Laganas sits on the wide southern bay of Zakynthos, roughly 8 kilometres from Zakynthos Town, and is the island’s largest and most visited resort. The village is built along a long seafront road lined with hotels, restaurants, and bars, while the beach itself falls partly within the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, established to protect the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting habitat.
What is Laganas known for?
Laganas is known primarily for its broad, flat sandy beach stretching approximately 9 kilometres around Laganas Bay, for being one of the Mediterranean’s most important loggerhead sea turtle nesting sites, and for a concentrated nightlife strip that makes it one of Greece’s liveliest summer resort destinations. The National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which covers Laganas Bay and the surrounding islets including Marathonisi and Pelouzo, enforces strict rules on nighttime beach access and boat traffic to protect nesting turtles between June and August.
Best things to do in Laganas
The single most popular activity is visiting the beach itself, where sunbeds stretch along the western sections and the eastern zones near the marine park boundary are left quieter for wildlife. Beyond the beach, concrete activities include water sports rentals operated from the main beach concessions, boat trips departing from Laganas harbour to the islet of Marathonisi where turtles are commonly spotted, and visits to the sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation centre operated by the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece (ARCHELON) which runs an information station in the area during summer.
- Boat excursion to Marathonisi (Turtle Island) from Laganas harbour
- Water sports including jet skiing, banana boats, and pedal boats on the western beach
- Watching loggerhead sea turtles from licensed tour boats within marine park rules
- Evening walk along the main resort strip, Laganas main road
- Day trip by local bus or taxi to Zakynthos Town’s Solomos Square and the Byzantine Museum
Where to eat in Laganas
Laganas’s dining scene is resort-oriented and concentrated along the main road and the beachfront, offering a range of Greek tavernas serving standard Ionian dishes alongside international menus catering to package tourists. Authentic Greek options include grilled fresh fish, souvlaki, moussaka, and the local Zakynthos speciality of sofrito — veal cooked in a white wine and garlic sauce — which appears on taverna menus across the village. The main road running parallel to the beach is the primary corridor for restaurants, cafes, and fast-food outlets.
- Sofrito (Zakynthos veal and white wine stew) at local tavernas
- Fresh grilled fish at seafront restaurants near the harbour area
- Greek souvlaki and gyros from takeaway spots on the main road
- Loukoumades (honey doughnuts) from sweet shops along the resort strip
How to get to Laganas
Laganas is accessible from Zakynthos Town by the KTEL bus service, which operates scheduled routes from the main KTEL bus station in Zakynthos Town to Laganas during summer months, with the journey taking approximately 20 minutes. Taxis from Zakynthos Town are widely available and take a similar amount of time. Zakynthos International Airport Dionysios Solomos (ZTH) is located approximately 4 kilometres from Laganas, making it one of the closest major resorts to the island’s airport, and many visitors reach the village directly by taxi or transfer from arrivals.
Where to walk in Laganas
The main walking route follows the beachfront promenade and the parallel main resort road westward from the harbour area through the length of the village, passing hotels, bars, and beach access points before the beach transitions into quieter zones toward the marine park boundary. A short drive or taxi ride leads to the Keri Lighthouse in the south, a scenic coastal point on the island’s southwestern cape accessible by road.
Best time to visit Laganas
June through August is peak season when the beach is fully operational, boat tours run daily, and the nightlife is at full capacity, but this period also coincides with the most critical sea turtle nesting and hatching cycle, meaning nighttime beach access in protected zones is prohibited. May and September offer warm weather, open facilities, and fewer crowds while still allowing marine park boat tours. Outside these months most resort businesses close entirely, as Laganas is a strongly seasonal destination.
