Zakynthos

Where to stay

Laganas, on the south coast, has the highest concentration of budget beds and is where most backpackers end up. Zakynthos Town, centered around Plateia Solomou, is quieter, puts you close to the ferry port, and sits below the Venetian Bochali castle if you want something more local.

Getting around

• Rent a scooter or small ATV on your first full day. The bus network is thin, and places like the Blue Caves on the northern cape are not realistically reachable without your own wheels.
• Boat trips to Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) leave from Porto Vromi on the west coast. Go on a morning departure: the light is better, the seas are calmer, and the tour boats from Laganas have not yet arrived.
• Laganas Bay is a protected loggerhead sea turtle nesting zone. Sections of the beach are cordoned off at night and umbrella placement is restricted in nesting areas during summer, so do not plan a full beach setup there without checking the current rules first.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest in May and again in late September, when most places are still open but prices can drop by half compared to the peak. July and August fill up fast across the island, particularly in Laganas.