Best Villages in Zakynthos – Discover the Traditional Side of the Island

Beyond the beaches and the resort strips, Zakynthos has a quieter, more traditional side. Inland, the landscape opens into olive groves, pine forest, and rolling hills, dotted with stone villages that have changed little in generations. The island has a long agricultural tradition shaped by olive oil, wine, and currants, and the villages reflect this heritage with stone houses, walled gardens, and olive presses that are still in use.

This guide covers some of the most interesting traditional villages and inland areas of Zakynthos, organised by area. The villages are spread across the island and public transport to the more remote areas is limited, so having a car is the most practical way to explore them. Many are also useful stopping points on the roads that connect the coast to remote attractions — Volimes on the route to the Navagio viewpoint, Anafonitria in the north-west, Agios Leon on the way to Porto Limnionas.

Villages to Explore

Volimes

Volimes

Area:

Northern Zakynthos

Type:

Traditional mountain village

Best for:

Traditional atmosphere, countryside & northern island exploration

One of the most traditional villages in Zakynthos, located in the mountainous north. Stone houses, a weekly market, and a genuine sense of rural island life. A natural base for exploring northern Zakynthos.

View Location

Volimes is the most well-known of the northern villages, with a famous weekly market where local producers sell honey, olive oil, and other products. The Blue Caves departure points, the Navagio viewpoint, and Xigia Beach are all in the surrounding region.

Keri Village

Keri Village

Area:

South-western Zakynthos

Type:

Traditional village

Best for:

South-western exploration, village atmosphere, sunset

A small traditional village on the south-western tip of Zakynthos, with tavernas, sea views, and a relaxed atmosphere. Distinct from the harbour at Limni Keriou below.

View Location

Keri Village sits on the south-western tip, above the harbour of Limni Keriou. The village is for atmosphere and views; the harbour below is where boat trips to Marathonisi depart. The nearby Mizithres viewpoint is one of the most spectacular in Zakynthos.

Anafonitria

Anafonitria

Area:

North-western Zakynthos

Type:

Traditional village

Best for:

Northern/western exploration, countryside

A quiet mountain village in the north-west of Zakynthos, near the Navagio viewpoint area. Known for its monastery and its peaceful rural setting.

View Location

Anafonitria is known for the Monastery of Anafonitria, a historic religious site. It serves as a useful stop when exploring the north-western part of the island, and can be combined with a visit to the Navagio viewpoint and the western coastline.

Exo Chora

Exo Chora

Area:

Western Zakynthos

Type:

Traditional inland village

Best for:

Countryside, traditional atmosphere, old olive trees

A traditional village in the western interior of Zakynthos, known for its old olive trees and quiet rural character. A peaceful stop on a western island drive.

View Location

The area is known for its old olive trees, some very large and part of the landscape for generations. It is a living village rather than a tourist attraction, offering a genuine sense of rural Zakynthos.

Loucha & Gyri

Loucha & Gyri

Area:

Central-western Zakynthos

Type:

Quiet inland villages

Best for:

Quiet inland scenery, traditional atmosphere

Two small, quiet villages in the central-western interior of Zakynthos. Not tourist attractions, but peaceful places to drive through and experience the inland countryside.

View Location

A drive through this area takes you through some of the quietest countryside in Zakynthos — olive groves, stone walls, and the occasional village house. These are places to experience the inland landscape at its most peaceful.

Agios Leon

Agios Leon

Area:

Western Zakynthos

Type:

Traditional village

Best for:

Western exploration, countryside, nearby coastal attractions

A village in western Zakynthos with a useful position for exploring the west coast. Within reach of Porto Limnionas and the western coastline.

View Location

Agios Leon is within driving distance of Porto Limnionas, the stunning rocky cove on the western coast, making it a convenient stop on a western island drive.

Kampi

Kampi

Area:

Western Zakynthos

Type:

Western village & coastal area

Best for:

West-coast scenery, countryside

A village on the western coast of Zakynthos, known for its dramatic clifftop landscape and west-facing views. One of the most scenic areas of the island.

View Location

Kampi is perched above the dramatic cliffs that drop into the Ionian Sea. Its west-facing position makes it a popular spot for sunset, and the surrounding countryside is some of the most scenic on the island.

Machairado & Lithakia

Machairado & Lithakia

Area:

Central-southern Zakynthos

Type:

Traditional inland villages

Best for:

Inland countryside, traditional Zakynthos

Two villages in the central-southern interior of Zakynthos, part of the wider traditional landscape of the island. Useful stops on a southern inland drive.

View Location

These are quiet, inland communities surrounded by olive groves and farmland. Lithakia is a useful reference point when exploring the southern interior and the road toward Keri.

Exploring the Villages by Car & Scenic Road Trips

Having a car is the most practical way to explore the villages of Zakynthos. The inland areas are not well served by buses, and a car gives you the flexibility to combine a village visit with a nearby beach, viewpoint, or coastal attraction in the same day. All the villages in this guide are reachable on paved roads suitable for a standard rental car — you do not need an SUV. The roads can be narrow and winding in the interior, but they are paved and in reasonable condition. Always follow your rental agreement and avoid roads or areas where vehicle access is prohibited or unsuitable.

Here are three suggested route concepts that combine village visits with nearby attractions. These are inspiration, not strict itineraries — adapt them to your own pace and interests.

Northern & Inland Route

Drive north from Zakynthos Town through the inland countryside, stopping at traditional villages along the way. Continue to Volimes for the weekly market or a village lunch, and then explore the northern attractions — the Blue Caves departure area, the Navagio viewpoint, or Xigia Beach. This route combines the inland village experience with the dramatic coastal scenery of the north.

Western Route

Drive west through the interior, stopping at Exo Chora and Agios Leon for a taste of traditional village life. Continue to the western coastline and Porto Limnionas for a swim in the rocky cove, and finish at Kampi for west-coast scenery. This route takes you through some of the most authentic inland villages and the wildest coastline on the island.

Southern Route

Drive south through Lithakia and the central-southern interior, then continue to Keri Village on the south-western tip. Stop at the Mizithres viewpoint for the cliff-and-rock scenery, and finish at Limni Keriou for a waterside meal. This route combines the inland villages of the south with the dramatic scenery of the Keri area.

Tips for Village Visits

• •Villages are quiet places — respect the local atmosphere and the people who live there
• •Many villages have small tavernas serving local food — lunch is often better than dinner, as some places close in the evening
• •Bring water, especially in summer, as villages may not have shops open at all hours
• •Park only where permitted and avoid blocking narrow village lanes
• •Ancient olive trees and stone walls are part of the landscape — respect private property
• •Combine village visits with nearby beaches or viewpoints for a fuller day out