Villas in Zakynthos

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a villa in Zakynthos?
• Villas in Zakynthos: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Zakynthos: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Zakynthos?

• Space and privacy: Luxury villas in Zakynthos suit families and groups, with most sleeping four to ten guests and offering private pools, gardens and terraces away from the resort crowds.
• Where to stay: The lively south around Laganas and Kalamaki is ideal for beaches and nightlife, whilst Alykes and Vasilikos are quieter and perfect for families.
• Top-rated stays: The island’s best-loved villas score close to a perfect mark on Holidu, with guests praising warm hosts, spotless interiors and refreshing private pools.
• Where to eat: Zakynthos Town and the harbour villages serve everything from fresh seafood to fine-dining tasting menus, perfect for a relaxed family dinner or a special evening.
• Things to do: Sail to Navagio Shipwreck Beach, spot loggerhead turtles at Marathonisi and explore the Keri Caves by boat for an unforgettable holiday.

Zakynthos villas suit families and groups who want space, privacy and a private pool within easy reach of the island’s beaches. Most sleep between four and ten guests, with landscaped gardens, shaded terraces and sea or mountain views. If you're travelling in a smaller party or watching the budget, you will also find apartments in Zakynthos and a wider choice of holiday lettings in Zakynthos, but a villa gives you all the room you need to spread out and unwind, often with the comfort of a garden, terrace and private pool. Whichever villa you choose, you can expect a generous list of home comforts:

• A private pool — a highlight of most villas with private pools in Zakynthos
• A landscaped garden and shaded terrace
• An outdoor BBQ area for long summer evenings
• Free parking on site
• Air conditioning and wifi throughout

Together these features make a villa the most relaxed way to enjoy a self-catering holiday on the island.

What are the best areas to stay in Zakynthos?

The liveliest bases sit in the south around Laganas and Kalamaki, whilst the north and east of the island offer quieter, family-friendly bays. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently praise Zakynthos villas for their welcoming hosts, spotless interiors and unbeatable sea views. Many reviewers single out the pleasure of a private pool after a long day at the beach, along with the peace of staying in a self-contained home rather than a busy resort. Ratings on Holidu run on a scale from zero to ten, and the island’s best-loved villas score close to a perfect mark.

Here are our top-rated villas from the past year:

1. Villa ‘One-Bedroom For 2’ - 10.0: A snug one-bedroom villa near Zakynthos Town with a sea view, air conditioning and wifi; guests love its quiet setting and the warm welcome from the host.
2. Villa ‘Athina’s House’ - 9.9+: Set in Alykes, this two-bedroom villa pairs a private pool with mountain views; reviewers highlight the spotless rooms and the unbeatable location near the beach.
3. Villa Lida Aresti - 9.7+: A spacious three-bedroom villa sleeping up to six, with a sunny balcony; families praise the room to relax and the easy access to local tavernas.

Zakynthos is one of the Ionian Islands, lying off the west coast of mainland Greece and just south of Kefalonia. With limestone cliffs, sea caves and brilliant turquoise bays, it's a must for anyone who wants to explore nature. Although it's a small island, it has something to offer all kinds of travellers, from partygoers to lovers of peace and quiet

🥗Where to eat in Zakynthos?

Centuries of Venetian influence mean that Zakynthos' local food is distinct from the cuisine of mainland Greece. You'll find more pasta, hearty stews and mighty roasts. Our travel experts have rounded up some of the island's best restaurants, from elegant fine dining to relaxed terrace vibes:

⭐Our guests’ recommendation: Our guest travellers Charlotte and Henry recommend Da Marco in Zakynthos: after a day by the villa pool, they loved its candlelit terrace and laid-back multi-course dinners — a real grown-up treat at the end of the day.

1. Sail to Navagio Shipwreck Beach
2. Relax on Gerakas Beach
3. Spot loggerhead turtles at Marathonisi
4. Explore the Keri Caves by boat
5. Make a splash at Zante Water Village
6. Watch the sunset from Panagia Skopiotissa
7. Wander the Museum of Dionysios Solomos

1. Sail to Navagio Shipwreck Beach

   No image of Zakynthos is more famous than Navagio, the cove where a rusting smuggler’s ship lies marooned on blinding white sand. Reachable only by boat, it is best visited on a morning trip from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos before the crowds arrive. You'll find one of the most photographed panoramas in all of Greece.

2. Relax on Gerakas Beach

   Gerakas, on the Vasilikos peninsula, is a sweeping crescent of golden sand backed by soft clay cliffs. Part of the National Marine Park, it is a crucial nesting site for loggerhead turtles, so the southern end is roped off and the beach closes at sunset to protect the eggs.

3. Spot loggerhead turtles at Marathonisi

   Just off Laganas Bay lies Marathonisi, the uninhabited ‘Turtle Island’ named for its shape. Small boats potter out from Keri and Laganas, often pausing in the bay where loggerhead turtles surface to breathe. The islet has two beaches and a sea cave, and the clear shallows make it easy to glimpse turtles gliding below the boat. Choose a licensed operator that keeps a respectful distance, as this is a protected breeding ground.

4. Explore the Keri Caves by boat

   At the island’s southern tip, the Keri Caves are a maze of arches and grottoes carved into the cliffs by thousands of years of erosion. Accessible only from the water, they are best seen on a small-boat tour from Limni Keriou, which usually loops past the dramatic Mizithres sea stacks too. The water here is exceptionally clear and deep, ideal for a swim or a spot of snorkelling.

5. Make a splash at Zante Water Village

   A guaranteed family favourite, Zante Water Village near Sarakinado packs in four big slides reaching up to 20 metres, twin 360-degree hydrotubes and several pools of varying depths, plus a shallow children’s area for younger ones.

6. Watch the sunset from Panagia Skopiotissa

   For the finest sunset on the island, head up Mount Skopos to the Monastery of Panagia Skopiotissa, a centuries-old stone church perched high above the sea. On a clear evening, you can see all the way to the mainland. The atmosphere is peaceful and timeless, and the changing colours over the Ionian make it a memorable way to round off a day of exploring.

7. Wander the Museum of Dionysios Solomos

   In the heart of Zakynthos Town, the Museum of Dionysios Solomos and Eminent People of Zakynthos celebrates the poet who wrote the words of the Greek national anthem. Its collection of portraits, manuscripts and Venetian-era artefacts tells the story of the island’s rich cultural life. Allow an hour or so to take it all in before strolling the elegant Solomos Square outside.