Zakynthos, or Zante, is one of the Ionian Sea’s most enticing islands, a place where neon-blue water meets soft sand, pine covered hills and unexpectedly lively little towns. Choosing where to stay on the island shapes the kind of holiday you will have. From party strips and family friendly beaches to low key fishing villages and exclusive villa enclaves, each corner of Zakynthos has its own personality, pace and price point.
Understanding Zakynthos: Island Layout & How To Choose Your Base
Zakynthos is compact enough that you can drive from north to south in around 90 minutes, yet varied enough that the experience in each area feels completely different. The busy east and south coasts are where you will find most resorts, sandy beaches and nightlife. The west and north coasts are wilder, with dramatic cliffs, quieter villages and boutique villas scattered among olive groves. Zakynthos Town on the east coast functions as the island’s small capital and main port, but relatively few people stay in the center compared with the resort belts stretching up and down the coast.
When choosing where to stay, start with the feel you are looking for. If you want long sandy beaches, bars on the sand and plenty of activities, look at Tsilivi, Laganas or Kalamaki. For a quieter, more natural environment with sea turtle nesting sites and a softer nightlife scene, consider Vasilikos, parts of Kalamaki, or the villages around Limni Keri in the southwest. For dramatic scenery and a sense of escape, the northeast and northwest coasts around Agios Nikolaos, Volimes and the villa estates near the Peligoni Club are hard to beat, especially for couples and groups of friends.
Practicalities also matter. Without a car, you will be most comfortable in Tsilivi, Zakynthos Town, Laganas or Argassi, where there is a concentration of tavernas, boat trips and beach clubs within walking distance, and at least some local bus connections. If you plan to rent a car and explore, you can base yourself almost anywhere. The island’s main airport is between Kalamaki and Laganas, about 10 minutes from Zakynthos Town, so southern resorts are usually quickest to reach after landing.
Accommodation ranges from simple studios and family run pensions to polished five star beachfront resorts, all inclusive hotels and high end villas with private pools. Prices peak from late June to early September. If you are after better value and fewer crowds, the shoulder months of May, early June, late September and October can be ideal, with many hotels and restaurants still open but beaches far less busy.
Zakynthos Town & Argassi: For Convenience, Culture & Short Breaks
Zakynthos Town is the island’s transport hub and cultural heart, fronted by a long promenade and a series of squares lined with neoclassical buildings, churches and pavement cafés. It is not a beach resort in the classic sense, but it is a pleasant, lived in town with easy access to the rest of the island. Stay here if you want to wander out in the evening for a local atmosphere, browse shops and bakeries, visit museums and churches, and hop on ferries or boat excursions without long transfers.
Accommodation in Zakynthos Town ranges from simple budget hotels near the port to modern mid range options with harbor views and rooftop terraces. Many visitors treat the town as a base for one or two nights at the beginning or end of a trip, especially if they are catching early ferries or flights. The nightlife is more about cafés, wine bars and waterfront restaurants than all night clubs, which suits couples and older travelers who prefer a slower pace and an authentic Greek town feel.
A few kilometers down the coast, Argassi offers a different flavor. What was once a small village has grown into one of Zakynthos’s key resort areas, particularly popular with families and couples who like a balance of activity and relaxation. The narrow strip of beach here is not the island’s star, but the location is convenient. From Argassi, you are within easy reach of the beaches on the Vasilikos peninsula to the south, while still being just a short taxi or bus ride from Zakynthos Town’s shops and harbor.
Argassi’s hotel scene is varied. You will find mid sized resort hotels with pools and organized activities, self catering apartments and some small, well looked after family properties. For visitors who like to dine somewhere different every night without needing a car, Argassi’s row of tavernas, bars and casual restaurants makes it an appealing compromise between urban and beach environments.
Tsilivi & Surroundings: Best All Round Area For Families
On the east coast just north of Zakynthos Town, Tsilivi has grown into one of the island’s most popular bases, and with good reason. It combines a long, gently shelving sandy beach with excellent facilities, a wide range of accommodation and a cheerful, family focused nightlife. The main beach is organized with sun loungers, umbrellas and water sports. Children can play safely in the shallows, while older kids and adults can try pedal boats, stand up paddleboarding and other activities.
The resort itself has a compact, walkable center with supermarkets, bakeries, souvenir shops, mini golf, an amusement park and a small water park nearby. Restaurants range from simple gyros stands to smart, modern Greek dining rooms. In high season, the atmosphere is lively in the evenings without tipping over into the full scale clubbing scene of Laganas. This makes Tsilivi a strong choice for families, mixed age groups and first time visitors who want plenty to do on their doorstep.
