Laganas holidays

How to reach Laganas

• Flight time: Flights to Zante (Zakynthos) from London and other major UK cities take between 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours.

• Transfer time: Taxiing from Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) to Laganas takes about 10 minutes.

• Price: A taxi from the airport to Laganas will cost about €20.

Weather and best time to visit Laganas

The best time for your Laganas holidays depends on the experience you have in mind: beach days and late-night hedonism or something more low-key. Be prepared; Laganas has more than earned its summertime par-tay stripes.

• May to September sees spring showers give way to summer sunshine, with temperatures climbing from 25°C in May to a scorching 32°C by August before dipping to 28°C for September. With sea temps in the low- to mid-20s, these are ideal months for beach holidays. For partiers, the scene kicks off in June, peaks in July/August, and winds down in early September.

• October to November offers comfortable temperatures between 24 and 19°C, 7 to 5 hours of sunshine a day and a less welcome 83–165mm of rain. With schools and universities back in session, this is a quieter time to explore Laganas.

• December to February is mild (temperatures average 14°C), but there’s a high chance of rain, only 4 hours of sunshine daily, and February tends to be blustery. Laganas is virtually a ghost town, with most resorts, restaurants, bars and clubs shuttering until spring.

• March to April is less moribund but not exactly lively either. With temperatures between 16 and 19°C, diminishing rainfall (59–38mm) and 6 to 8 hours of sunshine daily, it’s a good time for outdoor activities and exploring the area’s natural beauty spots. Loggerhead turtle breeding season begins in April, too.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Greek is the official language, but English is widely spoken in Laganas.

• Currency: Greece uses the euro (€).

• Getting around: Laganas is centred around its main street and easily navigable on foot or by bike. KTEL buses are the only form of public transport on Zante (single tickets start at €1.80). Taxis are readily available, but car/bike hire is worth considering if you plan to explore the island more broadly.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard voltage is 230V 50 Hz. Plugs are two-pin Type C and F.

• Time zone: Greece operates on Eastern European Time, 2 hours ahead of GMT (3 hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time).

• Required travel documentation: UK citizens need a valid passport (issued less than 10 years before the entry date and valid for at least 3 months after the departure date) but don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period.

Local dishes in Laganas

Expect to find traditional Greek dishes, island specialities and all the usual international suspects on your Laganas holiday menu – anything and everything from stomach-lining Zakynthian vegetable stews to a full English breakfast for the morning after the night before.

Some typical dishes

• Boutridia: A Zante original, this oven-baked stew features a slew of sautéed vegetables, from beans and beetroot, aubergines and courgettes to okra and potatoes.

• Skordostoumbi: An Ionian island speciality, garlicky aubergines with a signature sweet and sour flavour.

Meze dishes

• Bekri Meze: Literally “Drunkard’s” meze. Tomatoey, cheesy bite-size pork shoulder, flavoured with red wine, ouzo or tsipouro and spices.

• Keftedes: Moist on the inside and crispy on the outside, these herby Greek fried meatballs (usually beef, pork or a combo of the two) are firm favourites – Chef’s kiss with tzatziki.

Meat dishes

• Stifado: One-pot cooking at its finest. The meat used varies (traditionally, it’s a rabbit, but it can be anything from beef or chicken to goat or venison), but it’s almost always made with small onions, tomatoes, wine or vinegar.

• Moussaka: Layers of thinly sliced potato, aubergine and minced meat topped with creamy béchamel sauce – practically a rite of passage on holidays to Greece.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Tsipoura (Sea bream): A popular fish, often grilled whole and served with herbs, lemon and olive oil.

• Kalamarakia Tiganita: Ring-shaped batter-fried calamari. Perfect with a squeeze of lemon.

Street food

• Gyros: Pitta with the works, rotisserie-cooked, thinly sliced meat (typically pork or chicken), tomatoes, onions and tzatziki.

• Souvlaki: A fast-food classic, souvlaki consists of skewers of marinated meat (usually pork or chicken) charcoal-grilled and served with pitta, salad and tzatziki.

Sweets and desserts

• Frigania: Cinnamony Greek rusks soaked in a sugary syrup, topped by vanilla cream, topped in turn by whipped cream and garnished with almonds or ground walnuts.

• Mandolato: This is the Ionian take on Italian nougat, a nutty, chewier version of a meringue.

Local drinks

• Ouzo: With its strong aniseed flavour, Ouzo is similar to French pastis or Italian sambuca. It’s best drunk diluted with water, which turns it cloudy, and sipped slowly (shots are a horrible idea).

• Verdea: Named for the colour of the grapes used, not the Italian grape variety, this multi-varietal dry white is the most famous wine produced on the island. It pairs well with fish and white meats.

