Let's go to Zakynthos Darling
Navigating Gay-Friendly Hospitality in Zakynthos
Zakynthos (Zante) offers stunning natural beauty, clear turquoise waters, and warm Greek hospitality. While the island does not feature a dedicated "gay village" like Mykonos, its hoteliers are broadly inclusive, welcoming LGBTQ+ travelers across its key coastal regions. Selecting the right area depends heavily on the vibe you want for your Mediterranean getaway.
All distances are in kms with start point from zakynthos town.
Key Tips for LGBTQ+ Travelers in Zakynthos
Location Strategy: Book Tsilivi for high-end luxury and wellness, Laganas for easy access to bars and beach clubs, or Argassi for a scenic, central base.
Adults-Only Focus: Opting for adults-only properties generally ensures a quieter, more tailored environment for couples and solo travelers.
Getting Around: Renting a car or scooter is recommended to easily reach secluded sots like Xigia Beach, Navagio viewpoint, and private coastal coves.
Tsilivi & Akrotiri: Luxury & Boutique Sophistication
Located on the northeastern coast, Tsilivi and the elevated hills of Akrotiri appeal to travelers seeking refined design, privacy, and upscale amenities.
Olea All Suite Hotel (Tsilivi): Perched on a hill surrounded by olive trees, this 5-star, design-forward resort is ideal for couples. With its minimalist architecture, tranquil infinity pools, and welcoming atmosphere, it stands out as a premier luxury retreat.
Contessina Suites & Spa (Tsilivi): An adults-only sanctuary that focuses on tailored hospitality, high-end wellness, and modern aesthetics—perfect for a quiet, inclusive retreat.
Laganas & Agios Sostis: Social Vibe & Nightlife Access
Laganas is the island's party hub, offering vibrant nightlife alongside relaxing pockets along its outer edges and neighboring Agios Sostis.
Iviskos - Adults Only (Laganas): A standout choice geared specifically toward LGBTQ+ travelers and adult guests. It offers a relaxed, community-focused Mediterranean environment close to local entertainment.
Castelli Hotel Adults Only (Agios Sostis/Laganas): Located slightly away from the main strip, this eco-friendly boutique hotel offers all-inclusive luxury with an open, friendly atmosphere.
Mon Repo Secret Suites (Laganas): Stylish, private suites designed for travelers looking for high comfort and romantic seclusion near the beach.
Kalamaki & Argassi: Balanced Charm & Easy Accessibility
Positioned between the main nightlife hubs and Zakynthos Town, these central coastal areas combine beach relaxation with easy access to dining and culture.
Ionian Hill Hotel (Argassi / Xirokastello): Officially recognized for its LGBTQIAP+-friendly hospitality, this boutique hotel sits on a cliffside offering panoramic Ionian Sea views, an elegant pool bar, and private accommodations.
Denny’s Inn Hotel (Kalamaki): A charming family-run hotel close to the protected loggerhead turtle beaches. Known for its inclusive service, it provides a warm base for exploring the southern coast.
Sightseeing in Zakynthos with Love
Zakynthos (Zante) offers stunning natural beauty, clear turquoise waters,
The East Coast
Map of Zakynthos’ east coast
The east coast is the area with the most beaches in Zakynthos. Except for Makris Gialos, all beaches are sandy. Xigia Beach specifically stands out for its sulfur springs, which on some days turn the sea white. Banana Beach and St. Nicholas Beach are the most popular and crowded beaches in Zakynthos and are famous for their many water sports. You can find images and descriptions of the east coast beaches in the section “All Zakynthos Beaches – east coast“.
PORTO ROMA BEACH
Porto Roma Beach is located in the Vassilikos area. It is named after one of the most famous people in Zakynthos, Alessandro Roma, who lived in this area. Porto Roma is a small, narrow, sandy beach, still quiet and hardly affected by growing tourism. This beach is uniquely beautiful, with lots of vegetation and pine trees, providing pleasant and comfortable shade for beachgoers. Porto Roma is a perfect holiday destination as the whole area, over the years, has remained pure and unspoiled, far from the chaos of the more crowded areas. Although mostly undeveloped, the beach does offer some basic services, such as few umbrellas and deck chairs.
SAN NIKOLAS BEACH
St. Nikolas Beach is located about 14 km kilometers from the capital and takes its name from the nearby Saint Nikolas chapel. It has a large golden sandy beach with crystal clear waters. Famous above all for the numerous services it offers, including watersports such as jet skis, bananas and parasailing, for many years it has been competing with Banana Beach as the most popular beach for young people.
BANANA BAYA BEACH
Banana Beach is the widest beach on Zakynthos Island and has shallow crystal clear waters. Famous above all for its amenities and for its numerous watersports, including jet-ski, parasailing, bananas, flyboards and water skiing, it is chosen mainly by young people and some families. Banana Beach is very popular during the day, but it quickly empties at sunset due to its distance from the main tourist centers.