In terms of accommodation, Tsilivi covers almost every budget level. There are large beachfront resorts with pools, spas and family rooms, ideal for those who want to stay mostly within the property, as well as smaller hotels tucked on side streets that appeal to couples. Self catering apartments and aparthotels are plentiful, making life easier for those traveling with children or staying for longer than a week.
For a slightly quieter feel within easy reach of Tsilivi’s facilities, look at the nearby beaches of Bouka and Gaidaros just to the north. These sandy coves tend to be less crowded but still have a handful of tavernas and rooms to rent. Staying in or near Tsilivi also positions you well for boat trips to the famous Blue Caves and Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach viewpoint, as many operators offer pickups from the resort.
Laganas & Kalamaki: Nightlife, Long Beaches & The Marine Park
Laganas on the south coast is Zakynthos’s best known party resort, a long sweep of sand backed by bars, clubs and fast food outlets that run late into the night throughout July and August. For visitors in their twenties who want beach time by day and busy streets by night, there is no more obvious place to stay. The main strip fills with bars offering drinks deals, karaoke, live sports and club nights, while the beach has a mixture of relaxed daytime bars and louder venues with music that ramps up from late afternoon.
The beach itself is impressive: a wide, shallow bay that is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, created to protect the nesting grounds of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. This status shapes what you can and cannot do on certain parts of the coast, with speed limits for boats and restricted access on some nesting zones during key months. Even in Laganas, you will see sections of beach roped off where turtles lay their eggs, and beach furniture is often removed at night during nesting season.
Accommodation in Laganas spans simple studios and budget friendly hotels geared to groups of friends, through to a few smarter beachfront resorts at the quieter ends of the bay. If you are considering Laganas but are unsure about the noise levels, look carefully at location. Properties back from the main strip or toward the Kalamaki side of the bay tend to be calmer. For many visitors, Laganas is all about value for money and a social atmosphere rather than high end comfort.
Next door, Kalamaki offers a softer alternative. The two areas share the same long stretch of sand, but Kalamaki is more family oriented, with a slower pace, a village style main street and easy access to both the airport and the marine park’s turtle nesting beaches. Many families choose Kalamaki to combine convenient transfers with a more relaxed atmosphere, while still being only a short taxi ride from Laganas for those who want an occasional late night out.
Kalamaki’s hotels are a mix of mid sized, family friendly properties with pools, gardens and on site restaurants, along with low rise apartment complexes. Most are within walking distance of the beach. Because of turtle protection rules, there are no large beach front developments built directly on the sand. Instead you will find simple beach bars set back slightly from the shore, preserving a more natural look and feel along much of the bay.
Vasilikos Peninsula & Gerakas: Nature, Sea Turtles & Laid Back Luxury
For a quieter side of Zakynthos that still offers superb beaches, the Vasilikos peninsula in the southeast is a strong contender. Jutting into the sea beyond Argassi and Kalamaki, the peninsula is a succession of sandy bays and forested headlands. Beaches such as Banana, Agios Nikolaos (in the south), Ionio and Porto Zoro are well organized with sun loungers and chic beach bars, while others feel more low key. The landscape is greener and more rural than the main resort belt, with olive groves and small farms never far from the coast.
At the tip of the peninsula lies Gerakas Beach, one of the most important nesting sites for the loggerhead sea turtles and part of the marine park. There are strict rules here: no access at night, no large scale water sports, and limited facilities. For nature minded visitors this is a plus. The beach is a broad sweep of soft sand with shallow, clear water and a peaceful atmosphere. Simple accommodation options and tavernas line the road leading down to the beach, rather than the seafront itself.
The Vasilikos area draws couples, families and repeat visitors who value a slower pace and natural surroundings. Rather than one dense resort center, you will find clusters of hotels, villas and studios scattered between beaches. Many properties here are boutique size, often designed to blend into the landscape with stone and wood, some featuring sea view pools and excellent on site restaurants that attract non residents.
Because the peninsula is more spread out, a car is useful if you plan to stay in Vasilikos, especially with children. The trade off is that you can drive a few minutes between completely different beach atmospheres, from chilled out coves backed by pine trees to more fashionable beaches with music and water sports. For those who want to combine nature, good swimming, and a discreet level of comfort, Vasilikos is one of the most rewarding areas to stay on Zakynthos.
