Zakynthos, a jewel in the Ionian Sea, is rapidly gaining recognition as a prime destination, moving beyond its previous image as a party island. It offers a captivating blend of Greek authenticity and Italian charm, characterized by its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and burgeoning luxury travel offerings. From secluded coves with crystal-clear waters to upscale hotels and a vibrant culinary scene, Zakynthos presents a refined and serene escape for discerning travelers. This guide delves into the island's unique appeal, highlighting its accommodations, dining experiences, and activities that set it apart from other, more frequented Greek islands.
As a yacht glides along the southern coast of Zakynthos, shaped like a stingray, new wonders unfold with every turn. The coastline reveals a series of caves sculpted into the dramatic cliffs, natural limestone arches gracefully spanning the sea, and a verdant islet adorned with olive and oak trees. Its golden beaches serve as vital nesting grounds for sea turtles. Dropping anchor in one of the many hidden coves, the captain allows guests to marvel at the jade-colored, transparent waters, where schools of fish are easily visible beneath the surface. Lounging on the yacht's bow, savoring a glass of local rosé, one can admire the pine groves clinging to the cliff crevices, cascading towards the sea like soft dunes. As the sun dips below the mountains, a dolphin playfully approaches the vessel, and the sky ignites with hues of blush and gold, creating a spectacle far more vibrant and intimate than the often-crowded sunsets witnessed in Santorini's Oia.
Zakynthos, also known by its Italian name, Zante, is the third-largest island in the Ionian group, situated off Greece's western mainland. While Santorini is famous for its iconic whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches, Zakynthos possesses its own distinct character. The island's diverse past, shaped by various rulers including the Byzantines, Ottomans, French, English, and Venetians, is evident in its architectural heritage. Neoclassical and pastel-colored buildings dot the landscape, alongside the prominent hilltop Venetian castle, which stands on the ancient site of the acropolis of Psofis. This rich cultural tapestry contributes to Zakynthos's unique ambiance, distinguishing it from its more famous counterparts in the Greek archipelago.
According to travel writer and restaurateur Fotis Vallatos, the Ionian Islands provide a different experience compared to other Greek islands, often described as a fusion of Greek and southern Italian influences. While neighboring Kefalonia has long been a favorite, known for its unique cave lakes and wild horses roaming Mount Ainos—the Greek islands' only national park—Zakynthos is now stepping into its own spotlight. Vallatos notes that the island traditionally attracted a younger British demographic for its nightlife in the south, leaving the rest of the island relatively untouched by mass tourism. However, Zakynthos is now transforming into a more sophisticated destination, thanks to the development of high-end hotels, a flourishing gastronomic scene, and local wineries producing exceptional natural wines from indigenous grape varieties that are even unfamiliar to many Greeks.
With its strikingly turquoise waters that rival the beauty of Tahiti or the Maldives, and some of Greece's most picturesque beaches accessible only by boat, Zakynthos's allure is unlikely to remain a secret for much longer. The island offers a compelling reason to be added to any traveler's Greek island itinerary. For accommodation, the family-owned Lesante Collection is leading Zakynthos's rebranding as a luxury haven, complete with private villas and yachting experiences. Lesante Cape, located just a 15-minute drive from Zante Town, spans the Akrotiri peninsula, an area once home to noble manor homes. Designed to resemble a traditional Greek village, the resort features hammocks gently swaying above a three-tiered infinity pool, offering breathtaking views of Kefalonia's majestic Mount Ainos silhouetted against the sky. The hotel's private beach, a serene stretch of stones and pebbles, is reached via steps carved into the rugged cliffside, enhancing its secluded appeal. This exclusive access extends to two wooden piers, adorned with sunbeds, stretching gracefully over the sea.
The rooms and villas at Lesante Cape are designed to reflect traditional Zakynthian aesthetics, incorporating exposed stone and pastoral tapestries. The decor blends natural elements with minimalist style, featuring live-edge coffee tables and woven rope furniture. Among the most sought-after accommodations (excluding the private villas) are the sea view pool suites, which offer private terraces perfect for soaking in distant views of the Ionian Sea. Nearby, Lesante Blu, an adults-only, all-suite sister property in Tragaki, stands as a modernist glass architectural marvel. It offers spectacular sunset views, particularly from Melia, its fine dining restaurant, where cliffside tables hover above the infinity pool. The hillside Olea All Suite Hotel, a Design Hotels member, is set on an ancient olive grove. It features cube-shaped swim-up suites connected by a serene lagoon and minimalist-chic rooms with private pools, all adorned with rattan and brushed concrete elements. The recently renovated Contessina Hotel, a short drive from Zante Town, boasts 160 rooms that either face or open directly onto its central pool, with some suites offering private, garden-shielded pools.
