Are you planning your next holiday in Zakynthos and want to know what are the best areas to stay at? In this short guide, we will provide recommendations to avoid costly mistakes and spend a pleasant holiday on this beautiful Greek island.

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Zakynthos is one of the main holiday destinations in Greece. Its great entertainment and wild nightlife, are well known and attract young people from all over the world; at the same time, couples and families with children can still enjoy the peaceful climate, enchanting landscape and – above all – the fabulous beaches and sea.

Although the island is quite small, there are important differences between the various areas. Below is a list of the 7 most important resort towns on the island:

Zante Town

Zakynthos Town is the capital and the main city of the island. Suitable for everyone, it offers fun and activities for young people, families with children and couples alike. It is a perfect destination for those looking for a full holiday on the island and don’t want to miss anything: shops, culture, nightlife, and of course the sea. Its streets are full of shops, restaurants and bars; at dusk, the promenade and the main street Alexander Rome come alive with a colorful mix of tourists and locals.

Staying in Zakynthos Town is the best choice for those visiting the island by local transportation;, in fact, this is the site of the main bus station connecting the capital to the other areas of the island and the airport. More info on “Routes and Fares for Public Transportation“.

Although the city faces the main port, the sea is clear just a few hundred meters from the center. Locals usually go to the beaches between Plaz Eot and Akrotiri, a total of around 2km of coastline.

Read more “What to Do in Zakynthos Town and its Surrounding Areas“.

Argassi

Argassi (or Argasi) is a seaside resort with dozens of Greek tavernas, pubs, ice cream parlors, mini markets and souvenir shops. Located about 3 km from Zakynthos Town, it is an excellent compromise to visit both the southern and northern areas of the island. The beach is very small and the sea is sometimes affected by the currents coming from the port, but if you move just a few kilometers towards Vasilikos, you can find crystal clear waters.

Public transportation connects Argassi to Zakynthos Town 6 times a day (7:30 am-9:30 am-10:10 am-10:15 am-3:30 pm-4:35 pm) and to some Vasilikos beaches including Porto Zorro, Banana Beach, Porto Roma and Gerakas, 4 times a day (6:50 am-9:00 am-10:10 am-2:40 pm). Furthermore on the main street, there is the free shuttle stop made available by Banana Beach and San Nikolas Beach. More info on stops and timetables on “Free Shuttle to Banana Beach and San Nikolas“.

From Argassi you can easily reach the Barrage, the most famous nightclub on the island. The most popular parties in Zakynthos are organized on Tuesdays and Fridays in its beautiful outdoor location.

Staying in Argassi is ideal for couples, families and young people.

Read more “What to Do in Argassi and Its Surrounding Areas“.

Kalamaki

Kalamaki is located between Zakynthos Town and Laganas. It mainly extends along its main street where hotels, shops, car rentals, pubs and restaurants are located. Despite the proximity to the beach, there are no activities close to the sea as the lighting would disturb the laying and hatching of Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) turtle eggs. From dusk to dawn, access to the beach is forbidden to the public and WWF volunteers patrol the area.

Public transportation links Kalamaki to Zakynthos Town 10 times a day from 7:00 am to 8:00pm and to Laganas 4 times a day (7:15 am-9:45 am-2:05 pm-3:45 pm). There are also several free shuttle stops provided by Banana Beach and San Nikolas Beach. More info on “Free Shuttle to Banana Beach and San Nikolas“.

The water is clear, calm and shallow, the beach is sandy and among the cleanest on the island.

Ideal for couples, young people and families with children.

Read also “What to Do in Kalamaki and its Surrounding Areas“.

Laganas

Laganas is the center of the island’s nightlife. It features a series of hotels, night clubs, souvenir shops and supermarkets open from early morning to late at night. There are clubs that offer free admission and pubs where you can spend the evening listening to music. The average age of vacationers is 18-20 years old. Staying too close to the main street can lead to sleepless nights due to noise; we therefore recommend that you carefully check the location of any property you might consider renting.

Laganas is connected to Zakynthos Town 10 times a day, from 7:30 am to 8:35 pm. Furthermore on the main street, there are also various free shuttle stops provided by Banana Beach and San Nikolas Beaches. More info on “Free Shuttle to Banana Beach and San Nikolas“.

The sea and the beach are very similar to those in Kalamaki, although they are affected by the presence of thousands of tourists.

Ideal for young people.

Read also “What to Do in Laganas and its Surrounding Areas“.

Limni Keri

Limni Keri (or Keri Lake) is a small and quiet seaside resort with a few taverns, supermarkets and pubs. Many couples and families looking for relaxation and tranquility choose this location for their holiday in Zakynthos. Be careful not to confuse Limni Keri with Keri. More information in the article “Keri and Limni Keri: Explore These 2 Zakynthos Villages“.

The sea is crystal clear and always calm. The water is shallow and the beach is a mix of pebbles and sand.

Ideal for couples and families.

Read also “What to Do in Keri and its Surrounding Areas“.

Tsilivi

Tsilivi is one of the most popular places in Zakynthos and it is suitable for every type of tourist. Numerous bars, taverns, shops and minimarkets are located on the main street and the only bowling alley on the island is located here.

Public transportation connects Tsilivi to Zakynthos Town 7 times a day from 7:20 am to 6:20 pm.

The sea is clear with shallow waters and the beach is sandy. There are organized beaches that offer every service, including water sports.

Ideal for young people, families with children and couples.

Read also “What to do in Tsilivi and its Surroundings Areas“.

Alykes/Alykanas

Alykes is located on the eastern coast of the island and is practically one with Alykanas. It offers a large number of different accommodations and there are also many bars, taverns and bazaars.

Public transportation links Alykes to Zakynthos Town 4 times a day (7:30 am-10:30 am-2:00 pm-5:00 pm).

The sea is clear with shallow waters, the beach is wide and sandy. The beach is also the longest one on the eastern coast. Read more in “All the Beaches of the Eastern Coast“.

Ideal for couples and families looking for a relaxing vacation.

The only drawback is the distance from the beaches of the marine park. We recommend renting a car or a 125cc scooter for traveling to the southern areas .

Read also “What to Do in Alykes and Alykanas and its Surrounding Areas“.

Are you looking for more information on Zakynthos Island?

Are you  a young person on your first holiday in Zakynthos? A couple? A family with children? Here are some articles that might interest you:

Zakynthos for couples: the best places to stay.

Zakynthos Holidays With Children: What You Need to Know.

Zakynthos for young people: here’s where to stay.