It’s a case of two islands in one. Called Zakynthos in Greek, but also known by its Italian name of Zante, this dual personality is one of its main attractions. The rugged north is rooted in age-old traditions while the carefree south is a cosmopolitan hotspot buzzing with partygoers. Whether you go up or down, you’re in for a wild ride. Smugglers Cove, the island’s most iconic attraction can only be visited by sea, so a boat trip is a must-do. And for a family day out, St Nick’s beach, nearby Turtle Island and Water Village waterpark tick all the boxes.
Top six things to do in Zante
1. Snap a shipwreck
Like a magnet, the rusting hulk of the Panagiotis has been attracting allcomers to Navagio beach since 1980. The shipwreck is so famous that the beach is now known as Smugglers Cove and is one of the most Instagrammed spots in Greece. Hemmed in on three sides by steep cliffs, it can only be reached by sea. There’s a huge choice of boat trips to take you to its picture-postcard white-pebble beach.
2. Turtle Island
Tree-clad Marathonisi is famed for its arrowhead beach and translucent waters. By any stretch of the imagination, this uninhabited islet would make for a great day trip. But what makes the island even more appealing is that from May to October, it’s a nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. You might spot them swimming in the water or on the beach. A great excursion for all the family.
3. Rumble through the island’s history
The highlands that cover the western half of the island are home to some of Zante’s most famous monasteries. And there are few better ways to discover them, and their priceless Greek Orthodox frescoes and icons, than a 4x4 safari that combines adventure with culture. It’s also a great way to uncover remote villages far from the coast. The monasteries of Yperagathos, Anafonitria and Agios Georgios are the top ones to visit.
4. Get into the Olympic spirit
Zante’s just a short ferry trip away from the Greek mainland. And one of the most popular day trips from the island is to ancient Olympia, the spiritual home of the modern Olympic games. Wander around the ruins of the stadium and have a poke around the magnificent museum housing a collection of artefacts recovered from the site. Another handy excursion is to the island of Kefalonia. Famed for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, its caves and underground lakes are themselves blockbusters.
5. Party the night away
The island’s party capital is choc-a-bloc with bars and clubs. Most are located on the Laganas Road strip in the west end of the town. It’s not for the faint-hearted and nothing is off limits here. There are party boats by day, and by night you can choose from raindance, sizzle, neon, paint and myriad other parties.
6. Make a splash
In Zante, it’s easy to tear yourself away from the sunlounger by the pool. The island is blessed with family-friendly beaches such as those at Kalamaki, Gerakas and the 8km-long Laganas strand. And then there’s St Nick’s beach, which is a mecca of watersports. A different type of watery fun can be found at the island’s two waterparks, Water Village and Tsilivi Waterpark.
