Why Zakynthos should be on your bucket list?

The moment I think of Zakynthos, two things pop into my mind: the incredible coastline and the smell of flowers, olives, and sea air. Famous for being the island with the ´´shipwreck beach´´, Zakynthos is one of the loveliest summer destinations. Like most Greek islands, it offers something for all kinds of travelers. There are super touristy towns with restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. Music blazes in the evenings there, and all the resorts resemble one another in their quintessential pool, buffet restaurants, and rooms. There are also quieter parts of the island where, for miles, you don´t see any other traffic on the road. Trees line these winding roads, little villages lie sleepily in the shade, and village men sell fresh produce from boxes on the highway. Their donkeys graze placidly nearby, and bees buzz over the bottles of honey and large sunflower heads. Then, some smaller towns and villages run along the coast. You will find quaint sea-facing homestays there, upscale resorts with their privacy being protected by magenta bougainvillea bushes, and acres and acres of olive groves. This is the more residential section of the island where many expats have bought homes. Life is slow there. You have to walk a mile or drive to the nearest supermarket, and the main harbour is at least 45 minutes away.

Akash and I stayed in a village like this. It was called Amoudi. Our homestay faced the sea, and our hosts were an elderly, welcoming couple who loved children. They did not speak a word of English, but that did not stop them from spoiling Akash with sweets and fruits every time they saw him. From our balcony, we could see the sea, and at night, we used to fall asleep to the sound of the waves. But, I am digressing from the main point here, and that is, why Zakynthos should be on your bucket list:

Not just a party island

Although Zakynthos has its patch of party town called Laganas, most parts of it are quiet, secluded, and peaceful. Since it is Greece´s third-largest island, there are many tourism-oriented pockets on different parts. You may choose to live in a little village like ours, or sea-facing villas in Kalamaki. Or if you prefer to get away from it all, choose a little mountain village homestay in the central part of the island. The beaches are within driving distance, and you can stay peacefully amidst olive groves, vines, and serendipity. When you wish to socialize and mingle, just head over to Laganas, where bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and flashing neon lights will meet your eyes.

The Shipwreck Beach is truly beautiful

This is one place that truly lives up to the social media expectations. Nowadays, you are not permitted to go to the Navagio Beach. However, you can view the wreck of MV Panagiotis, beached in 1980, from a boat or the cliff-top. Either way, it is a spectacular sight of a circlet of whitish golden sand surrounded by tall, rugged cliffs, and fronted by cerulean blue water. This cove is only reachable by boat.

An island of spectacular sea caves

Zakynthos is blessed with natural beauty. It is ringed by dramatic rock formations, many forming stunning sea caves. Visiting these sea caves is a great way to spend a day in Zakynthos. You can either go with an organized tour or hire your boat to explore the less-visited areas. Our favourite is the Blue Caves: limestone sea coves with magnificent natural white arches that reflect the deep blue waters of the sea. The best part was jumping off the boat to swim in these gorgeous blue waters.

Plenty of beautiful beaches

Zakynthos has plenty of gorgeous beaches aside from the famous Navagio beach. While some have soft sands, many of them are stony, but they are all drop-dead gorgeous. There is the secluded Gerakas Beach with its broad strip of golden sand and Korakonissi.

Explore the nearby islands

The proximity of Zakynthos to nearby islands makes it a great base. From here, you can explore the neighbouring Kefalonia, Poros, or Strofades. Apart from just going to these islands by boat, you can spend the day exploring the little sea coves and swimming in different areas. If you are lucky, you can see a turtle or two.

Unwind, relax, and enjoy great food

Depending on where you are staying, Zakynthos, with its days of endless sunshine, blue skies, and turquoise sea, is a great place to unwind. You can spend your days on the beach, on your sea-view balcony, or in your little mountain home, doing simply nothing. Plus, there are amazing restaurants and Greek taverns where you can dine on excellent local dishes, local liqueurs, thick Greek yoghurt, and fruits.

Friendly locals

This is the highlight of Zakynthos. The local islanders are some of the friendliest and welcoming people I have ever met. They are child-friendly and go out of their way to be helpful. From our homestay owner to the restaurant hostesses, where we went for meals every day, Zakynthos locals made our trip truly wonderful.