Things To Do in Zante

Laganas is the liveliest resort in Zante, and its beach follows suit. Revellers flock here during the day to catch up on sleep, and families come to take advantage of the gently shelving waters. The whole 9-kilometre-long stretch is backed by ice-cream stalls, souvenir shops, cafés and restaurants.

This beach is great if you’ve got little ones with you. Expect soft sands and shallow waters made for paddling. It’s also one of Zante’s quieter stretches, so it’s really peaceful. That said, you’ll find a few watersports on offer, and some tavernas laid out behind the sands.

The Holy Week celebrations begin on Holy Tuesday, with the St Dionysios Church Choir kicking things off with traditional Psalm chanting. On Good Friday, meanwhile, there’s a procession through Zante Town, which kicks off at 2pm.

This ruin in the centre of the island is the destination of choice for many keen ramblers. If you want to join them, pack a picnic and drive for about 20 minutes from Kalamaki to the sleepy village of Aghios Dimitrios, before heading off into the countryside. Your stroll will take you through the sweet-smelling pine forests that give way to the ancient temple.

If you come here in late August, you’ll find the St Dionysios celebrations in full swing. In Zante Town, the remains of the island’s patron saint are carried in a silver coffin from the church dedicated to him. And afterwards, the whole city explodes in a flurry of floats, fireworks, costumes and dancing.

If you fancy trying your hand at scuba diving, you’re in the right place. The waters surrounding Zante are teeming with marine life. Vassilikos, around half an hour’s drive from Laganas, is the best place to head. The island’s eastern ‘lobster claw’ peninsula juts into clear seas and offers up the ideal conditions for an introduction to diving.

Rolling hills and olive groves rise up behind Tsilivi’s beach, giving it one of the prettiest backdrops on the island. The waters here are really clear, and you’ll find lots of snack bars and restaurants near the sands, so you haven’t got far to go when you fancy a bite to eat.

If there’s one must-see in Zante, it’s Smugglers Cove. A sweep of pale sand framed by cliffs, it’s the most photographed sight on the island. The story goes that, in 1983, a coaster carrying cigarettes smashed into rocks off the island’s west coast. Fatally holed, the ship was swept ashore. These days, you can take a boat trip to the cove or see it on a round-the-island cruise.

Kalamaki Beach starts where Laganas Beach ends. Honey-coloured sands and translucent waters are the star attraction here. What’s more, the beach is a magnet for the native loggerhead turtles that come here to nest. As such, you won’t find any watersports interrupting the peace.

Hop on a ferry at Zante Town’s port and set sail for neighbouring Kefalonia. This place is famous for its starring role in Hollywood blockbuster, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. And, when you take a look at it, you’ll see why it was worthy of the big screen. The island is also home to one of the best wineries in Greece, Robola. Come here to check out the wine-making process and sample some of the stuff yourself.

If you want to get to grips with off-the-beaten-track Zante, there’s nothing better than a 4X4 safari. You’ll dip down dirt tracks as a driver-come-guide takes you to places only the locals know about. They normally head for the hills in the heart of the island, so you can discover hidden hamlets and tiny tavernas serving regional dishes.

The tiny village of Kambi, about a 45-minute drive from Kalamaki, is tucked into the rocks overlooking the Ionian, and it’s famous for its sunsets. As the sun sinks into the sea, it’s as if a gallon of molten gold has been spilt across the horizon. In fact, the sight is so spectacular, it’s not unusual for the crowds to burst into applause from the cliff top tavernas when it’s all over.

In 1953, Zante Town was destroyed by an earthquake. Now rebuilt, its pretty arcaded streets run along the waterfront, where little fishing boats drop anchor each morning. Down at the end of the harbour, you’ll find the church of Aghios Dionysios – the resting place of Zante's patron saint. Remarkably, and some say miraculously, the church was one of the few buildings that survived the earthquake.

If you’re staying near Lithakia, you can see this pretty little islet as you float on your Lilo. But it’s much better close-up. Anchored offshore in Laganas Bay, it’s an uninhabited island of silky soft sands and cushiony greenery. Plus, it’s only around a 20-minute boat ride away, so it’s great if you want to play castaway for a few hours.

St Nicholas Beach, to the south of the island, is Zante’s watersports hub. Banana boats and ringo rides are especially popular here, but you can also have a go at things like water-skiing, paragliding and canoeing. If all that activity leaves you hungry, head to one of the sand-side beach bars to refuel with food and cocktails.

Laganas Beach may be a turtle-watching hotspot, but drive south for around half an hour, and you’ll come to Gerakas Beach. This place is home to the only turtle conservation centre on the island. It charts the efforts of those working to stop the creatures from becoming extinct, and gives you some tips on what you can do to help.