The beautiful beaches of Zakynthos lie between white plunging cliffs and turquoise sea
Zakynthos, also known by its Italian name Zante, is known for its dramatic coastlines, and forested wilderness, and is one of Greece’s top nesting sites for loggerhead sea turtles.
The spectacular west coast is where you will find white limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise waters. One of the most famous beaches along this coastline is Navagio (or Shipwreck) Beach considered one of the most beautiful in Greece and only accessible by boat. This is a top spot for Instagrammers travelling through the Greek islands, as the beach is home to a stranded cargo ship that ran aground in the 1960s.
Zakynthos, which belongs to the Ionian cluster of Greek islands, tends to be an island of two halves. Visitors to the hilly north will see traditional rural villages dotted among the verdant forests while the south and west are known for their sandy beaches.
You can explore the sweeping dunes behind the beach at Gerakas, the southernmost beach on Zakynthos, with its golden sand and the azure sea. Visit the incredible Blue Caves of Zakynthos and see how the water reflects and shimmers on the white walls of these limestone caves.
Families will enjoy a visit to the Greek National Marine Park, in the southwest, which is one of Greece’s main nesting areas for the loggerhead sea turtle, commonly known as Caretta caretta.