The Peligoni Club, situated on the northern part of the island, draws inspiration from Capri's cliffside hotels, offering a mix of Mediterranean-style stone villas and seafront cottages cascading down the hillside. Guests can charter the club's traditional wooden 1970s-era kaiki-style yacht to explore the nearby Blue Caves. The club also hosts wellness programs, including cycling alongside six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy or swimming coaching with Olympic silver medalist and English Channel swimmer Dan Wallace. Culinary adventures begin in Zante Town at the newly opened Venier, a boulangerie and patisserie whose chocolate and pistachio croissants rival Paris's finest. Owner Yfantidis Stavros is a key figure in Zakynthos's culinary renaissance, crafting Greek-influenced dishes that merge local ingredients and Venetian heritage with modern techniques. A prime example is Fiore Fine Dining at Lesante Cape, where Stavros's tasting menu features elevated dishes like nerokremmydopita, a sophisticated take on Zakynthian water onion pie. For a more casual yet equally creative dining experience, Movida, the chef's sky bar overlooking Zante Town, offers what is essentially Zakynthos's only rooftop restaurant. Here, guests can enjoy wines from the renowned Grampsas Winery and natural winemaker Dimitris Kefallinos.
Near Zante Town’s main Solomos Square, Prosilio presents innovative interpretations of Greek and Ionian cuisine, with dishes such as octopus terrine with red prawns, taramosalata, and grape leaf, or rooster ragù pastitsada. On the northeastern coast, close to the Blue Caves, Nobelos Seaside Lodge, designed after the island’s traditional stone mansions, hosts one of Zakynthos’s most stunning beachfront restaurants. Guests can admire the views from antique tables perched on the cliffside terrace while savoring hyperlocal ingredients sourced from organic farms and local fishers, all prepared in a traditional wood-fired oven. For a taste of simple, authentic cuisine, Selene Taverna or Nikos Beach Bar Restaurant on Porto Roma beach, located on the southeastern side of the island, are excellent choices. For a more rustic, bohemian vibe, Dionysos on Heaven at Dafni Beach offers a makeshift restaurant and beach club. Crafted from driftwood, thatched palms, and blanket-draped hay bales, it feels like a natural extension of the legendary Hippie Trail, complete with DIY ribbon dreamcatchers.
A full day trip by boat is highly recommended to explore Zakynthos's most picturesque bays and beaches, many of which are only accessible by sea. The Lesante Collection offers a range of vessels, from compact speedboats to 52-foot yachts, perfect for touring the southern coast. Highlights include visiting Marathonisi Island, where loggerhead Caretta sea turtles nest, and exploring the limestone Keri Caves for snorkeling in their luminous, cobalt-blue waters. The northern part of Zakynthos is home to the famous \"Shipwreck Beach\" Navagio, where a rusted freighter, believed to be a smuggler ship, has been stranded for nearly four decades. From the port of Agios Nikolaos, travelers can kayak past endangered monk seals to another must-see attraction: the Blue Caves, Zakynthos's answer to Capri's popular Blue Grotto.
From the tranquil coastal town of Kalamaki on the southern shore, a hike leads to the ancient, fresco-adorned Panagia Skopiotissa monastery atop Skopos mountain. Alternatively, visitors can explore forest trails on horseback at Ampelostrates, a family-run agriturismo nestled in the mountains near Koiliomenos. At this Greek-style farm, guests can indulge in Ionian specialties crafted from the farm’s own produce, such as skordostoumbi (garlicky baked eggplant) and cheese pies. These dishes are best enjoyed with Ampelostrates’s homemade natural wine at the stone taverna, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The island of Zakynthos truly offers an unparalleled journey into Greece's natural splendor and rich cultural heritage, positioning itself as a must-visit destination for those seeking both adventure and tranquility.