Kalamaki Beach Hotel

Kalamaki is a small resort on the south coast of Zakynthos, just east of Laganas and at the quieter end of the same long curve of sand. Kalamaki Beach Hotel puts you beside one of the best-known stretches of the loggerhead nesting coast, which brings both a lovely natural setting and a few rules about how the beach is used after dark. It is a good choice for travellers who want to be close to the turtle bay, the Marathonisi boat departures and the airport, but would rather skip the loud bars of the Laganas strip. Planes arriving at Zakynthos airport pass low over this stretch of coast, which is a thrill for plane spotters and a small point to consider if you are a light sleeper.

The beach at Kalamaki is a long, wide sweep of fine sand that is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, and parts of it are protected nesting areas from early summer. In practice this means umbrellas and beds are limited to marked areas, digging holes is discouraged, and lights and activity on the sand are restricted at night during the nesting season.

Responsible hotels brief guests on the rules, and you will enjoy the place more if you follow them. If you see turtle tracks in the morning, keep your distance and tell the local volunteers rather than trying to get close.

For sightseeing the location is hard to beat in the south. The cruise boats to Marathonisi, known as Turtle Island, and the Keri caves leave from the Laganas shore and nearby harbours, and Gerakas, with its red cliffs and nesting beach, is a short drive east. Zakynthos Town and the airport are both close, which makes arrivals and departures easy, and the Vasilikos peninsula with its calm bays is within about half an hour.

The northwest, with Navagio and the Blue Caves, is a long day trip because the drive across the island takes over an hour, so a coach and boat package that collects from your area is a sensible way to see it.

Kalamaki has a modest handful of tavernas, bars and shops along the main road behind the beach. Evenings are easy and friendly, and anyone wanting more nightlife can walk or take a short taxi ride to Laganas and return when they like. The best months are May to early July and September, when the sea is warm and the area is comfortable, while July and August are hot and busy. From November the resort largely closes, so check when you book that the hotel is open for your dates.

Room types, meal plans, air conditioning, pool access and any resort charges vary, so check the details when you book. A useful plan for a week is two boat days, two beach days, one day on the Vasilikos peninsula, one in Zakynthos Town and one flexible day. Bring a hat and reef-safe sun cream, since shade on the open sand is limited.