Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos • Which Ionian Island is Better for YOU?

In the event you’re planning a visit to the Ionian Islands and end up considering between Zakynthos and Kefalonia, you’re seemingly dealing with a little bit of a dilemma as every island boasts its personal distinctive appeal. Like several journey vacation spot, figuring out the higher choice relies upon utterly in your preferences.

Whereas we might encourage folks to go to each Kefalonia and Zakynthos, we perceive that takes further time and thought. We’ve got a delicate spot for Kefalonia, an island we love; nonetheless, we are able to actually see the attract of Zakynthos, a vacation spot cherished by many. We spent seven days on Zakynthos and 10 days on Kefalonia and have loads of ideas about every! Let’s delve into evaluating value, actions, seashores, and accessibility on each Zakynthos and Kefalonia, so you can also make the perfect determination on your journey to Greece!

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: Location and Geography

Kefalonia and Zakynthos are lovely Greek islands within the Ionian Sea; they’re fairly shut to one another. How shut? Nicely, only a 1.5-hour ferry will join you to the opposite. In case you are attempting to find out one vs the opposite primarily based on location and geography, it’s going to be a troublesome name!

Kefalonia

Kefalonia, also called Cephalonia, is the most important of all of the Ionian Islands. Various mountainous terrain, lush inexperienced valleys, and picturesque seashores characterize the island. Mount Ainos, the very best peak on the island, contributes to its assorted topography. Kefalonia is thought for its beautiful seashores, with its most well-known being Myrtos Seaside, with its white pebbles and turquoise waters. We discovered that Kefalonia was a bit extra mountainous, providing a extra rugged and assorted panorama than Zakynthos. Whereas each islands are fairly massive (by Greek island requirements), Kefalonia is bigger than Zakynthos, and due to this it took for much longer to drive across the island than driving on Zakynthos. We spent ten days on Kefalonia and left with loads of points of interest nonetheless on our hit record.

Zakynthos

Zakynthos, sometimes called Zante, is simply south of Kefalonia. Zakynthos is the extra well-known island, primarily due to Shipwreck Seaside. It has the identical clear blue waters as Kefalonia, with loads of lovely jagged limestone peaks. The panorama is only a bit flatter than Kefalonia, although some fairly mountainous roads are a bit off the crushed path.

Zakynthos continues to be a really massive island, and we’d suggest a automobile to get round. Although not as huge as Kefalonia, it nonetheless took fairly a little bit of time and effort to get from level to level.

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: Notable Points of interest

Kefalonia

Whereas Kefalonia has nothing as notable or Instafamous as Shipwreck Seaside, the island has its justifiable share of pure magnificence. Essentially the most distinguished seaside attraction on the island is Myrtos Seaside, which has been stated to be one of the vital lovely seashores in all of Greece. One can simply spend their days lounging round on Myrtos, although you don’t must spend each day there as there are SO MANY superb seashores in Kefalonia. We had been on the island for almost two weeks and hit a distinct seaside each day, by no means becoming bored. Antisamos Seaside is one other common one that’s as beautiful as Myrtos.

Past seashores, Kefalonia can be dwelling to Melissani Cave, a pure collapse which you’ll be able to take a brief boat tour. Additionally they have a number of charming small Greek cities price mentioning, however we’ll get to these later.

Zakynthos

Undoubtedly, the primary factor to see on Zakynthos is Navaijo Seaside, “Shipwreck Seaside,” which you’ve most likely seen in images earlier than. This well-known seaside attracts many individuals to the island and should very seemingly be one of the vital photographed seashores on this planet.

Past the Shipwreck, Zakynthos boasts different lovely points of interest like Porto Limnionas Seaside and the Mizithres Rocks.

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: Seashores

Kefalonia

We spent ten days in Kefalonia and 7 days in Zakynthos, and from my perspective, Kefalonia had significantly better seashores to calm down on. Certain, Zakynthos has Shipwreck Seaside, however you may not truly go to that seaside.

Myrtos Seaside was considered one of our favorites, however we liked loads of others, together with Antisamos, Petani Seaside, and Paralia Emplisi. Nonetheless, our absolute favourite day was after we rented a ship to White Rocks Seaside. It’s additionally potential to hire a ship or rent a Fteri Water Taxi to take you to beautiful Fteri Seaside, which has a number of the bluest water I’ve ever seen in Greece.

