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Best Hotels in Zakynthos

Updated: September 2, 2026
Greece › Zakynthos Hotels
By Santorini Dave

My Favorite Hotels in Zakynthos

Hotel beach bar with sail awning and palm tree.

The Makai Beach Bar at family-friendly Alexandra Beach Resort & Spa, one of my favorite beach hotels on Zakynthos.

See Also
• Best Beaches on Zakynthos

Zakynthos, also called Zante, is the third largest Ionian island. The east and south coasts have most of the island’s beach resorts, sandy beaches, and calm swimming. The west is much more rugged, with high limestone cliffs, small coves, and excellent sunset views.

The endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests on beaches around Laganas Bay, including Kalamaki and Gerakas. These beaches are part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos and have restrictions to protect nesting turtles.

The Blue Caves on the north coast are best seen by boat. Small tours leave from Agios Nikolaos and other nearby ports and beaches.

Scenic white caves around the azure sea in Zakynthos, Greece

The Blue Caves of Zakynthos, also known as the Blue Caves of Volimes.

Zakynthos Town is the island capital, main ferry port, and best base for restaurants, shopping, museums, and exploring by car. Solomos Square and Agios Markos Square form the center of town, and pedestrianized Alexandrou Roma Street is the main shopping street. Zakynthos Town also has much more life outside the summer season than the beach resorts.

For a beach holiday, Tsilivi is my favorite choice for families, with a good sandy beach, restaurants, water sports, and plenty to do without the party scene of Laganas. Laganas has the island’s busiest nightlife and is best for younger travelers who want clubs and a long sandy beach. Kalamaki is quieter and close to the airport. The Vasilikos Peninsula has some of the island’s best beaches and is a good choice for a quieter beach-focused stay.

Navagio Beach Update for 2027: Shipwreck Beach remains closed because of rockfall and landslide risk. Visitors cannot land on the beach or swim inside the restricted area. Boat trips can enter the bay for an offshore view but must remain away from the shore. Access to the clifftop viewing area is also controlled and can change, so check locally before driving there.

A man rides a bike along a pedestrianized shopping street on a Greek island

Pedestrianized Alexandrou Roma Street in Zakynthos Town is lined with shops, cafes, and tavernas, one block back from the waterfront.

When to Go to Zakynthos

  • June to September: Best for hot weather, swimming, beach resorts, and the widest choice of flights and tours. July and August are the busiest months.
  • Best for Swimming: Late June through September, with the warmest sea temperatures in August and September.
  • May and October: Quieter and usually cheaper. May seawater can still feel cool, while seasonal hotels, beach clubs, and restaurants begin closing during October.

How to Get to Zakynthos

  • By Plane: Zakynthos Airport (ZTH) has year-round flights to Athens and many direct seasonal flights from European cities. The Athens flight takes about an hour.
  • By Ferry from Mainland Greece: Ferries run between Kyllini in the western Peloponnese and Zakynthos Town. The crossing takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are no regular ferries from Athens or Piraeus to Zakynthos.
  • From Kefalonia: In summer, Ionion P. Lines operates between Pessada on Kefalonia and Agios Nikolaos in northern Zakynthos. Lefkada Palace also runs a seasonal passenger ferry between Sami, Kefalonia and Zakynthos Town, continuing through the other Ionian islands on selected days.
We board a pedestrian ferry on a pier in Greece on a sunny day.

Boarding the Lefkada Palace ferry in Sami, Kefalonia. Its seasonal Ionian route links Zakynthos with Kefalonia, Ithaca, Meganisi, Lefkada, Paxos, and Corfu.

The Best Places to Stay on Zakynthos

Palm trees and sun loungers line a blue hotel pool on a sunny day.

One of two swimming pools at Lesante Classic, with a spa, children’s playroom, gym, and an easy walk to Tsilivi Beach.

View from a hotel balcony to a ferry port and a pedestrian square in Greece.

View over Solomos Square from Phoenix Hotel in Zakynthos Town. The large pedestrian square faces the waterfront and is home to the Museum of Zakynthos and Church of St. Nicholas of the Mole.

Where to Stay on Zakynthos for…

  • First Visit: Zakynthos Town
    The best base if you want restaurants, shopping, museums, and easy access to the port, while exploring different beaches by car. Stay elsewhere if your priority is walking directly onto a sandy beach.

    Boats moored in a blue marina with a Greek church rising behind.

    Looking toward Zakynthos Town from the ferry quay.