Alykes, Alikanas & The Northeast: Relaxed Seaside Villages & Villa Escapes
Moving up the east coast beyond Tsilivi, the twin resorts of Alykes and Alikanas sit on a wide, gently curving bay with pale sand and shallow water. These villages have long been favorite spots for families and couples who prefer a more low key, traditional feel than the larger southern resorts. The beaches are ideal for children, with calm, clear water and views across to the mainland mountains. Despite steady development, both Alykes and Alikanas still retain an unhurried, village atmosphere.
Accommodation here is predominantly small to medium sized hotels, self catering studios and family run guesthouses, often with their own pool and snack bar. Many of these are just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Even at the height of summer, Alykes and Alikanas tend to feel more relaxed than the bigger resorts, particularly at night when the focus is on seafront tavernas, low key live music and family friendly bars rather than large clubs.
Further north, the coastline becomes rockier and more dramatic, with small coves and deep blue water. The village of Agios Nikolaos (in the northeast, not to be confused with the southern beach of the same name) acts as a small port for ferries to Kefalonia and boat trips to the Blue Caves. Around here and along the northwest coast, you will find some of Zakynthos’s most attractive villa rentals, including hillside properties with private pools and sweeping sea views, as well as intimate boutique hotels aimed at couples.
This northern stretch, including rural areas around Volimes and the cluster of villas associated with the Peligoni Club, suits travelers seeking a more independent stay. You are further from the island’s main beaches and towns, and a car is essential. The reward is a sense of space, night skies full of stars and a connection with a quieter Zakynthos of olive groves, goats and long lunches at seafront tavernas. It is particularly appealing for groups of friends, multigenerational families and couples celebrating special occasions.
Limni Keri & The Southwest: Lakeside Calm, Coves & Turtle Island
On the southwest coast, Limni Keri (often just called Keri) offers a more understated side of the island. The main settlement sits around a small harbor and pebble beach with a backdrop of wooded hills. It is a charming place for those who value peace and a slow rhythm of life, with a handful of tavernas clustered near the water, small supermarkets and a modest selection of accommodation ranging from basic rooms to more polished apartments and a few boutique style options on the hills above.
Limni Keri’s bay faces Marathonisi, the small, green islet often called Turtle Island because of its role in the sea turtle’s life cycle. Boat trips run regularly to its beaches and nearby caves, and it is one of the more evocative outings you can do from this side of the island. The coastline west of Keri features limestone cliffs, arches and sea caves best explored by boat or kayak. Sunsets here are some of the most memorable on Zakynthos, with the sun dipping behind the offshore islets and vast open sea.
This part of the island is a good compromise between access to the marine park’s highlights and a tranquil setting. You are within reasonable driving distance of Zakynthos Town and the airport, yet the feel is very different from the bigger resorts of the southeast. Because the beaches here are mostly pebbly and narrower than those on the east and south coasts, they tend to be quieter, drawing travelers who prioritize scenery and atmosphere over facilities.
Limni Keri and the surrounding hills are also a fine base for walkers and cyclists, with routes winding through olive groves and up to viewpoints over Keri Caves and the open Ionian Sea. If you like the idea of starting your day with a coffee by a working little harbor and ending it with grilled fish a few steps from the water, this area deserves serious consideration.
Best Types of Accommodation in Zakynthos
One of Zakynthos’s strengths is the breadth of its accommodation options. At the budget end, simple studios and apartments remain widespread across all main resorts. These typically offer a basic kitchenette, balcony and shared pool, and are popular with couples, groups of friends and families looking to keep costs down while retaining flexibility over meals. You will find large concentrations of this type of lodging in Laganas, Tsilivi, Alykes, Alikanas and Kalamaki.
Mid range hotels make up the backbone of the island’s offering. These are often two or three story buildings with pools, gardens and on site restaurants, run either by local families or Greek hotel groups. They suit travelers who want comfort, daily cleaning and facilities without the price tag of a high luxury resort. Many offer breakfast included, with optional half board plans. Coastal locations in Tsilivi, Argassi, Kalamaki, Laganas and Vasilikos have particularly dense selections.
At the top end, Zakynthos has a growing number of upscale boutique hotels and full scale five star resorts. These often feature sleek pool areas, spa facilities, adults only wings or entirely adults only concepts, and gourmet restaurants highlighting local produce. Some occupy privileged positions on low cliffs or just back from the beach, while others are tucked inland in olive groves with strong design credentials. For privacy and space, villas with private pools are another major category, particularly along the north and west coasts. Many of these are managed by specialist agencies and include concierge services, chef arrangements and boat charters on request.
