Europe · Beach and resort guide
Beautiful water, family resorts and nightlife, all needing careful area choice.
Is it right for you?
A strong fit for
Families, couples and younger groups.
We would think twice for
Anyone who books Zante without checking which coast their resort is on, because the island splits sharply between its party south and its family north, and confusing them ruins holidays in both directions.
What we would want you to know
Laganas is not representative of the whole island.
We’ve been here
We have been to Zante ourselves, and our advice starts with a map. The island's two personalities, the party strip at Laganas and the family coast around Tsilivi, are only a short drive apart, and booking the wrong side is exactly the mistake we are there to prevent.
Map and areas
The east coast's main family resort, with a sandy, gently shelving beach, low-rise hotels and a main street of tavernas and bars that stays family-friendly. It is close to Zante Town for an evening out, and the sea can turn choppy when the wind swings north.
A long sandy beach shared with neighbouring Alykanas, backed by old salt pans and quieter than Tsilivi. A good base for boat trips along the north-west coast, with relaxed evenings.
Next door to Laganas but a different world, with a quieter beach that is a turtle nesting site and closes at night. It sits right by the airport, so expect some aircraft noise, and suits families who want the livelier strip nearby without sleeping in it.
A long, shallow sandy beach behind a strip of clubs and bars that is loud from early summer until late August. It is the right choice for a group of friends who want exactly that, and the wrong one for almost everyone else.
The green peninsula in the south-east, with scattered villas, small hotels and the beaches of Gerakas, Banana and Porto Roma. There is no real centre and buses are sparse, so a car is needed, but the quiet is the whole point.
The island capital, rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake around Solomos Square and a long harbour front, with the Venetian castle on Bochali hill above. There is no beach to speak of, but it is where islanders eat and shop.
Weather and seasons
Zante's season runs from May into October, and it is split by the calendar as sharply as by the map. June is warm, around 30°C, with calm mornings for the boat trips while the south is still waking up. High summer is hot and loud in Laganas, and loggerhead turtles nest on the beaches of the bay, with hatchlings heading for the sea into early autumn. In September the sea is still close to its peak, around 25°C, and the young crowds thin out. Winters are wet, with around 132mm of rain in December, and most of the tourist island closes from November.
Worth timing a trip around
The island's carnival has Venetian roots, with masked parades and omilies, satirical street theatre first recorded in the town square in the 1660s.
Turtles nest on the beaches of Laganas Bay through early summer, and hatchlings head for the sea from late July into autumn. Nesting beaches close at night; never use a torch near the sand.
The island's patron saint is honoured with a procession of his relics through Zante Town and fireworks over the harbour. A second feast falls on 17 December.
| Month | High | Low | Sea | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C | 7°C | 16°C | 102 mm |
| February | 16°C | 7°C | 15°C | 30 mm |
| March | 17°C | 9°C | 15°C | 51 mm |
| April | 21°C | 11°C | 16°C | 10 mm |
| May | 25°C | 14°C | 19°C | 9 mm |
| June | 30°C | 19°C | 22°C | 1 mm |
| July | 34°C | 21°C | 24°C | 0 mm |
| August | 34°C | 22°C | 26°C | 1 mm |
| September | 29°C | 19°C | 25°C | 56 mm |
| October | 24°C | 15°C | 23°C | 61 mm |
| November | 20°C | 12°C | 20°C | 144 mm |
| December | 16°C | 8°C | 18°C | 132 mm |
Temperatures are 2015 to 2024 averages from NOAA records for Zakinthos, 2 km away at 4 m. Rainfall is from the same station and shows the typical (median) month, so one freak storm does not skew it. Sea temperatures: NOAA OISST, 1991 to 2020.
Sand, shingle and swimming
A protected turtle nesting beach of soft sand at the tip of Vasilikos, open by day only and run under the marine park's rules. Shallow, calm and at its most beautiful early in the day.
A long stretch of fine sand on the Vasilikos peninsula with beach bars, loungers and every kind of watersport. Livelier than its neighbours, and good for teenagers.
A narrow rocky inlet on the wild west coast with no sand at all: you swim from ladders and flat rocks into deep, very clear water. Wonderful for confident swimmers, unsuitable for small children.