  • Families: Tsilivi
    My favorite family base. Tsilivi has a long sandy Blue Flag beach with shallow water, water sports, lots of restaurants, a water park, mini-golf, and good family hotels. Alexandra Beach Resort & Spa is my top family choice here.
  • Water Sports: Banana Beach and Agios Nikolaos Beach
    The Vasilikos Peninsula has the best concentration of water sports, including parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, wakeboarding, and inflatable rides. Banana Beach and Agios Nikolaos are the two main centers.
  • Without a Car: Tsilivi or Zakynthos Town
    Buses are useful for the main resort routes but aren’t good enough for thoroughly exploring the island. Tsilivi works well for a beach holiday without a car. Zakynthos Town is better for restaurants, shopping, buses, and taxis. I would choose Laganas without a car only if nightlife and its long beach are the priorities.
  • Nightlife: Laganas
    The clear choice for clubs, late-night bars, and the island’s busiest party scene. Avoid it if you’re looking for a quiet beach holiday.
  • Quiet Beaches: Vasilikos
    Best for travelers who care more about beaches and a relaxed setting than nightlife or sightseeing on foot. A rental car is very useful.
Rooftop restaurant at a hotel, flying a Greek flag.

I like the central Strada Marina Hotel in Zakynthos Town. It has a rooftop pool and restaurant and is convenient for the ferry port.

8 Best Areas of Zakynthos for Tourists

1. Zakynthos Town

A woman and two children feed pigeons in a pedestrian square in Greece.

Zakynthos Town is the island capital, main port, and best base for sightseeing, restaurants, and shopping. The waterfront promenade runs along the harbor, while Solomos Square, Agios Markos Square, and pedestrianized Alexandrou Roma Street form the center of town. It’s also the most convenient place to stay outside the main summer season.

View through the window of a smiling woman serving customers in a colorful ice cream shop.

An ice cream shop in Zakynthos Town.

Bohali sits above town and has excellent views over Zakynthos Town and the Ionian Sea. The Venetian Castle is also here. A car is useful if you plan to spend much time at the island’s beaches.

2. Tsilivi

Golden sand beach with people enjoying the water.

Tsilivi is my favorite area for families. Its long sandy Blue Flag beach has shallow water and water sports, while the resort has lots of tavernas and restaurants plus a water park, bowling, and mini-golf. It has plenty going on without the heavy nightlife of Laganas.

3. Argassi

Two people ride a 4-wheeler down a street in a Greek beach town, lined with restaurants

Argassi is a busy resort just south of Zakynthos Town, with restaurants, bars, seaside hotels, and easy access to both town and the beaches of Vasilikos. Its own beach is narrow in places, so I would choose Argassi more for location and convenience than for the beach itself.

4. Laganas

Beach with rows of sunbeds on the sand and many colorful inflatable floats in the water.

Laganas is Zakynthos’ main party resort, with clubs, late-night bars, inexpensive hotels, and a long sandy beach. It’s a good choice for younger travelers who want nightlife within walking distance, but not my pick for a quiet couples or family holiday.

Tourists aboard a wheeled sightseeing "train" on a sunny day.

The Laganas “Fun Train” runs sightseeing trips around the area.

Laganas Bay is part of the National Marine Park and one of the Mediterranean’s important loggerhead turtle nesting areas. Boat trips visit Marathonisi and the bay, but turtle protection rules apply both on the water and on nesting beaches.

5. Akrotiri

Akrotiri is a quiet residential area on the hills immediately north of Zakynthos Town. Stay here for villas, privacy, sea views, and quick access to town by car. It’s not a good choice if you want to walk to a beach resort, restaurants, and nightlife.

6. Kalamaki

Beach in Greece with golden sand and blue water.

Kalamaki has a long sandy beach with calm, shallow water and a much quieter atmosphere than neighboring Laganas. It’s also very close to the airport. Kalamaki Beach is an important loggerhead turtle nesting beach within the National Marine Park. During nesting season, public access is allowed from 7 am until sunset and activity is restricted to the area close to the water.

7. Vasilikos

Small Greek restaurant advertising olive oil products

Vasilikos is the best area for a quiet beach holiday. The peninsula has several of Zakynthos’ best beaches, including Gerakas, Banana Beach, and Agios Nikolaos. It’s spread out rather than centered around one resort town, so a rental car makes a big difference.

8. Tragaki

Tragaki is a quiet area north of Tsilivi, surrounded by olive groves and small beaches. There isn’t much within walking distance compared with Tsilivi, but it’s a good choice for privacy and upscale resorts. A rental car is recommended.

Pool terrace with palm trees and kiddie pool.

The pool terrace at Windmill Bay Hotel in Argassi. It’s directly on the seafront but does not have a sandy beach.

The 13 Best Hotels in Zakynthos

1. Porto Zante Villas & Spa – Tragaki

Wooden and stone gates to a luxury villa complex in Greece.
The best luxury hotel on Zakynthos. Porto Zante occupies a secluded beachfront setting in Tragaki, with large villas, private heated pools, excellent restaurants, a spa, fitness facilities, and direct beach access. It’s especially good for families and groups who want privacy and resort service rather than a busy town or beach-resort location.

