Zakynthos is famous for the Navagio Shipwreck, but reducing the island to that one beach would be a mistake. Zante has dozens of coves, sheltered bays, organized beaches, and wild corners that are well worth the drive. The truth is, without a rental car you can't reach them — public buses cover only the main resorts and won't take you where the real spectacle is.
In this guide we've selected the 10 best beaches in Zakynthos, organised by zone, with all the practical info you need: driving times from the airport, parking, available facilities, and which car category we recommend to get there comfortably.
To cover all of these beaches in a week you need a car. Internal distances on the island are short (max 1 hour from north to south), but the roads to the northern coves can be narrow and winding. See our full fleet to pick the right model.
West coast: cliffs and dramatic bays
1 Porto Limnionas
An enclosed bay of crystal-clear water set between white cliffs — perfect for diving in and snorkelling. It's not a sandy beach but a natural rock platform with ladders down to the sea. The taverna above serves fresh fish with a breath-taking view.
2 Limnionas viewpoint
Above Porto Limnionas there's the most underrated viewpoint on the island: a small terrace where you can see the cliffs plunging into impossibly blue Ionian water. Five-minute stop, photos, move on.
3 Xigia Beach (the sulphur beach)
Famous for the natural sulphur springs that flow into the sea, creating a natural spa effect — the water is slightly milky, very good for the skin, with a distinctive smell. Small, pebbly, accessed via a wooden staircase.
4 Porto Vromi
The departure point for the boats that take you to Navagio from the sea. But also a beautiful cove in its own right, with turquoise water and white rock. Great for a quick lunch at the taverna before the boat tour.
South coast: white sand and sea turtles
5 Gerakas
According to many travellers, the most beautiful beach on the island. Golden sand, crystal-clear water, ochre cliffs in the background. It's part of the Marine Protected Area: Caretta caretta sea turtles nest here from late May to mid August, so part of the beach is fenced off. Lights off at night, no umbrellas after certain hours: these rules are sacrosanct.
6 Banana Beach
The longest beach on the island (almost 800 metres of light sand). Families, sun loungers, water sports, beach bars: this is the "full-service" beach for a relaxed day with no logistics to worry about.
7 Dafni Beach
Wilder than Banana, with two family-run tavernas, sand mixed with pebbles, and a beach very used by turtles for nesting. Reaching it requires driving 3 km of unpaved track — not ideal in very dry conditions for low cars, but feasible with care.
Explore every corner of the island
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See the fleetEast and north coast: less touristy Zante
8 Marathonissi (Turtle Island)
Not a mainland beach but an islet 10 minutes by boat from Keri. Reached by small fishing boats, it looks like a Caribbean atoll. Very white sand, shallow water, ideal for families with kids.
9 Makris Gialos
Round white pebbles, transparent green-blue water. The northern launch point for boat tours to the Blue Caves and Navagio. Organised but never overcrowded.
10 Agios Nikolaos (Volimes)
Far north, near the Cefalonia ferry harbour. Pebble beach, very deep water, perfect for serious snorkelling. Excellent harbour-side taverna with legendary grilled octopus.
Which car should I pick to tour Zakynthos beaches?
It depends on the kind of holiday you want:
- Couple, 4-5 days, based in Argassi/Laganas → Group A (Toyota Aygo, Fiat Panda). Cheap, parks anywhere, perfect for switchbacks.
- Family with kids, 1 week, lots of luggage → Group B (Hyundai i20, Renault Clio, Skoda Fabia). More space, strong A/C, comfortable.
- Comfort-first holiday → Group C (VW Golf, Peugeot 308, Opel Astra). Better stability on the switchbacks, bigger trunk.
- Dirt roads to Dafni / north of Volimes → SUV Group (Audi Q3 or similar). Ground clearance and security on rough surfaces.
- New driver / not used to manual → Automatic F1 (VW Polo Automatic). Almost zero stress on winding roads.
"Zakynthos isn't visited — it's driven. And every curve is a discovery."
Suggested 5-day itinerary
If you have 5-7 days in Zakynthos, here's the optimal order to avoid wasted driving:
- Day 1: Banana Beach (relax, organised, easy)
- Day 2: Gerakas + Marathonissi (south, sea turtles)
- Day 3: Porto Limnionas + Xigia (west, cliffs)
- Day 4: Navagio by boat from Porto Vromi + Dafni Beach
- Day 5: Makris Gialos + Agios Nikolaos (north, Blue Caves)
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