Zante holidays

Popular holidays

Zante holidays offer a blend of Greek island escapes, where family friendly resorts, lively party hubs, and peaceful hideaways sit along a world‑class Ionian Sea coastline. Beyond the beaches, the island’s wild side comes alive in the protected waters of Zakynthos Marine Park.

Zante vs Zakynthos

Zante sits in the Ionian Sea, just off the west coast of mainland Greece, and from the UK it’s typically a four‑hour flight to reach its shores. The island is known both as Zante and Zakynthos, and its dual identity reflects a long history shaped in part by Venetian rule. It was the Venetians who famously named it the ‘Flower of the Orient’, a tribute to its lush landscapes and fertile countryside. That legacy is still easy to see today, with olive groves, lemon trees, and cascades of bougainvillea blanketing the hillsides and valleys.

Smuggler's Cove and hidden beaches

Zante’s spectacular sandy shorelines are every bit as striking as the green interior, shifting from long golden arcs to the famous Blue Caves that are carved into the cliffs by the Ionian Sea. Along the coast, towering limestone cliffs frame hidden coves and create perfect vantage points for those unforgettable Ionian sunset views. The standout is Navagio Beach – AKA Smuggler’s Cove – a pristine sweep of sand enclosed by sheer rock walls that’s accessible only by water. It’s one of Greece’s most photographed beaches, and a highlight of the island’s many boat trip excursions, which let you explore caves, coves and dramatic coastal scenery up close.

Wildlife and loggerhead turtles

Zante is closely associated with the caretta caretta loggerhead turtles, thanks to the island being home to the most significant Mediterranean nesting grounds for this protected species. Travellers visiting in July and August have the best chance of witnessing turtles in their natural habitat, especially around Laganas Beach, where ongoing conservation efforts help safeguard nesting sites. Just offshore lies Marathonisi – often called Turtle Island – an uninhabited islet whose sandy shores and surrounding waters offer another key refuge for the turtles and a memorable stop on eco‑friendly boat tours.

Where to stay in Zante

Zante makes it easy to find a resort that suits you, with each corner of the island offering a different style of holiday. The Laganas Strip is the go‑to for nightlife, packed with big clubs and late‑night venues that draw party‑focused travellers. Tsilivi offers a livelier scene, with streets lined with bars and pubs that suit both upbeat evenings and relaxed nights out. For a slower rhythm, Alykanas and Kalamaki deliver soft sands, gentle waterfronts, and a go‑slow pace ideal for unwinding or Zante family holidays. And if you want something in between, Argassi mixes beach time with a fun after‑dark atmosphere – it’s known for its karaoke spots and small clubs.

Popular hotels in Zante

Top things to see and do in Zante

Beaches

The island's best beaches

Zante beaches are a pretty varied line-up. There’s everything from hidden white-sand coves to pebbly stretches backed by steep cliffs and pine forests. The most popular sweeps often pair watersports with sunbathing, too. Try Banana Beach for one of Zante’s longest, softest stretches of sand, or Xigia Beach for its natural sulphur springs, where mineral‑rich waters create a unique, spa‑like experience.

Laganas Beach

Laganas Beach is Zante’s queen bee, drawing everything from families enjoying the calm waves to night owls recovering on the sand after a big night out. Its long beachfront is packed with facilities, from ice‑cream parlours to banana boats, but it also sits within the protected zone of the National Marine Park, where rules help safeguard the area’s precious wildlife and nesting sites.

Bouka Beach

Bouka Beach neighbours Tsilivi Beach, but because the latter grabs most of the headlines, the former tends to swerve the crowds. It’s super quiet, so you can forget anything in the way of restaurants or watersports. Instead, it’s best to pick up a snorkel from one of the shops on Tsilivi’s main road on your way here – the waters are really clear, and are ideal for spotting a turtle or two among the fish. Gerakas Beach is another of Zante’s most protected coves, celebrated for its sweeping arc of soft golden sand and calm, shallow waters.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Anafonitra Market is the place to hunt for bargains, with stalls stacked high with embroidered tablecloths, handmade rugs, and leather sandals crafted in traditional Zakynthian style. For something closer to the resorts, the Laganas beach shops offer a mix of souvenirs and beachwear, and you’ll also find local treats like Zakynthian nougat – or mantolato – alongside the usual holiday trinkets.

Mid-range buys

Laganas town centre is the island’s hotspot for lookalike designer handbags (without the price tag), with shelves full of big‑name imitations that echo labels like Chloé and Prada. For a more traditional shopping scene, Zante Town’s high street and the boutiques around Solomos Square offer a mix of international brands – including Benetton and Diesel – alongside local boutiques selling handmade crafts, jewellery, and island‑made treats.

Designer buys

Zante Town has plenty in the way of swanky stores and clothing boutiques, plus a few treasure chest shops displaying unusual antiques in their windows. Make your way to Alexander Roma for the best choices. This street is also really good for gold – it’s full of stores where you can get quality jewellery featuring stones like emeralds and rubies.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Alykanas’ main road is lined with traditional tavernas and a couple of laidback music bars, giving evenings here a relaxed, local feel. Down by the seafront, you’ll find more restaurants where you can dine with views of the water. For something special, the nearby village of Kampi offers clifftop dining 300 metres above sea level, putting you in prime position for catching the sunset. Another standout viewpoint sits above Zakynthos Town, where a dedicated lookout delivers sweeping panoramas of the Venetian Bohali Castle.

Lively evenings

Laganas wears the party crown on Zante, with the Laganas Strip packed full of neon‑lit clubs, including big names like Rescue Club and CherryBay, which keep the music going until sunrise. For a more polished night out, San Marco Square in Zante Town offers stylish cocktail bars and open‑air cafés with a more relaxed vibe. If singing’s more your scene, the main roads leading into Tsilivi and Kalamaki are lined with karaoke bars, making them easy places to dip in and out of light‑hearted, sing‑along nights.

Food & drink

Spetsofai

Spetsofai, a traditional stuffed rabbit, is an island favourite, and a local Zante taverna staple. The tender meat is stuffed with the likes of creamy cheese and tangy herbs, before being cooked in a rich wine sauce and served with vegetables.

Tyropita

Looking for Zante’s answer to a Cornish pasty? Tyropita is great as a mid-afternoon snack if a round of meze snacks seems like too much. This Greek flaky puff pastry is served warm, and crammed with crumbly feta cheese, spinach, ham and spicy meat.

Ladotyri

Ladotyri is a must‑try on any trip to Zante. The name translates to “oily cheese”, and it’s a staple in the island’s tangy casseroles, though it’s just as delicious eaten on its own thanks to its naturally spicy flavour. A chunky slice pairs perfectly with a glass of local mastelado wine, giving you a true taste of Zakynthian tradition.

Zakynthian eggs

Zakynthian eggs are a dish where a fresh tomato and garlic base is created by being tossed into a pan, before an egg is dropped in and poached. Once it’s all cooked, it’s served with big chips or sweet potatoes.

Verdea wine

The crisp Verdea white wine is made from a blend of Pavlos and Robola grapes. It’s harvested early in the season and should be drunk when it’s about a year old. The wine goes really well with fish and seafood, thanks to being high in acidity and citrus flavours.