Zakynthos in a nutshell
Zakynthos lies in the Ionian Sea, and most of its main sights are on the coast. The north has the Blue Caves and the cove of Navagio, the south-west has the Keri peninsula and its sea caves, and the south has Laganas Bay with its sea turtles. Inland and around the harbour town you find a hill with a Venetian castle, a monastery, olive groves and wine.
Two things shape every plan. Navagio is a view, not a beach day: boats may enter a marked sea zone for a short, controlled look, but landing and swimming in the cove are not allowed. And much of the island is easiest to see from the water. If you want to book the main sights, start with the Blue Caves boat trips or the Navagio boat tours.
The sea sights
The places most visitors come for.
Navagio from the sea
The cove with its white pebbles, high cliffs and rusting wreck is reached by boat. A controlled sea zone allows a look of at most 20 minutes, with a limit of 15 boats at a time. Landing on the beach and swimming are not allowed, and the cove is closed to ordinary boat traffic from 1 November 2026 until a new decision.
Is Navagio open? →The Blue Caves
Sea caves and rock arches on the north coast, visited on short cruises from Agios Nikolaos and Skinari, or together with Navagio. Swim stops take place outside the Navagio waters.
Blue Caves guide →Keri caves
Sea caves on the south-west coast, a separate trip from the Blue Caves. They are seen by boat and often combined with Laganas Bay.
Laganas Bay and Marathonisi
The bay in the south is the home of the loggerhead turtles that nest on Zakynthos. Boat trips go to the island of Marathonisi. Rules for boats and beaches are strict, and no sighting can be promised.
Turtles guide →Our picks: more of Zakynthos
A jeep safari across the island, a sea kayak trip and horse riding.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Jeep safari with a sea and land day
- Driver-guide
- Pickup on the island
- Transport for the day
Eight hours with a driver-guide and pickup on the island, with a view of the wreck from above. The boat to the Blue Caves is an extra ticket.
Check availability →
Sea kayaking with snorkelling
- Kayak and snorkel gear
- Photos of the trip
Three and a half hours in a sea kayak with snorkel gear and photos of the trip; the route does not go to Navagio.
Check availability →
Horse riding on Zakynthos
- Ride by option
- Guidance and equipment
A one-, two- or three-hour ride with guidance and equipment; swimming with the horses is only part of the first option.
Check availability →Zakynthos tours and day trips
Boat trips, island tours and cave cruises, with live prices and availability.
Zakynthos Town
The harbour town suits a gentle half day. Solomos Square is its central square, with the church of Agios Nikolaos, and the waterfront promenade runs below the hill of Bochali. Allow time for a walk, a coffee and a look at the harbour.
Bochali, the hill above the town, has a Venetian castle. Admission prices and opening times for the castle and the museums change, so check them locally on the day.
Monasteries and the north-west
In the north-west, the monastery of Panagia Anafonitria is linked with Agios Dionysios, the patron saint of the island. Not far away stands the monastery of Agios Georgios Krimnon. These are two different places, so do not mix them up when you read a trip description. Visiting hours and entry conditions are set locally, so ask before you go.
The same area has the bay of Porto Vromi, a starting point for boat rentals and cave trips, and the area above Navagio. Access to the viewpoint platform depends on the safety works there, so do not plan a day around it. See the viewpoint page for the current picture.
Keri, olives and wine
The Keri peninsula in the south-west is a corner of olive groves, with a lighthouse and the Keri caves below the cliffs. Access to the inside of the lighthouse is not something to count on. Olive oil and wine are local products of the island. Tastings and opening hours differ from place to place, so ask rather than assume they are free.
A drive through the south-west combines well with a boat trip to the Keri caves, or with a visit to Porto Limnionas.
Beaches and coves
A short guide to where to swim.
Gerakas and Dafni
Protected nesting beaches of the loggerhead turtle. Visits follow strict rules, including entry only between 07:00 and sunset.
Porto Limnionas
A rocky bay with road and steps down to the water, not a classic sand beach.
Xigia and Banana
Xigia has small coves of pebbles and rock on the north-east coast. Banana is an organised sandy beach with water sports.
All Zakynthos beaches →How to plan your days
Group the sights by coast.
North day
Boat trip to the Blue Caves and a sea view of Navagio from Agios Nikolaos, Skinari or Porto Vromi, then the north-west monasteries by car.
South day
Boat trip from the south coast with the Keri caves and Laganas Bay, then a quiet afternoon at a beach open to visitors.
Town day
Zakynthos Town in the morning, Bochali in the afternoon, and a seaside dinner. A good choice when the wind rules out boats.
For most visitors who have three days, one north boat day, one south boat day and one town day fit well. Check the weather guide before you pick the boat days, because the skipper decides on wind and swell.
Things to do in Zakynthos: frequently asked questions
What is the most popular thing to do in Zakynthos?
For most visitors it is a boat trip. A north-coast cruise shows the Blue Caves and a view of Navagio, while a south-coast trip covers the Keri caves and Laganas Bay.
Can I walk down to Navagio beach?
No. Landing on the beach and swimming in the cove are not allowed. You can see Navagio from a boat in the marked sea zone, and from the viewpoint platform when it is open.
How many days do I need?
Three days cover one north boat day, one south boat day and a town day. With one day, pick a combined north-coast trip.
Can I see turtles on Zakynthos?
They are wild animals, so no trip can promise a sighting. Boats must keep their distance and follow the rules in Laganas Bay.
Is this an official site?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by a municipality, a ministry, a tourism board or a boat operator.