15 Best Sights in Zakynthos, Greece

A museum dedicated to the life of the island's literary greats, the poets Dionysios Solomos and Andreas Kalvos. The former, in particular, is considered the father of modern Greek literature, championing the use of demotic Greek, a more colloquial form that had become the language of the people by the early 19th century, as opposed to the more conservative katharevousa form. Both are cherished sons of Zakynthos, whose bones are kept within the museum in a ground-floor mausoleum. Many of their letters and writings are on display, along with photographs and paintings, but little is explained or translated into English, so along with the rest of the local scholars and benefactors celebrated here, viewers without the benefit of a guided tour will gain little.

Boats cast off from almost every harbor along the eastern side of the island to reach the twinkling waters of the Blue Caves. These trips typically combine a visit to Shipwreck Beach, but you'll find cheaper, faster there-and-back commutes (€15 per person) from Cape Skinari on the northern tip of the island. Once there, the glinting reflections seen within the tall white archways are best witnessed in the morning, when the sunlight refracts off the water at just the right angle. Many trips include the opportunity to get out and swim or snorkel in and around the caves.

This remarkable two-floor museum is a testament to the resilience of the island. Most of the ecclesiastical artworks here date from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and were rescued from more than 100 churches across the island after the 1953 earthquakes tore through the land. Entire frescoes, woodcarvings, iconostases, and religious artworks by key artists from the Ionian School of painters (Doxaras, Koutouzis), who flourished in the post-Renaissance, all survive here. Last entry is 30 minutes before the official closing time.

Most beaches accessible only by boat tend to be remote affairs—Navagio is the exception. The pin-up beach of Zakynthos, Navagio somehow manages to be impossible to reach yet its waters are simultaneously overrun by boats. The reason is simply that every ship on the island heads here—though if you don't want to spend all day on a tour at sea, you can grab a quick boat (30 minutes) there and back at nearby Porto Vromi. The beach gets its nickname from the MV Panagiotis, a cargo vessel that fell afoul of the rocks here in 1983 while smuggling contraband cigarettes. Since 2018, when a rockfall injured several people, going on shore is prohibited, and that's still the case. However, the iconic view from the panoramic viewpoint higher above the cove (and also from the water) is still open and immensely popular. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: swimming.

A steep 30-minute walk from downtown leads to a world utterly removed from the bustle below. This ruined 15th-century Venetian Castle sits high in the quiet hamlet of Bohali, built atop the site where the island's acropolis is thought to have stood. In 1514, invading Ottomans destroyed it only for its walls to be later rebuilt. It set the tone for the earthquake-stricken years that followed. Attempts by the British to conserve the building in 1812 stopped the rot, though today it's more like a quiet forest park, with only a few vestiges of its past still visible in its dungeons, armory, and fortifications. Views from the top are worth the climb alone.  Bear in mind the castle closes 30 minutes before the official closing time.

This beach owes its name to the small chapel that stands to its western end. Its shores are hardly pious though. This is the sportiest of the sands lining the Vasilikos, with the thwack of volleyballs accompanying loud music, the roar of Jet Skis, and a mostly younger crowd. It's also very pretty, with a thick ring of pines fringing the white-pebble shore and twinkling sapphire waters. There's every variety of water sport here, but it's an especially good spot for diving and snorkeling. Some restaurants offer free sun beds if you stop to eat. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; water sports. Best for: snorkeling.

This pretty, yellow-walled Venetian-era monastery lies within a pine forest and has some of the oldest and finest frescoes on the island. It was founded in the 15th century and takes its name from an icon smuggled away from Constantinople after it was captured by the Ottomans. Its complex spans several buildings, including a belfry converted from an old defensive tower. Zakynthos's patron saint Dionysios was said to have lived his final few years here. Bear in mind it closes to visitors early, at 1:30 pm.

A charming tour is run here by the most famous olive oil brand on Zakynthos, Aristeon. Many of the island's famed dopia olive trees are thought to be more than 2,000 years old, and this deep dive into local oil production in Zakynthos follows the process from branch to bottle.

