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Car hire in Zakynthos – Touring the island in style
The third-biggest of the Ionian Islands (after Kefalonia and Corfu), this 'island of dreams' (as it was once described by a local poet) is a place rich in history and archaeological treasures. It is also the chosen breeding ground for the largest loggerhead sea turtle population in the whole of the Mediterranean. One of the sunniest holiday destinations in Greece, it is favoured by travellers for its mild winters and warm summers cooled by pleasant sea breezes. It is considerably greener than many other Greek islands and its terrain produces an abundance of olives, vines and citrus fruits throughout the year.
With its Solomos and Byzantine museums, Zakynthos Town (the island's capital) is a prerequisite for many people starting their tourist itinerary, a major highlight also being a leisurely stroll along the seafront promenade before a relaxing al fresco dinner on the waterfront. Other places on the island worth visiting include Askos Stone Park (a must for families with young children) and the beautiful Blue Caves at the northern tip of Zakynthos. Interestingly for tourists, Zakynthos is a cultural blend of Venetian and Greek traditions, a lot of which can be tasted in its local cuisine and heard in its folk music played enthusiastically all over the island.
Situated in the southern part of the island, the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ) is a major attraction for visitors, particularly those who decide to book a car hire in Zakynthos and tour the island at their own pace. Founded in 1999, it covers a total area of 135 square kilometres (52 square miles) and was the first national park established for the protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Please note that some car hire companies permit travel to some of the other Ionian islands such as Corfu and Kefalonia, subject to the purchase of additional coverage and written authorisation prior to departure.
Founded in 1954, Auto Europe is one of the world's longest-established car hire companies. We offer our many customers more than 28,000 convenient pick-up/drop-off points in over 190 popular destinations, including Zakynthos. You can book online immediately using our high-tech search engine at the top of this page or ask our rental specialists for assistance and they will be happy to find you the best deal for your trip. For extra peace of mind, please take a look at the user ratings and comments posted by previous Auto Europe customers to the island on our Zakynthos car hire reviews page.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Zakynthos, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
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Where to pick up a car hire in Zakynthos
By working with all the world's top car hire providers, Auto Europe can offer its customers an extensive selection of great locations on the island of Zakynthos. This means that you'll be able to collect your vehicle in Zakynthos Town, at its international airport or from the Port of Zakynthos and be on your way in just a few minutes. Our website is designed to help you make the right choice; our booking engine allows you to do an extensive search to find the best vehicle and the most suitable pick-up point for your trip. simply by keying in your dates, after which an interactive map will come up with all the available locations for low-cost car rental in Zakynthos.
Zakynthos Airport
Named after the Greek poet Dionysios Solomos (author of his country's national anthem), Zakynthos international airport is situated just 4 kilometres from the centre of Zakynthos and 2 kilometres from Kalamki and Laganas. Closed througout the night in order to protect the breeding habits of the loggerhead sea turtles, it caters for numerous airlines year-round, with an increased number operating during the summer months. ZTH also receives regular domestic flights from Athens, Thessaloniki, Kefalonia and Corfu.The car hire supplier desks can be found in the arrival halls.
Zakynthos Airport (ZTH)
Website: zth-airport.gr
Address: Airport, Zakinthos 290 92, Greece
Telephone: +30 2695 029500
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Zakynthos
Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in 190 different destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Zakynthos
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Zakynthos. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team for assistance and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Zakynthos?
Yes. When you rent a car in Zakynthos, the local supplier will ask you for a valid credit card in the main driver's name at the time of picking up your vehicle. Credit cards are used by the car hire provider to hold a deposit, which is promptly released back to the card once the car has been returned undamaged. Please make sure that the supplier checks the vehicle and signs it off as undamaged before you leave the premises. For a standard hire, only one credit card is required, but for a luxury car hire the local car rental company will sometimes ask for two major credit cards (such as Visa, Mastercard, Diners, American Express, etc.) due to the high cost of such vehicles. All the credit card info you need relating to your request can easily be found in the Auto Europe search engine results by clicking the blue and white info icon (i). Please take a look at our guide on credit cards for further information, or read our blog post on the subject to find out the six most important things to know about credit cards and deposits prior to your trip.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Zakynthos?
