The Greek Island of Zante, also known as Zakynthos, is renowned for its breathtaking coastline. It is home to all kinds of spectacular beaches, from hidden rocky coves to sprawling golden-sand bays.
If you're planning a seaside getaway to this picturesque corner of Europe, you’re probably wondering which are the best beaches in Zante to visit. Luckily, the island’s coastline has so many to choose from and offers something for every type of beachgoer.
For adventure seekers, there are stunning beaches where you can do all kinds of watersports and scuba diving. If you’re looking for a more relaxing seaside experience, you’ll find serene coves perfect for unwinding and soaking up the sun.
In this article, we share the top beaches in Zante so you can make sure you don’t miss out on any of the island’s most spectacular coastal spots during your trip to this gorgeous part of Greece.
1. St Nicholas Beach
Agios Nikolaos Beach, otherwise known as St Nicholas Beach, comes in on top as the best beach in Zante, especially if you’re a fan of watersports and scuba diving. You can hire jet ski bikes, pedalos, canoes, as well as go water-skiing and take scuba diving lessons.
With so much to do, it’s no wonder tourists and locals alike consider it one of the best beaches in Zante. However, its popularity means it can get busy during peak season, so be sure to arrive early.
The beach itself is stunning, with golden sand and glittering turquoise waters. While it offers plenty of exciting activities, St. Nicholas is also a great place for relaxing. A beachside bar serves food and drinks, so you can dry off after a swim in the electric-blue waters and refresh yourself with a cool beverage and some tasty food.
There are also sunbeds to hire at St Nicholas, and there is also a free bus service which runs from most of the resorts throughout the summer. Nearby amenities include beach bars and cafes.
2. Banana Beach, Casa Playa, Vassilikos
Banana Beach, located on the Vasilikos peninsula, is a gorgeous stretch of golden sand lapped by shimmering waves and bordered by rocky outcrops - a beautiful setting for a seaside escape.
Not just a pretty face, this is also one of the best beaches in Zante for watersports. Here you can go jet-skiing, banana boating, parasailing, waterskiing and flyboarding. As one of the largest beaches on the island, it tends to be quite popular during the day.
However, it tends to then quieten down in the early evening so it can be a lovely place to catch the sunset. To get to Banana Beach, you can take the free bus service which runs from Laganas. If you have a car, there is also ample parking.
You’ll find cabanas, sunbeds, and umbrellas available for hire and nearby amenities include restaurants, taverns and cafes.
3. Porto Zoro Beach
Looking for beaches near Zante Town? Porto Zoro is hard to beat. Located just 11 kilometres from the town, it’s nestled in a rocky cove with shores made up of both golden sand and pebbles.
Porto Zoro is one of the best beaches in Zante for swimming and snorkelling, thanks to its fascinating rock formations and natural coral scattered throughout the pristine turquoise waters.
This beach also has another unique draw. The muds found in Porto Zoro are renowned for their skincare properties. You can find these by turning right when you arrive.
In terms of facilities and amenities, there are sunbeds and umbrellas available to hire, a beach bar and taverns overlooking the water. It’s also easy to reach as there is a bus service and parking.
4. Gerakas Beach
Gerakas Beach is one of Zante’s best beaches for sunbathing. This unspoilt stretch of shoreline, nestled in the southern bay, forms a beautiful crescent shape. With warm, shallow waters, it’s perfect for families with young children.
Gerakas Beach attracts turtles as well as travellers. It is actually a turtle nesting ground and protected marine park area, making it a great place to spot these amazing creatures.
As a result, access is restricted at night since turtles often hatch or lay their eggs during these hours. Sun umbrellas are also prohibited, as they can damage the nests.
The best way to see the turtles is to grab your snorkel and dive into Gerakas’ glittering waters. If you’re wondering how to reach the cove, there is parking a short distance away.
Serving up wildlife, crystal-clear waters and soft sand showers, this is definitely one of the nicest beaches in Zante.
5. Kalamaki Beach
Kalamaki Beach can be found in the Bay of Laganas and is one of the best sandy beaches in Zante. The pristine white sand shores are soft and fringed by crystal-clear waters.
This beach is a great spot for plane-spotting as it's close to Zakynthos International Airport. The long, unspoiled sands, which extend to the neighbouring Crystal Beach, are particularly popular with families.
Facilities are limited, and access is restricted after sunset and before sunrise to protect the loggerhead turtle nests along the beach. However, this adds to the excitement of being able to spot these adorable turtles while swimming or sunbathing.
The water itself is very calm - perfect for a relaxing dip to cool off from the sun. If you’re wanting to visit Zante’s sandy beaches, Kalamaki is one of the most beautiful and peaceful on the island.
6. Shipwreck Beach (Navagio Beach)
Navagio Beach, or more famously known as Shipwreck Beach, lies in the north-west of Zante. As you might have guessed, this famous patch of coastline is home to a shipwrecked boat.
