Kalamaki Holidays

from £144 per person

Flight + Hotel
Hotels

Departure airport

Any airport

When

Any Date

How long

Room(s)

1 Room

2 Adults

1 Room

2 Adults

UTC+02:00

Greek (modern)

EUR: Euro

The low-lying resort of Kalamaki on the craggy southern coast of Zante is heaven for nature lovers keen to spot wildlife and explore the rugged shoreline of the Ionian Sea while remaining close to every amenity.

Kalamaki is a relatively small resort in the far eastern corner of Laganas Bay. While its loud and lively sibling, Laganas, is packed with glitzy accommodation and busy bars, Kalamaki remains surprisingly peaceful. Local tavernas and a variety of places to stay ensure it’s suited to families and couples hoping to enjoy everything the beach and surrounding landscape has to offer during the sunny summer months.

Natural highlights of Kalamaki

Kalamaki is perfectly placed to make the most of the island’s many natural attractions. Blessed as the island of choice for endangered loggerhead, or caretta-caretta, turtles and the monk seal, the area to the south of Kalamaki is a protected National Marine Park. As well as the chance to see these two threatened species, look for dolphins, migratory birds, reptiles and small mammals such as porcupines in this lesser-developed corner of the island.

Overview
Things to do
Places to stay

Why book Kalamaki holidays

Discover the best beaches

The 5-kilometre long Kalamaki Beach with fine sands and shallow waters makes this the perfect day out for families

Family-friendly attractions

Head to Turtle Island for a chance to see the loggerhead turtles coming to shore to nest

Sample the local food

Check out Kalamaki's traditional tavernas for your dose of Greek meze

Hit the nightlife & bar scene

During the night, discover the range of bars along Kalamaki's main road

Fab shopping scene

Kalamaki's main road is also home to a variety of shops, so pick up a few souvenirs or window shop!

Great national parks

National Marine Park of Zakynthos is located in Kalamaki, home to loggerhead sea turtles

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Your guide to Kalamaki holidays

Beaches

Beaches in Kalamaki

Holidays to Kalamaki will naturally include some serious beach time. Take your pick of the well-supplied beaches and bays surrounding the resort.

Laidback Kalamaki Beach, also known as Caretta Beach, is the town’s main destination. Rent sunbeds or find an untouched patch to unfurl your towel and watch the occasional plane come into land overhead.
Banana Beach is one of the most well-organised in the south of the island. Sunbeds rest on golden sand while tavernas are there to refuel you after a session swimming at sea.
Go early to bag a spot on busy Tsilivi Beach. This super-star attraction, with its crystal clear waters, is well served by bars, cafes and tavernas as well as ample opportunities for watersports.
The island’s most popular stretch of sand is found at nearby Laganas Beach. Well-equipped with every amenity, it’s a long golden buzzing hub of holiday activity close to Kalamaki.
Love watersports? Take the plunge at St Nicholas Beach, close to the southern tip of Zakynthos, for all the adrenaline-fuelled fun you can imagine.

Quiet beaches in Kalamaki

There’s a beach for everyone, whether you’re after a family-friendly atmosphere or somewhere a little romantic. Escape the busy beaches in these quieter bays close to Kalamaki.

Porto Zoro Beach opens out into a calm, shallow bay. Although it can get busy it’s nowhere near crowded, while a few tavernas sit close by and sunbeds can be hired.
The white sand and single bay of Dafni Beach is a welcome sight for those who traverse the rocky road to reach it. Quite isolated, it's all about nature with dramatic cliffs and warm, clear waters for snorkelling.
Paralia Geraka, part of National Marine Park, is off-limits before dusk until after dawn the following day in a bid to protect nesting turtles. It's chilled out and relatively undeveloped with only a handful of sunbeds to rent.
Life moves at a slightly slower pace on Agios Sostis in the far corner of Laganas Bay. While stocked with plenty of amenities, it’s more easy going with a focus on families and couples.
Take the day - and anything you’re likely to need - to relax on sandy Amboula Beach. This quiet, shallow bay has a few sunbeds and fewer visitors than neighbouring Tsilivi Beach.

Time to explore

Top 5 things to do in Kalamaki

Discover the many natural and historic attractions within easy reach of Kalamaki. From world-class beaches to wildlife, this part of Zakynthos has it all.

Often topping lists of the world’s best beaches is Shipwreck Beach, or Navagio Beach. This iconic bay, hemmed with white chalk cliffs and lapped by turquoise waters, stands out for the rusting coaster, MV Panagiotis, at its centre.
Hire a boat to weave in and out of the Keri Caves. Explore the assortment of different sized chalk coves, sea arches and craggy cliffs.
Approach the chalky cliffs of Marathia Cape from above for splendid views of sea arches and Mizitres rock formations below. Head to the lighthouse for contrasting whites, blues and greens that sing in the sunlight.
Get to know the caretta-caretta turtles at the Mediterranean Marine Life Centre. Learn about these majestic creatures, the importance of their habitat and meet rescued turtles waiting to be re-released.
Venture to nearby Zakynthos Town for a little history. Make a day of visiting the museums, ruins, restaurants and indy shops of the island’s cool capital.

Historic highlights of Kalamaki

Art, history and piety play big parts in the history of Zakynthos. Learn all about the island’s past at these attractions close to Kalamaki.