You'll be happy to learn that all the basic rates for car hire in Zakynthos published on the Auto Europe website come with the minimum amout of legally required car hire coverage. This includes Liability Insurance, Theft Protection (TP) and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), with or without excess. As CDW does not cover damage every part of the car, it's best to purchase our Full Damage & Theft Protection for total peace of mind when driving around the island. All the related information can be accessed quickly and easily on the Auto Europe website simply by clicking the blue and white info icon (i) when making a search. Please note that some local suppliers of car rental in Zakynthos might try to sell extra coverage when you arrive to collect your vehicle. This is completely optional and ususally isn't required. Auto Europe cannot refund the money for any insurance you sign up to directly with the supplier, such as Personal Accident Insurance, Personal Effects Coverage, Super CDW, Seguro Relax, Roadside Assistance, etc. These are normally charged on a daily basis, and are always optional. For more information about Auto Europe’s coverage policies, please contact our rental specialists for assistance and they will be happy to provide you with all the information you need.
How is the traffic in Zakynthos?
Driving is not too difficult on the island but be careful to pay attention to the Zakynthian traffic as some smaller roads are not in the same condition as the main roads, especially in the interior. The surface of these roads may become slippery from oil, sand and salt from the ocean, so be sure to take extra care, especially when driving at night. The west side of the island is more mountainous, whereas the east is much flatter. Always remember when driving your car hire in Zakynthos to keep well over to the right to let the locals pass you, as some drivers may be more aggressive than your are used to on the road! Auto Europe has also put together a guide to driving in Greece. Please take a look at it before your journey.
Where can I park my car hire in Zakynthos?
Generally speaking, the majority of places on the island have very few parking restrictions except Zakynthos Town (the capital) where the roads are busier, especially during the main tourist season. There's plenty of on-street parking spaces available, although they tend to fill up quite quickly on weekdays. Nevertheless, there are several large car parks available in and around the town centre, including Marina Municipal Parking, Antonis Parking, Mediteranean Beach Car Park and Parking Lofos Strani. As Zakynthos is a popular holiday destinations, many of the larger hotels and beach resorts offer free parking to their guests, so keep this in mind when booking your accommodation.
Can I pick up my car hire in Zakynthos and travel with it to other islands?
Yes. Although travel outside of Greece is not permitted, some suppliers will allow you to travel by ferry to some of the other Greek islands. Please note that Abby Car, Yours, Exer, Auto Union and Enterprise permit travel by ferry but you must get written authorisation and purchase additional insurance before embarking on your trip off the island, plus your intention to do so must be registered at time of making the booking.
Zakynthos Travel Guide
Until quite recently, Zakynthos was one of the least-known Greek islands and considered a bit off the beaten track. Nowadays it is gaining plenty of recognition for its beautiful beaches, breathtsking scenery, hidden caves and wonderful gastronomy. Follow our guide to some of the best places to visit with your car hire in Zakynthos for a memorable stay on one of the Mediterranean's most idyllic islands.
Best day trips with my car rental in Zakynthos
The easiest way to get around this amazing island is by car, and Zakynthos is a place where there’s plenty to stop and photograph seemingly around every bend. You can drive up into the hills to admire the Mediterranean vistas before descending to a quaint little fishing village for a relaxing lunch at the water's edge. Auto Europe specialises in one-way car hire offers and Free Additional Driver promotions for visitors who want to share the driving and go further during their time on the island.
Shipwreck Beach
One of the Mediterranean's most photographed coastal settings, Shipwreck Beach's name derives from the wreck of a contraband cigarette-smuggling vessel that washed up there one night in 1980. Considered one of the most scenic beaches in Greece, this idyllic, picture-book lies in the Smuggler's Cove area of the island's west coast. Shipwreck Beach is extra special for the fact that it can only be accessed from the sea, with one of the most popular modes of transport being a taxi boat from Agios Nikolaos on the north-east coast some 30 kilometres from Zakynthos Town.
