Where to stay in Zakynthos, Greece | Best areas & hotels
The Greek island of Zakynthos is a very popular holiday destination, mostly due to its amazing, milky blue waters at beaches such as Shipwreck Beach (or Navagio Beach). Zakynthos is also one of the bigger Greek islands. It is part of the Ionian Islands and located in the Ionian Sea. It has many different towns and places to stay at, catering to a variety of people that are completely different from each other. Therefore it doesn’t surprise me that one of the most asked questions I get is ‘where to stay in Zakynthos’?
Where you should stay depends on what you’re looking for. Below I laid out the options and best areas for you, including my personal reasoning about why you could want to stay there and accommodation options.
If you are looking for more or different accommodations in Zakynthos, you can of course look on the island’s pages on Booking.com and Airbnb.
I highlight a few accommodations per settlement below. But of course, there are many more.
So let’s dive into the best places to stay at in Zakynthos.
Tsilivi area
Ideal for: resort-lovers, families with children, water-sports enthusiasts, couples that are not looking for large parties but do enjoy pubs, quiz nights and karaoke.
Tsilivi (Planos) is one of the larger tourist resorts of Zakynthos, on a central location 6 km north of the capital. We can conclude that this more like a small town and a convenient location, close to many of the main attractions of Zakynthos. The sandy Tsilivi beach has clear and shallow water and stretches for several kilometers along the coast. Because it is a very organized place, the sandy beach has lots of beach bars and is filled with umbrellas, bouncy castles with water slides for children (Pirates Aqua Park) and places to do watersports. There are some modern and nice beach bars and numerous restaurants from the middle towards the southern side of the beach, such as Seacret, Venus beach bar, Mango beach bar, Taverna by the Sea Paradeisos and The Balcony.
There are also lots of things to do besides swimming, such as bowling, mini golf, bars with live music, and the Tsilivi Aqua Park. I included more info on these in my Zakynthos Travel Guide.
The nightlife in Tsilivi is not so over the top as in Laganas (where you get easily by taxi), but there are enough bars to choose from. This makes it a popular destination for first-timers.
If all the activities in and around Tsilivi are not enough for you, it is also the ideal spot to discover the rest of the island from, since it is centrally located and close to Zakynthos town.
Budget options
If you’re looking for budget accommodation in the area of Tsivili, have a look at:
- Tota Studios. Basic and clean, on a quiet plot but still within walking distance from the center & beach of Tsilivi.
- Kimiro Drosia. It is situated right on the sea, but far outside of Tsilivi, halfway to Alykanas.
- Ionian Aura. A great budget to mid-range accommodation. It is a small-scale hotel with a fantastic outdoor swimming pool on the side of Tsilivi. Again, quiet, but within walking distance of the center and the beach.
Luxury options
There are lots of great luxurious hotels & resorts in Tsilivi. Popular are the Contessina Hotel and Contessina Suites & Spa. Some will say this is the best hotel in Tsilivi. They literally give you the feeling you are in Bali, with the possibility of booking a swim-up room as well, while being so close to the center of Tsilivi and the beach. A part is adults-only and another part is family-friendly. The breakfast is extremely good! Another more luxurious hotel is the brand new Olea All Suite Hotel. But, be advised that it is a 20-minute walk to the beach from this hotel.
If you are traveling with young children or older children and want to stay in an all-inclusive resort, you should definitely consider Atlantica Eleon Grand Resort & Spa. This resort is located within a few minutes drive from the center of Tsilivi and perfect for a family holiday. Apart from the fact the rooms are not hyper-modern and the beach of the resort is not the best one for beach lovers (although it has a Blue Flag Beach), the resort is perfect for families. There is an outdoor pool with waterslides. There’s hotel rooms but also apartment-style accommodations with private pools in the garden. and the amount of nice activities and entertainment that they organize is endless. Their a la carte restaurant is also of great quality. The next-door beach resort Lesante Blu with amazing sea views is also wonderful, but for adults only! Both have them could be seen as to have private beaches. A bit more inland is a brand new, wonderful place with suites that looks gorgeous: Zante Maris Suites. Want a private villa with infinity pool with sea view? Check out Porto Zante Villas & Spa.