Zakynthos

Zakynthos has Shipwreck Seaside; nonetheless, guests can not entry the seaside or swim close to it attributable to security considerations. You possibly can nonetheless take a ship tour by it or test it out from above. Past that, Zakynthos has a number of different notable seashores, together with Banana Seaside and Gerakas Seaside, dwelling to Loggerhead Sea Turtles. There are many different coves and seashores to take pleasure in, however I usually discovered the seashores in Zakynthos to be a bit extra underwhelming and way more crowded than Kefalonia.

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: General Vibe and Ambiance

Kefalonia

With lovely seashores and charming cities, Kefalonia tends to have a extra relaxed and laid-back environment in comparison with another common Greek islands. It’s a nice vacation spot for these searching for tranquility and a slower tempo of life. Kefalonia is for you if you wish to spend your time lounging on seashores and having fun with a glass of wine because the solar units each day.

Zakynthos

Zakynthos is thought for its lush inexperienced landscapes, olive groves, and exquisite seashores. Navagio Seaside, with its iconic shipwreck, is among the most photographed spots in Greece. Zakynthos is thought for events with its vibrant nightlife, particularly in Laganas. It attracts a youthful crowd searching for full of life seaside events and leisure and with that brings a little bit of low cost tourism, which you’ll find all alongside the island.

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: Eating

Kefalonia

We dined out most nights in Kefalonia and had scrumptious seaside meals at Avithos Preview, a pleasant dinner at Orealios, and even sushi! Sure, sushi on a Greek island may be discovered at Sepia Sushi Restaurant, and it’s fairly good, too!

Zakynthos

From tavernas to wineries, Zakynthos had a little bit of every part. We discovered some unbelievable hillside tavernas like Lofos Restaurant and Pizzeria up within the hilltop village of Ano Gerakari for very inexpensive costs. We additionally indulged at Grampsas Vineyard for a scrumptious and romantic meal. It’s a well-liked selection for a extra dynamic and socially energetic trip.

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: Nightlife

Kefalonia

In comparison with Zakynthos, Kefalonia has a way more relaxed and laid-back nightlife. You’ll discover tavernas and bars the place you may take pleasure in a leisurely night with good meals, native wine, and dwell music. Nonetheless, even on a Saturday evening within the island’s capital of Argostoli, we by no means noticed something too rowdy. It’s a way more enjoyable vibe with Greeks that dwell on the island getting along with family and friends.

Zakynthos

Surely, Zakynthos has the higher nightlight scene. Zakynthos is thought in Greece for its livelier and extra energetic nightlife, notably in areas like Laganas (the place we stayed far-off). Laganas has seaside golf equipment, themed foam events, and seaside events. Typically, it’s extra a celebration crowd that visits Zakynthos, and I’m not simply speaking about twenty-year-old Brits. Younger and previous, we noticed all walks of life doing pictures of ouzo.

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: Price

We visited Zakynthos and Kefalonia in early September, again to again, and located the prices between the islands comparatively comparable. Nonetheless, if I needed to say one was extra budget-friendly, it might be Kefalonia.

Eating out, lodging, automobile leases is nothing notable in comparison with Zakynthos, nonetheless we discovered ourselves saving a number of euro right here and there on Kefalonia.

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: Lodging

Each islands provide varied lodging choices, from luxurious resorts to charming boutique accommodations and conventional villas. You’ll find one thing that fits completely different budgets and preferences. Although Zakynthos has extra resorts and accommodations which can be internationally acknowledged. So in the event you like incomes Marriott factors, chances are you’ll need to select a resort just like the Olea (Marriott) or AluaSoul (Hyatt).

In the event you choose a quieter and extra serene environment with various landscapes, you’ll most likely discover extra of what you might be searching for on Kefalonia. In the event you’re searching for livelier nightlife and need to expertise the well-known Navagio Seaside, Zakynthos may very well be the perfect selection.

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: Cities

Kefalonia

So far as cute Greek cities go, you received’t discover any white and blue buildings on both island – that’s within the Cyclades. Nonetheless, head to Kefalonia, and also you’ll see essentially the most pastel-colored cities on the island. Sami, Fiskardo, and Asos are the three essential vacationer cities on the island, with Asos being essentially the most frequented by guests.

My favourite place to go to was Fiskardo. It’s a beautiful small coastal city the place you may sit with a cocktail and watch the yachts sail out and in of port. In the event you love exploring charming Greek cities, Kefalonia has extra to discover than Zakynthos.

