Zakynthos Island Information
Zakynthos: The Jewel of the Ionian Sea
Zakynthos is the island dreams are made of. It boasts breathtaking green hills and stunning landscapes covered in wildflowers, olive groves, vineyards, and long white beaches, all framed by a crystal-clear blue sea. With hidden gems and traditional, authentic villages, Zakynthos (also known as Zante) is famous for its highlights, including the enchanting Blue Caves and the world-renowned Shipwreck Beach, which is ranked among the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. Zakynthos is also home to the Caretta-Caretta sea turtles and the Monachus-Monachus seals. If you want to explore the island’s natural beauty while experiencing the traditional Zakynthian way of life and discovering its true essence, Nefis Travel is the perfect choice. For over 20 years, we have been creating unforgettable tours and cruises in Zakynthos, offering top-rated excursions for travellers of all ages.
Discover the Highlights of Zakynthos
Zakynthos owes its name to the son of Dardanos, the king of Troy, who, according to myth, built the first city here. References to Zakynthos date as far back as The Iliad, and many theatre artists and poets over time have fallen under the island’s spell. The Venetians gave the island the name “Zante, the Flower of the East,” while Dionysios Solomos, the Greek national poet, wrote the Greek National Anthem on the forested hill of Lofos Strani, above Zante Town. This historic place is part of our Zante Secret Senses evening tour. Today, the island of Zakynthos remains a popular destination for visitors from all over the world. No one who has visited can forget the blue and emerald-green hues of the sea, the pine-covered mountains, the delicious local cuisine, the music, and the warm Zakynthian hospitality.
Zakynthos is the third-largest of the Ionian Islands and is popular with tourists during the summer months for its stunning beauty and breathtaking natural sights. There is a great variety of white-sand beaches on the island, the most famous of which is Shipwreck Bay, which can be visited by sea during our Shipwreck & Blue Caves Boat Trip and Above & Beyond Shipwreck Tour, or viewed from above during our Back to the Roots – Zakynthos Island Tour or our Above & Beyond Shipwreck Tour. You can also admire the Shipwreck on our Zakynthos Private Tours and Cruises. The Blue Caves are another of the island’s most famous sights and a definite highlight of any Zakynthos holiday, and you can also explore them with Nefis Travel’s excursions. The main town of the island, known as Zante Town, features spacious squares to explore, a charming harbour, and many boutique shops and colourful houses. There are also several museums in Zante Town for those who would like to learn more about the history of this fascinating Greek island.
Caretta-Caretta Sea Turtles
Zakynthos is the main natural habitat for the Caretta-Caretta loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean. The National Marine Park of Zakynthos works to protect their natural habitat, and we support these efforts. The Caretta-Caretta turtles arrive every year from the beginning of May until the end of September to lay their eggs on the beaches of southern Zakynthos.
Nefis Travel’s Eco-Friendly Turtle Spotting Trip is the best way to see the turtles in their natural habitat. We work alongside Archelon, and throughout every summer season, Archelon’s volunteers join our turtle-spotting boat trips. At the same time, during our turtle-spotting trips, you will also have the chance to see the beautiful Turtle Island (Marathonisi) and the stunning Keri Caves.
Explore the Authentic Zakynthos
There are many picturesque villages in Zakynthos to explore during your holiday on the island. Many of the authentic villages can be found in the Riza villages at the foot of Mount Vrachionas. If you are keen to see some truly traditional Greek island villages, you can take part in Nefis Travel’s Back to the Roots – Zakynthos Island Tour. This unique excursion is the best way to discover the real hidden treasures of Zakynthos during your holiday.
On this Zakynthos Island Tour, you will stroll through traditional villages, meet the locals, and taste homemade products that reflect the island’s authentic character. You will enjoy live Greek music during lunch in a picturesque taverna with stunning sea views, and listen to local myths and stories shared by your guide as you experience everyday life in rural Zakynthos. The breathtaking view of Shipwreck Bay from above will complete this unforgettable journey.
Visit Nearby Destinations
Zakynthos is part of the Ionian Islands, also called Eptanissa, which means “seven islands.” Zakynthos is located west of the mainland of Greece, and its geographic location allows us to easily create tours outside the island. You can go island-hopping on a tour to Kefalonia, where you can also see Ithaca, the kingdom of Odysseus. Or you can enjoy a day trip to mainland Greece to discover Olympia, where the Ancient Olympic Games began.
