The South coast of Zakynthos
stretches from the small tourist resort of Argassi, through to the
charming region of Vasilikos and the striking southern peninsula at
Gerekas.
The beaches on this coast are among the best on the
island for complete relaxation and natural beauty.
The pretty area of Vasilikos in the South, is always particularly
popular with holiday-makers who want peaceful beaches, safe swimming
and a natural Greek flavor to their holiday.
Even if you are not staying in the South of Zante, it is
well worth visiting this area during your holiday here.
The Southern coastline is dotted with pretty, golden sand beaches
that are perfect spots for thoroughly enjoying your summer vacation.
This coastline stretches from the edges of Zante Town, through to the
resort of Argassi, up to the village of Vasilikos, and finally to the
southern-most tip of the island at Gerekas.
The region of Vasilikos in the South of Zakynthos is, without a
doubt, one of the most charming areas to stay in Zante.
Vasilikos
village, and the surrounding areas, offer everything you might need for
a totally relaxing and rejuvenating summer break. Vasilikos and Gerekas
are perfect for people looking to get away from the heavy tourist crowds
and experience a more authentic and natural Greek Island Holiday.
The resort of Argassi has developed around the beach, and is now one of
the most popular resorts on the island. The region of Argassi is compact
and comfortable, with a great selection of amenities and shops all
within easy reach of the beach. Argassi beach is easily accessible with
parking available nearby.
The beach itself in Argassi village resort is rather narrow and is not one
of the most naturally beautiful on the island. However, for those
looking to lounge around on a sunbed and simply enjoy swimming in the
sea close to the resort, the beach here will suffice.
Being one of the larger tourist resorts on the island, there are plenty of
facilities on Argassi beach to make you comfortable during your day at
the beach in Zante. The Argassi beach is lined with tavernas and hotels
where you can eat during the day and night. Many of the hotels have
swimming pools right on the sea – so you can go between the sea and the
pool throughout the day.
Argassi beach also has among the best selection of water sports in
Zakynthos. Whether you choose to fly through the sky on a paraglider, or
go for the thrill of the fly fish, you’ll really enjoy the water sports
on offer at Argassi beach.
Porto Zorro is one of our favourite beaches on the island – both because
of its natural charm and the world class facilities on offer here at
Azurro Beach Club. Beach Clubs are a buzz in Zakynthos and the Azurro
Beach Club at Porto Zorro provides one of the classiest places to laze
you time away.
The beach at Porto Zorro is a sandy bay, overlooking a tall rock formation
at the end of the beach – perfect for snorkelling around and exploring.
The beach is surrounded by rich and lush green vegetation as a backdrop.
The luxury silver loungers on the beach are sheltered by gorgeous palm
umbrellas – making this one of the most comfortable spots to spend a day
at the beach in Zakynthos.
To top it off, at the far end of the beach at Porto Zorro you will find
one of only two spots in Zante where you can enjoy natural mud bathing.
Here at Porto Zorro you can treat yourself to a mud body pack with
mineral rich mud, renowned for being great for the skin.
Porto Zorro is definitely worth a visit during your summer holiday in
Zante. Don’t miss the turn off to the Azurro Beach Club as you drive
from Zante Town or Argassi to Vasilikos. This really is a perfect spot
for complete Greek Island relaxation.
The next beach along from Porto Zorro is the sprawling expanse of Banana
Beach. This is one of the longest stretches of beach in Zakynthos and is
a really natural beach, not nearly as affected by tourism as the beaches
of Kalamaki and Laganas.
There are a few developments along the beach – mainly tropical style, palm
fringed canteens and beach bars. These Relax bars dotted along Banana
Beach provide shade from the sun, hammocks to relax in, and delicious
refreshments and meals on offer throughout the day. There are plenty of
loungers and umbrellas along Banana Beach and you will always find
somewhere to retreat from the sun, yet the beach maintains a natural and
unspoilt feel.
Banana Beach is great for a casual stroll or a brisk beach walk. You can
walk from the end of Banana Beach right down to Plaka at the end, and
even over the cliffs to St Nicholas. This is a great way of getting in a
bit of exercise during your day and taking in the full expanse of this
gorgeous beach.
Popular with locals and tourists alike, the sea water here is shallow and
crystal clear. This is a lovely spot for swimming and you will often
find locals spending their afternoons here – a sure sign that this is
one of the nicest places to chill in Zante.