Laganas – Kalamaki – Agios Sostis
- Laganas is ideal for: young people looking to party, students and groups of friends, cheap accommodation
- Kalamaki is ideal for: families that are looking for a wide, golden, sandy beach and shallow waters to go to with their children, with lots of entertainment options nearby.
- Agios Sostis is ideal for: couples that want to do lots of exploring of the island and want to be able to walk into the hustle and bustle of Laganas whilst staying in a more quiet, green area.
Laganas is the most buzzing resort in Zakynthos. It is situated on the south coast of the island. Its has a whopping 9 km beach, a Blue Flag Beach to be precise, consisting of Laganas Beach and Kalamaki Beach. Although the beach is a popular spot for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports, Laganas’s biggest draw is its vibrant nightlife. 99% of the party scene is located here and most young people stay here. Therefore, it is also nicknamed the ‘party capital of Zakynthos’. The main street of Laganas (the strip) is full of nightclubs and (beach)bars that cater party-goers until the early hours of the morning.
Apart from that, there are plenty of shops, restaurants and other entertainment options. Such as the Caretta Fun Park Center, GO Karts and The Little Farm. They are discussed in the ‘Things to do’ chapter. Moreover, Laganas is home to the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which is one of the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting sites in the Mediterranean. It is also closest to Zakynthos International Airport.
Budget options
The area of Laganas is full of options for accommodation for all budgets. But it is important that, if you book something there, you avoid booking within a couple of streets from the Laganas strip so that you are not bothered by all the party people. If you want to be close to a nicer beach as well, I’d book at the Kalamaki side. Over there, at Nomas Living you get a brand new room in a small-scale hotel for a friendly price. Quiet, but within walking distance from the beach and center of Kalamaki. Another such place, a little bit more traditional but renovated and closer to the beach, is Margarita Guesthouse. Or, a green oasis with a pool a bit further from the beach: the Garden of Eden.
If you do not mind staying a bit closer to (on a short walk of) the Laganas strip or are actually coming to enjoy the nightlife, check out the cheap hotel Christina Studios or the Cactus Hotel.
Lastly, on the other side of Laganas near Agios Sostis and 200 meters from the beach of Porto Koukla, there is a nice place called NikLuDin suites & studios. Traditional Greek style but neat and clean, with a nice pool.
Between Laganas and Agios Sostis, there is a fantastic all-inclusive luxury hotel with only 50 rooms that, even though it looks amazing with swim-up pools, makes you feel like you are part of the family: the adults-only Castelli Hotel. You will be greeted by 85-year-old Mister Spiros who built the hotel 30 years ago and is always in his place in the lobby. There are lots of little surprises, fun activities (including workshops by locals) and they use products from their own garden for the buffet as much as possible. I stayed in a modern style hotel room with private pool that had everything I needed. Also, you can walk to the beach or take one of the (e-)bikes for free. Highly recommended! Alternatively, but this is closer to the Laganas strip, you could check out Cassiopeia Rooms & Suites.
In the hills behind Laganas, in all peace and quiet, there is a big hidden gem. It is called Leeda’s cottages and Leeda’s village. From a studio or two-bedroom house with a shared outdoor pool to a whole cottage with a private pool, all of the options look AMAZING. The accommodations are situated in between trees, overlooking the Laganas bay. An ideal place for nature lovers. There is even an all-day pool bar and restaurant on-site! So, you do not have to leave if you don’t wish to. 2 kilometers from the accommodation, they have a farm as well where you can organize a picnic.
In Kalamaki there is a decent hotel with a pool on the beach, definitely not expensive for what you get. It is neither a luxury nor a budget option. This part of the beach is my favorite part of Laganas bay, and a GREAT place for families, so check it out if you think you’ll like it as much as me: Crystal Beach Hotel.
