Hotels in Zakynthos

Zakynthos Town (Chora) suits travelers wanting waterfront dining and ferry connections to the mainland; Tsilivi, 5 km north, draws families with calm, shallow water; Laganas, on the south bay, concentrates beach bars and nightlife near the Caretta caretta nesting grounds; Alykes in the north offers a quieter base. Most visitors stay five to seven nights; the island's airport lies 6 km south of Zakynthos Town.

Where to Stay on the Island

Zakynthos Town retains its Venetian grid, rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake, with neoclassical facades along Alexandrou Roma street and the Church of Agios Dionysios at the southern harbour. Hotels here are close to the port and suit those touring the whole island by car. Tsilivi is the most family-oriented resort, with a flat sandy beach, water sports, and a good spread of 3-star and 4-star properties. Laganas draws a younger crowd; it fronts a 9 km arc of sand that is also a protected nesting zone for loggerhead turtles from June to August. Argassi, immediately south of Zakynthos Town, offers a middle ground — close to the capital but with its own beach strip.

Getting Around

A hire car opens up the island's interior and the northwest cliffs above Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach), reachable only by boat from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos port. KTEL buses connect Zakynthos Town to Laganas, Tsilivi, and Alykes but run infrequently after 18:00.

Practical Tips

• Turtle nesting season: beach access on Laganas Bay is restricted nightly from June to August — check posted signs.
• Navagio excursions: book boat trips from Porto Vromi (25 minutes) or Agios Nikolaos (45 minutes).
• Car hire: book in advance for July and August; demand outpaces supply island-wide.
• Ferry access: year-round crossings run from Kilini on the Peloponnese (1 hour 15 minutes) to Zakynthos Town port.