We additionally spent a number of days in Argostoli, the island’s capital. There’s a beautiful promenade the place you may pop into boutique retailers, seize a fredo cappuccino, and dine on the poshest eating places on Kefalonia.

Zakynthos

We didn’t discover that Greek city vibe we love on Zakynthos. One of the vital common cities is Laganas, a giant celebration space the place you’ll discover a strip with bars, golf equipment, and folks partying until the early morning hours. Agios Nikolaos has been named one of the vital lovely cities on the island. You possibly can have a pleasant lunch at Madrakia Tavern and catch the ferry to Kefalonia.

Zakynthos City (or Zante City) is the island’s capital, just like Argostoli on Kefalonia. That is the place you’ll find a little bit of subdued nightlife (in comparison with Laganas) and a few boutique retailers and low homes. Whereas neither Zante City or Argostoli had been as lovely as say…Naousa on Paros, they’re nonetheless price venturing into.

Kefalonia vs. Zakynthos: Accessibility and Transportation

Kefalonia

Kefalonia Worldwide Airport, located close to Argostoli and Lassi, embodies the quintessential small island airport expertise. The restricted area signifies that when there are two or extra planes on the ramp, it might rapidly change into fairly congested. The first journey rush happens on Tuesdays and Sundays, making a bustling scene. Embrace the chaos, contemplating that “chaos” is a Greek phrase, and waft – surprisingly, the employees stays cheerful and relaxed.

For these venturing to the Greek mainland, Sky Specific and Olympic Air provide flight choices to Athens. In the course of the summer time, Kefalonia Worldwide Airport facilitates worldwide continuous flights on a weekly or bi-weekly foundation to many European locations, together with many Italian cities, London, Amsterdam, many places in Germany, and loads of different European locations.

Through ferry, Kefalonia hyperlinks up properly to Zakynthos. Nonetheless, passengers may also connect with the Ionian islands like Ithaca, Corfu, Meganisi, and Lefkada on a extra restricted schedule.

Zakynthos

Zakynthos is definitely accessible by means of its essential airport, recognized by the code ZTH, located on the southern tip of the island close to the Laganas and Kalamaki resorts. This airport accommodates each worldwide and home flights. Nearly all of worldwide flights come by means of different European cities like London throughout the vacation season, spanning from Could to October. There are each day home flights connecting Zakynthos airport to Athens.

Through ferry, Zakynthos has hyperlinks properly to Kyllini on the Greek mainland from Zakynthos City. Lefkada Palace additionally operates ferries to different Ionian islands like Corfu and Lefkada, that are restricted. There are a number of ferries a day working to close by Kefalonia as properly.

The Finest Issues to Do in Kefalonia and Zakynthos

The Ultimate Verdict – Our Opinion

We visited Zakynthos proper earlier than Kefalonia and located Zakynthos extremely crowded (even for September, so I can’t think about peak summer time) and there was positively an inexpensive vacationer Disneyland feeling within the air. Once we took the ferry to Kefalonia and spent only one hour there, it was like a breath of recent air. The distinction between Zakynthos and Kefalonia was like evening and day. A lot quieter, much less celebration vibes, no ugly neon indicators, and few bus excursions – are you catching my drift?

Though I attempted arduous to like Zakynthos, it can stay amongst my least favourite Greek Islands. Not as a result of the island isn’t fairly, like all the opposite Ionian Islands, Zakynthos is STUNNING. Nonetheless, Zakynthos was extremely busy with folks seemingly simply eager to celebration away and never immerse themselves in Greece. Once more, we visited in early/mid-September, when many different islands like Tinos, Serifos, and Milos are winding down for the summer time. Zakynthos was nonetheless going robust.

That stated, Zakynthos continues to be price visiting; now we have simply been to many Greek islands and spent almost six months touring round Greece, so we get fairly specific with what sort of vibes we’re searching for these days. Regardless of its rising reputation, Zakynthos stays one of many prettiest Mediterranean Islands.

Kefalonia and Zakynthos are tied for pure magnificence, like close by Corfu, Ithaca, and Lefkada. It’s actually arduous to get sick of the cliffside views, child blue water, and scrumptious Greek meals. Past the crowds and vibes, I usually discovered Kefalonia seashores nicer for leisure and the eating places higher, a bit cheaper, and extra authentically Greek. If you would like a trip in GREECE, select Kefalonia.