Zante Water Village

Zante Water Village is the island's water park, and for families it is the easiest answer to a hot day when the beach has lost its appeal. The park has a mix of slides, from gentle ones for small children to faster, steeper rides for teenagers and adults, plus pools, a lazy river for drifting, play areas for toddlers and sunbeds and shaded corners for parents. Snack bars and a restaurant cover meals, so you can spend the whole day on site without leaving. It sits on the east side of the island near Tsilivi, a short drive from Zakynthos Town and the northern resorts, and many hotels offer shuttle transport or arrange transfers. For visitors with children, this is a real option for a day when the wind is up and boat trips are cancelled, or when a rest from the sea is needed. The water is chlorinated and the pools are shallow in the children's areas, so it is calm and controlled in a way that open water cannot be.

Plan the day around the heat and the queues. Peak season is July and August, when the park is busiest and the sun is strongest, so arrive soon after opening, claim sunbeds in the shade, ride the popular slides while queues are short and take a break at lunch. Late afternoon often becomes quieter again. Check the opening dates before you go, since water parks in the Ionian islands generally run only in the warm season, from late spring to early autumn, and hours can change.

Think about safety and comfort. Lifeguards are present at the main pools and slides, but parents remain responsible for children, especially non-swimmers. Many slides have height and age limits, so check the rules at the entrance, and bring or buy swim shoes for hot paving. Sunscreen, hats and rash vests are sensible, and water-resistant sunscreen needs reapplying after rides. Bring towels, as some parks charge for rentals, and a waterproof bag for phones and valuables. Cash and cards are both accepted at most counters, but check payment rules on arrival.

The paid product below is an admission ticket for the park, and a version with transfers is also available for travellers without a car. Admission usually covers entry and the use of the slides and pools, while sunbeds, towels, lockers and food may cost extra, so ask what is included. Arriving by pre-booked shuttle is convenient if you are staying in Laganas or Kalamaki, where the distance and the traffic add up.

For some families, this is the best day of the holiday. Teenagers enjoy the fast slides, small children love the splash areas and adults can relax on a sunbed with a cold drink. For travellers without children, the park may not be the right choice, and the sea, the boat trips and the beaches will give far better value.

Combine a morning at the park with a late-afternoon visit to Zakynthos Town or an early dinner in Tsilivi, and you have a gentle, easy day that keeps everyone happy and gives the older ones a rest from the boat trips and long drives that fill the rest of the week.