A pebble cove on the north-east coast where sulphur springs turn the water milky white and warm near the rocks. The smell is strong but harmless, and the water is said to be good for the skin.
Things to do
The rusting wreck in a white-cliffed cove is best seen from the clifftop viewing platform or from a boat. Landing on the beach has been banned since cliff falls made it unsafe, and boats must keep their distance from the shore.
Sea caves under the cliffs of Cape Skinari where the water glows bright blue. Small boats go right inside on calm mornings; the afternoon wind often makes the trip rougher.
The turtle-shaped islet in Laganas Bay, with a nesting beach and sea caves along its shore. Choose a boat that follows the marine park's rules: slow speeds, no chasing turtles and no feeding.
Sheer cliffs at the south-west tip where people gather for sunset, with the Mizithres sea stacks below. Boats from Keri harbour explore the caves at the foot of the cliffs.
A hill village above Zante Town with the ruins of the Venetian castle, pine woods and terraces looking over the harbour to the mainland. A good evening outing from the east-coast resorts.
A west-coast hamlet on high cliffs with a large cross on the headland, known for its sunsets. Arrive before the sun goes down to find somewhere to sit.
Zante Town's seafront square honours Dionysios Solomos, born on the island, who wrote the words of the Greek national anthem. The Church of Saint Dionysios nearby holds the relics of the patron saint.
Inland villages produce olive oil and the local Verdea white, and several family estates open for tastings. A good plan for a windy day when the boats stay in.
Food and drink
Beef cooked slowly in a casserole with tomato, plenty of garlic, oregano and the island's ladotyri cheese. Hearty food for a cooler evening.
A sharp, tangy sheep and goat's milk cheese preserved in olive oil, served on its own as a meze.
A white nougat of egg whites, honey and almonds, Venetian in origin and sold in bars across the island. The standard gift to take home.
A traditional dry white wine made from local grape varieties, sharp and aromatic; ask for it by name in tavernas.
Money
Zante is good value by Ionian standards, and the south competes hardest on price. Families get the most for their money on the east coast, in Tsilivi and Alykes, at mid-range hotels. The extra everyone ends up paying for is the boat trips to Navagio and the Blue Caves, so we budget for them from the start. Vasilikos villas cost more but buy space and quiet.
Flights and transfers
Direct seasonal flights run from Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle. The island is compact and transfers are short, which suits both of its very different audiences.
Flights from UK airports
Route check September 2026. Some routes are seasonal and schedules change, so we confirm the live options when we quote.
Practical details
2 hours ahead of the UK
Euro (€)
Greek
Type C and F, 230V
On the right
Not drinkable in most areas; use bottled
Round up, or leave around 10 percent for good service
Entry for British passport holders
Visa. No visa needed for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area.
Passport. Issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area.
The EU Entry/Exit System is now in use, so you may be asked to register your fingerprints and photo at the border on your first visit. It is free.
Summarised from the FCDO travel advice on gov.uk, checked 29 September 2026. Rules change: read the current entry requirements and the full travel advice before you go.
Questions we get asked
No. Laganas is loud and unashamed about it, but it is one small stretch of the south coast. Tsilivi, Alykes and Vasilikos are family and couples territory, and the west coast is cliffs, villages and quiet coves. The key is booking the right coast.
Not onto the sand. Landings have been banned since cliff falls made the beach unsafe, and boats must stay off the shore. You can still see it from boat trips into the cove and from the clifftop viewing platform, which gives the classic photograph anyway.
From late spring to early autumn. Adults are often seen from boats in Laganas Bay through the summer, and hatchlings emerge from late July. Keep your distance and never feed them; the marine park's rules are there to protect them.
Up to a point. Buses link Zante Town with the main resorts, and boat trips cover Navagio, the Blue Caves and Marathonisi. For the west-coast villages, Keri and the Vasilikos beaches, hiring a car for part of the week makes life far easier.
Tsilivi is our usual first answer: sandy, shallow, walkable and close to town. Alykes is a quieter version, and Kalamaki suits families who want a short transfer and a turtle beach. We keep families away from Laganas in July and August.
Photographs
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