Where to stay in Zakynthos: the areas, who each suits and hotel booking tips
Laganas for parties, Tsilivi and Alykes for families, Vasilikos for quiet. How to choose an area before you book a hotel.
- For families: Tsilivi, Alykes, Alykanas and Kalamaki.
- For young people: Laganas, the island's nightlife hub.
- For quiet: the Vasilikos peninsula, with its turtle beaches, which close in the evening.
Choose an area that suits you first, and only then a hotel. With children, prefer Tsilivi or Alykes to Laganas, and hire a car to see the island.
Where to stay in Zakynthos
Before choosing a hotel in Zakynthos, choose an area. The island is not large, but each area has a completely different character: Laganas is the party hub, Tsilivi and Alykes suit families, and the Vasilikos peninsula is quiet and green. The descriptions here come from Wikivoyage and our destination page. We do not recommend specific hotels. Use this guide to pick an area, then search for a hotel there on a booking site.
The areas of Zakynthos at a glance
| Area | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Zakynthos Town | port town with squares, shops and restaurants | town life, and arrivals by ferry |
| Argasi | a few km south of town, bars and clubs | nightlife near town. Wikivoyage says it has no real beach |
| Laganas | the island's party hub, near the airport | young people, 18–30 |
| Kalamaki | east of Laganas, close to the airport | families |
| Tsilivi | resort north of town, wide, long sandy beach | families, water sports |
| Alykes and Alykanas | a pair of linked resorts on the east coast | families, near the Blue Caves |
| Vasilikos | quiet peninsula in the south-east, turtle beaches | couples and families seeking quiet |
| Keri | mountain village in the south-west, lighthouse and sunset views | those with a car who want quiet |
Where to stay in Zakynthos with children
According to Wikivoyage, Tsilivi is a family resort with a wide, long sandy beach, and Alykes and Alykanas are a pair of family resorts with plenty of beach facilities. Kalamaki also suits families better than neighbouring Laganas. The Vasilikos peninsula has sandy beaches with shallow water, such as Banana and Agios Nikolaos. Avoid Laganas with small children, because of the noise at night.
Where to stay in Zakynthos for young people
Laganas is the island's well-known party resort, and according to Wikivoyage it is very popular with 18–30s. If you want nightlife but closer to town, choose Argasi.
Where to stay in Zakynthos for peace and quiet
Vasilikos is the place for a relaxed, quiet holiday, says Wikivoyage. It is home to the turtle beaches of Gerakas and Dafnia. Keri in the south-west and the villages in the north are quiet too, but you need a car.
Turtles: what to know before you book
Laganas Bay is a marine reserve protecting loggerhead turtles, which nest on the beaches. According to Wikivoyage, some beach areas are closed during nesting, and Gerakas beach closes at dusk. The best time to see turtles is from May to early July. If you book near the turtle beaches, remember you cannot sit on the beach in the evening.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
The airport is in the south of the island, close to Laganas and Kalamaki. According to Wikivoyage, a taxi from the airport to town costs €10–15. For most areas it is worth hiring a car, especially to reach the western cliffs, the Blue Caves and Keri. For flights, see flights to Zakynthos from Israel.
Hotels near Zakynthos
If you drive from the mainland, you cross by ferry from Kyllini in the Peloponnese, and can add a night there before or after the crossing. Details in the ferry from Kyllini to Zakynthos.
Tips for booking a hotel in Zakynthos
- Choose the area before the hotel. An excellent hotel in Laganas can be the wrong choice for a family that wants quiet.
- Check the distance to the beach on the map, not just in the description.
- Ask about an airport transfer, especially if you are not hiring a car.
- Shabbat observers: we have not verified a Chabad house on Zakynthos. Choose a hotel with a kitchenette and order kosher food in advance from Chabad's e-kosher.gr, which delivers to the islands too. Shabbat times are on our Shabbat page.
More on the island: the Zakynthos destination page.
FAQ
Which is the best area to stay in Zakynthos? It depends on you. For families: Tsilivi, Alykes, Alykanas or Kalamaki. For young people: Laganas. For quiet: Vasilikos.
Where should I stay in Zakynthos with children? Tsilivi, Alykes and Alykanas are family resorts with easy beaches. Kalamaki and Vasilikos also work well.
Is Laganas good for families? Less so. Laganas is the island's party hub and is noisy at night in summer.
Do I need a car in Zakynthos? To see most of the island, yes. A taxi from the airport to town costs €10–15, according to Wikivoyage.