Keri
Ideal for: Turtle Island boat trips, watching sunrise, families, anyone looking for a less busy and more authentic option on the south coast.
Keri is a small village and more authentic option to stay at on the south coast of Zakynthos. Don’t confuse it with the mountain village of Keri, this paragraph is about the coastal one. It is a charming village known for the nearby Keri Lake and the close proximity to the ‘turtle island’ of Marathonisi. It has some nice old, traditional houses and restaurants and therefore is far from a busy tourist resort such as Laganas. The village has a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a quieter holiday experience. It is the best place to take a boat trip from the best beaches of Zakynthos, such as piscines.
Keri itself only has a small stroke of pebbly beach with trees on it and a limited amount of sunbeds for rent and tavernas nearby serving authentic Greek cuisine and fresh seafood.
Budget options
Around Keri, the density of accommodations is way less than in the Laganas area (which can be a really positive thing for you). So, you have to search a bit and book early. Two great budget options that I found are Bratis Apartments & Dakis Studios. Yes, it has the traditional Greek furnishing but they are SUPER cheap, neat and close to the beach.
Luxury options
In general, accommodations around Keri – even the more expensive ones – have a traditional look. If you like traditional stone mansions with more luxurious traditional furnishing,
Castello Bellos Villas & Apartments might be your place to be. It has a stunning pool but is also just 500 meters from the beach. You can also book one of the amazing private villas in that area with an infinity pool, right above the sea. Such as Kymaros Villas.
Alykes/Alykanas
Ideal for: families that are looking for a more small-scale accommodation in the least busy and least mass-tourism oriented but still fully equipped tourist resort town of the island – with a golden sandy beach – and do not mind staying a bit further from town and the attractions of South Zakynthos.
Alykes has a very long stretch of sandy Blue Flag beach that merges with the beach of Alykanas. There is lots of space for organized and unorganized sunbathing. The beach is equipped with various tourist facilities such as beach bars and water sports activities. Think of riding the banana or renting jet skis. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants around.
Public buses connect Alykes and Alykanas to Zakynthos town.
At night, you can enjoy dining in one of the many typical taverns that offer Greek cuisine, international cuisine or fast food. After dinner, visitors can enjoy a drink in one of the many pubs that play different genres of music. Other than that, there is no party-hard style nightlife.
Alykes and Alykanas offer several lodging options, such as hotels, apartments, studios, villas and even a small camping site, making them a destination that can satisfy any type of accommodation preference. Compared to Tsilivi, Argassi and Laganas, there are way fewer large hotels and resorts here. So the feel is a little bit more small-scale.
Budget options
Without putting expensive furniture in the building, Kanela Studios managed to create a super cute and modern-looking property on 30 (!!) meters from the beach and near the center of Alykes, for an extremely friendly price.
Zante Nest Studios & Apartments is a bit further away from the beach and not the quietest place in town due to a next-door karaoke bar, but it does have a pool and little playground for children and is extremely cheap! A little bit further down, so not near the center of Alykes but again almost beachfront, there is another nice budget option called Galatea.
Luxury options
Looking for a more luxurious place to stay around Alykes? Check out Zante Suites. From the suites, it is just a 5-minute walk to the beach. Zante Suites also has a shared pool. You find modern furniture inside, but not over-the-top luxurious. And, if you remember that the apartments can house at least 5 people, the price is not too bad. Villa Dionysia also has modern accommodation options in an amazing location close to all the amenities of Alykes. Their properties are listed separately on Booking.com; Villa Dionysia, studio S1, studio S2, studio S3, studio S4, Studio S5, Studio S6, Studio S7, Studio S8, Apartment A1, Apartment A2, Apartment A3. Or rent a stunning villa with infinity pool such as Addimare Sea View Villa.