PORTO ZORO BEACH
Porto Zoro Beach is located about 11 kilometres from the town of Zante. It is a long beach of golden sand and pebbles, with beautiful crystal clear waters. The peculiarity of Porto Zoro is the rock formations on the right side of the beach, where beachgoers can take mud baths. Porto Zoro offers tourists various amenities, including rentable sunbed and umbrellas and bars and taverns overlooking the sea.
ARGASSI BEACH
Argassi Beach is located a few kilometres from the capital and is certainly the least beautiful and popular beach on the eastern side of the island, mostly due to its proximity to the port and the river. This narrow and sandy beach improves past the town of Argassi about 3km from Saint Eustachio Church, a short distance from the old bridge from the 1800s.
AKROTIRI / ZANTE BEACH
The whole coast from Zakynthos town to Akrotiri is dotted with small pebble beaches, establishments and bars. The only sandy beach on these 4 kilometres of coastline is the one in front of the Alivizos-Asteria fish restaurant. Used mostly by locals, it is a valid alternative for those looking for a relaxing day while enjoying a meal with a sea view.
TSILIVI BEACH
Tsilivi Beach is a very long stretch of fine golden sand and one of the most popular beaches on the island. The sea is shallow, making it ideal for families with small children. All along the beach there are beach bars and watersports shops, where visitors can rent sundbeds, pedal boats and water scooters.
ALYKES AND ALYKANAS BEACHES
Alykanas Beach and Alykes Beach, together with other smaller ones, form the Gulf of Alykes, which has fine sandy beaches and a shallow seabed ideal for families with young children. Alykanas is 2km south of the more touristy Alykes. Both are large and well-equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds and bar service.
XIGIA BEACH
Xigia Beach is located about 8 kilometres from Alykes Beach. The beach has small white pebbles and the sea takes on an incredible blue hue thanks to the high quantity of Sulfur in the water released from a nearby sulphurous source. The sulfur-rich water has therapeutic and healing properties for many skin problems, cellulite, joint and muscle pain. This beach is also highly appreciated by snorkelers. Families with small children should be careful as the water suddenly becomes deep and the seabed, in some places, is rather rocky.
MAKRIS GIALOS BEACH
Makris Gialos Beach is located a few kilometres from Xigia. This beautiful half-moon shaped beach is made of white pebbles in its initial part and of sand near the rocky wall. The water is an emerald green color. The seabed is full of fish and offers snorkelers small caves to explore.
AGIOS NIKOLAOS BEACH
Agios Nikolaos Beach is located in the northern part of the island, near the mountain village of Volimes and is sometimes it is confused with the southern beach carrying the same name. The beach has small pebbles and is quite spacious. It has a port from where the ferries connecting Zakynthos to Kefalonia depart twice a day. Right in front of the port, there is also an uninhabited islet close enough to be reached with a nice swim.
The West Coast
Map of Zakynthos’ west coast
The west coast is the rockiest and most inaccessible area on the island. It is obviously the least touristy, but also the best preserved from the growing number of tourists vacationing in Zakynthos in recent years. There are very few beaches accessible by land, including Korakonisi, Porto Roxa, Porto Limnionas, Porto Stenitis, Porto Vromi and Filipoi. The countless caves, coves and especially Shipwreck Beach, can only be reached by renting a boat or by taking part in a North Coast or West Coast excursion. This is the best area on the island to enjoy enchanting sunsets overlooking the sea (Keri, Kampi or the Navagio viewpoint). You can find pictures and images of the west coast beaches in the section “All Zakynthos Beaches – west coast“.
EROS CAVE at Piscines Beach (Παραλία Πισίνες)
KORAKONISI BEACH
Korakonisi is located south of Porto Roxa. This beach is completely rocky and to get to the sea, you have to go down a series of steps carved into the rock. Korakonisi is almost considered an island because, when the sea is rough, it gets completely separated from the mainland. The water in this area is very deep and is therefore only recommended for experienced swimmers.
PORTO ROXA BEACH
Porto Roxa is wilder than nearby Porto Limnionas. Its main amenities are the rocking sunbeds facing the sea (completely free with a food/drink order) which, however, are being gradually replaced by regular sunbeds to increase available space. Access to the sea is a bit rough and we recommend wearing shoes or sandals. The seabed is rocky and rich in starfish and fish.
PORTO LIMNIONAS BEACH
Porto Limnionas, is the second most popular spot on this side of the island. The sea has the color of a swimming pool, partly thanks to a spring water source flowing into the bay. Its Posidonia meadows offer shelter for a large variety of fish, making it and ideal location for snorkeling and diving. In the past, Porto Limnionas offered little shade, but in recent years, it has considerably expanded its amenities by providing sunbeds and umbrellas for a fee. For those who want to save money, they can lay their towels directly on one of the numerous flat rocks.