The huge freighter lies half submerged in the beach’s sandy shores and is believed to have arrived here back in the 1970s. Rumour has it that those aboard were smuggling cigarettes across to Zante from mainland Greece, which is why some know the beach as Smugglers Cove.
However, it’s not just this exciting attraction that makes Shipwreck Beach one of the best beaches in Zante. This stunning crescent-shaped piece of shoreline is bordered by dramatic limestone cliffs, while the turquoise waters are lined with golden sand.
One thing to bear in mind is that you can only reach the beach by boat. The easiest way to get here is by a Smugglers Cove Boat tour. Most last about three hours and offer plenty of time for swimming in the beach’s electric-blue waters and to investigate the famous shipwreck.
7. Laganas Beach
Laganas Beach is around nearly 10km long, making it one of the longest beaches in Zante. The western part of the shoreline is popular with young adults and tends to be quite lively, while the eastern side is much quieter.
It’s also one of the top sandy beaches in Zante, with its golden shores covered in soft, pristine sand. The shallow seabed also makes it perfect for families with young children. There are also lots of watersports and activities on offer here, including paddle boat trips, kayak excursions and motor boat trips.
One thing to keep in mind about Laganas is that, being one of Zante’s best sandy beaches, it can get quite popular, especially during the peak summer months. You’ll find lots of sunbeds and umbrellas available to rent so you can stay comfortable during your visit.
Laganas Beach is also known for its beach bars, restaurants, and snack spots, so you can easily stay hydrated and grab a bite to eat during your visit. If you fancy dipping your toe into this shoreline’s famous party scene, you’ll find plenty of lively bars and clubs offering music, drinks and a fun atmosphere well into the night.
If you want to avoid the crowds, you may prefer to head to Kalamaki Beach, which lies at the other side of the bay, but if you’re looking for a shoreline with a bit of buzz, Laganas is definitely one of the top beaches in Zante.
8. Porto Limnionas Beach
When it comes to the most beautiful beaches in Zante, Porto Limnionas is just breathtaking. The stunning bay lies on the west of the island and has magnificent electric blue waters sheltered by unique rock formations.
Porto Limnionas actually consists entirely of cliffs and doesn’t have a real shore area. That being said, the nearby tavern has created terraces with sunbeds on different levels of the rocks so you can enjoy this beach comfortably, without lying on the hard rocks.
It’s worth families keeping in mind that the lack of sand and surrounding rock formations doesn’t make it the most child-friendly. However, the coastal scenery is incredible, with direct views over the open sea, and it is a fantastic spot for catching the sunset.
The U-shaped cove’s magical scenery easily makes it one of the most unique beaches in Zante. It is also a great spot for dive jumping and snorkelling, thanks to its many caves.
Porto Limnionas lies a 40 minute drive from Zakynthos town and there is some nearby parking. Once you park the car, you need to climb down quite a few steps to get down to the cove.
9. Porto Azzuro
Next on our list of the best beaches in Zakynthos, is Porto Azzuro. This picturesque bay is framed by lush green vegetation, with soft sandy shores and striking rock formations rising dramatically from its bright blue waters.
Located along the Vasilikos Peninsula, 112 kilometres from Zante Town, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. This hidden cove is perfect for families, offering convenient nearby facilities like showers and toilets.
You can stay refreshed at the beach bar, relax on the sunbeds, and cool off regularly in the azure waters. There aren’t any watersport activities on offer at Porto Azzuro, which leaves it particularly peaceful.
This Zante beach is a paradise by day and a lively nightlife spot by night. The beach bars are famed for their island parties so if you fancy dancing and busting some shapes on the sand, this could be the beach for you.
10. Porto Vromi Maries
Porto Vromi Maries is a quiet inlet on the west coast of the island. The tiny beach is quaint and peaceful, making it one of the best beaches on Zante for those looking to escape the crowds.
This pebble beach boasts dazzling turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. There are also often little boats floating on its calm waters, adding to the charm of this beautiful coastal setting.
While Porto Vromi Maries is one of the most peaceful beaches in Zakynthos, it still has some facilities. You’ll find a little food stand serving snacks and drinks to keep you refreshed and energised during your visit.
One of the easiest ways to get to Porto Vromi Maries is by taking a boat tour. Visits to Porto Vromi Maries can be included on the Smugglers Cove boat so you can tick off two of the best beaches in Zakynthos in just one day.
Summary
As you can see, Zante is home to so many beautiful beaches. From hidden rocky coves with sea caves, to golden-sand bays stretching for miles, this island’s coastline is incredibly diverse and offers something for everyone.
Dreaming of visiting the beaches of Zante? Olympic Holidays can help you organise a wonderful seaside holiday on this picturesque Greek island. Take a look at our Zante holidays or check out our Zante All Inclusive Holidays page.
Image credit: Live Zakynthos & Dronepicr