Agios Nikolaos & North Zakynthos
Ideal for: people who like small, pebbly bays with turquoise and emerald waters and want to stay in a green and hilly environment. People that do not care about nightlife and are looking for the most authentic and least crowded part of Zakynthos to stay at.
Agios Nikolaos is a small harbor village around 32 km northwest of Zakynthos town. It is basically the northernmost and fairly organized place to stay on the west coast. The north of Zakynthos is way less touristic than the south, so people looking to stay away from the crowds should consider staying in this wider area.
From Agios Nikolaos, you can take a boat tour or hire a boat to discover the nearby Cape Skinari, the northernmost point of the island, and the Blue Caves. The caves, named after the turquoise blue color of the sea, are shallow orifices in the white cliffs, combined with numerous rock arches. An islet, also named Agios Nikolaos, lies off the coast, protecting the harbor from northerly winds.
In summer two ferries a day run from the ferry port to Pessada in Kefalonia. So you could take a day trip to Kefalonia from here as well.
The beach in Agios Nikolaos is a narrow strip of organized beach with tiny pebbles. Nearby there are many (hidden) pebbly bays with crystal clear, blue water to be found on this part of the east coast. In my opinion, the amongst the most beautiful beaches of Zakynthos.
While there is not much to do in Agios Nikolaos in terms of nightlife, the town offers a few tavernas, coffee shops and a supermarket.
Budget options
The north of Zakynthos is more focused on expensive suites and villas, however, I have found a few nice budget options. If your goal is to stay close to Agios Nikolaos, for instance, because you want to take a boat to Kefalonia, check out La Grotta, as it is right in front of the harbor. Simple but affordable. If you’d like to discover all the hidden bays in this area (listed in my Zakynthos guide), check out Kokkinos Studios, Climati Studios or Klontiraki Apartments. All of them have simple Greek furnishing but are clean and located in the area below Agios Nikolaos with the unorganized little bays, where you can still easily escape the island’s mass tourism.
Luxury options
But if you’re looking for luxury accommodation, the north of Zakynthos definitely is the place to be. ALIV stone suites & spa offers brand new suites (some of which have a private pool) and a private beach/swim spot as well, in an area that not many people pass by. The perfect place to relax and unwind! Rebek Luxury Villas & Suites is not beachfront, but, because it is situated on a hill, the view from the shared infinity pool is to die for! And you still have endless bays to choose from within a 5-minute drive. Thelxi’s Suite I and Thelxi’s Suite II are in fact mini villas (they still sleep 5) with a private infinity pool, in the hills right between Agios Nikolaos en Xigia. So perfect for the privacy lovers, as except for your neighbors there is no one around.
Argassi
Ideal for: those who are looking for the most central place to stay, with all facilities, close to town, to discover the island from.
Argassi is located just 4km south of Zakynthos town. Do not stay here for the beach, as it is not much of one, though it is filled with many snacks bars and restaurants, and has the ruins of a Venetian bridge (the Argassi bridge) right in front of the beach in the water. The bridge was built in 1885 as part of the, then, main road but nowadays lies half underwater. And, that is not the only historical site of the area. Nearby there is also the Vrysakia Aqueduct which was built in 1809 by British rulers in favor of the water supply.
Argassi is a great, centrally located destination close to town to discover the whole island from. It has easy access to many places of interest. Also, you can have dinner or drinks with a stunning view, right above the water, for instance at The Garden.
There are more than enough shops selling souvenirs and clothing and there is mild nightlife as well. Mostly bars and pubs. And on the Vasilikos peninsula, which is nearby, in high season, there are occasional beach bar parties with (well-known) DJs. There are even special bus lines in summer (during the day) to the beaches of the Vasilikos peninsula.
Budget options
The best value-for-money option in Argassi is Roula Kotsonis. Renovated studios & apartments with balconies, basically beachfront and for a very affordable price. Another budget option with a more traditional look and a bit further from the beach is Theodora Studios.