Negotiate the steep and rough road to the hilltop Monastery of Panagia Skopiotissa. Wander among the ruins, set inside the church to frescoes and take in the spectacular views over the island and out to the Med.
Head up the hill behind Zakynthos Town to Bohali Fort. Believed to have been built on the site of an ancient acropolis and a former Byzantine castle, the current Venetian ruins date from the mid 17th-century.
Admire the ornate detail of waterside Agios Dionysios Church in Zakynthos Town. Pop in to see marble columns, chandeliers, colourful stained glass windows and lashings of gold in the island's largest church.
Art history fan? Call by the Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos to see the evolution of Greece's art scene through wooden carvings, original frescoes, 18th-century oil paintings and contemporary works.
Pose for a picture with the island’s oldest living olive tree. Marvel at the mangled branches and twisted trunk of this of the tree said to be over 2,000 years old and still fruiting.

Food & Drink

Food and drink in Kalamaki

From Kalamaki, it’s easy to try the island’s best foodie experiences. Visit these farms and factories to taste-test your way around Zakynthos.

Give a little back at Melissiotisses. The shop at this women’s cooperative is brimming with homemade goodies such as honey, vinegar, cheese, candles soaps and jams, all the while helping the local community.
Discover the history of olive oil production at Aristeon Olive Oil Factory. See the remains of the 19th-century stone press and stock up on fresh olive oil in the shop.
Get to know the local cuisine with a half-day cookery class. Learn about traditional ingredients and get tips for making everything from thick Greek coffee to street-food-style gyros.
Call by organically-certified Therianos Farm to scoop up local delicacies. The family-run farm holds oil and black raisin tasting sessions and sells its internationally award-winning olive oil among other items.
Become a connoisseur of local wines. Visit Grampsas Winery or Solomos Wines Winery for a guided tour and wine tasting before bagging a few bottles of your own.

Traditional dishes to try in Kalamaki

Kalamaki holidays are made of the finest Greek cuisine. Look out for these tasty dishes and drinks on your foodie tour of tavernas and restaurants.

Look no further than horiatiki, aka Greek salad, for a light bite. This classic combo of tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, red onion, black olives and feta all doused in local olive oil and sprinkled with oregano is a reliable hit every time.
Order skewers of succulent souvlaki. While pork is the traditional meat for this kebab-like dish, chicken, beef and lamb are widely used and it’s typically served with pitta bread.
A hearty meal can be found in the shape of youvetsi. This lamb (sometimes beef) and pasta stew is simmered with onions, garlic, stock and red wine in a tasty tomato sauce.
Juicy imam bayildi gives a nod to Greece’s Ottoman past. Aubergines are stuffed with onion, garlic and tomatoes before being drenched in olive oil and baked.
Don’t miss the island’s signature cheese creations. There’s the zingy cheese spread of tirokafteri, often served as a starter or mezze dip, and firm, spicy ladotyri, locally made in Zakynthos.

Holiday types

Kalamaki family holidays

The quieter sibling of nearby Laganas, Kalamaki ticks many boxes for families. As well as child-friendly restaurants, there are activities for every age.

Aim for a restaurant in Kalamaki with a play area. Many of the town’s tavernas and bars have entertainment facilities for children that can be used for the cost of a drink.
Spend some time at The Little Farm. Meet donkeys, ponies, rabbits, deer and goats at this family-friendly petting sanctuary where animals are well-loved and the groves are dotted with swings.
Practice your putting at Kalamaki’s Crazy Golf & Restaurant. This course-cum-diner has 18 challenging holes for all ages to tackle before retiring for a well earned OJ.
Book an apartment at Caretta Beach Holiday Village in Kalamaki. This family-focused resort has swimming pools, flumes and water slides plus an adjoining fun park that’s open late for non-residents with bouncy castles, go-karts and arcade games.
Plan a day at nearby Zante Water Village. This sizable water park has slides, flumes, a lazy river, baby and children’s pools, as well as a restaurant, bar and games including mini golf.

Kalamaki couples holidays

Holidays to Kalamaki are lively and engaging without being too wild. This makes it ideal for lovers after a little R&R within easy reach of all the action.

Catch the sunset from the top of Cameo Island. The rocky heights of this private isle just at the Laganas Beach was made for lovers at dusk.
Retire to the couples’ therapy room at Exotica Hotel & Spa. Relax with a soothing massage before trying the hammam and indoor jacuzzi at this wellness centre open to non-residents.
Charter a private yacht for the ultimate romantic cruise. Opt for a sunset sail with a glass of bubbly.
Try a pottery class for two at one of the nearby art studios. Sculpt, decorate and fire your ceramic creations for the very best kind of holiday souvenirs.
Put your glad rags on for date night in nearby Zakynthos Town. The island’s capital is stuffed with trendy restaurants and laid back bars.

Kalamaki weather

Jan

14°C

Avg. Dry Days 12

Feb

14°C

Avg. Dry Days 13

Mar

15°C

Avg. Dry Days 18

Apr

17°C

Avg. Dry Days 18

Nov

19°C

Avg. Dry Days 15

Dec

16°C

Avg. Dry Days 12

Your Kalamaki questions answered

What’s the best time to visit Kalamaki?

The best time to visit Kalamaki is between May and early October. Things heat up from June, July is the sunniest and hot, while August is a touch hotter still. If you prefer cooler conditions, aim for May or September.

When is the cheapest time to visit Kalamaki?

How can I get to and from the airport?

Which area should I stay in?

Is Kalamaki family friendly?

Top Kalamaki hotels

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Prices last checked at 06:52 27 January 2021