Last updated July 28, 2026

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

Zakynthos

Where to Stay in Zante Town, Zakynthos

Zante Town, the island's capital, sits on a wide bay on Zakynthos's east coast, rebuilt in a deliberately Venetian-influenced style after a 1953 earthquake destroyed most of its original architecture. Its harborfront promenade runs past the ferry port, cafés, and the bell tower of Agios Dionysios church, the island's patron saint, while Solomos Square inland holds the town's museums and the Church of Agios Nikolaos, one of the few buildings to survive the earthquake. It's a working town first, with the ferry terminal, local shops, and government buildings that implies, rather than a resort built purely for tourists.

What it's actually like to stay here

Everyday and unhurried compared to the island's beach resorts — Zante Town runs on local rhythms, with a harborfront that's pleasant for an evening walk but no real nightlife scene. It gets a burst of activity around ferry arrivals and departures, then settles back into a quieter, more residential pace.

Stay here if

Best for first-time visitors who want a real town base with the ferry port, museums, and local restaurants close by, and a springboard for day trips around the island by car or organized tour.

Stay elsewhere if

Consider Laganas or another beach town instead if a beach right outside your hotel matters most — Zante Town's own waterfront is a harbor and promenade, not a swimming beach.

Walkability
The town center and harborfront are compact and walkable, with Solomos Square, the museums, and the port all within a few minutes of each other on foot.
Noise at night
Quiet at night away from the harborfront's cafés; ferry traffic and daytime town business are the main sources of noise rather than nightlife.

Best Hotels in Zante Town, Zakynthos

Bitzaro Boutique Hotel

★★★★
  • 🏆 Our overall pick
  • 📍 Best location

Our take A boutique four-star in the middle of Zakynthos Town, about two minutes' walk from the town beach, with a terrace and bar for evenings in.

Highlights

  • About 150 meters from Zante Town Beach.
  • Close to the ferry port, Solomos Square, and the town's museums and restaurants
  • Private parking on site.

What to know

  • As a town-center hotel, some street noise is normal, particularly on lower floors
  • The nearest sandy beach for a full beach day is outside town, a short drive away
Check availability on Booking.com

Diana Hotel

★★★★
  • 🏛️ Best for architecture & design

Our take A centrally placed hotel that stands out for its rooftop pool and wellness facilities, useful for winding down after a day exploring the island by car.

Highlights

  • On Agios Markos Square, a central but relatively quiet part of Zakynthos Town
  • A rooftop pool, a genuine amenity for a town-center hotel
  • A small wellness center with a sauna and hot tub

What to know

  • The rooftop pool is compact, in keeping with the hotel's town-center footprint
  • The nearest sandy beach is outside town, so plan on a short drive for a full beach day
Check availability on Booking.com

Palatino Hotel

★★★★
  • 🤫 Best for a quiet stay

Our take A calm, well-located option for a town that doesn't have much genuine quiet to offer near its center — a short walk from both the beach and the town itself.

Highlights

  • A quiet corner of Zakynthos Town, away from the busiest streets
  • About two minutes' walk to the beach and to tennis courts
  • A relatively accessible price point for a 4-star property this close to the water

What to know

  • Its quieter corner means a longer walk to the main restaurant and shopping streets than from Solomos Square
  • Confirm which view category you're booking, since not every room faces the sea
Check availability on Booking.com

Transportation & practical information

Zakynthos International Airport is a short taxi ride south of town. Ferries to Kyllini on the mainland dock at the town's port, and KTEL buses to Laganas and other villages leave from the town's bus station, though evening service is limited.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is Zante Town a good base if I don't want to swim from a beach in town?
Yes — it works well if you're fine reaching a beach by a short drive or bus ride, in exchange for the ferry port, town museums, and local restaurants being close by.

Related areas

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

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