A great stop off point to eat during the day is the Ionion Restaurant and
Beach Bar. The Ionion is well sign posted from the main road as you head
south into Vasilikos. They provide great beach beds and umbrellas and
facilities to help you enjoy your day to the full. However, it is the
food at the Ionion that really makes this spot well worth the visit. The
restaurant is overlooking a wide expanse of the Ionion Sea and offers
some of the best traditional Greek Cuisine in Zakynthos.
Plaka Beach is one of the smallest beaches on the southern coast, but it
offers a peaceful place to spend a summer’s day. There are a number of
sun beds and umbrellas for hire along the beach, as well as two snack
bars to keep you refreshed!
The Beach of Plaka is often popular with families and couples looking for
a really chilled out and peaceful beach holiday. Plaka Beach has
everything you need for a Greek Island retreat – peace, quiet, sun, sand
and sea!
Agios Nikolaos, also known as St Nicholas, is perhaps the most popular
beach on the island, with the tourists and Greeks alike. St Nicholas
Beach in the South of Zante is a beautiful sandy bay with a picturesque
white Greek Orthodox Church sitting up on the cliff overlooking the bay.
You really won’t find a more charming spot than this.
Like most of the Vasilikos region, the beach here is adorned with palm
umbrellas where you can shelter from the sun during your day at the
beach. These natural umbrellas really add to the ambience at the beach.
There is a superb range of water sports at St. Niks and a Scuba Diving
School where you can try a dive around the rocky peninsula.
While you are at St Nicholas be sure to visit the Ammos Beach Club, for a
delicious meal or fantastic refreshments. We think Ammos offers one of
the best iced coffees in Zakynthos! With a divine ambience, wonderful
thatched roof and incredible hand carved wooden furnishings, this is
considered to be one of the top beach clubs in Europe. For the athletes
amongst you, you can also enjoy a fun game of beach volley or rackets
down on the sand at the Ammos Beach Club.
The beach of Porto Roma is located on the far end of the Southern Coast of
Zante, close to the popular beach of Gerekas. Porto Roma beach is small,
with a mixture of sand and pebbles. This is a very quiet beach with a
taverna restaurant, but no beach clubs or bars. It’s a good place to
relax during the day if you want a really tranquil spot to completely
chill out.
There is a small jetty at Porto Roma where a number of boats are moared,
and you can be picked up from here for a fantastic catamaran trip around
the South West Coast of Zakynthos.
The most southern region of Zakynthos is called Gerakas and is home to
another fantastic long and sandy beach with spectacular jagged cliffs
framing the horizon. Just five minutes drive around the coast from St
Nicholas, this is another beautiful natural spot well worth visiting
during your Greek Island holiday in Zante.
Gerakas is one of the most important beaches within the National Marine
Park of Zakynthos as it is very popular with the native Loggerhead
turtles who choose to lay their eggs here. Access to the beach is
forbidden between sunset and sunrise - the time of day that the turtles
nest, and later the baby hatchlings emerge from their nests and make
their way to the sea.
While you are at Gerakas beach be sure to visit the Eco Centre, located
about 100 meters up from the beach on the right hand side of the road.
The Eco Centre here is one of the only Wildlife information Centres in
Zakynthos. Volunteers at the Eco Centre will help to inform you about
the natural wildlife on the island. You can support the SOS Turtle
Appeal from the Eco Centre which is currently involved in raising funds
to build the first Sea Turtle rescue station in Zakynthos.
Dafni beach is the next bay along from Gerekas. It is quite a difficult
drive down to Dafni and this helps to ensure that the beach is never too
busy, even in the peak summer months.
The beach at Dafni is, like Gerekas, heavily protected by National Marine
Park of Zakynthos to ensure that it remains a suitable nesting ground
for the Caretta Caretta turtles. There is very little development on the
beach at Dafni, just a few sun beds and taverns.
If you are looking for a really natural, untouched and somewhat secluded
spot to spend your summer day then this is the beach for you.
At the two extremities there are rocky areas and in the front, just a
few kilometres distance from the beach, there is the small island of
Pelouzo, providing a charming outlook from Dafni beach. The island is
totally uninhabited and out of bounds to tourists as it is also
protected by Marine Park rules.
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