Our top-rated tours are designed to be the highlight of your holidays. Due to high demand, we recommend booking in advance to secure your spot. We offer a Book Now - Pay Later service, no stress, no hassle. As for the transfer from your accommodation, we've got you covered! We offer free transfers from the most popular Zakynthos resorts!
Frequently Asked Questions
Nefis Travel is the leading travel agency on Zakynthos Island, with nearly two decades of experience providing unique, top-rated excursions. Our trips are conducted in high-quality coaches, minibuses, and boats, and our dream team includes professional, experienced drivers and captains, as well as the island’s best tour guides. Our prices are truly affordable, offering great value for money and allowing you to enjoy premium services at cost-effective rates.
Excellent customer service is at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on paying meticulous attention to every detail, ensuring flawless and unforgettable journeys for all our guests. We believe in providing not just a service, but a memorable experience that will stay with you long after you leave Zakynthos. With Nefis Travel, you can rest assured that you are in the care of the island's most trusted travel experts.
To book your desired tour, you can use our website booking form to send a request for your preferred date. You can also book via email (info@nefis-travel.com) or PM on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).
If you are already on the island, you can call us directly at +30 2695048004 or send a message via WhatsApp at +30 6987746506 to avoid any delays in your booking.
We respond to emails within approximately 24 hours. To make sure we don’t miss anything, please reach out to us through one platform only. If you’ve also sent a message somewhere else, just give us a quick heads-up so we can keep things tidy.
For our group and semi-private tours, we have different pickup routes to keep transfer times as short as possible. We kindly ask for your flexibility with preferred tour dates.
Our main office is open daily from 9 AM until 9 PM (EET) in May and October, and from June until September from 9 AM until 11 PM (EET).
Our second office is open daily from 9:30 AM until 2:30 PM and from 5:30 PM until 8:30 PM in May and October, and from 9:30 AM until 2:30 PM and from 5:30 PM until 10:30 PM from June until September.
For serious emergencies outside office hours, please contact us on WhatsApp at +30 6984534687.
With Nefis Travel, you have the option to book the excursion of your choice now and pay when you arrive in Zakynthos!
If you prefer to pay before arriving in Zakynthos, we can send you a secure online payment link to pay with your credit card or ApplePay or we can provide you with an IBAN for a bank transfer. In this case, your ticket will be sent to you via email or WhatsApp, along with details about your excursion's pick-up point.
In case you are staying in Planos - Tsilivi resort area, you can collect your tickets and pay by debit card or cash at one of our Nefis Travel offices. Please make sure you come to collect and pay your tickets 24 hours before the departure of all Zakynthos tours, and 48 hours before the departure of the Kefalonia and Olympia tours.
For your convenience, we also offer ticket delivery to your accommodation, if you are staying outside the Tsilivi - Planos resort area, in this case the payment can be done in cash only. We offer this service when you are staying in Argasi, Zakynthos town, Kalamaki, Laganas, Agios Sostis/Koukla and Tragaki. Tickets get delivered 24 hours before the departure of all Zakynthos tours, and 48 hours before the departure of the Kefalonia and Olympia tours.
In case you are staying in any other resort than mentioned above, we can send you a secure online payment link that you can pay with your credit card or ApplePay. Once we have received a payment confirmation, you will receive your ticket via WhatsApp or e-mail, as soon as we have received a confirmation of the payment.
Sophie, better known as @tzatchickie on social media, is a Greece expert and influencer with 30 years of experience travelling to Greece. She has written a very comprehensive digital travel guide (e-book) for Zakynthos, featuring 123 pages full of tips on beaches, villages, and all other activities worth doing on the island. It also includes all the information on how to use buses and taxis for transportation, as well as discount codes for car and scooter rentals, water sports, and more. With this guide, you can stop researching right away. Get it here.
Zakynthos Tours and Cruises
Nefis Travel offers a wide range of excursions for travellers of all ages. We specialise in unique Zakynthos tours and cruises that showcase the very best the island has to offer — from hidden gems to iconic landmarks — as well as day trips to stunning nearby destinations such as Kefalonia and Olympia. We provide free transfers from nearly all resorts across Zakynthos, and our Book Now – Pay Later policy allows you to secure your spot with no upfront payment required. Explore Zakynthos with Nefis Travel and experience its magic in a truly unforgettable way.
