Our yacht speeds along the southern coast of Zakynthos, shaped like a stingray, and every turn brings a new delight: caves hollowed out of the sheer cliffs, low limestone arches spanning the sea, and a small island draped in olive and oak trees, its golden beaches attracting nesting sea turtles. The captain drops anchor in a secluded cove, where the sandy shore is fringed by jade-green water so clear you can see schools of fish swimming beneath the surface.
Sipping a glass of local rosé on the bow, I look up at the clusters of pines clinging to the cliff crevices, tumbling down like sand dunes into the sea. As the sun sets behind the mountains, a dolphin curves toward our boat, and the sky blushes with colors more vivid than any I’ve seen in Santorini—where I’ve often jostled with crowds in Oia for a glimpse of the famous sunset.
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is the third-largest of the Ionian Islands off Greece’s western coast. While Santorini’s white buildings and blue domes may be the classic image of Greece, Zakynthos has its own unique character. Its history of rule by the Byzantines, Ottomans, French, English, and Venetians has left a legacy of neoclassical and pastel-colored buildings, along with a Venetian castle perched on a hilltop where the ancient acropolis, Psofis, once stood.
“The Ionian Islands offer something different from other Greek islands—it often feels like a mix of Greece and southern Italy,” says my friend Fotis Vallatos, a Greek travel writer and the owner of Pharaoh, a natural wine bar in Athens.
Though neighboring Kefalonia is a favorite in the Ionians, with its cave lakes like cenotes and semi-wild horses roaming Mount Ainos—the only national park in the Greek islands—Zakynthos is gradually stepping out of its sister island’s shadow. “It used to draw mostly young British tourists looking to party in the south, leaving much of the island untouched and less crowded,” Vallatos notes. Now, it’s becoming more upscale, thanks to a handful of luxury hotels, a growing food scene, and wineries producing outstanding natural wines from local grape varieties that even many Greeks don’t know.
With turquoise waters that rival Tahiti or the Maldives, and stunning beaches only reachable by boat, Zakynthos won’t stay a hidden gem for long. Here’s a guide to the island—and why it belongs on your Greek island bucket list.
Where to Stay
The family-run Lesante Collection is leading Zakynthos’s transformation into a luxury destination, complete with private villas and yachting options. Lesante Cape, a 15-minute drive from Zante Town and the main port, spreads across the Akrotiri peninsula, once home to grand manor houses, and is designed to resemble a traditional Greek village. Hammocks overlook a three-tiered infinity pool on the cliffside, with views of Kefalonia’s Mount Ainos etched against the sky. The private beach, a mix of stones and pebbles, is reached by a short walk down steps cut into the rugged cliff—adding to the remote feel, especially when you step onto the wooden piers with sunbeds stretching over the water.
Rooms and villas blend traditional Zakynthian elements like exposed stone and pastoral tapestries with natural, minimalist touches such as live-edge coffee tables and rope-woven furniture. The best accommodations (aside from the villas) are the sea view pool suites, where you can relax on your private terrace and take in sweeping views of the Ionian Sea. Nearby, the adults-only, all-suite Lesante Blu in Tragaki is a modern glass structure that looks spectacular at sunset, particularly from the cliffside tables of its fine dining restaurant, Melia, which seem to float above the sea.The infinity pool.
Hillside Olea All Suite Hotel, part of Design Hotels, is built on an old olive grove. It offers cube-shaped swim-up suites connected by a lagoon, plus minimalist-chic rooms with private pools that feature rattan and brushed concrete. A short drive from Zante Town, the recently renovated Contessina Hotel has 160 rooms facing its central pool, and some suites come with their own private pools surrounded by gardens.
Meanwhile, on the island’s northern coast, The Peligoni Club draws inspiration from Capri’s cliffside hotels. It features Mediterranean-style stone villas and seafront cottages cascading down the hillside. Charter the club’s vintage 1970s wooden kaiki yacht to explore the nearby Blue Caves, or join Peligoni’s wellness activities—like cycling with six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy or swimming with Olympic silver medalist and English Channel swimmer Dan Wallace.
