UPDATED 2/7/25

Looking at which Greek islands near Athens make a nice, quick getaway from Athens? Look no further. Here’s an itinerary ideal for first timers spending 3 days in Zakynthos, Greece that will supplement Athens travel nicely.

For best results, this Zakynthos itinerary is for those traveling alone to groups up to 4 travelers on a first time Zakynthos visit.

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Here are all of the sites you need to successfully book these perfect 3 days in Zakynthos.

I even give you my Laganas Beach hotel pick as a wonderful, sustainable and budget friendly option for Zakynthos.

I recommend you bookmark and use these sites early to lock in your Zakynthos 3 day travel itinerary and get the best Zakynthos, Greece travel deals.

Cheap Flights to Zakynthos

Ferries to Zakynthos

Zakynthos Rental Cars

Best Zakynthos Hotels

My Zakynthos Hotel Pick

Sea Turtle Spotting Cruise & Snorkel

While using this Zakynthos 3 days itinerary, don’t forget to use my Ultimate Zakynthos Travel Guide to plan your single travel to Zakynthos in Greece. It is the one-stop-shop guide for all you need to know to plan Zakynthos travel with:

If you prefer videos to plan your first time travel to Zakynthos instead, watch the 15 Things to Know Before You Go to Zakynthos guide with valuable tips from getting there, getting around, where to stay, top things to do in Zakynthos, eco travel tips, what to bring, and more to plan your first time in Zakynthos.

If you’re spending your first time in Greece, also use the Greece Travel Guide full of tips on culture, entry requirements, currency, tipping, using electronics, safety, and a lot more.

For more inspiration, watch these must-do things in Zakynthos you’ll get to enjoy in this 3 day Zakynthos itinerary.

Zakynthos is blessed with an abundance of diverse and beautiful, smooth sandy beaches surrounded by crystal clear, calm waters and marine life making water activities even more exciting. With warm weather and people, great wine and food, you’ll find that Zakynthos is Greek island paradise.

Be active and explore the island, or just lay back and relax on one beach. Zakynthos makes it easy for either. This Zakynthos itinerary, however, provides the best of both worlds to maximize your 3 days in Zakynthos Greece.

You’ll be surprised what you can see in a long Zakynthos weekend.

Ideally you’ll arrive at your Laganas hotel early before check in to check your bags, change into your eco-friendly swimsuit and hit the expansive Laganas beach.

Leave the rental car parked. Laganas beach should be just steps away so you can spend the afternoon grabbing lunch at one of the many Laganas beach restaurants and bars that stretch along the beach.

Then find a lounge bed along the water and soak up the sun.

Go for dip. Try to spot an endangered Mediterranean Loggerhead sea turtle (a.k.a. “Caretta Caretta” turtle) by either snorkeling (making sure not to approach or touch the Caretta Caretta), or renting a glass bottom paddle boat right from the beach.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, try sea kayaking off Laganas.

Before it gets dark, take a stroll down the beach towards Kalamaki beach and the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPK), whose mission is to protect and conserve the island animal and plants species.

You’ll notice the protected sea turtle nesting areas. Take note of the signage available so you do not harm the sea turtle nests nor break the law.

Yes, there are strict measures enforced on the beach when it comes to the sea turtles. One of which is you are not allowed on the beach after sunset.

When you’re beached-out, head back to check into your hotel and change for a night out in Zakynthos Town (a.k.a. “Zante Town” or “Zante” for short), the Zakynthos island capitol and main harbor. Although Laganas Beach is known as the spot for happening Zakynthos nightlife, Zante Town also boasts some nighttime fun.

Zante is a short 15-minute drive to Zante from Laganas. Parking with parking meters can be found along the promenade or on the side streets. Depending on the day, it could take a bit to find parking, but don’t despair.

Park close to Solomos Square where you’ll start your time in Zante. View the building that line the square, such as the Church Agios Nikolaos of Molos (free to enter, but they accept donations) and the Zakynthos Museum.

Walk down the promenade along the water. You’ll notice bypass many hotels and restaurants along the way, but hold off on dining just yet. Instead, keep walking to make a stop in to view the Holy Church of Agios Dionysios (donations also accepted) before turning back around.

Walking the promenade back, take a left at Madison’s Cafe (Lomvardou 36, Zakinthos 291 00) and in a few blocks you’ll find yourself on Alexander Roma pedestrian street, full of shops, restaurants and bars. This is a great area to get your shopping on.

Alexander Roma street is pretty hopping except on Sundays and Wednesdays when shops close early. They also close mid-day for siesta time.

Before long you’ll come to the end of the popular pedestrian street at St. Markos Square with more lively restaurants and bars. I can understand if you’ve found a Zante restaurant for dinner already. If not, I highly recommend dining on the patio at Paradosiako (Komoutou 6, Zakinthos 291 00), right around the corner from St. Markos Square.

Enjoy a late night in Zante, if you wish.

After a hearty breakfast, load up your beach and snorkel gear into the rental car. Day 2 is Zakynthos road trip day for Zakynthos beach exploration, another Zakynthos must do.

First, however, you’ll make a stop at Therianos Family Organic Farm, 25 minutes away, to sample their amazing organic products like their award-winning olive oils, wine, bees wax, and raisins. You cannot help but purchase their beauty products (I couldn’t help myself).

