Zakynthos is a ship call at Zakynthos Town. Big news: Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) was closed to boats and swimmers through 31 October 2026 because of landslide risk, so you can only see it from the cliffs above. The town museum and Venetian castle are close and cheap.
Where Zakynthos lies
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Ships call at Zakynthos Town (Chora) harbour. Whether your ship docks or anchors and tenders depends on its size; check with your line.
Shuttle. Unverified.
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Walk to Solomos Square and town | Short walk (unverified) | Free |
| Taxi to Bochali and Venetian castle | Unverified | Unverified |
| Ship tour or private driver to Navagio viewpoint | Unverified | Unverified |
Walk to Solomos Square and town
- Walk off the ship along the harbour front.
- Solomos Square and the Museum of Zakynthos are on the waterfront side of town.
Town was rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake.
Taxi to Bochali and Venetian castle
- Take a taxi up the hill.
- Walk down if you are steady on your feet.
Good views over town and harbour.
Ship tour or private driver to Navagio viewpoint
- Book ahead.
- Confirm the tour goes to the clifftop viewpoint, not the beach.
Landing on the beach was banned through 31 Oct 2026; check the 2027 status.
What to see
Navagio (Shipwreck) viewpoint
Famous beach with a rusting wreck below white cliffs.
- How
- Ship tour or private driver to the clifftop.
- Time
- Half day
- Tickets
- Unverified. Beach and nearby water closed to boats and swimmers until 31 Oct 2026; viewing only from above (Keep Talking Greece, 15 Jul 2026).
Museum of Zakynthos
Post-Byzantine icons saved from churches lost in the 1953 earthquakes.
- How
- On Solomos Square in town.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Tickets
- €10 full / €5 reduced. Apr–Oct 08:30–15:30, closed Tuesdays; Nov–Mar Wed–Sat only (Hellenic Heritage).
Venetian Castle (Bochali)
Hilltop fortress with pine trees and views.
- How
- Taxi up from town.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Tickets
- €5 full / €3 reduced. Apr–Oct 08:30–15:30, closed Tuesdays; Nov–Mar open Mon and Fri–Sun only (Hellenic Heritage).
Solomos Square and waterfront
Main square named after Greece's national poet.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Tickets
- Free
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- Walk into town and visit the Museum of Zakynthos when it opens (08:30; not Tuesdays).
- Taxi up to Bochali and the Venetian Castle (closes 15:30).
- Lunch with a view at Bochali.
- Return to the waterfront for a coffee on Solomos Square.
- Back on board 45–60 minutes before all-aboard (more if tendering).
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- Navagio beach closed to boats and swimmers (through 31 Oct 2026); tours may still be sold as 'Shipwreck' trips.
- State sites close at 15:30 and have limited winter days.
- Island roads to the northwest are slow.
Do this
- Ask any 'Shipwreck' tour seller exactly what you will see.
- Check museum days: winter opening is only four days a week.
Fees, money and access
Rules & fees
- Greek cruise passenger fee (per person, per port call, since 21 July 2025): this port pays the standard rate of €5 (1 Jun–30 Sep), €3 (Apr–May and Oct), €1 (Nov–Mar). Only Santorini and Mykonos pay the higher €20/€12/€4. Your cruise line usually adds it to your bill (Keep Talking Greece, 21 Jul 2025).
- Laganas Bay is a protected area for loggerhead turtles; follow beach rules (details unverified). Greek state sites close 1 Jan, 25 Mar, 1 May, Easter Sunday, 25–26 Dec. Last entry is 20 minutes before closing. Buy tickets at hh.gr.
Accessibility
Town and waterfront are mostly flat. The castle hill has uneven paths. Navagio viewpoint has rough ground.
Money
Euro. Cards are widely taken in town; carry some cash for taxis, small cafés and church donations. Use bank ATMs and choose to be charged in euros.
More of the Greek Isles & Eastern Med
Sources & what we could not confirm · 6 sources · checked 2026-11
- Hellenic Heritage (Greek Ministry of Culture tickets): Museum of Zakynthos
- Hellenic Heritage (Greek Ministry of Culture tickets): Venetian Castle of Zakynthos
- Keep Talking Greece: Greece determined to save the Shipwreck of Zante (15 Jul 2026)
- Visit Greece: Zakynthos
- Cruise Timetables: Zakinthos (port coordinates and schedule)
- Keep Talking Greece: Greece cruise passenger fees rise (21 Jul 2025)
- Dock vs tender
- Where ships berth in the harbour and walking time to Solomos Square
- Navagio status after 31 Oct 2026
- Taxi fares and drive times
- Shuttle