Zante is a small island but is full of gems! It is a assumed as a cheap destination even if you can find on the island one of the best greek beaches, the navagio beach. We picked the 10 best activities in the following “things to do list” that the island has to offer! We hope you will enjoy it as we did!
1. Navagio – Shipwreck beach
Navagio beach is the ultimate highlight of Zakynthos and is one of the best greek beaches. The word “Navagio” means shipwreck and is an exposed cove on the west side of Zante. The rumor says that the ship was smuggling cigarettes and alcohol during the ’80. During a night with very bad weather conditions was abandoned in one of the most beautiful beaches worldwide.
The combination of the rusted ship and the light blue waters placed the beach on the bucket list! 🙂 If your budget can handle a little bit more expensive but definitely magical experience you should book a private sunset cruise to Navagio beach! Perfect for special circumstances 😉 !
Navagio Lookout point
Before your visit to Navagio go to the Lookout point of the sightseeing. You can easily approach it either by car or bike. (Click here for directions). You will not need filters or expensive cameras to take a photo that will look professional. The lighting is perfect and the view marvelous.
Be careful on the 200m (656 ft) cliff. You don’t need to exaggerate in order to make those photos. Several accidents happened in the past, especially from people who were parachuting from the cliff. There is an area with protected fences where you can both enjoy the view and take photos.
The beach
We will not exaggerate if we say that we felt like we saw the Taj Mahal of beaches when the boat made THAT turn towards to the beach.
The beach is only accessible with the ship and many excursions take place from different harbors of the island. We chose to book our trip from Porto Vromi Maries. The cost was 20€ per person and included visits to other highlights of Zante’s coastline. Some of them were “Hidden treasure cave”, “Sfogio beach” and “White beach”.
The boat takes you to Navagio beach and has an open return ticket every 1hr. Occasionally, there is a woman selling sandwiches and some cold beverages but apart from that there nothing else available for food. As you can except there are not a single sun loungers so take at least an extra towel and enjoy the beach!
2. Porto Roxa Beach
Porto Roxa beach is one of the hidden gems of Zante. It is an uncommercialized spot that automatically means not many tourists, clean azure waters and chilling atmosphere. There are a tavern and a café bar that provides cold beverages and comfortable deck chairs without an extra cost. You will just need to order something.
Locals advised us to visit that beach during our first dates on the island and we did twice. Not only for the crystal-clear water but also for the sunset and the amazing view.
 | Because the beach is rocky, is better to have with you a pair of water shoes. |
3. Rent a boat and discover by yourself Zante’s coastline
By law, anybody who is 18 or more, is eligible for driving a boat of 30 horsepower or less. You will need only your id or passport in order to rent a small boat which usually is for up to 4 people. There are countless companies in Zante offering boat renting.
You will find most of the renting companies in Keri, Porto Vromi and Tsilivi and Laganas beaches. The prices start from 70€ for 4 hours, including petrol, but many times, especially during low seasons, the price is negotiable. Most of the boats are fully equipped from GPS to shower!
Our advice is to rent your boat from a south area of Zante and visit Marathonisi the known Zante’s turtle island. Marathonisi is a small island that has an amazing beach and you will need only 10 minutes to reach it.
The companies do not allow to go until Navagio beach with small boats because of the high traffic and the bigger than usual waves.
4. Visit the Blue Caves
Apart from the excursion for going to Navagio beach, you should buy tickets for guided tours on the best spots of the island. It is almost a rule that if you want to explore Zante or any other Greek island, you must do it from the sea.
It is better to dedicate a date for Navagio and visit the specific beach from a nearby port rather than be the entire day on a ship trying to see everything at once. One of your excursions should be in the area of the blue caves on the east coastline of Zakynthos and admire the beautiful reflections of the sun on the water due to the geological formations.
The boats for the Blue Caves depart from Makris Gialos beach, Agios Nikolaos port, and Cape Skinari. You can also visit the place by car but you will have to go down around 100 steps and the rocky surface is not that convenient for sitting.
5. Make a shot of Caretta Caretta turtle
Zante and Kyparissia Bay in Peloponnese are the most popular nesting sites of the turtle in the Mediterranean. The loggerhead turtle is listed from 1978 under the Endangered species and they receive federal protection ever after.
In the past, people were hunting them for their eggs and leather production. If you are lucky, you may see them on the way going to Marathonisi and in general in the south area of Zante. They are also known for their long head and their powerful jaws.
Greek authorities do not allow planes to take off and land during the night due to the nesting turtles!!
6. Daily tour from Zante to Olympia
Being in Zante you are just a couple of hours away from one of the most important archaeological sites. The ancient Olympia, the place from where the Olympic flame starts its journey for the Olympic games every 4 years.
An everyday boat trip starts from Zante city to Kyllini and with the private bus you reach Olympia after 50 minutes. The tour offers an English speaking guide and you can pre-book your reservation here!
Olympia is the most important religious site and where the Olympic games held in the ancient years. You will see the place where Zeus temple was, and where was positioned one of the 7 Seven Wonders of the World, the 13 meters statue of Zeus made by Fidias.
7. Banana beach!!
Banana beach, or Vassilikos, is 15 kilometers from the center of Zante. It is a unique, long sandy beach, with shallow sea, good music and free transportation from Kalamaki, Argassi, and Laganas. There are hundreds maybe sun loungers distributed in 3-4 beach bars so, there is space for everyone!
The only thing that you have to do is to go online and reserve your seat and be on time for your bus. The beach is very clean and depending on what music you enjoy to listen and at what level, you will find the beach bar that delights you.
It is better to be early in the morning because after is difficult to find umbrella and sun loungers which by the way they cost from 7 to 10€ per set.
8. Xigia sulfur beach in Zante!!
Xigia the known as a natural spa is more or less 20 kilometers away from Zante city and can be easily approached by car. It is a small sandy beach with light blue water, not too much crowded and the special about it is the sulfur smell from the nearby caves.
The ratio sulfur to water is very high and so the smell is. The beach is ideal for people with arthritis and pain in the legs. If you like Paddleboarding, well Xigia beach is where you should be! Skip the line with Get Your Guide and make your Go-Pro photos! Book Here!
9. Visit the Aristeon Olive Oil factory-museum!
If you deconstruct Greece, you will in the end see an olive tree, a grapevine, and a boat remain. That is, with as much, you reconstruct her
Odysseas Elytis
Everybody knows the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and that the base of it is the virgin olive oil. As we mentioned in Zante’s introduction post, there are about 1.7 million trees on the island.
There is a three-generation family that owns a production unit in Lithakia of Zakynthos. During the summer months, they turn the facilities in a museum showing equipment at least two centuries old. There are also guided tours from the personnel without any cost.
You will learn how the productions of the extra virgin oil take place and you will have the opportunity to buy except extra virgin olive oil, products like soap, shampoos, and cremes for face and hands.
10. Have dinner with Greek Dancing and Wine
Greek Wine has a history of more than 6 centuries. Greek Dancing probably the same. The steps changed a little bit as every drunk has his moves! 🙂 Arrange an unforgettable experience with transfer “from” and “to” the hotel included so you can enjoy as much as you and the company desires!
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