Where to Eat and Drink
Start your day in Zante Town at the newly opened Venier, a boulangerie and patisserie whose chocolate- and pistachio-striped croissants rival those in Paris. Owner Yfantidis Stavros is one of the chefs leading Zakynthos’s culinary rise, blending local ingredients and Venetian heritage with modern flair. A prime example is Fiore Fine Dining at Lesante Cape, where Stavros’s tasting menu includes elevated Zakynthian dishes like nerokremmydopita, a refined water onion pie. For creative cuisine in a more relaxed setting, visit his sky bar Movida, which overlooks Zante Town and offers the closest thing to a rooftop restaurant on the island. Sip wines from acclaimed Grampsas Winery and natural winemaker Dimitris Kefallinos.
Near Zante Town’s main Solomos Square, Prosilio serves reimagined Greek and Ionian dishes such as octopus terrine with red prawns, taramosalata, and grape leaf and rooster ragù pastitsada. On the northeastern coast near the Blue Caves, Nobelos Seaside Lodge is designed like a traditional stone mansion and boasts one of the island’s most stunning beachfront restaurants. Enjoy the cliffside terrace views from antique tables while savoring hyperlocal ingredients from nearby organic farms and fishermen, cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven.
For simple, authentic cuisine, try Selene Taverna or the seaside Nikos Beach Bar Restaurant on Porto Roma beach in the southeast. For a rustic, bohemian vibe, Dionysos on Heaven at Dafni Beach is a makeshift restaurant and beach club built from driftwood, thatched palms, and blanket-draped hay bales. It feels like a natural stop on the Hippie Trail, reminiscent of Ibiza, especially with its DIY ribbon dreamcatchers.
What to Do
Set aside a full day for a boat trip to explore the island’s most picturesque bays and beaches, accessible only by sea. Lesante Collection offers a fleet ranging from small speedboats to 52-foot yachts, taking you to the southern side to see loggerhead sea turtles nesting on Marathonisi Island and into the glowing cobalt waters of the Keri Caves for snorkeling.
In northern Zakynthos, you’ll find the famous “Shipwreck Beach” Navagio, where a rusted smuggler ship has been stranded for nearly 40 years. From Agios Nikolaos port, kayak past endangered monk seals to another must-see: the Blue Caves, Zakynthos’s answer to Capri’s Blue Grotto.
From the tranquil seaside to…In the town of Kalamaki on the southern coast, you can hike up Skopos mountain to visit the centuries-old Panagia Skopiotissa monastery, which is adorned with frescoes. Alternatively, explore forest trails on horseback near Koiliomenos at the family-run Ampelostrates farm. This Greek-style agriturismo offers a stone taverna set among olive groves and vineyards, where you can enjoy Ionian dishes made from the farm’s own produce. Savor specialties like skordostoumbi (garlicky baked eggplant) and cheese pies, accompanied by Ampelostrates’ homemade natural wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and concise FAQs about this emerging Ionian destination
General Getting Started
Q Which Ionian island is being called the next mustvisit destination
A Ithaca Its the legendary homeland of the mythical hero Odysseus and is gaining popularity for its unspoiled beauty
Q Where is Ithaca located
A Ithaca is an island in the Ionian Sea just off the northeast coast of its larger and more famous neighbor Kefalonia
Q Why is Ithaca becoming so popular now
A Travelers are seeking quieter more authentic Greek experiences beyond the welltrodden paths of islands like Santorini and Mykonos Ithaca offers stunning scenery rich history and a peaceful atmosphere
Travel Practicalities
Q Whats the best way to get to Ithaca
A The most common way is to fly to Kefalonia International Airport and then take a 12 hour ferry ride to Ithaca from the port of Sami or Fiskardo
Q Do I need a car on the island
A Yes its highly recommended The island is mountainous with many hidden coves and villages and public transport is limited Renting a car or scooter gives you the freedom to explore
Q What are the main towns or villages to stay in
A Vathy is the main port and capital with a beautiful natural harbor Kioni and Frikes are picturesque fishing villages on the northern coast famous for their charm and waterfront tavernas
Things to See Do
Q What are the mustsee historical sites
A Dont miss the Cave of the Nymphs believed to be from Homers Odyssey and the archaeological site of School of Homer in Stavros with ancient ruins and a small museum
Q Are the beaches good in Ithaca
A Absolutely The beaches are typically small pebbly or sandy coves with unbelievably clear turquoise water Filiatro Gidaki and Sarakiniko are among the most beautiful
Q What kind of activities are available besides swimming and history
A Ithaca is a paradise for hiking with many wellmarked trails offering incredible sea views Sailing