ZAKYNTHOS
I have been on holiday in Zakynthos in October 2022, one of those wonderful holidays alone, in total relaxation.
I decided to dedicate a week completely to myself and spare no expense, so I stayed in a luxury resort with a private pool on the terrace. The weather was truly amazing and extremely pleasant despite the end of September approaching.
I saw enchanting places and the sea of an unreal blue, and I met magnificent people, always smiling, who commented every time they discovered that I was Italian with this sentence in Italian: “una faccia, una razza” (one face, one race), as if to say that Italians and Greeks are with no doubts similar.
I was welcomed by everyone as if I were at home, and the week flew by. The food, as always, was amazing and so healthy, and I had plenty of rest and relaxation. Travel is always a discovery and it is always unforgettable, but some journeys are more so than others, this is one of them. I will never forget those days in Zakynthos.
10 things to do in ZAKYNTHOS
1. CARETTA CARETTA TURTLES SPOTTING
On the first day of my holiday in Zakynthos I immediately started with a boat tour, the tour to spot the Caretta Caretta turtles. In the Ionian islands lives a marine species among those at greatest risk of extinction in Europe: the Caretta Caretta turtle. The highest concentration of nests is found in Zakynthos. There are some beaches where it is possible in the month of June to see the turtles laying their eggs or spot tiny baby turtles breaking out of their shells, while since I went in the month of October, the best way to see them is to take a boat tour in the bay where they live, and if you are lucky enough you will be able to see some that swim or even come out with their heads out of the water. We started the tour on Kalamaki beach on Zante’s southern shores, part of the National Marine Park. Then we headed to Laganas beach to board the glass-bottom boat and sailed to the Keri Caves, passing through the famous rock arch, Kamara. Finally we headed to Marathonisi, known as Turtle Island, an exotic, green, and coincidentally turtle-shaped island.
2. HOP ABOARD THE GLASS-BOTTOM BOAT, DIRECTION NAVAGIO BEACH
Another of the most beautiful tours that I absolutely recommend to do is the tour of the blue Caves and Navagio beach. Once the beach of Navagio, so called due to the wreck of a cargo ship that ran aground in the 60s, had a free viewpoint open to the public, but now the area has been fenced off as it is very dangerous and the rock is crumbly, so today you can only see the beach from above through a viewing platform for which you have to stand in a long queue as it is full of tourists. In short, the best way to see Navagio beach is by sea. The tour will first take you to the Blue Caves, sea caves where the water is deep blue, and then you will hop aboard the glass-bottom speedboat and visit the stunning Navagio Shipwreck beach. As you get closer, the water from an intense blue becomes an almost unreal light blue, it’s really incredible. That’s why this is one of the most photographed beaches of all the Greek islands.
3. TASTE LOCAL PRODUCTS AT ARISTEON OLIVE OIL PRESS MUSEUM
It’s rainy? a very valid alternative to spending the day by the hotel swimming pool reading a good book is certainly a visit (with subsequent shopping) to the the award-winning Aristeon ecological olive oil press museum in Lithakia.
At the entrance you will find an olive tree trunk of about 1,500 years ago, impressive!
And then you will find exposed the old tools for the production of oil. You can enjoy free tasters of local olives and traditional bread with different flavored extra virgin olive oils (most likely lemon, orange, and garlic). You can take a sample of olive oil shampoo, soap, body cream, or face cream. You can also buy these products to support local businesses. Obviously I bought the hand cream and a lot of oil of various flavors to bring to friends and relatives!
4. ENJOY THE HOT SEA WATER AT DAFNI BEACH
The splendid beach of Dafni is considered one of the most beautiful in Zakynthos. The beach overlooks the gulf of turtles and is part of the Marine Park.
The beach of Dafni is located on the promontory of Vassilikos within the protected area of the “Gulf of Turtles” Marine National Park and is considered one of the most beautiful on the island. Little equipped, Dafni fascinates with its wonderful blue sea which here, a unique characteristic on the whole island, reaches temperatures between 27° and 30°C. Furthermore, the golden sandy beach of Dafni is off the beaten track and is closed from dusk to dawn. The beach is between two rocky ends that surround it. In front of the coast, from where you can admire splendid views of the gulf of Laganas, there is a small islet that cannot be reached by boat since it is located inside the protected waters where the Caretta caretta turtles lay their eggs.
I went there on one of the first days of my vacation, as it was recommended by Stamathis, a bartender at my resort with whom I made friends, who recommended the most beautiful beaches on the island.
5. WAKE UP BEFORE DAWN TO SEE CARETTA CARETTA TURTLES AT CAPE GERAKAS
Gerakas is the southernmost beach of the island and certainly one of the most beautiful. It is formed by a very long tongue of sand that ends with a small promontory that plunges directly into the sea. This promontory is famous on the island because it is made entirely of clay and was once a destination for experiencing a regenerating mud. Today the final area of the beach has been closed precisely because too many people have detached the clay, making the ridge not safe enough. For those who want to wake up before dawn, there is also the opportunity, from May to October, to come to this beach to watch the turtle eggs hatch and admire dozens of specimens reaching the sea. Precisely because it is chosen by turtles for reproduction, this beach is an area protected by the marine park and in addition to being devoid of large tourist facilities, access is prohibited from half an hour before sunset until half an hour after sunrise.
