Seasonal events in Zante

Zante - Turtle Cruise to Marathonisi and Keri Peninsula

Loggerhead sea turtles have been residents of Zante's beaches for thousands of years, and with a bit of luck, you'll see them first-hand on this boat trip. Join an expert local guide for an educational day out at sea, passing by nesting sites, swimming in hidden bays and spending time in the village of Keri. Bianca, one of our guides, says, ‘In just one trip, you get to jump into clear waters, cruise along the Keri peninsula and, with luck, see turtles.'Available either in the morning from Zante harbour or the afternoon from Keri harbour, this half-day cruise is a real treat for all the family. You'll pass by the golden beaches of Vassilikos and Marathonisi, a pine-clad islet dubbed ‘Turtle Island'. The reason's simple – one of its beaches is a favourite turtle nesting site. Bianca, who's lived on Zante for more than 20 years, says of the scenery, ‘You can do this tour a thousand times and every day is different.' Be sure to keep a lookout for Loggerheads, and you may even spot a wild dolphin or two.Plus, you'll sail along the Keri peninsula, cruising by its sea-plunging cliffs, caves and lighthouse before dropping anchor for a swim stop at the Bay of Oasis. In the small village of Keri, you have a quick stop to shop for souvenirs, relax in a typical taverna or hit the beach. What's more, a volunteer from local conservation group ARCHELON – the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece – will be on board to tell give you the lowdown on its work.

Zante - Greek food and live music evening at Popolaros Taverna

Good food and good fun are on the menu at Popolaros Greek Taverna. Get in the holiday mood with this classic Greek evening – you'll try lots of typical local dishes, carefully prepared by Giorgios and his team. As the sun sets over the island, the candles are lit and the actors take to the stage. The sound of the bouzouki fills the air, and you find yourself tapping your feet to the rhythm. Dmitri, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Why not try dancing the zeibekiko traditional Greek dance? You follow the rhythm as the tempo gets faster and faster.'The evening begins with a transfer to the inviting taverna, where you can indulge in the traditional cuisine of Zante, prepared where possible with produce fresh from the family's own farm. Homemade bread is made from their own wheat, and most of the meat is reared on the farm, too. Organic vegetables are grown by the family for salads and sides, and you'll even get unlimited wine to sip on.Dmitri says, ‘My memories of family gatherings, holidays and special occasions all involve my mother, aunts and grannies baking. Frigania in summer, raisin and walnut-stuffed buns at Christmas and, all year-round, wood-fired oven-baked bread.' Popolaros is a traditional taverna where every dish is a celebration of the rich culture and traditions of Greece. As you finish your meal, sit back and enjoy a performance of local theatre with infectious Zakynthian music.

Zante - Half-day Greek cooking adventure in Zante

A relaxed half-day experience exploring Greek food and culture, the perfect way to start your morning. You'll be welcomed with coffee and intros before getting hands-on in a kitchen set in a beautiful garden on Zante. Under expert guidance, you'll dive into preparing five traditional dishes, including an appetiser, main, salad and dessert in this fun, relaxed and interactive class that's suitable for all skill levels. You'll learn to craft Greek favourites like stifado, spinach pie and feta saganaki as you sip soft drinks and sample your creations along the way. As you cook, you'll discover more about Greek culture, cuisine and island life. To end the day, you'll sit down to savour the dishes you've created, served alongside a local beer or wine. All the ingredients and tools are provided, just bring along your enthusiasm and appetite. Finally, you'll receive a PDF recipe booklet to recreate the authentic flavours of Zante at home.

Zante - Zakynthos town transfer

Exploring Zante's capital is effortless with this transfer. You'll be picked up from your hotel and taken directly into the city, where the evening is then yours to do as you wish – be it shopping, sightseeing or tasting local delicacies. There are loads to see and do.You'll have around four hours in the evening to discover the delights that Zakynthos Town has to offer. If you fancy a spot of souvenir shopping, then you'll be able to dip in and out of local boutiques, or enjoy a leisurely walk along the seafront Strada Marina, stopping for the odd aperitif or two.But if history and culture feature high on your agenda, then you've got museums and the famed Bohali Castle for sweeping views. Venetian-style architecture is abundant in the city, and Solomos Square is where you'll find both locals and visitors hanging out and watching the world go by. Enjoy the city as you want without the constraints of an itinerary, and soak up its magical atmosphere.

Zante - Secrets of Zante with Blue Caves visit and local tastings

It's easy to see why the Venetians called Zante the ‘Flower of the East'. This exclusive tour takes in some of the island's prettiest villages and the remote Anafonitria monastery, too. And that's not all. There'll also be local wine and sweets to taste, plus a short boat trip to the Blue Caves – one of the deepest points in the Mediterranean.