 If you want to see an ancient dopia in real life, head to the village of Exo Chora, on the northwest coast. At its center grows what's known locally as the "elephant tree," a gnarled wonder thought to be some 2,000 years old.

Not nearly as unknown as it used to be—though the same could be said for the entire peninsula—Banana Beach's golden sands are still impressive. It is the largest beach on the island, with rocky wooded fringes and clear shallow waters perfect for families. It has a few bars, restaurants, and services. Sun beds occupy a good chunk of the shoreline, but its size means you can always find a quieter corner. Around four bus services a day run here from Zakynthos Town, if you don't want to drive. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers. Best for: swimming.

The largest and most impressive church on Zakynthos is named after the island's patron saint and is bedecked in impressive frescoes and giltwork. It was completed in 1948 yet miraculously escaped significant damage during the earthquake of a few years later. Locals naturally saw this as a sign. Its namesake saint, Dionysios, was born on Zakynthos but spent much of his life on a monastery on Strofades, some 40 km (25 miles) off its coast, where he was first buried. His body is displayed here in the church and a procession of his relics is held on August 23 and December 17.

One of the better options for those allergic to crowds. Large-pebbled Makris Gialos, on the northeast coast, lacks the facilities of many of the larger beaches, so rarely fills up. Limited parking means it isn't the most accessible, though most just park by the road. A few more sun beds and umbrellas have cropped up in recent years, but it's easy to find your own spot. There's a bar and shop a short hop from the shore. Aside from that, all you have is sunshine and deep waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Boats also go from here to the Blue Caves. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

"Turtle Island," as it's known, is one of the most important breeding areas for the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in Zakynthos. It lies off the shores of Keri, west of Laganas, and is made up of two small islets, with a pine-speckled hump and a thin sandy outcrop that even makes it look like a turtle. It falls within the boundaries of the National Marine Park. Trips may only be made during daylight, though the chances of spotting a turtle are high. These endangered creatures are highly sensitive to disturbance, so if you do visit, it's vitally important to choose a body authorized by the National Marine Park such as Nefis Travel ( see under Activities), which works in tandem with conservation organization Archelon. Boats can be boarded at Agios Sostis, 2 km (1 mile) east of Laganas.

Porto Vromi is another gem found on the far northwestern coast. Its narrow shore isn't very large and doesn't attract that many on-shore visitors, although it does get busy with visiting boats. A pebbly shore drops off quickly to reveal deep waters, so it's not much good for families with small children. Most use it as a departure point for boats to Shipwreck Beach and the Blue Caves, but it's worth a visit in its own right. The cove is dotted with small caves and surrounded by quiet mountain villages. It's a great escape from the masses. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: solitude.

The loggerhead sea turtle is a common visitor to Zakynthos. Every summer, hundreds return to its shores (the very beaches they, too, were born on) to lay their eggs. And yet, their survival remains in the balance. The IUCN still classifies this species as Vulnerable, with a decreasing population. The problems caused by encroaching development, uneducated tourists, unscrupulous boat tours, and climate change, are a major threat to the welfare of a species that, when hatched, already has just a 1 in 1,000 chance of surviving until adulthood. This center, run by volunteers, does its part to help those that stumble along the way.

For an island that doesn't really do public transport, Zakynthos makes a rare exception for its resort areas. There are regular buses between Tsilivi and Zakynthos Town, around 6 km (4 miles) away, during summer. That helps to make this one of the busiest stretches on the island, and you'll struggle to find an inch of its golden sands not subsumed by a sun bed or lobster-red British tourist. It also means it's well catered to, with umpteen bars, tavernas, and cafés surrounding the shore. Its waters accommodate Jet Skis, kayaks, banana boats, and paragliders. It's busy but you know what you're getting, and it's a good spot for those with little children, who will want for nothing. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguard; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming, walking.