AreaStays
The rusted Panagiotis shipwreck on the white sand of Navagio Beach, framed by towering limestone cliffs

dronepicr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Greece

Where to Stay in Zakynthos

Zakynthos, also called Zante, is an Ionian island best known for two very different things: Navagio, the cliff-ringed cove with a beached shipwreck that's become one of the most photographed beaches in Greece, and the loggerhead sea turtles that nest along Laganas Bay's sandy south coast, protected as a national marine park. The island's beach towns split roughly by character — Laganas is the loudest and most nightlife-driven, while the capital, Zakynthos Town, rebuilt after a 1953 earthquake flattened most of its Venetian-era buildings, is a working port town with a waterfront promenade rather than a beach resort. This guide covers Laganas and Zakynthos Town. Don't miss Navagio Beach, reachable only by boat tour or from clifftop viewpoints above, and the Blue Caves near Cape Skinari on the island's northern tip.

Quick facts

Best time to visit
Visit in May, June, or September for warm weather and thinner crowds. July and August are hottest and busiest, especially in Laganas, and are also the peak of the loggerhead turtle nesting season, when some beach areas have night-time access restrictions to protect nesting sites.
Renting a car
A rental car is genuinely useful on Zakynthos — the island's best-known sights, including the Navagio viewpoints and the Blue Caves, sit well outside both Laganas and Zakynthos Town, and bus service to them is limited or nonexistent.

Where to stay

Laganas beach at dusk, with tavernas and sunbeds along the sand and boats moored offshore

Σαλαμούρας Σπύρος / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Laganas

Best for: Nightlife, Beach time, Budget travelers

Zante Town's harbor at sunset, with the bell tower of Agios Dionysios church and the town backed by hills

Helentr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Zante Town

Best for: First-time visitors, Budget travelers, Couples

Compare neighborhoods

AreaBest forAdvantageTrade-off
LaganasNightlifeThe most walkable nightlife-and-beach combination on the island, all on one strip.Genuinely loud into the night in peak season, and less suited to families wanting an early bedtime or a quiet stay.
Zante TownFirst-time visitorsA real working town with the ferry port, museums, and local life, and an easy base for day trips around the island.No swimming beach in town itself — reaching one means a short drive or bus ride to a resort town.

Our picks for Zakynthos

A handful of editorial calls across every neighborhood above, not just the highest star rating — see each hotel's own card further down for the full case for and against it.

🏆 Our overall pickBitzaro Boutique HotelZante Town❤️ Best for couplesCastelli HotelLaganas📍 Best locationBitzaro Boutique HotelZante Town

A couple of hotels in Laganas

Laganas is the top-recommended area to stay in Zakynthos.

Castelli Hotel

★★★★
  • ❤️ Best for couples

Our take A calmer alternative to staying directly on Laganas's main strip, trading some nightlife proximity for an adults-only, boutique-scale stay still within reach of the bay's beach.

Good for

  • Couples

Couples who want a quieter, adults-only stay on Laganas Bay without giving up walking access to the beach.

Why we like it

  • Adults-only, which keeps the property quieter than hotels on the main Laganas strip
  • Walking distance to Laganas Bay's long sandy beach
  • A boutique-scale property with a more personal approach to service
  • Set in Agios Sostis, a calmer corner of the bay away from the busiest nightlife

What to know

  • Being adults-only, it's not a fit for families traveling with children
  • Agios Sostis is a short walk or drive from Laganas's main strip of bars and restaurants, so confirm the distance suits your plans
Check availability on Booking.com

White Olive Premium Laganas

★★★★
  • 🏖️ Best for beach access

Our take A straightforward, well-equipped all-inclusive base that puts the beach and the strip both within easy reach without sitting in the loudest part of it.

Good for

  • Families
  • Beach time

Families and groups who want an all-inclusive stay within easy walking distance of Laganas Beach and the main strip's restaurants and shops.

Why we like it

  • About 100 meters from Laganas Beach
  • Three swimming pools on-site, useful for families who want pool time without a beach walk every day
  • Within 500 meters of the main strip's shops, tavernas, bars, and clubs
  • All-inclusive format, which simplifies budgeting for a longer beach stay

What to know

  • Being close to the main strip means some traffic and foot-traffic noise is normal, especially in peak summer evenings
  • As an all-inclusive property, confirm exactly what's covered before booking if you plan to eat out in the village
Check availability on Booking.com

Useful travel information

Greece uses the euro. Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) sits a few kilometers south of Zakynthos Town, with taxis and transfers covering the short trip to most beach towns; there's no useful public bus link from the airport itself. Ferries from Kyllini on the mainland dock in Zakynthos Town. Local KTEL buses connect the town to Laganas and other villages, though service thins out considerably in the evening and off-season.

Tips

  • Book a boat tour to Navagio Beach in advance in July and August — the cove itself has no road access, and popular tour slots sell out.
  • Respect roped-off turtle nesting areas on Laganas Bay's beaches, and avoid sunbeds or beach furniture there after dark in nesting season (roughly May–October).
  • If nightlife matters, stay in Laganas itself; if you want a quieter base with easy day trips, Zakynthos Town or a beach town further from the strip works better.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in Laganas or Zakynthos Town?
Stay in Laganas for beach time and nightlife right outside your hotel. Stay in Zakynthos Town for a working-town base with the ferry port, more local restaurants, and easier day trips around the island, at the cost of not having a beach right in town.
How do I get to Navagio Beach?
The beach itself is reachable only by boat tour from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos; there's no road down to the cove. Clifftop viewpoints above the beach are reachable by car or organized tour.
Do I need a car in Zakynthos?
It genuinely helps. Buses connect the main towns but run infrequently, and the island's best-known sights — Navagio's viewpoints, the Blue Caves, and beaches beyond the main resort strips — are easiest to reach with your own transport.

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