STENITIS BEACH
Porto Stenitis is a small inlet with crystal clear waters and a tiny pebble beach. It is located south of Porto Vromi and can be reached with some difficulty by jeep or quad from the town of Maries. The best way to get there is actually by renting a boat or by joining one of the excursions to Shipwreck Beach that depart from Porto Vromi.
PORTO VROMI BEACH
Porto Vromi has a small beach of sand and pebbles and clear, crystalline waters. It is located in a rocky inlet that forms a small natural harbour. From here, you can rent a boat or participate in a group excursion to Shipwreck Beach.
SHIPWRECK BEACH
Shipwreck Beach is the main tourist attraction in Zakynthos. It has become the cover image for the island and the reference image for holidays in Greece. The cove is enclosed between two large promontories and has stunning blue waters. It takes the name “Shipwreck Beach” because of a boat that washed ashore in 1980, whose remains still rest there in plain sight. Among the things to see in Zakynthos, you shouldn’t miss the panoramic viewpoint on the top of the promontory overlooking Shipwreck Beach, from where most of Zakynthos scenic photos are taken.
Shipwreck Beach: Rent Your Own Boat €200
https://welcometozante.com/en/holiday-to-zante/rent-a-boat-shipwreck-beach-and-east-coast/
Shipwreck Beach Tour €30
The South Coast
Map of Zakynthos’ south coast
The south coast is famous for the Marine Park and Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) turtles. Except for Limni Keri and Marathias, all beaches are sandy. Dafni and Gerakas are the most monitored by WWF volunteers, due to their numerous turtle nests. Laganas is the most touristy beach on the island and a favorite destination for thousands of young people. You can find images and descriptions of the south coast beaches in the section “All Zakynthos Beaches – south coast“.
The south coast islands are part of the Marine Park protected area (for more information, “Map, beaches and rules of the Zakynthos Marine Park“). The only island that can be reached by renting a boat or taking part in an excursion is Marathonisi, whereas the Pelouzo and the Strofades Islands are closed to the public.
GERAKAS BEACH
Gerakas Beach is considered among the most beautiful beaches in Zakynthos. This strip of sandy beach is located at the southern end of Zakynthos and is about 17 km from the capital. Chosen year after year by hundreds of Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) turtles as their nesting site, in the months of August and September, it is actually possible to witness the eggs hatching, and see the small turtles take the sea route. Marine sports and bars are prohibited in this area. Gerakas is under the protection of the Marine National Park and in fact at the entrance, WWF volunteers will explain the rules to follow while on the beach.
DAFNI BEACH
Dafni Beach is part of the National Park protected area. This long stretch of golden sand is the least popular among the beaches of the Marine Park as it can only be reached by private vehicle. Here you will find numerous turtle nests covered by wooden cages positioned for protection by WWF volunteers. The local seabed is home to Posidonia meadows, where numerous fish find shelter from predators.
KALAMAKI BEACH
The sandy Kalamaki Beach is the longest beach of the Marine Park and it is the continuation of Laganas Beach. The edge of Kalamaki Beach is marked by a WWF kiosk where volunteers provide information on the rules to be followed in the protected area. Almost every year, about 200 turtle nests are laid on this beach, recognizable by the characteristic wooden structures that the volunteers put in place for protection. Typically, the first stretch of beach is always crowded, but further down towards the end, there are more tranquil spots.
LAGANAS BEACH
Laganas Beach is the most famous beach in Zakynthos. The beach is located about 10 kilometers from the capital and it is by far the most popular beach for young people. Laganas is characterized by an immense sandy beach, dotted with deckchairs and umbrellas, and is embraced by an infinity of restaurants and bars open until late in the evening. The sea water, although less spectacular than in other parts of the island, is still crystal clear with a shallow bottom that degrades slowly.
CAMEO BEACH
Cameo Island, the second most photographed point in Zakynthos, has the smallest beach on the southern coast. This white pebble beach is easily accessible from Laganas both on foot and by car or scooter. In the past, Cameo Island was a coastal promontory, but as a result of numerous earthquakes that hit the area, it has become the island you see today. A romantic wooden pier connect the island to the mainland.
KERI BEACH
Keri Beach is located in the south-western part of the island and offers beautiful views of Marathonisi Island. The beach is a mix of pebbles and sand with some trees providing shade in the hottest hours. The seabed is sandy and shallow making it possible to walk for about twenty meters in crystal clear waters. It is definitely an ideal place for families with small children.
MARATHIA BEACH
Marathias Beach is located about 19 km from the city of Zakynthos. The sea is crystal clear and the beach is made of white pebbles. The water is shallow making it ideal for families with small children. The beach can be accessed by going down a dirt road behind a restaurant. In the hottest hours, beachgoers can find shelter by renting an umbrella from the beach attendant.