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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Zakynthos Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
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‘Suited for’ badges:
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Suited for
Greece – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in urban areas. However, many small shops and rural locations still prefer cash payments.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary in Greece. In restaurants, 5-10% is typical, though rounding up is also common. Tipping taxi drivers is customary, and small tips for hotel staff are appreciated. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is generally allowed in Greece, especially in designated areas or during festivals. However, it’s prohibited in some areas like public transport or near schools. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places. There are designated outdoor smoking areas in most restaurants and public buildings. |
| Easter (March/April) |
Easter is a significant religious holiday, and many businesses close. Popular for family gatherings and church services. |
|---|---|
| Assumption of Mary (August) |
A national holiday with parades and festivities. Expect crowded tourist areas and higher accommodation prices. |
| Christmas (December) |
Christmas celebrations take place in many towns and cities, with lively events, though many businesses close for the holiday. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Beat, TaxiBeat, Uber |
| Other: | Greece is a popular tourist destination, particularly in summer, so be prepared for high demand for accommodation and services during peak months. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Zakynthos, Greece
Many hotels, restaurants and boat tours close from November to April
Loggerhead turtle nesting May to August, hatchlings until October; night access to Laganas Bay beaches is restricted
Boat trips to Navagio Beach run April to October, cancelled in rough seas
Don't miss
- 🚤 Visit the famous Shipwreck Beach and turquoise waters
- 🌊 Explore the stunning Blue Caves by boat
- 🏖️ Relax on the serene sands of Porto Limnionas
- 🌅 Hike to the Keri Lighthouse for breathtaking views
- 🤿 Snorkel near the Mizithres rock formations
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Zakynthos?
From the iconic Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach to exploring sea caves by boat, Zakynthos offers a mix of natural beauty and lively town life. It’s perfect for sun-seekers, adventurers and those who enjoy good food and friendly vibes. However, some areas, especially Laganas, can be quite crowded and noisy during peak summer months, so it's best to choose your accommodation carefully depending on your vibe.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
-
1
Olympic Market
🎈Events
-
Zakynthos Carnival (February/March)
-
Feast of St. Dionysios (August 24th)
-
Wine Festival (August)
-
Music and Theatre Festival (Summer)
-
Panagia Skopiotissa Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Visit Shipwreck Beach by early morning to avoid crowds and boats.
- Protect sea turtle habitats; avoid disturbing nesting sites at Laganas Bay.
- Rent a scooter or car for flexible island exploration and hidden coves.
- Best sunset viewpoints include Bochali Hill and the cliffs near Skinari, offering dramatic panoramas.
How to travel to Zakynthos
Fly directly to Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) from many European cities. You can also take a ferry from Killini on the mainland or from other Ionian islands.
Access summary
- From Zakynthos Airport (ZTH): Taxi or KTEL bus, usually 10–20 minutes.
- From Athens: Direct flights around 1 hour; buses plus ferry 6–8 hours.
- Ferries from Kyllini on mainland generally take about 1–1.5 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Zakynthos
The island offers everything from budget-friendly apartments to luxury resorts. Laganas is best for nightlife, while Vasilikos and Tsilivi offer a more relaxed vibe.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Zakynthos
Car rental is the best option for exploring the island. Public buses connect major towns, but service can be infrequent. Taxis and boat taxis are also available.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 27% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs (Data for Patras, Greece - 100 km away)
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Zakynthos is generally safe, but stay cautious in crowded nightlife areas. Avoid isolated beaches late at night and keep an eye on personal belongings.
Health & Medical
The island has medical facilities and pharmacies in main towns. For serious conditions, the hospital in Zakynthos Town offers good care. Bring any specific medications you need.
Accessibility
Main tourist areas are accessible, but remote beaches and some boat tours may be challenging for those with mobility issues. Public transport can be limited.
Tap water
Tap water is safe for bathing but not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and recommended for hydration.
Packing recommendations for Zakynthos
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
👕
Light, breathable clothing
for evenings
🕶️
Sunglasses
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🩴
Flip-flops
🏖️
Beach towel
🤿
Snorkelling gear
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
🛁
Quick-dry travel towel
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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