Loggerhead turtles, the Blue Caves and Greece's most famous shipwreck beach
🐢Zakynthos
Greece
Updated 1 July 2026
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, pairs postcard scenery with genuinely well-organised family resorts. Laganas and Tsilivi are built around big pools, kids clubs and sandy beaches, while the island's real headline act is nature: loggerhead sea turtles nest on protected beaches inside a national marine park, and boat trips let kids spot them from the water. Add the turquoise Blue Caves and the cliff-framed Navagio shipwreck beach, and you get a family island with both easy resort days and proper wow moments.
25 to 32C
Typical summer day highs
1
National marine park for sea turtles
3 to 3.5h
Flight from northern Europe
15 min
Airport to Laganas or Argassi
Live prices & availability
Stays near Zakynthos, Greece
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Why it works with kids
- Loggerhead sea turtles nest on protected beaches inside the Zakynthos Marine Park, with boat trips that spot them in the wild
- Laganas and Tsilivi are packed with proper family resorts, pools with slides and included kids clubs
- Navagio shipwreck beach and the Blue Caves make for an unforgettable family boat day
- Calm, gently shelving beaches at Alykes and Kalamaki suit toddlers and first swims
Best areas to stay
- 1Laganas: the island's biggest family resort strip, all-inclusive hotels, big pools and a long sandy beach
- 2Tsilivi: calmer and more walkable, family apartments and hotels close to a long beach and village strip
- 3Kalamaki: quieter neighbour to Laganas, close to the Sekania turtle nesting beach
- 4Alykes and Tragaki: the calmest, shallowest water on the island, better suited to toddlers
Our KidProof picks
Hand-picked and scored on the eight things that matter to families.
in Zakynthos
Zante Maris Suites & Spa
Spacious suites and swim-up rooms with separate living areas, most sleeping up to 4 to 5; family suites have a separate bedroom so little ones can nap while parents relax on the terrace.
in Zakynthos
Louis Zante Beach
Family rooms and interconnecting options across low-rise blocks set in gardens, most sleeping up to 4; several ground-floor rooms open straight onto lawns, handy with a stroller.
in Zakynthos
Galaxy Beach Resort, BW Premier Collection
Family rooms and bungalow-style units set in subtropical gardens, several with connecting doors and most sleeping up to 4; the garden-facing rooms feel private for nap times.
in Zakynthos
Mediterranean Beach Resort
Family rooms across low-rise wings around the pool, most sleeping up to 4, with some interconnecting options for larger families; ground-floor rooms open onto the pool terrace.
in Zakynthos
Contessina Hotel
Family apartments and studios with kitchenettes set around a garden pool, most sleeping up to 5; the extra space and self-catering option make mealtimes flexible with young children.
in Zakynthos
Caretta Beach Hotel
Simple family rooms and a handful of family suites with a separate sleeping area, most comfortable for up to 4; some rooms have partial sea views over Kalamaki bay.
in Zakynthos
Diana Palace
Simple family apartments and studios with kitchenette, most comfortable for up to 4, set around a quiet pool in the countryside near Tragaki; a good pick for families who prioritise budget and space over polish.
in Zakynthos
Cavo d'Oro
Compact family apartments and studios with kitchenette in a low-rise block close to Tsilivi's main strip, most sleeping up to 4; simple but practical for a beach-and-village holiday.
Compare our picks in Zakynthos
| Hotel | Score | Kids club | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zante Maris Suites & Spa | 88 | ✅ Free kids club | 260€ |
| Louis Zante Beach | 88 | ✅ Free kids club | 190€ |
| Galaxy Beach Resort, BW Premier Collection | 86 | ✅ Free kids club | 175€ |
| Mediterranean Beach Resort | 83 | ✅ Free kids club | 140€ |
| Contessina Hotel | 82 | — | 110€ |
| Caretta Beach Hotel | 78 | — | 120€ |
| Diana Palace | 75 | — | 85€ |
| Cavo d'Oro | 73 | — | 78€ |
Browse Zakynthos by what matters
Family things to do in Zakynthos
Zakynthos Marine Park turtle spotting
Boat trips from Laganas, Limni Keriou and Zakynthos town let kids see loggerhead turtles surfacing for air in calm, protected waters.
Navagio shipwreck beach boat trip
A full-day boat excursion to the famous cliff-ringed cove with the rusting shipwreck, a bucket-list family outing.
Blue Caves boat tour
Glass-clear turquoise water and sea caves near Cape Skinari, usually combined with the Navagio trip or done separately from Agios Nikolaos.
Askos Stone Park
A relaxed small zoo and nature park near Bochali with goats, peacocks and donkeys, an easy pace for younger children.
Parents also ask
When is the best time to visit Zakynthos with kids?
Late May to June and September are warm with sea temperatures already comfortable, without the peak heat and crowds of July and August.
Will children actually get to see turtles?
Boat trips into the Marine Park regularly spot loggerhead turtles, especially in the calmer waters of morning, though sightings in the wild are never fully guaranteed.
Is Navagio beach suitable for young children?
The beach itself is only reachable by boat and has no shade or facilities, better suited to older kids who can handle a full boat day than to babies or toddlers.
Do we need a hire car?
If you stay in Laganas or Tsilivi you can manage largely on foot, but a car opens up Navagio boat departure points, Alykes beach and the Blue Caves side of the island.
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