Traveling to Zakynthos, Greece in November

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If you’re thinking about visiting Zakynthos, Greece in November, you should be well informed and have all the facts. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Car rental prices will be dirt-cheap. The cost to ferry yourself and your vehicle to and from the island will surprise you, and hotels will also clock in at an all-time low. As you tour the island, you might find yourself in some of the most beautiful natural settings you’ve ever seen- completely and utterly alone. Happy tears will stream down your face as you wonder what kind of magic or food coloring turned the water so breathtakingly blue. You won’t need your winter coat, as temperatures will be a pleasant 66°-53° on average. Quite frankly, having this all to yourself is unfair to the rest of the world, not to mention extremely kind to your bank account. So yeah, don’t consider spending your days in one of the most beautiful places on earth unless you can bear that burden.

Now, once you’ve come to terms with the above- a few helpful details (and caveats) about my trip:

In an attempt to manage expectations: this advice comes from a girl who is focused on the nature, the photography, the affordability, and the adventure. The off-season is a unique time to be in Greece, as many things are closed, and the weather can be a bit unpredictable. You’re taking a risk in the name of a few days or hours of absolute bliss. To me, this is worth it. If you are tied to a strict schedule and have no room for error or disruptions, November may not be the most reliable time to visit Zakynthos. Example: a gorgeous, sunny, 70-degree day was followed by a storm big enough to cancel all outbound ferries. This left me stranded on the island for a night longer than planned. The one day of sunshine made it worth every inconvenience, however. That said:

Renting a car is hands down the best way to discover Greece. Having rented a car in Athens for the stunning price of 9€ day, it was an absolute treat having control over my schedule and exploring every destination my heart desired. I recommend using rentalcars.com for your booking- the prices are unbeatable. The price would have been even less had I picked up the car at the airport instead of the city center.

To get to Zakynthos by ferry, you’ll need to get to Kyllini Port (also spelled Killini). Taking a car onboard is much cheaper and far less complicated than I could have ever imagined. Two ferry companies make this route (and I’m honestly not even sure the other company was running) so I went with Levante Ferries. In November, they were sailing a few times a day (07:45 am, 12:30 pm, 05:00 pm, 09:00 pm) and the journey took approximately 1 hr 15 min. The ticket price as a passenger was only 9.10€ each way, while the car cost 29.90€ one direction, and 20.10€ another. You don’t need to arrive super early- 30 minutes max- and your tickets can be booked online. While there really is no rhyme or reason to the boarding process, you’ll see a line of cars form- just jump in and have your ticket ready to show the man near the ramp.

The view of Zakynthos town from the ferry

In the off-season, you’ll want to book an Airbnb or hotel in Zakynthos Town (also known as Zante Town.) The rest of the island has pretty much called it quits. If you take a drive through nearby Laganas, the famous party town, you’ll see what I mean. Airbnbs in town were few and far between and come to find out, the prices were comparable with the local hotels. Never used Airbnb? Get $40 off of your first booking here. Though I’m typically team-Airbnb, I went the hotel route for this trip. I found the Phoenix Hotel, and cannot recommend it enough. At 55€ per night, and split with a friend, it was a very affordable option. The rooms were comfortable, modern and clean, the staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and the Central Café resto-bar on the ground floor was extremely convenient. They served delicious food and the restaurant had a cozy ambiance. One of my only complaints with Greece is that smoking indoors seems to be a non-issue…so be prepared for that.

Now, I’m not a weather woman, so I can’t promise you rainbows and sunshine, but I can direct you to the two key places that I recommend you visit while on the island in the hopes that Mother Nature cooperates.

1. Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach

Navagio Beach is far and away the main attraction on the island and probably the most beautiful thing I saw in all of Greece. The day I went, I saw a total of 10 other people across a span of 3 hours. The beach itself is not accessible from the mainland- only by boat. Boat tours are no longer operating at this time of year, though I heard rumors that with the right connection you could probably get someone (a fisherman, perhaps?) to take you there. I was satisfied with the stunning cliff views however, and worked my way along the edge all the way to the furthest viewpoint (you’ll see “Shipwreck Viewpoint” on Google Maps…but keep going!) where there’s a Greek flag waving. If the idea of walking along the cliff edge terrifies you (and it is dangerous, so BE CAREFUL) there is an official viewpoint right over the beach near the parking lot with a gated observation deck. This definitely does not afford the best view of the beach, however.

2. Keri Cliffs (Ionian Sunset Café)

The first thing I’d read was that I needed to go to Keri Lighthouse Restaurant. Google told me it was open…turns out it wasn’t. And honestly, I’m glad it wasn’t, because if it had been, I probably wouldn’t have continued on to find another epic viewpoint. On a map, look for the Ionian Sunset Café. It’s next to an actual lighthouse (which you can see to the left in the above photo), and appeared to be a plot of land occupied by a small trailer and loads of goats, dogs and cats. Based on what I saw online, these folks typically charge visitors to come over and see the view- but in November…it was an unmanned destination. If you keep walking out towards the cliff edge, you’re going to be greeted with the incredible view below. Highly recommend this spot at sunset.

And that, my friends, is what Zakynthos, Greece ideally looks like in November. I sincerely hope that your experience is as unforgettable as mine. You know what they say- with great risk comes great reward…and having these locations to yourself is the ultimate reward. Trust me!

Questions/comments? Drop them below!

Don’t Travel to Zakynthos, Greece in November, Unless You Want This to Happen

1. Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach

2. Keri Cliffs (Ionian Sunset Café)