As a rule of thumb, if you want nightlife and convenience, choose a mid range hotel or apartment close to the center of a main resort. If your priority is rest and a sense of escape, favor a villa or boutique property in the north, west or on the Vasilikos peninsula. For families, resorts with kids’ clubs, shallow pool areas and easy beach access in Tsilivi, Kalamaki or parts of Laganas and Alykes tend to work especially well.
The Takeaway
Deciding where to stay in Zakynthos is less about finding the single best resort and more about matching the island’s varied areas to your own travel style. If you picture evenings in tavernas and strolls along a seafront promenade with children in tow, Tsilivi, Alykes, Alikanas and Kalamaki are strong choices. If your ideal break centers on nightlife and social beaches, Laganas has the buzz you are looking for, while Zakynthos Town and Argassi balance convenience with a more local feel.
Travelers drawn to nature, sea turtles and quieter beaches will feel at home on the Vasilikos peninsula, around Gerakas and Banana Beach, or in the southwest around Limni Keri. Those seeking privacy, views and a sense of being in their own corner of the island should look north and northwest to villa clusters and boutique properties near Agios Nikolaos and Volimes. Whatever your choice, the island is small enough that with a car or a few well chosen boat trips, you can still experience its most famous sights from any base.
Ultimately, Zakynthos rewards those who look beyond the postcard of Navagio Beach and think carefully about how they want to spend their days. With its blend of lively resorts, traditional villages, marine protected bays and hillside hideaways, there is a corner of the island that can feel made to measure, whether you are planning a budget beach week, a romantic escape or a multigenerational family gathering in the sun.
FAQ
Q1. What is the best area to stay in Zakynthos for first time visitors?
For a first trip, Tsilivi is often the safest bet. It combines a good sandy beach, plenty of restaurants and bars, easy access to boat trips, and a friendly atmosphere that suits couples, families and groups without being overwhelming.
Q2. Where should I stay in Zakynthos for nightlife?
Laganas is the island’s main nightlife hub, with a dense strip of bars and clubs that stay open late through the summer. If you want to be close but not right in the middle of the action, look at the quieter ends of Laganas Bay or nearby Kalamaki and use taxis for nights out.
Q3. Which part of Zakynthos is best for families with young children?
Tsilivi, Alykes, Alikanas and Kalamaki are especially family friendly, thanks to their gently shelving beaches, calm water, abundant ice cream stands, casual tavernas and accommodation that caters specifically to families with pools and playgrounds.
Q4. Where can I stay to see the sea turtles in Zakynthos?
The loggerhead sea turtles nest around Laganas Bay and the Vasilikos peninsula, particularly at Gerakas and other beaches within the National Marine Park. Staying in Kalamaki, Laganas (the quieter parts) or Vasilikos puts you within easy reach of turtle focused boat trips and visitor centers.
Q5. Is Zakynthos a good destination without a rental car?
Yes, as long as you choose a resort with plenty within walking distance. Tsilivi, Laganas, Zakynthos Town and Argassi work best without a car, offering beaches or promenades, restaurants, supermarkets and pick up points for organized excursions.
Q6. What area is best for a quiet, romantic holiday?
For a romantic escape, consider boutique hotels or villas on the Vasilikos peninsula, the northeast around Agios Nikolaos, or the northwest hills near Volimes. These areas offer beautiful scenery, fewer crowds and more intimate accommodation than the main resort strips.
Q7. Which side of Zakynthos has the nicest beaches?
The south and southeast coasts have the longest sandy beaches, including Laganas, Kalamaki and the Vasilikos bays. For dramatic scenery with cliffs and deep blue water, the west and northwest coasts dominate, though many beaches there are harder to access and better visited on boat trips.
Q8. What is the most budget friendly place to stay on Zakynthos?
Laganas, parts of Tsilivi, Alykes and Alikanas typically offer the broadest range of budget studios and apartments, especially if you book outside of peak dates in July and August. Simple family run properties a short walk from the beach often represent the best value.
Q9. Where should I stay if I want to visit Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach and the Blue Caves?
For boat trips to the Blue Caves and viewpoints over Navagio, northern bases such as Agios Nikolaos, Alykes, Alikanas and Tsilivi are convenient, as many tours depart from harbors in this part of the island. That said, organized excursions run from all main resorts, so you can visit from almost anywhere.
Q10. How far in advance should I book accommodation in Zakynthos?
For travel in July and August, booking three to six months ahead is wise, especially if you need specific room types or are targeting small boutique hotels and well reviewed villas. For May, June, September and October, you usually have more flexibility, though the most popular properties can still fill early.