Best Time to Visit Zakynthos

Not sure when is the best time to visit Zakynthos? To plan your dream holidays in Zakynthos, there are various factors to consider, including accommodation, activities' availability and the weather. Most people choose the summer season for visiting the island, although Zakynthos does have many beauties to offer at any time of the year.

Jump to: • High Season • Shoulder Season • Low Season

In brief, the best time to visit Zakynthos is the shoulder season, which includes May and September. During these months, you will get to experience the sunny summer weather without having to deal with mass tourism at the island's popular locations.

The shoulder season and the low season are good options only if you are into an alternative kind of vacation. This is not the best time if you enjoy swimming at the beach since the weather gets colder. However, there are a few things to do even if you are an off-season visitor and you will certainly not be disappointed!

For Zakynthos, the summer is the peak season in terms of tourism. During June, July and August, you will get to experience a very vivid atmosphere, especially at the island's most popular beaches, which tend to get crowded. The temperature also peaks in July and August, so this is the best time for swimming and sea-related activities.

Weather conditions

During the summer, the temperature is usually around 30°C or more. All days are sunny and rainfalls are extremely rare. The weather on the island is not very windy but there is almost always a light summer breeze.

Things to do

At this time of the year, the conditions are ideal for exploring the island's sandy beaches and enjoying their cool waters, although one may find the midday sunlight too strong. Watersports are also recommended. During the evening, you will have the opportunity to experience the island's intense nightlife.

Tips

The island of Zakynthos is among the most popular summer destinations in Greece. For this reason, it gets quite busy during the summer. If you are planning to go on vacation during the summer season, booking your hotel and ferry tickets at least a few months in advance is necessary in order to make sure that they will not sell out.

The shoulder season in Zakynthos includes the months of May and September, right before and after the peak season. This is the best time of the year to visit the island if you would rather avoid the tourists crowds and the hustle and bustle of the summer. The scenery at the beaches is far more peaceful since even the most popular ones do not get extremely crowded. At the same time, the slightly lower temperatures will allow you to enjoy the sea, while also making time spent outdoors more pleasant.

Weather conditions

As for the weather, shoulder season temperatures are between 20°C and 25°C. September is usually warmer than May, with a higher sea temperature as well. There are about 10 hours of bright sunlight and most days are sunny. The rainy season does not start until mid to late autumn.

Things to do

The shoulder season is the best time for outdoor activities. You will have an amazing time discovering beaches with crystalline waters, doing sports and visiting castles, monasteries and other sights all around Zakynthos.

Tips

Most hotels and other tourist facilities are open for the shoulder season. Availability is higher but you can still benefit from early bookings. Keep an eye out for special offers as well.

For most visitors, the low season is not considered the best time for your holidays in Zakynthos unless you are down for an alternative kind of vacation. Although the island's weather never gets too cold, Zakynthos is primarily seen as a summer destination and your options at this time of the year will be limited. The timespan from October to April is considered the low season.

Weather conditions

The temperature in Zakynthos during the low season is around 15°C-17°C in spring and winter and around 20°C in late autumn. Most days are cloudy, there are limited daylight hours and the sea temperature is 16 °C, which means this is not the best time for swimming. Rainfalls are a common phenomenon during the low season.

Things to do

There are not many things to do in Zakynthos during the low season. You can still visit the island's beaches, including Shipwreck Beach, but they are empty and you may find the water too cold. Zakynthos Town is still lively in the winter, with plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars to visit.

Tips

If you decide to visit Zakynthos during the low season, you should keep in mind that many hotels shut down from late autumn to spring and your options will be limited. It is also a good idea to have alternatives in terms of things to do, in case of bad weather, especially on cold and rainy days that are certainly not the best time to visit outdoor places of interest.