Best things to do in Laganas

One of the most popular destinations in Zante, holidays to Laganas offer kilometres of sandy shore, vibrant nightlife and marine life (hello, loggerhead turtles). It is also within striking distance of a couple of museums, historical monuments and some of the island’s most famous beauty spots.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Cameo Island: Connected to Laganas by a wooden footbridge, this small picturesque island offers stunning views of the surrounding sea and coastline.

The best districts

• Laganas Strip: A kilometre-long stretch of wall-to-wall bars, clubs and neon lights near Laganas Bay. The pulsing heart of Zante’s party scene.

Parks and gardens

• National Marine Park of Zakynthos: Part of Laganas Bay, this park is dedicated to protecting endangered loggerhead sea turtles. It offers beautiful natural landscapes and a chance to learn about local wildlife conservation efforts.

Museums

• History War Museum: Located in the Galaxy Beach Resort, this unexpected little museum focuses on World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War with various full-size military-themed dioramas.

Historical monuments

• Bohali Castle: Set into the hillside above Zante Town, roughly 10km from Laganas, this Venetian castle is little more than ruins, but the woodland site is a pretty place for a ramble with some fabulous views.

• Monastery of Panagia Skopiotissa: Perched on Mount Skopos, this historic monastery provides not only a spiritual experience but also stunning views of the island.

Day trips in the area

• Blue Caves: These caves are must-sees, stunningly illuminated by ethereal blue light (best before noon). Located on the northernmost part of the island, boat tours to the caves typically include powder-white Navagio Beach with its iconic shipwreck. However, you’ll have to admire the latter from afar, as it’s off-limits for the 2024 season.

• Keri: With its time-stood-still village vibe, clifftop Keri on Zante’s southwest coast is the antithesis of Laganas. Best known for its sweeping Ionian Sea views, including the majestic Mizithres, the village has a genuine claim to fame: it holds the Guinness World Record for the largest Greek flag in the world.

Activities for families in Laganas

Laganas is, first and foremost, a party resort, drawing droves of 18- to 30-year-olds for a summer of hedonistic fun, so you’ll need to think carefully about the timing of your holiday. Neighbouring Kalamaki may be a better fit for families.

• Water parks: Zante Water Village in Sarakinado and Caretta's Fun Park Centre in Kalamaki offer exciting water slides, lazy rivers and splash pools.

• Aquariums and zoos: The Little Farm petting zoo is bound to be a hit with animal lovers. It features all the usual suspects plus a few exotic species, such as tortoises.

• Interactive museums: Covering the island's flora and fauna, Helmi’s Natural History Museum, roughly 15km inland, is worth a look. As a heads-up, some of the taxidermy is a bit iffy.

• Go-karting: Guaranteed to spark some family-friendly competition, Formula Zante Go Kart in Kalamaki is a fun option. Suitable for ages 5 and up.

Free things to do in Laganas

Enjoying Laganas doesn’t have to break the bank, whether it’s a day at the beach or late-night music and dancing.

• Annual festivals: A legacy of Venetian rule, Zante’s Carnival starts on the fifth Sunday before Lent – two weeks of parades, street theatre, eating and dancing. The Malliari Festival, held on 31st July in Zante Town, is worth checking out for the sheer bizarre factor, a midnight swim where locals dive for “hairy” stones said to bring luck for the year ahead.

• Nightclubs: Unless there’s a big-name DJ or another special event, you won’t have to pay to enter any Laganas’ clubs. What you’ll spend once you’re inside is another story.

• Free beaches: Stretching nearly 10km between Kalamaki and Agios Sostis, sandy, partially organised Laganas Beach is free to use, assuming you can resist the sunloungers, restaurants and bars.

• Explore Laganas by public transport: Free shuttle buses run from Laganas to Agios Nikolaos and Banana beaches.

Nature and outdoor activities

• Hiking: The trails around Laganas and the National Marine Park of Zakynthos are perfect for hiking. They offer beautiful views and a chance to see the local flora and fauna.

• Cycling: Rent a bike and explore the scenic routes around Laganas. The flat terrain and beautiful landscapes make it a great place for cycling enthusiasts.

• Horse-riding: Laganas Horse Riding, based in Laganas, offers 1- to 3-hour-long guided rides, including a swimming ride. The rides are suitable for beginners and experienced riders.

• Water sports: Water sports are restricted off Laganas Beach due to the presence of loggerhead turtles. However, adrenaline junkies will find plenty on offer at Agios Nikolaos, ranging from fly and wakeboarding to jet and water skiing. St Nicholas Water Sports runs a complimentary bus service from Laganas to Vasilikos.