The Therianos family are inviting, lovely people who love to tell you about their centuries’ long heritage on their land in Zakynthos and how they make their organic products. I would recommend to call to confirm you can get a tour when they open at 9am.

Visiting the Therianos Family Organic Farm is a must in Zakynthos.

Afterwards, it’s time to explore the Zakynthos beaches, another must in Zakynthos. Not only one of the best Greek islands for solo travelers, but I believe Zakynthos to be one of the best beach destinations in Europe for solo travelers.

First up: Xigia Sulfur Beach (Elation 290 91), less than 20 minutes north of the farm. Park and pay in the lot at the top of the hill and walk down to the small beach at the base between the cliffs.

A unique setting, there is a bar on the beach and up top on the cliff when you feel the need for refreshments.

If you want more space, simply drive 1 minute further down the road to Makris Gialos Beach. Park on the street.

The afternoon is yours. If you want to explore another beach, try Agios Nikolaos Beach, another 15 minutes north.

You’ll find parking, restaurant and bar, and water sports options at Agios Nikolaos Beach also. It’s a nice little beach.

Whatever Zakynthos beach, or beaches, you visit, leave the east side of the island with at least 2 hours of sunlight left in the day.

Drive 15 minutes west to Shipwreck View Point (Elatia 290 91) to get the optimal overhead view of Navagio beach (Shipwreck beach). Parking is easy, but you’ll more than likely find a line to view.

Yes, this is the spot where you get those epic pictures of the beach. Be respectful and allow just a minute or two to take your snaps so others can, too.

Also be respectful of the signage. There are clearly marked signs asking you not to go to past a certain point (i.e., the edge). These are cliffs. They are unstable. Duh. Tourists die every year on these cliffs.

So, what do people do? They cross over and stand or sit on the edge (and leave trash behind) because they just have to have that Instagram photo. As if your life is worth a photo? Please, don’t be that tourist.

Enjoy the breathtaking view. However, an hour before sunset, you want to be back in the car to head 40 minutes south for dinner and an amazing sunset.

Have your change of clothes (including a jacket) on you and stop at L’ été Sunset Bar (Porto Limnionas, Zakinthos 290 92) for great nibbles, wine, and a sunset you won’t want to rush.

It does get chilly once the sun goes down. Thankfully, the bar does offer a blanket, and a hookah, if you need one.

Day 3 in Zakynthos has an early start as you’ll need to be in the Cameo Island port parking lot in time to meet the boat for your half-day Marathonisi (Turtle Island) and Keri Caves boat tour.

There are several options for a boat tour of Turtle Island with cave swimming, but I highly recommend booking this Eco-friendly Sea Turtle Spotting Boat Excursion (which also offers hotel pick up). Why?

Nefis Travel partners with Archelon, the Greek organization dedicated to protecting endangered Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Archelon volunteers provide a presentation of their conservation efforts.

Archelon is one organization I hope to volunteer with soon. In fact, it sparked my interest in going to Zakynthos as they have an office on the island.

Don’t be upset if you do not see any sea turtles from Turtle Island. It’s still a lovely boating and cave swimming experience you will not forget.

Afterwards, you’ll be back at Cameo Island where you can swim and snorkel with another opportunity to see sea turtles, and swim with them.

Entry to Cameo Island is only 5€. It offers food and drink and a nice place to lay in the sun. It’s a nice way to spend the rest of day 3 in Zakynthos relaxing.

After a sun and water-soaked day, you may be tired and wish to stay close to Laganas. However, another option is to get in the car and head to Bochali, a mere 15 minutes away, to enjoy a panoramic view of Zante and the harbor. There is outdoor dining on the hill as well.

Instead, you could stay on the west coast of the island to enjoy another beautiful sunset on your last day in Zakynthos.

I was originally booked for 4 days in Zakynthos on my last my Greece solo trip, but my airline delayed my outbound flight by a week (during Covid, of course), and my visit in Zakynthos was reduced by a day. Needless to say, I was not happy.

The point is, I wish I had more time to visit Zakynthos. I could have easily enjoyed more than 4 days in Zakynthos.

If I were you, as a first-time traveler to Zakynthos, I would recommend spending 4 days in Zakynthos, or more, if you can (still, 3 days is definitely better than not going at all).

On an extended stay in Zakynthos, keep to the same 3 days in Zakynthos Greece listed above, and the rental car, and spend more time exploring the island of Zakynthos to visit Porto Vromi beach, Porto Limnionas beach, Eleftherotria Monastery, or do wine tasting at Grampas Winery.

Feel free to check out of your Laganas hotel and find an accommodation closer the beaches and towns in Zante you liked most for the remainder of your Zakynthos solo travel. Add a day trip to Shipwreck Beach and Blue Caves in your schedule.

If you don’t want to rent a car in Zakynthos, or take a break from driving around the island, you are welcome to purchase Zakynthos tours individually or a car service.

Here is a recap of some of the top things to do in Zakynthos from this itinerary that you could add in lieu of a rental car that should fit your 3 days in Zakynthos (or longer).

I would love to hear if this 3 days in Zakynthos, Greece travel itinerary was helpful to you. Post me your thoughts or questions in the Comments section below. Thank you!

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