- Zakynthos
Lois Weeterings
Content
Are you looking for the most beautiful beaches Zakynthos? This beautiful Greek island in the Ionian Sea offers an enchanting mix of crystal clear waters, impressive cliffs and pearly white sand beaches. From secluded coves to bustling resorts, Zakynthos has something magical in store for every beach lover. In this guide, we take you through the absolute highlights, from the iconic Navagio Beach with its world-famous shipwreck to the pristine beaches on the east coast. Get ready for an unforgettable beach experience full of sun, sea and breathtaking views.
The most beautiful beaches of Zakynthos
Zakynthos is known for its breathtaking beaches, each with a unique charm. Discover the famous highlights as well as the hidden gems on this Greek island. These are the beaches with the clearest blue seas on Zakynthos:
1. Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach).
Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach, is the icon of Zakynthos (and perhaps all of Greece). This secluded beach is hidden among high limestone cliffs and can only be reached by boat. What makes it so special is the rusty shipwreck that lies in the middle of the snow-white beach. It is an old smuggling boat that stranded on the sand in 1980 and was never removed. Combined with the clear blue water, this is one of the most photogenic spots on the island.
In 2023, Shipwreck Beach will be permanently closed to visitors, this is because of the fear of landslides. Want to catch a glimpse of the beach? Then take a boat ride to Navagio Beach. Floating in front of the sandy beach you will have a great view of the bay, surrounding cliffs and the shipwreck. Just keep in mind that you are only allowed to float around the bay for a short period of time.Â
2. Myzithres Beach
One of the most beautiful, but still relatively undiscovered beaches of Zakynthos is Myzithres Beach. The beach is located on the southwest coast of the island, below the imposing white cliffs of Keri. The two pointed cliffs (the Myzithres) rising from the sea combine to form the highlight of this beach. Are you standing on top of the rocks at Keri? Then you will find yourself at one of the most beautiful vantage points on the whole island.
Tip: here you will find restaurant Keri Lighthouse, a nice place for a snack and drink.
How to get to Myzithres Beach? You can only reach this beach by boat, for example from Agios Sostis or Laganas. So our tip is to rent a boat for a day (captain included) and explore the west coast of Zakynthos.
3. Port Limnionas
The west coast of Zakynthos is a lot rougher than the east coast, but if you know where to go you will find beautiful coves and beaches such as Porto Limnionas. A secluded bay surrounded by cliffs and rocks. There is no sandy beach, so you can quickly relax here on one of the rocks or on top of the old fishermen's houses. The water there is clear blue, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Porto Limnionas is accessible only by a narrow and winding road that winds through the countryside and eventually ends up at a free parking lot. You will find Porto Limnionas Tavern, a good restaurant and nice beach club. You can use the sun beds there for a fee, ideal for those who do not want to lie on the rock. From the restaurant you have a nice view of the sea.Â
4. Gerakas Beach
Gerakas Beach is one of the most picturesque and beautiful beaches in Zakynthos. It is a long, golden sandy beach surrounded by lush green hills. A characteristic feature of Gerakas Beach is the rocky outcropping at the end of the beach where there is a kind of bite out of it. The sea water here is incredibly clear and shallow, making it perfect for families with young children.
What makes this beach extra special is that Gerakas Beach is also an important nesting ground for the endangered Caretta-Caretta turtles. These are one of the largest sea turtles in the world. It is important to respect this turtle nesting area by keeping the beach clean, not entering the cordoned off area and leaving the turtles alone.Â
From the parking lot at Gerakas Beach, it is about a 5-minute walk to the beach. Make sure you have plenty of drinks and snacks with you, as there are no facilities on the beach itself. Restaurants and a supermarket can only be found opposite the parking lot. Here you can possibly buy some goodies for the beach.Â
5. Xigia Beach
One of Zakynthos' most unique beaches is Xigia Beach. The small beach on the east coast of the island is surrounded by cliffs and green hills and offers stunning views of the sea and the neighboring island of Kefalonia. What makes Xigia Beach so unique are the sulfurous springs that flow into the sea here. Therefore, the water has a pleasant temperature. Upon arriving at the beach, you will soon smell the scent of sulfur.Â
Xigia Beach is a small but quite popular beach so it can get crowded quickly. The best time to visit the beach is in the morning because in the afternoon the sun disappears behind the cliffs. There are facilities on the beach including parking (€3.50 per car), sunbeds and a restaurant on top of the cliff. Want to enjoy something tasty like ice cream on the beach? Then it comes down from the restaurant via a cable car in a basket.Â
6. Marathonisi Island (Turtle Island)
Marathonisi Island, also known as Turtle Island, lies off the coast of Zakynthos and is accessible by boat. It is a small, uninhabited island with beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. The island, like Gerakas Beach, is an important nesting ground for the Caretta-Caretta turtles.Â
A visit to the island is often combined with a boat trip where you moor briefly on the beach. Bring plenty of water and snacks if you want to spend part of the day here, as there are no facilities (apart from the small boat that sells ice cream). An even more fun way to explore Marathonisi Island is to go snorkeling or diving.
7. Dafni Beach
A beautiful beach in southeastern Zakynthos is Dafni Beach. You reach the secluded bay via a paved and zigzagging route through the mountains. Parking at Dafni Beach is free, but do consider giving the security guard a small tip when you leave the parking lot again.
Dafni Beach is a sandy beach with clear seawater surrounded by cliffs and trees. Along the beach you will find a number of beach clubs where you can rent a sun bed and order some tasty food and drinks.
Fun activities to do on Zakynthos beaches
Did you know that Zakynthos has one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Greece? Because of the clear water and abundant marine life, you can have hours of fun underwater. So be sure to pack a set of snorkels or rent snorkeling equipment on the beach. Scattered around the island are some wonderful dive sites for both beginners and advanced divers. One diving school that we can recommend without hesitation is Zante Diving on Laganas Beach. Our dive at Marathonisi Island and Cape of Marathia is the highlight of our vacation on Zakynthos!
Where to stay on Zakynthos?
Zakynthos is a large island and has several resorts where you can stay during your sun vacation. From luxury resorts to secluded vacation homes, there is something suitable for every vacationer.
Most hotels and resorts are located in the popular resorts on the east coast such as Laganas, Tsilivi and Argassi. If you are looking for a quieter stay, there are many nice places on the west coast of Zakynthos such as around Keri and Porto Limnionas.
We booked a vacation home in Limni Keri with the family during our vacation to Zakynthos. It was lovely here to relax in our own pool. And when we wanted to go out, we grabbed our rental car to discover the most beautiful beaches and sights. The vacation home we stayed in is Kymaros Villas, highly recommended!
More inspiration for a vacation to Zakynthos
The island of Zakynthos has a rich history and interesting culture, and for a sun vacation it offers many diverse activities to do. Therefore, there is plenty to do and experience. Curious about our tips? Then read the following article about Zakynthos:
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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