2. Cielo Luxury Villas – Akrotiri

Terrace and yard of a villa in Greece, with an olive tree shining in the afternoon sun.
Three large serviced villas in a peaceful olive grove near Zakynthos Town. Each has a private pool, kitchen, outdoor barbecue area, and sea views, with three or four bedrooms. A good choice for families or groups who want more space and privacy than a hotel. Zakynthos Town is about 5 minutes away by car and the airport about 15 minutes.

3. Lesante Classic – Tsilivi

Hotel swimming terrace with attached hot tub, surrounded by palm trees.
Upscale family-friendly resort a short walk from Tsilivi Beach. Rooms and suites are modern and spacious, with some larger family options and private outdoor hot tubs. Two outdoor pools, spa, gym, children’s playroom, restaurants, and pool bar. A good choice for families who want resort facilities but still want to walk to the beach and Tsilivi restaurants.

4. Meandros Boutique Hotel & Spa – Kalamaki

Round entrance of a hotel in Greece, with sky bar restaurant above
Adults-only hotel in Kalamaki, about a 10-minute walk from the beach. Rooms and suites sleep two or three, with private pools or hot tubs available in some categories. Large outdoor pool, spa, restaurant, and pool bar, with tavernas within an easy walk. A good couples hotel and convenient for the airport.

5. Poseidon Beach Hotel – Laganas

Hotel swim terrace with attached kiddie pool
Good-value all-inclusive hotel directly at Laganas Beach, with an outdoor pool, children’s pool, and lots of loungers. Rooms are simple, but the location is excellent for travelers who want beach access and the nightlife of Laganas within walking distance. About 10 minutes on foot from the main bar and club area.

6. Palatino Hotel – Zakynthos Town

View from a hotel balcony across a road to the blue Ionian Sea.
One of my favorite midrange hotels in Zakynthos Town. It’s in a quieter part of town near the seafront but still within walking distance of Solomos Square, shops, restaurants, and bars. Rooms and suites have balconies with city, hill, or sea views. Restaurant, bar, and breakfast buffet. Open year-round.

7. Strada Marina – Zakynthos Town

View from a rooftop swimming pool to the blue Ionian Sea
Central harborfront hotel close to Solomos Square, restaurants, shops, and the port. Rooms are comfortable rather than luxurious, but many have good harbor views. The rooftop pool and terrace are the highlights. One of the most convenient choices for an overnight stay before or after a ferry.

8. Diana Hotel – Zakynthos Town

Corner view of a small hotel in Greece, with rounded windows and Venetian-style balconies
Central hotel directly on Agios Markos Square, steps from restaurants, shops, and museums. Rooms range from singles to family rooms, making it a useful option for solo travelers as well as couples and families. Small rooftop pool and lounge. Open year-round.

9. Alexandra Beach Resort & Spa – Tsilivi

View from above over a hotel swim terrace and private beach in Greece
My favorite family beach resort on Zakynthos. Alexandra Beach has direct sea access, an infinity pool overlooking the Ionian, family rooms and bungalows, swim-up rooms, restaurants, a beach bar, spa, gym, and mini-market. A strong choice if you want most of your holiday centered around the hotel and beach, with Tsilivi nearby.

10. Windmill Bay Hotel – Argassi

Hotel with arched balconies rising above a blue sea-view pool deck
Modern seafront hotel in Argassi with excellent sea views, an outdoor pool, children’s pool, pool bar, and restaurant. Upper-floor sea-view rooms are the ones to book. The hotel is on the waterfront but not on a sandy swimming beach. Zakynthos Town is about 5 km away.

11. Ecoresort Hotel Zefyros – Agios Kyrikas

View from a hotel room terrace out to the pool deck, lined with sun loungers
Good-value countryside hotel surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Rooms are simple, with family options available. Large outdoor pool, pool bar, breakfast, evening buffet restaurant, and games room. The quiet inland location is the main attraction, but you’ll want a rental car. About 15 minutes by car from Zakynthos Town.

12. Bitzaro Boutique Hotel – Zakynthos Town

Glass-lined hotel breakfast room with chic grey banquette seating
Small modern boutique hotel about 350 meters from Agios Markos Square and an easy walk to the waterfront, Solomos Square, restaurants, and shops. Rooms are contemporary, with city, castle, or sea views depending on category. Good breakfast and a small rooftop terrace. One of the better boutique choices in Zakynthos Town.

13. Phoenix Hotel – Zakynthos Town

View over a hotel balcony flying a Greek flag to a pedestrian square lined with museums
Excellent location directly on Solomos Square, with restaurants, shops, museums, and the waterfront immediately outside. Rooms are modern, with family rooms as well as upper-floor rooms with sea views. The ground-floor cafe and restaurant open onto the square. My favorite choice for travelers who want to stay right in the center of Zakynthos Town.

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.