The best of Zakynthos: walking, tasting and discovering
Discover the real Zakynthos this autumn! Go beyond sun, sea, and sand.
Explore everything from mountain villages and coastal paths to lush olive groves.
Plus, enjoy pleasant temperatures perfect for walking. The ideal way to extend your summer 🌞
Highlights:
Hiking: Traverse mountain landscapes, ancient olive groves, and charming mountain villages.
Boat trip: Sail past spectacular caves featuring crystal-clear blue water.
History: Visit a Venetian castle and an ancient monastery
Workshops:
Discover the flavors of Zakynthos during a cooking workshop.
Create your own souvenir in a pottery workshop.
Turtles: Discover where Caretta caretta sea turtles lay their eggs and take a tour with the volunteers who protect the nesting sites.
And a beach holiday too! After the hikes, there’s time for swimming, relaxing, and shopping.
All in a small, friendly group—personal and led by a top-notch local guide!
✓ Hiking level 2,5/5 Hiking levels explained How to prepare for the trip
11-day guided walking trip from € 1195,- Includes accommodation, breakfast, excursions, guided hikes, and transfers. Excl. flights, other meals and personal expenses.
What our customers say about this trip
September 2026:
I had a fantastic 10 days on Zakynthos. A really good, friendly driver who was always on time. Beautiful hikes with a great guide, Spiros—always cheerful and full of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip with very sociable fellow travelers; it was perfectly organized by Ellen.👍🥳🥾🍷
Ans
May 2026:
The Zakynthos trip exceeded my expectations. It is a beautiful island with a great diversity of plants and flowers and fantastic views while hiking. After hiking, there was often time to sit on the beach for a while, which was within walking distance of the hotel. Ellen put together a nice, varied hiking program, with the ceramics workshop, the cooking workshop, and the visit to Zakynthos Town serving as a great addition. It was wonderful to be outdoors a lot and get to know the island in a relaxed way, thanks in part to Spiros, the local guide. The hotels were fine, and we were able to enjoy delicious food everywhere at very reasonable prices.
Carolien
September 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday; the combination of hiking in Zakynthos's beautiful nature and exploring local sights was fantastic!
There was plenty of free time throughout the trip. It was relaxed, enjoyable, and humorous, and the mutual respect and input in the daily itinerary were excellent!
Nancy
This Trip in Short
Welcome to the beautiful island of Zakynthos, located in the Ionian sea, off the coast of the Peloponnese. With an area of 406 km², Zakynthos is the third-largest Ionian island, after Kefalonia and Corfu. The island is approximately 40 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide, with a coastline of about 123 kilometers. The highest point on the island is Vrachionas, at 758 meters above sea level.
Day to Day Program
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Zakynthos airport and transfer to your accommodation in Keri.
Day 2: The south of Zakynthos
A walk from Keri village to Keri Lake (± 9 km). Keri is the southernmost village of Zakynthos, situated in a beautiful, green area with many pine and olive trees. Keri is a charming authentic village. Some of the houses date from the period before the great earthquake of 1953. The village has been restored in a traditional way.
We walk to the lake of Keri to enjoy the view and relax in a local taverna.
Day 3: The Vassilikos peninsula
A hike from Dafni to Gerakas (± 7 km). Gerakas is located on the Vassilikos peninsula south of Zakynthos town.
We will walk in the area around Gerakas (± 8 km). Along the way, we will pass one of the beaches where Caretta caretta sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. At the end of the walk, we will enjoy lunch at a family-run taverna.
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Day 4: South-west coast: Olive Groves, Olive Press Museum & Pottery Workshop
A short hike around Agios Sostis (± 3 km) including a route through centuries-old olive groves. We will also visit the interesting olive press museum in the area.
In Agios Sostis, we will have our ceramics workshop today with Andriani. She is an active ceramist and a skilful teacher, with extensive experience in the field. We will also have lunch in the area.
Day 5: Transfer to Alykanas & Free Time
We travel by bus, with our luggage, to Alykanas, where we will stay at a small scale family hotel for the remainder of the week.
The rest of the day is free, with no organized activities. You can explore the local area at your own pace, spend time at the beach or simply relax.
Day 6: The northeast area
We start from the hotel, for a nice walk in the area, around the village of Ano Gerakari, located on the mountain top. Above the village there is a church that is visible from all around. The view from the church is absolutely amazing: you can see the largest ridge of the island, the bay of Alykes and endless olive groves. Hike ± 7,5 km.
During the hike we will have a break to drink and eat something in a restaurant in the area.
Day 7: Venetian Castle & Exploring Zakynthos Town
Today we start sightseeing Bochali, situated on the hillside above Zakynthos Town. Here, we will visit the Venetian Castle and the ruins of the much older acropolis. We will then walk down a steep path into town, where we can explore several historical sights, including churches and squares. Free time to wander around, go shopping if you wish. We will meet at a local restaurant for lunch.
Day 8: Walking in the North of Zakynthos & Boat Trip to the Blue Caves
Today we will explore the northern part of the island, the area around Korithi. From there, we will set off on a boat trip to the Blue Caves, a series of spectacular sea caves carved into the limestone cliffs. There are several small restaurants in the area where we can enjoy lunch and relax after the boat trip.
Day 9: Greek Cooking Workshop
Together, we will prepare a delicious meal. While some of the dishes are cooking in the oven, we will have time for a short walk in the surrounding area. On our return, we will sit down together and enjoy the meal we have prepared ourselves.
Day 10: Mountain Walk around Orthonies & Traditional Zakynthian Lunch
A walk through the mountainous countryside wher we will also visit an ancient monastery, set in a beautiful location with extensive grounds, the monastery offers time to wander around, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and talk with the nuns. Afterwards, we will head to an authentic local restaurant where we can enjoy a delicious lunch featuring traditional Zakynthian dishes
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Day 11: Departure Day
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the return flight home
Accommodation & Facilities
Your Home in Zakynthos
During your hiking holiday, you'll stay in a carefully selected accommodation that offer comfort, character, and authentic Greek hospitality. We choose small hotels or guesthouses that provide a genuine local experience. Rooms have private bathrooms and essential amenities. Located in scenic areas that serve as perfect starting points for the hikes.
What's Included
Accommodation
✓ 10 nights in comfortable hotels/guesthouses
✓ Twin, double or single rooms with private bathroom
Meals
✓ Breakfast (9x)
Guidance
✓ Experienced English-speaking local guide
✓ Dutch and English speaking tour guide
✓ Detailed route information
Transportation
✓ Airport transfers on arrival and departure
✓ All necessary transfers to hiking trails
Activities
✓ 7 Varied hikes - from coastlines to olive groves
✓ Relaxing boat trip with the opportunity to spot Caretta sea turtles
✓ Day trip to Zakynthos Town
✓ Ceramics workshop
✓ Cooking class Greek dishes
Pricing & Information
2027 Autumn Dates
🗓️ 12-22 September 2027
12 spots still available for this trip
Price Includes
✓ Local English speaking professional guide
✓ English speaking tour guide
✓ Accommodation
✓ Breakfasts
✓ Domestic transport
Price Excludes
✓ Flights to and from Zakynthos
✓ Personal expenses
✓ Other meals
✓ Additional charge for a single room
❓ Do you have any other questions? Feel free to contact us!
📞 Tel./WhatsApp: +31 6 81180400 📧 E-mail: experiencehikes@gmail.com
This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant's website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).