Luxury options
Two luxurious small-scale hotels in Argassi are Ionian Hill and Windmill Bay. Windmill Bay is beachfront and family-friendly, whereas Ionian Hill is a 5-minute walk from the beach and more focused on adults. Both have a pool with a stunning view!
Zakynthos town
Ideal for: those who want to stay in an actual city, those on a short stay and those wanting to discover the island by bus
Zakynthos town is the island’s capital and main town and the only ‘proper’ city on the island. The must-sees are discussed in the ‘Things to do’ chapter. On the northern side, you can swim at Plaz, which is quite a decent and organized little city beach. Its ferry port is Zakynthos main port, with a connection to Kyllini on the mainland.
From here you can hop on all the local bus routes or on different organized tours.
There is a wide variety of shops for both locals and tourists. There are also many restaurants, taverns and snack bars, as well as bars and clubs (outside of Zante town towards Argassi).
Accommodation options in town include mostly city hotels and Airbnbs.
Budget options
Casa d’Amore is renovated, not expensive, sleeps 4 and is ideally located. Why? It is a max 10-minute walk to the absolute center of town, but also to the central bus station from where you can take a bus to the most popular towns & beaches. La Casa di Luce looks the same, but sleeps 2 and is located a little bit more towards the center and seaside.
Luxury options
The Three Graces does not have extremely luxurious furnishments, but the view of the harbor is of course one that not many accommodations offer. It has balconies as well. So, it is not surprising that is not extremely cheap. Tzane Luxury Suites and Amuse Luxury Apartments are located in the same area as the budget options (10, maximum 15-minute walk to the city center or the bus station), but are renovated into more luxurious accommodations, hence the price difference. If you want to stay right in the heart of town, you can stay at Capolavoro Suites.
The closest to a beach hotel you can get in Zakynthos town is Cinque Terra Kamelia. A hotel with a pool. The bad news is that it would be almost a 30-minute walk to the center of town.
Vasilikos Peninsula
Ideal for: people looking to stay nearby a bunch of stunning, sandy beaches, in an area that is not densely populated and full of smaller hotels, villa’s and suites instead of resorts and a tourist strip.
This is one of the areas that to me felt most natural and least crowded. Hotels, apartments and villas are tucked away out of sight and their price is fair. Lots of traditional-style, small-scale places. So you can stay in peace whilst enjoying some privacy. Within a 5-10 minute drive, you have about 10 stunning sandy beaches to choose from. From quieter bays such as Porto Roma, to watersports facilities at Banana Beach.
Alongside the main road, there are several nice bakeries/breakfast spots and traditional tavernas to choose from.
Budget options
Are you a lover of self-catering? Check out Liostasi village, where you can rent a house, with all the amenities you need for self-catering. It is just 700 meters from the amazing Gerakas beach. A beachfront option on the other side is Fiore Beach Studios, which is family (playground included) and pet friendly. Also on that (Kaminia) beach is Levantino Studios & Apartments. Nearby but not beachfront there is also Villa Contessa. In case you are looking for a place with a pool, check out Lemon Garden, which is a 15-minute walk from Mavratzis beach.
Luxury options
Two luxury accommodations stand out for me on the peninsula. The first one is The Bay Hotel & Suites. It is located between the popular Banana Beach and Agios Nikolaos Beach. But it has its own ‘private’ beach with loungers in front of it (Plaka). The pool view is also stunning. The second one is Azzure Vista Apartments. You would need a car to get to the beach(es), but the STUNNING sunset view from the infinity pool definitely makes up for it.
Want to know more about Zakynthos? Read one of my other blogs or get my travel guide:
One week in Zakynthos: the ultimate itinerary!
Ready to explore Zakynthos? With this one-week itinerary you will see the best of ALL parts of the island in just 7-8 days.
Thank you for reading this ‘Where to stay in Zakynthos’ blog. Enjoy your holiday on the wonderful island!
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