Zante - Smuggler's Cove half-day cruise with panoramic drive

Smuggler's Cove is a picture-postcard white pebble beach with a surprise – a shipwreck from an alleged smuggler who ran aground here in the early 80s. On this half-day boat trip, you'll cruise along the coast to see this famous spot, discover secret coves, swim and soak up the scenery. Kay, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Smuggler's Cove is also known as Shipwreck Beach, or “Navagio” in Greek. It's only accessible by boat, and it's one of the most photographed places in the whole of Greece.'After pick-up, enjoy a scenic drive to Porto Vromi – it takes up to 90 minutes – and hop on a boat towards Smuggler's Cove. You'll have half an hour or so to take in the vistas from the deck before the imposing white cliffs appear, sheltering the cove and its famous wreck. The 200-metre-high cliffs curve and swoop down behind the beach, dwarfing the shipwreck. Kay says, ‘To preserve the natural beauty of the area, instead of disembarking at Smuggler's cove, we'll pause here to admire the scenery and take a few Insta-perfect snaps.'Next, your captain will drop anchor at a nearby bay, and you'll have time to swim in the dazzling waters surrounded by Zante's coastal landscapes – don't forget your snorkel mask for spotting the colourful fish, coral and starfish here. Then, as we cruise back towards Porto Vromi, your captain will take you to a smooth, white-pebbled beach, a place so secret it doesn't even show up on Google. Cool off with a swim stop here and hear the story of the 'Poseidon's Face' – a rock formation believed to depict Poseidon, God of the sea – before setting off for the final leg back to shore.

Zante - Zante cruise to Turtle Island for private groups

Grab a group of your nearest and dearest and set sail on this private cruise to the island of Marthonisi, better known as Turtle Island. You'll head out from Laganas Bay, part of the Zakynthos Marine Park which is a protected area where loggerhead turtles nest. Your experienced captain will tell you all about these endangered animals as you try to catch a glimpse of them during your three-hour trip. If the weather's on your side, you'll get to have a wander on the uninhabited island and go for a swim. It's like your own private slice of paradise.

Zante - Boat tour to Zante’s Navagio Beach shipwreck

Between the towering cliffs of Navagio beach lies Zante's famous shipwreck, Panagiotis. On this boat trip you'll get plenty of photo ops with the wreck and hear about its modern-day pirate story. Your trip starts at Porto Vromi Maries on the northwest of the island, where you'll cruise up the coast, dropping anchor at beaches and caves along the way for a swim and snorkel. On your return, you'll see Poseidon's Profile in the rockface – some locals still believe the god of the seas brings good luck to visitors.

Zante - Transfer to Agia Mavra Festival in Zante

Head over to the village of Macherado, in Zante, and dive into an authentic Greek celebration on this transfer-only tour. You'll be dropped off just a 30-minute walk from the village centre, where the fun begins. Stroll into Macherado for the evening and see how locals celebrate the Festival of Agia Mavra.During the festival, locals come together to celebrate Saint Mavra, with the main event of the evening being a procession of her icon through the streets – the locals believe it has the power to teleport. In the central square of the village, you'll hear live music, and watch the locals celebrate in true Greek style with traditional dances – you'll have as much fun watching as you would taking part, if you fancy it.Then, you can stop by the barbecue hosted here and tuck into some classic Greek fare. We're talking grilled spiced meats with sides of tzatziki, fresh bread and Greek salad. Plus, there's a bazaar with stalls stocked with local crafts, tasty treats and artisanal products – why not search for souvenirs to take with you?

Zante - Turtle Island, Keri Caves and Mizithres Half-Day Private Cruise

Enjoy sailing on a luxury boat around Zakynthos getting close to the marine wildlife and discovering secrets spots away from the crowds.

Zante - Skinari Ticket Only

There's nothing like a beach day to kick off those holiday vibes, so this trip has you covered. Hop on a boat and sail the coast to spend some time overlooking Zante's most Instagrammable beach – Smuggler's Cove. Snap a few selfies with its famous shipwreck, and you'll get to see the incredible Blue Caves, too.

Zante - Zakynthos private boat rental

Rent your private boat and sail along Zakynthos at your own pace. Feel like the captain for one day.

Zante - Private northern Zante cruise

Whether you are looking for sun kissed beaches or tiny hidden coves, a private half day cruise around the north of Zante will deliver. You'll have the boat to yourselves, so relax as the captain takes you to see star beaches, as well as the magical Blue Caves. On the way, you'll explore secret coves for a dip in the dazzling blue Ionian Sea.

