Cheap Holidays to Zante

Even out of season, Zante holidays are packed with affordable adventures

After a three and a half hour flight, there’s next to no hanging around before you’re in Zante’s popular eastern resorts of Laganas, Kalamaki and Argassi, which can all be reached in 30 minutes.

High season runs between May and October in Zante, meaning bargain holidays can be had in April and November, when temperatures still average 16°C, and even greater savings can be made either side of these months. That’s not to say you won’t find fantastic bargains in the summer, for great summer savings head to Zante May, June, September and October. Or, look out for last minute deals around eight weeks in advance.

The liveliest resort in Zante, Laganas’ one-and-a-half-kilometre nightlife strip offers everything from superclubs with international DJs to inexpensive karaoke bars. The five-kilometre white sand beach slows things down a little – you’ll find plentiful places to eat and sip by the sand at its centre, and blissful quiet at either end. To the north, Kalamaki shares the beach with Laganas and also has the same no-watersports policy due to the loggerhead turtles that live here, making it decidedly peaceful. Far quieter than Laganas, Kalamaki still holds its own with a good smattering of sports and cocktail bars.

Not far away on Zante’s northern shore, Argassi is a peaceful village with a small sand and pebble beach that’s really close to Zante Town. From here you can hop on a free shuttle bus to sandy St. Nicholas Beach for watersports covering waterskiing, canoeing, scuba diving and banana boats.

Cheap days out in Zante

One of the best places in the world to spot endangered loggerhead turtles is around Laganas. You can hop on a boat to see them swimming and even volunteer on a night-time turtle protection watch as the creatures climb up Sekania Beach in the moonlight and lay their eggs. Another free nature experience, Alykes near Laganas used to be salt flats but are now habitats for geckos and owls, as well as home to a Blue Flag beach.

If you’re travelling in the cooler months, walking to the top of Mount Skopos should be no sweat – literally. You can reach the peak in two hours for far-spanning views across Zante and to see the cross-shaped Church of the Virgin Mary of Skopiotissa and ancient monastery ruins.

Take the 15-minute bus ride into Zante Town to wander around the harbour and Venetian architecture, window shop in its fashionable boutiques and pick up bargains at the market. From Argassi you could also hop on the scenic tourist train to get a guided tour of the sights along the way for only six euros return.

Other popular holidays in Greece

Other Greek islands that should be on your radar for a cheap holiday are popular Corfu and Kos. Or to find out more about Zante, read our Zante travel guide and details of some of the best cheap hotels in the region below.

Other popular cheap holidays

Rhodes | Cyprus | Turkey | Spain | Madeira

Dados Annex Jimmy Apartments

Be at Laganas Beach in a minute and its bars in two from Dados Annex, which has reps to help you choose where to start the party. It’s Self Catering here, with an on-site supermarket for supplies and studios sleeping three or apartments for six having a kitchen with fridge. The pool has a whirlpool next door and a poolside bar for snacks, cocktails and playing pool out of the sun.

Avra Studios

The quaint traditional buildings and gardens of Avra Studios mirror the family-run hotel. With views over the surrounding forest and mountains, it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach and a little further to Alykes centre. Suitable for families on a budget, the pool has a kids’ section and playground. Your Self Catering studio comes with a fridge, a hot plate and a kettle. Or, you could buy snacks and drinks and eat them poolside at the bar.

Katerina Palace Studio 2

Right by Argassi’s pebble beach, Katerina Palace has two pools on split levels and a kids’ number across its landscaped gardens. It’s Self Catering but has plenty of options for cheap meals onsite with continental buffet breakfast, snacks available at the pool bar and regular Greek nights with traditional dancing. Plus you’ll get 10% discount at the nearby Piccadilly restaurant, housed in a conservatory. Catch up on sports in the lounge bar with TVs or take the kids to the playground.