Laganas Holidays

On Zante’s southeast coast, Laganas has gone from a small fishing village to the island’s most vibrant resort. But even if its biggest selling point is its after-hours scene, that doesn’t mean it’s not also a bona fide family destination – its stellar beaches, boat trips, and resident loggerhead turtles are just some of its major draws.

The nightlife in Laganas is in the same league as Ibiza. There’s a mile-long, neon-lit avenue with more than 50 different venues, from karaoke bars to happening music venues. Most famous of all are the state-of-the-art nightclubs like Rescue and Waikiki that fly in international DJs throughout the summer.

Stretching all the way from Kalamaki in the east to Agios Sostis in the west, Laganas Beach is one of Zante’s loveliest stretches of sand. To avoid disturbing the nesting turtles, you won’t find watersports apart from pedalos, but there are plenty of lively beach bars and restaurants. And at the Agios Sostis end of the beach is a wooden footbridge that crosses the sea to Cameo Island, which has a beach club on its far side.

ust a 15-minute bus ride away is Zante Town, or the Venice of the South. It was badly damaged in the 1953 earthquake but has bounced back, with stylish fashion stores lined up along its arcaded streets and some impressive museums, too. Head up to the roof terrace at the Strada Marina Hotel – the views of the glistening harbour front are really impressive.