places on the map
Walking Tour
- 1
Grand seafront square named after the national poet Dionysios Solomos.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Evening volta along the square is lively
- Byzantine Museum is on the square
- Great view of the harbour
📷 Photos
- 2
Venetian-era stone church by the harbour, rebuilt after the 1953 quake.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Picturesque at night when lit
- Free to enter when open
- Combine with Solomos Square
📷 Photos
- 3
Fine collection of Ionian School icons and church art.
- Must know: Closed Tuesdays
2 tips
- Allow about an hour
- Air-conditioned on hot days
📷 Photos
- 4
Elegant pedestrian square with cafés and the Catholic church.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Good café stop
- Solomos Museum is here
- Lively in summer evenings
📷 Photos
- 5
Museum dedicated to poet Solomos and other famous Zakynthians.
3 tips
- Solomos' tomb is inside
- Small entry fee
- Allow 45 minutes
📷 Photos
- 6
Aristocratic 17th-century mansion that survived the 1953 earthquake.
3 tips
- Guided tours only
- Fine library of old books
- Check opening hours
📷 Photos
- 7
Arcaded main shopping street of Zakynthos town.
3 tips
- Shaded arcades on hot days
- Buy local mandolato nougat
- Shops close mid-afternoon
📷 Photos
- 8
Church of the island's patron saint with lavish frescoes and silver relics.
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Free entry
- Bell tower is a landmark
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Zakynthos tips
Transportation
- Rent a car or scooter: KTEL buses link Zakynthos Town with resorts like Laganas and Tsilivi, but villages and west coast viewpoints need your own wheels.
- Arrive by ferry from Kyllini: ferries cross from the Peloponnese port of Kyllini to Zakynthos Town; book ahead in peak summer, especially with a car.
- See Navagio by boat: Shipwreck Beach is reached by sea from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos; check current access rules, as landing has been restricted.
Security
- Be careful on quad bikes: rented quads cause many accidents on Zakynthos's steep, narrow roads; wear a helmet and avoid riding after drinking.
- Watch your drinks in Laganas: the party strip is lively at night; keep an eye on your drink, stay with friends and agree taxi fares before getting in.
- Stay back from cliff edges: viewpoints over Navagio and Keri have crumbly edges and little fencing; keep a safe distance for photos.
Saving
- Eat at village tavernas: tavernas inland and away from the Laganas strip often serve bigger plates of home cooking for less.
- Swim at free beaches: many coves like Porto Limnionas and Xigia have no entry fee; bring your own towel to avoid paying for sunbeds.
- Travel in May, June or September: prices drop outside the July and August peak, while the sea is still warm enough for swimming.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for hot, dry summers: July and August are very sunny on Zakynthos; bring a sun hat, reef-friendly sunscreen and plenty of water.
- Bring water shoes: many coves have pebbles and rocks, and water shoes make swimming at places like Keri and Porto Limnionas easier.
- Expect rain in winter: from November to March the island is green, mild and wetter, and many resort businesses close; pack a light rain jacket.
Cultural
- Protect the loggerhead turtles: in the National Marine Park around Laganas Bay, follow beach rules, avoid nesting areas and stay off beaches at night.
- Dress modestly in churches: cover shoulders and knees at Agios Dionysios in Zakynthos Town, the church of the island's patron saint.
- Try local flavours: look for ladotyri cheese, sofigado stew and mandolato nougat, and listen for kantades, the island's traditional serenades.
Local Hacks
- Visit the Blue Caves early: boats from Agios Nikolaos to the Skinari caves meet calmer seas and clearer water in the morning.
- Catch sunset at Keri: the lighthouse cliffs on the southwest tip are one of the island's best spots to watch the sun go down.
- Wander Solomos Square: Zakynthos Town's elegant square and seafront are quiet in the evening and perfect for a slow volta stroll with locals.
1-day itineraries in Zakynthos
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.