Zante - Zante St Dennis Festival experience

Street food, lively processions, fireworks and marching bands – the feast day of St Dennis is Zante's biggest event of the year. And you can enjoy the best views on this evening tour. See the procession of priests in their finest robes and then mingle with the locals in the festival bazaar. Maria, one of our local guides, says, ‘The celebration of our patron Saint Dennis – known as Dionysus locally – is the most important event in every Zakynthian's diary. A highlight of mine is seeing the town in all its festive finery as we weave through the bazaar.'To commemorate the island's patron saint, the whole of Zante comes out to celebrate on the 24th of August. You'll get to join in the festivities, heading into Zante town late afternoon. Take your spot in the crowd to watch the procession first, before a chance to mingle with the locals at the food stalls and bazaar. Maria says, ‘There'll be plenty of local delicacies on offer, including traditional sweet treats, roasted chestnuts, and my favourite – loukoumades – a typical Greek donut drenched in honey.'Soak up the buzzing atmosphere and snap up those last pics of the evening as fireworks light up the sky before the bus takes you back to your hotel.

Zante - Zante tour with Blue Caves boat trip and wine-tasting

Timeless villages, wow-factor views and a coastal classic. This small group tour offers a snapshot of Zante's best bits. And if that wasn't enough, you'll get to try local olive oil and wine. Bianca, one of our local guides, says, ‘You get to discover those hard-to-reach places that are a relic of the past – the Skinari windmills, the narrow lanes of Volimes. Even after all these years on the island, I still feel a frisson when I see them.' And to top it off, this tour has a later starting time, meaning you won't miss out on your beauty sleep.We kick off with a tour and tasting at a family-run winery in Kallipado. For generations, it has produced wines made from local grape varieties such as robola and Pavlos. Next is a drive up the east coast with a photo stop at a famous beach. At Cape Skinari, drop in for homemade apple pie and a hot drink at the lighthouse and take some snaps of windmills before hopping aboard a boat for a trip to the Blue Caves. These sea arches have been carved by waves into white cliffs over millennia. And weather permitting, you'll get to dive in for a swim.Back on dry land, you'll enjoy a scenic drive through villages like Volimes and Anafonitria , as we head to Exo Chora. Here, there'll be a stop for a photo of a 2,000-year-old olive tree and a visit to a local cosmetics factory to see how olive oil products are made using the island's own produce, before rounding off the tour in Banatao with a meal in a local taverna. Amidst the backdrop of Insta-worthy landscapes, toast to the days adventures and taste the flavours of Greece with some snacks washed down with wine.

Zante - Private Cruise to Shipwreck Beach and Blue Caves

Discover the best of Zakynthos: Shipwreck Beach, Blue Caves, Mizithres Beach, Keri Caves, and Marathonisi, all in one day.

Zante - Zante luxury sailing trip

This luxury cruise along the island's southern coast takes you far from the bustling towns and out into the crystal-clear Ionian Sea. As we set sail, you'll soak in panoramic views of Zakynthos town, the perfect backdrop for a day of relaxation and exploration.Your first stop is the stunning Vassilikos area, where you can dive into crystal-clear waters for a refreshing swim. Next, we'll cruise to Marathonisi Island, an iconic turtle nesting spot where you'll snap some frame-worthy pics before heading to the Keri Caves for a bit of adventure and exploration.The final stop is Misitres Beach, a secluded gem famous for its striking white rocks and turquoise waters. With plenty of time to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the cool sea breeze, this cruise is pure relaxation. Snacks and drinks are served onboard, so all you have to do is kick back and enjoy.

Zante - Zante private boat charter

If you fancy playing skipper for the day, why not embark on your own private speedboat cruise? With no licence or experience needed, you can set sail on a three-hour trip around Marathonisi Island – Zante's major nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. You'll be in charge of your own itinerary on this memorable day at sea, exclusively for you and your party.

Zante - Rent your own private boat in South Zante

Sail the south coast aboard your own private speedboat. If you fancy playing skipper for the day, you'll be in charge of your own boat, no licence or experience required. Before you set off, staff will give you a safety briefing, show you the ropes, and help you set a course. Cruise by Keri Caves, do a spot of wildlife-watching at Marathonisi Island or stop by the incredibly Instagrammable Mizithres beach – the choice is yours.

Zante - Zante Villages, Beach & Monastery 4x4 Tour

Only off-roaders are tough enough to take you on this tour. Hit the road in a 4x4 and travel through Zante's top-class countryside to explore tiny villages, time-worn towns and the monasteries of Yperagathos and Agios Georgios. After free time for lunch, it's time to relax on the remote Makri Gialos beach for free time to sunbathe and swim. There's also a sunset option, with Makri Gialos, Agios Georgios monastery, wine tasting in Exo Hora and free time in Kampi for dinner and sunset.