6. ADMIRE THE UNREAL BLUE OF THE SEA FROM MYZITHRES VIEWPOINT
I happened upon this panoramic point literally by chance, it is absolutely not indicated by any guide nor does it seem to be particularly famous, but I discovered a unique sight and I also returned a second time, at a different time, in search of the perfect video and photo. In general, the west coast has a rougher and wilder landscape compared to the east coast, characterized by beaches and tourist resorts. Therefore, this promontory, fully respecting the characteristics of the western coast, is a precipice that overlooks a light blue strip of sea, an unreal blue.
In the sea, there are the stacks of Myzithres: once known as the Myzithres Islands as, before the 2018 earthquake, both stacks were separated from the rock face by a strip of sea.
To reach this magnificent beach just follow the signs for Keri Lighthouse. In that place there is a restaurant that has a wonderful view, or you can go directly to the panoramic point by quad, scooter, car (paying very close attention to the terrain) or on foot with a 15-minute walk. The show you will see will leave you breathless. But be careful not to lean too far!
7. TAKE A DIP IN THE EMERALD WATER AT LIMNIONAS BEACH
One of the most magical and beautiful places in Greece, in my opinion the best in Zakynthos. At Limnionas beach, the sea is of an intense green color with shades also tending towards blue. This place was also recommended to me by a local person.
Paradise for those who love free diving and snorkeling, it is so reminiscent of a fjord, even for the temperature of the water. There are many cold currents, but the water is so inviting that it is impossible not to be able to swim. It is a unique experience to swim along the entire cliff. There are a few rocks where you can dive off and a center to hire masks and snorkels (cash only). The equipped beach asks 12 euros for two sunbeds and an umbrella. At the top of the beach there is a tavern where you can have lunch or a drink while admiring the splendid panorama; they also serve salads and typical dishes such as Saganaki. Of course you must like diving and you won’t find the sandy beach, but the clearest water in Zakynthos can be found here.
8. RELAX IN A NATURAL SPA: XIGIA BEACH
Xigia beach for many is one of the most beautiful and particular of Zakynthos. It is located in the wildest area of the island towards the north. It is wedged in a depression on the rocky coast surrounded by steep white cliffs dotted with lush vegetation which, together with the turquoise color of the waters, give it an almost tropical touch. The waters get deep right away, so they’re perfect for snorkelers. The sea has a particular shade of blue thanks to the high concentration of sulfur and collagen that comes from a natural sulphuros source of fresh water inside a cave that opens onto the vertical cliff twenty meters from the beach. Reaching the entrance of the cave is not really that easy due to the water which has a very low temperature therefore quite cold, and the strong concentration of sulfur which makes the water cloudy with little visibility. However, the presence of sulfur has healing and therapeutic effects, so don’t get the sulfur off your skin right away, it’s like a free SPA and a real panacea for your skin!
9. DISCOVER STARFISH AND CORALS IN THE UNDERGROUND CAVES AT MAKRIS GIALOS BEACH
The beautiful beach of Makris Gialos is the typical beach of a souvenir postcard. It is located about thirty kilometers from the capital Zakynthos Town. Surrounded by high rocks dotted with Mediterranean scrub vegetation and set in a beautiful bay, it has a large sandy coastline and small white pebbles bathed by calm, extremely clean and transparent waters with amazing colors passing from intense blue to turquoise that recall very distant exotic places. The seabed drops very quickly therefore not very suitable for families with children, but perfect for lovers of snorkelling and diving. On the right side of Makris Gialos beach, there are limestone caves where the water takes on an almost surreal turquoise color and where starfish and coral grow undisturbed. If you love adventure and discovery, these fascinating underground creeks are for you!
10. GET THE PERFECT TAN ON MARATHONISI ISLAND
Marathonisi is a small private island located in Turtle Bay at a short distance from Limni Keri beach. The island was inhabited until the Second World War while today it is uninhabited and without buildings. Today it is one of the breeding grounds of the Caretta Caretta sea turtles. Marathonisi can be visited both with private boats and through organized excursions and, for the more tenacious, there is the possibility of attempting the canoe crossing with a fair chance of meeting some turtles. The island offers the opportunity to choose between two splendid beaches: one of pebbles from which you can access a huge cave by swimming, while the other is sandy. On the sandy beach under the supervision of the marine park volunteers, there are turtle hatchings. The sea with its emerald reflections is incredible and this is the right place if you love to laze around and are looking for the perfect tan.
When to go?
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn
The best time in Zakynthos for a beach holiday is from June to mid-September. The Caretta Caretta turtles arrive on the beaches to lay their eggs in June. To visit the island and go on excursions and walks, May is preferable, or perhaps the first half of October, to avoid the heat.
three unmissable stops
Best photos spots
I’m a photographer, so I’m always looking for the best corner in the world to make the perfect picture. Often, with great pleasure of my traveling companions, I also spend hours staring at the landscape, waiting for the perfect moment with perfect light. Therefore, when I decided to create my blog, I could not avoid to include a dedicated section to photography enthusiasts like me, always looking for the landscape that leaves you breathless. Hope you will enjoy these places where, in my opinion, you can enjoy wonderful landscapes and take the best pictures.
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