Blue Caves
Nestling at Cape Skinari on the northern tip of the island, the Blue Caves are a major natural attraction that are best visited on one of the many glass-bottom boats that also operate from the resort of Agios Nikolaos. Inside the caves, visitors can marvel at the reflection of the blue sea off the walls (hence their name) to form a magical light show. The waters surrounding the caves are perfect for bathing and snorkelling.
Laganas Bay
Zakynthos is synonymous with its sea turtles and Laganas Bay (on the island's enchanting south-east coast) is one of their main breeding grounds. Located 8 kilometres south of Zakynthos Town, this beautiful wide bay is home to a fine stretch of long sandy beach which now ranks as a top tourist resort with all the facilities that go with it. An estimated 1,300 loggerhead turtles are said to inhabit the waters around Laganas Bay and are protected within the confines of the Zakynthos National Marine Park, which was founded in 1999 to limit access to certain parts of the beach during the nesting season.
Askos Stone Park
Located in the north of the island, Askos Stone Park is a must for families with kids and animal lovers in general. Situated close to the peaceful village of Volimes, about a half-hour drive from Zakynthos Town, this lovely zoo-like attraction features a wide range of animals, including ponies, goats, chickens, peacocks, deer, raccoons and tortoises, among others. The park's attendants are on hand to explain where each animal comes from and how to feed them, etc.
What to do in Zakynthos
As one of the larger Greek islands, Zakynthos offers visitors much more than golden beaches and spectacular sea views. There are several things that you shouldn't miss, such as the Byzantine Museum (one of the best in Greece) and the Church of St Dionysios which houses many important religious artefacts. Zakynthos Town's ancient historic centre is lined with old shops and restaurants serving the most traditional Greek food on the islanfd.
- Zakynthos Town: With its pretty tree-lined squares and beautifully paved streets, Zakynthos Town is a delight for first-time visitors who are spoilt for choice when it comes to find a suitable eaterie for lunch or dinner. The historic centre is filled with cafés, bakeries, trendy boutiques and fashionable jewellery stores selling many locally-made trinkets and souvenirs. The best views over the town and beyond can be enjoyed from the nearby the village of Bohali, which is home to an old Venetian castle set in a verdant park with pine trees and many subtropical plants.
- Byzantine Museum: On Zakynthos Town's main square stands its top tourist attraction, the excellent Byzantine Museum. Dating from the 12th century onwards, the collection features numerous religious icons, frescoes and sculptures from the island's monasteries and churches, most notably some exquisite Byzantine icons carved into wood. Look out for the paintings of the most prominent representatives of the Cretan School (mid-15th to 17th centuries) such as Angelos, Michael Damaskenos, Emmanuel Tzanes, as well as works of the Heptanese School (late 17th-18th century).
- Roma Mansion: Built in the 1660s, this impressive mansion is one of the few old buildings to have survived the great earthquake 1953 which destroyed much of Zakynthos Town and the rest of the island. Now owned by the Roma family (hence its name), the mansion was restored and opened to the public in 2007. Inside, visitors can see a fine collection of old period furniture, books and paintings to gain a vivid idea of how many of the local aristocrats lived in days gone by.
- Church of St Dionysios: The most important church on the island of Zakynthos is Agios Dionysios which dates from 1708 and houses the relics of the town's patron saint. Rebuilt after the earthquake, it boasts a prominent location at the southern end of the waterfront district, close to many of the best al fresco restaurants. The church's lovely interior features some splendid gilt work and frescoes, while at the back visitors can enter a museum to see a fine collection of ecclesiastical treasures and vestments, including the well-preserved 400-year-old body of Dionysios himself which is paraded around town every year on the 24th of August as part of the local festivities.
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