Summer edition. Essential 6 things to experience while visiting.
We get it. Greek island hopping is meant to be quick. Jump over, see the best the island has to offer and skip over to the next beautiful island and enjoy, Or do like we do, and just stay. Stay for as long as your heart desires.
Either way, the essentials offers 6 things you obviously can't leave without seeing. Based on what we love to do and return to see again and again.
Mizithres
Travel here by boat and set anchor. Step 'a shore' for a moment and experience the bluest blues close up. You can opt for an arranged tour, but we think that renting your own little mini boat (no license required) or better yet a captain for a 2 hour ride is definitely the way to go. Explore the shore leading up to this slice of heaven, a magical way to spend 2 or 3 hours.
We prefer to leave the bay of Keri for the quickest ride to Mizithres and enjoy everything you'll see along the way. Our favourite captain Spyro always makes this a special trip. Hidden caverns, stops to swim in the bluest waters. Dive in and explore a cave. Magical. We tend to always choose to spend the last few hours of the day here. There's something about the afternoon sun on this side of the island that makes us swoon. Your own personal captain on your own private speed boat (bring snacks) goes for around 200 euro and is a splurge worth every dollar. Otherwise you can captain your own mini boat which is always fun, but there is speed limits on those engines so then experience takes a bit longer.
Mini Boat: captain yourself for up to 8 passengers around 100 euros for 2 hours (+/-). We love to spend the last few hours of the day exploring this part of the island. It seems to us that the water has less 'traffic'. And with traffic comes waves, so we like to avoid that rush as much as possible.
Just a matter of preference.
Marathonisi (Turtle Island)
Again, you can opt into an organized tour but the mini boat is the way to go here! It's a quick 12 minute ride from Agios Sostis (lots of great parking), where you can go around the islet, anchor, explore, and detour past Cameo Island on your way back. You are almost guaranteed to see a Loggerhead turtle around here, they are native to the waters and the main reason there aren't large tour boats operating. A great way to spend a few hours.
Sabba Beach Bar on Agios Sostis beach (orange umbrellas) has a great lunch menu. The staff there is always so nice.
It's also fun to have lunch on the bay of Laganas. It gets a bad reputation for late night parties. And we won't pretend that after dark wouldn't make your jaw drop. The average age is well, questionably young. But daytime hours offer some great people watching, food and music if you know where to go. Home to one of our favourite beach bars on the island, Cool Peppers. They have free parking for their patrons. Music is good but at a decent volume we always appreciate, and the food (American fare) is always delicious.
Navagio (Shipwreck)
The image you'll find on Greek postcards worldwide. This busy little beach is only accessible by boat. Huge limestone cliffs tower above, so you have the option to get there by boat, or drive to the north western tip of the island and step onto the viewing platform to get a bird eyes view. If you opt to drive, there's a few great spots you should make sure to see if you choose to explore that part of the island by car!
Obviously we're biased, but our 1-day itinerary for the western part of the island is stellar.
Porto Limionas
A beautiful slice of heaven. Something truly special. The water is crystal clear and so fresh. The view, breathtaking! Some adventure for sure. Not so much a beach as it is a cliff/platform you jump off, but worth the trip over for sure. Bring you goggles, or snorkel gear. There is a lot to explore. Water shoes are a definite asset. The food at the only tavern you'll find here is excellent and absolutely worth it. Make a reservation as soon as you get there. It's very busy.
Come early for parking and chairs! It gets very busy as the day goes on! Earlier the better.
Worth it, do no miss!
Zakynthos Town
We have to include the 'hora' because you must visit town while you are on the island. Other than the shopping, which we love, you'll find some of the very best restaurants! No matter your preference... fine dining or authentic delicious taverns, you'll find it here in the heart of the island.
We have a hard time choosing favourites, but don't hesitate to go to Madisons on the port. I couldn't choose my favourite dish. Open for breakfast until late. Alesta in the square had delicious pizza (and my favorite chicken plate), Varkarola on the port has authentic greek food with live singers, and San Marco Cafe has a great burger. Paradosiako in Zante Town (they have another beach location) offers upscale greek dining which is very yummy. And finally Manoo serves up delicious sushi! Amongst other delicious treats. Makes a perfect date night.
We tend to have less authentic meals when we are in town (with Varkarola being the exception). Reservations are important, because everyone else also knows these are the best too!)
If you are looking for just a pick up snack during the day, then please do yourself a favour and go to 'Tzante' counter on the main shopping road and enjoy the best cheese and spinach pie you'll ever taste. Thank us later!
Beach Day, Vasilikos
It's an island after all. And spending an afternoon frolicking in the sun is basically the whole point. This one checks off a few great things. Cute photo opportunity at the chapel a short(ish) walk from the beach. The best water sports on the island right next door, and one of our most favourite beachfronts on the island, Ammos Beach Bar, St Nicholas Beach.
It'll be a great day.
Ammos has the best showers on the island. Refresh yourselves, or rinse off the salt before heading home. Whatever you do, do not leave without experiencing it. It's the icing on the cake! Pro tip, they sometimes adjust the water pressure but here is a small valve to turn it back to full... we promise, its so refreshing!
As always, we can't wait for you to love this island as much as we do! Don't hesitate to send us any questions. We take our planning very seriously, and look forward to experiencing this islands magic every year.