Zakynthos (Zante) Villa Holidays

Zakynthos divides opinion, which is part of what makes it interesting. The north and east of the island — Vassilikos, Porto Zoro, Agios Nikolaos — is genuinely beautiful, with clear turquoise water, good tavernas and a relaxed atmosphere. The west coast has Laganas and the party resort crowd. The two barely overlap, and if you're staying in a villa in the right part of the island you'll barely know the other exists.

Where to Stay The Vassilikos peninsula in the south-east is the best base for a villa holiday — pine-covered hills sloping down to some of the best beaches on the island, away from the resort noise. The north around Alikes and Alykes is quieter still. Zakynthos Town on the east coast is worth a visit for the main square and the Byzantine museum.

Beaches Navagio — Shipwreck Beach — is the image most people associate with Zakynthos: a rusting boat wreck on a white sand cove enclosed by white limestone cliffs, accessible only by boat. It's genuinely as spectacular as the photographs suggest, though busy in peak season. Porto Zoro on the Vassilikos peninsula is stunning and less visited. Gerakas at the southern tip is a protected loggerhead turtle nesting beach — swimming is permitted in the day but the turtles come at night.

Things to Do Take a boat trip to Navagio and the Blue Caves in the north — the sea in the caves genuinely glows blue from the light refraction. Visit the turtle information centre at Gerakas. Drive up to Keri in the south for the lighthouse views. Zakynthos Town square in the evening, with its Venetian-influenced architecture rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake, is worth a visit.

Food & Drink Zakynthos has good honest Greek food — fresh fish, grilled meat, local olive oil. The island produces its own honey and a soft white cheese called ladotyri. The Vassilikos peninsula has some excellent tavernas. Avoid the main resort strip around Laganas for eating.

When to Go June through September. July and August are peak season and Laganas gets very busy. The Vassilikos peninsula stays calmer year-round. Late June and early September are the sweet spot.