The Ultimate Travel Guide to Zante (Zakynthos)
It’s just a short hop from the UK, but Zante (or Zakynthos) feels like a proper escape. It’s one of my all-time favourite spots for a family holiday. We’ve been five times now, always based in Kalamaki with our three kids in tow. And while we love that resort, we haven’t just stayed put. We’ve explored loads of the island and fallen for its laid-back charm, stunning beaches, and Greek island magic. So, if you’re thinking of heading to Zante for the first time, here’s your ultimate no-faff, fun-packed guide!
Getting to Zante
Getting to Zante is easy. It’s around a 3.5-hour flight from the UK, with plenty of departures from most airports during the summer months. Like the other Ionian islands, things only really get going between May and October. By the end of September, a lot of the bars, restaurants, and shops start winding down for the season. If you’re after sunshine, you’re in luck – summer temps usually sit between 25°C and 33°C, and rainy days are few and far between. Just how we like it.
On Arrival in Zante
Touch down in Zante, and you’ll find the airport is small, clean, and pretty straightforward – there are no endless corridors or getting lost in arrivals. If you haven’t pre-booked a transfer, don’t panic – plenty of taxis are usually waiting outside. Most resorts are within a 45-minute drive, so you won’t be stuck on a coach for hours with tired kids.
We always stay in Kalamaki, which is so close to the airport you can actually see the runway from parts of the resort (don’t worry, it’s not loud!). Flights in and out of Zante only run during daylight hours to protect the nesting loggerhead turtles. Which also happens to be great news for families, because let’s be honest, night flights with kids? Not the dream.
Kalamaki
Our absolute favourite of all the resorts. To us, now it feels like home! A taxi from the airport to Kalamaki takes 10 minutes maximum and costs around €20. This might sound too close to the airport, but even in the height of summer, there’s minimal noise from the airport. If anything, for aviation geeks like me, it’s a bonus. I adore watching the planes come in from the beach! Kalamaki Beach is a nesting area for loggerhead turtles. You can often spot the protected nests on the beach at the height of the summer season. We’ve even spotted turtles swimming near the shore.
Tsilivi
I like to call Tsilivi “family lively”. It’s got a bit more buzz than chilled-out Kalamaki but without the full-on party scene of Laganas. It’s that perfect in-between if you’re after a bit of atmosphere without the foam parties. The beach gets busy during the day, with plenty of sunbeds and watersports to keep everyone happy.
Come evening, the place comes alive with loads of family-friendly restaurants and bars. There’s even a waterpark – Tsilivi Water Village – which just so happens to be one of the biggest in Greece. Whether you’re with kids or just fancy a fun day out as a couple, it’s definitely worth a visit. Tsilivi sits on the opposite side of Zante Town to Kalamaki and Laganas, but the transfer time is still a very manageable 20–30 minutes.
Laganas
Laganas is probably the one you’ve already heard of. Zante’s party central and a magnet for the million Brits who visit the island each year. The main strip stretches a mile and is packed with bars and clubs. If you’re after a big night out, this is the place for it.
But it’s not just about the nightlife. During the day, you’ve got a gorgeous 5km stretch of golden sand to chill on – it’s actually one of the island’s best beaches and a nesting spot for the amazing loggerhead turtles. If you fancy a more relaxed vibe in the daytime, Cameo Island is just around the corner. It’s a tiny little island reached by a wooden footbridge, and honestly, it’s a proper hidden gem. Transfer time from the airport? Around 20 minutes, so you’ll be there before your ice cream melts.
Argassi
Argassi is a smaller resort compared to the likes of Tsilivi or Laganas, but don’t let that put you off. It’s small but perfectly formed, with a lovely beach that may be shorter than Laganas’ stretch, but still serves up golden sand, shingle, and stunningly clear waters. There are enough bars and restaurants to keep everyone well-fed and watered, and the relaxed vibe makes it ideal if you’re after a slower pace. Best bit? It’s only about 10 minutes from the airport – so you can be unpacked and sipping something cold before you know it.
Alykes & Alikanas
Alykes and Alikanas blend so seamlessly into one another, you’ll barely notice where one ends and the other begins – and honestly, it doesn’t matter. Both are laid-back, peaceful resorts that are ideal if you’re after a proper switch-off holiday. The beaches here are stunning – long, sandy, and just made for lazy days with a book and a beach towel (or a cocktail, no judgment).
You’ll find them around 18km north of Zante Town and about 12km up from Tsilivi. A taxi from the airport will set you back around €30 each way and takes about 30 minutes – not bad at all. There’s a nice mix of bars and restaurants too, so whether you’re after traditional Greek food, family-friendly spots, or a casual drink as the sun goes down, you’ll be well covered.
Zante Town
Zante Town (or Zakynthos Town if you’re being proper) is the island’s pretty little capital and well worth a visit. It was largely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake, but it’s bounced back with gorgeous Venetian-style architecture and plenty of charm. Head down in the morning and you’ll spot fishing boats selling their fresh catch right from the harbour – it doesn’t get much fresher than that. Wander into town and you’ll find a great mix of shops, from traditional souvenirs and handmade gifts to stalls selling fresh fruit and veg. And when you’re all shopped out? There’s no shortage of bars and restaurants where you can grab a drink or a bite and just soak up the atmosphere.
Out and About in Zante
The bus service runs quite regularly between Zante Town and the bigger resorts, and there are plenty of car rental companies around. It’s easy to get out and about. As the main resorts are all fairly close together, it keeps the cost of travel between resorts affordable. This guide to Zakynthos will help you decide how to spend your time on this island.
Top day trips in Zante
Navagio beach – When most people think of Zante, they picture Navagio Beach – that iconic cove with the shipwreck. It’s up on the north coast and a total Instagram favourite. While the beach itself has been closed to visitors due to a landslide, you can still visit the viewpoint above for that photo.
Turtle Island (Marathonisi) – Turtle Island gets its name for two reasons: it looks like a turtle from afar, and it’s a breeding spot for the real ones (loggerheads, to be exact). Most turtle-spotting trips stop here for an hour or so, letting you swim and relax on the sandy beach where everyone sets up camp. You’ll spot the ice cream boat blasting Bob Marley – it’s a whole vibe. Want to stay longer? Grab a water taxi and make a day of it with cold Mythos and sea dips on repeat.
Turtle spotting trips – You’ll find turtle-spotting tours everywhere – pretty much every resort has stalls offering them. Most use glass-bottom boats and run throughout the season, though you’ve got the best chance of spotting a loggerhead in July or August (we did spot one in May, though – lucky us!). Most tours include a stop at Marathonisi and offer pick-up from your accommodation, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal.
Zante Beginners Guide Basics
- Flight time: 3-3.5 hours
- Time zone: GMT+2
- Language: Greek
- Currency: Euro
- When to go: May – September
- How to get there: From the UK, there are flights daily
- Who should travel here? Everyone, singles, couples, families… There’s something to suit everyone.
Whether you’re after beach days, boat trips, or just a break from the chaos of everyday life, Zante has something for everyone – and after five visits, I can safely say it’s the kind of place you’ll keep coming back to.
The Greek islands are all so beautiful. If you want to compare it to Skiathos you can read my guide here.
Becky x
