Zante Party Holiday Guide – Best Clubs, Where To Stay And Top Tips For Your Leaving Cert Holiday
Planning a Zante party holiday? Discover the best places to stay, where to eat and drink, plus our top tips from a Leaving Cert Student.
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is a small Greek island in the Ionian Sea that has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations for a party holiday. Famous for its lively nightlife, incredible clubs and buzzing atmosphere, the island attracts thousands of students looking for a Zante party holiday every summer.
In order to give you the best party recommendations, I asked my son Luke, who went to Zante this year for his Leaving Cert holiday, to help me write this Zante party holiday guide.
Luke has given his top recommendations for best places to stay in Zante as well as great places to eat, drink and party. Kaitlin lived in Zante for six months too, and has also added some tips to make the most of your time on the island. If you are looking to visit one of the other top destinations for your party holiday, we have some more recommendations here:
Read: Top 10 European Party Holidays for 2027
Best Flight Deals to Zante in July 2027 – €478!
Ryanair are currently charging €1175 for return flights from Dublin to Zakynthos on the 3rd of July, which is crazy! But don’t panic, there are many more ways to get there. I found return flights departing Saturday 3rd July and returning Sunday 11th of July from €478 with one stop, and even cheaper if you don’t mind long layovers.
The best flights I found for 8 nights with Lufthansa below. This is the same way we went this year and found it great, the layover was short and we got there in time to go out on Saturday night.
You can also fly from Belfast direct on the 30th of June or 7th of July. There are package deals available from £823 including flights, top-rated apartments, baggage and transfers – so its definitely the cheapest way to holiday in Zante!
Where to stay for your Zante party holiday
When booking a Zante party holiday, make sure you choose the right resort. Although the island is small, taxis between resorts can be expensive, and some areas are more family-friendly than others. Stay in Laganas to be close to the strip and avoid taxi costs, or choose Kalamaki for a quieter option that’s just 5–10 minutes from the action.
All-inclusive hotels tend to attract most students because of the free unlimited food and drink available. I visited some of these all inclusive hotels during the day, and had some of the cocktails and drinks there, but I think they were watered down – I’m assuming because I had many of them and felt completely fine! We decided against an all inclusive resort and decided to stay in an apartment instead.
I have included the apartment we stayed in and some more hotels and apartments below:
T Zante (18-30s only)
This is one of the best places to stay in Laganas, but it is a small complex so books out well in advance. It is stylish, clean and comfortable, with rooms right on the strip, and it has a pool bar, and includes breakfast. Kaitlin stayed here twice on her party holidays in Zante and couldn’t fault it, especially for location.
Zante Atlantis Hotel – B&B
Located about 10 minutes walk from the Strip, the Zante Atlantis is one of the most top-rated Zante hotels on TripAdvisor. There is an outdoor pool and restaurant and breakfast is included in your stay. There is also a choice of rooms available including twin, triple and Quad rooms, and all have balconies.
Mourias Apartments
My friends and I wanted the extra space an apartment would provide and decided to book the Mourjas Apartments and Studios, which I couldn’t really fault. The location was superb, right on the beach and above La Serra Café which serves lovely breakfasts, smoothies and ice cream. It is also within reach of bars and restaurants on the Laganas Strip. We spent more of our time at the beach and on the strip and never had to get taxis at all.
There were four of us staying in one apartment with a balcony, 3 single beds and a double bed. It was a tight squeeze but better than most of the accommodation we saw there.
When we arrived the room only had two single beds and a double, but we asked for another bed to be put in, and they accommodated us. They have larger apartments with huge balconies but you would need to make sure you book well in advance.
Aggelika Apartments
These are great apartments with a decent location on the beachfront. The apartments were nice and liveable, but the owner isn’t too friendly, so don’t annoy him! The restaurant beside it is first non-touristy restaurant we found, it is a family-run business and has excellent food.
Asiminia Apartments
The Asiminia are centrally located too. Like the Mourias, they don’t have a pool but are beside the beach.
Canadian Hotel
This hotel has been renovated in recent years so its clean and modern, it’s not located on the strip but a nice distance away to chill during the day. We visited for the day and it seemed great quality and also had cheap drink deals. We had two drinks and a shot for €10.
Vivian Hotel (18-30s only)
Just a few minutes walk from the main strip, this spot is perfect for your Zante party holiday getaway. During the day, the pool area has a lively atmosphere with upbeat music and flowing drinks and it’s catered to 18-30 year olds.
Dados Hotel (18-30s)
Top rated apartments in Laganas boasting 4.5 rating on TripAdvisor with a perfect location walking distance to the strip, beach and all shops and restaurants. The rooms are simple but comfy and the bar staff are known to be 10/10.
Majestic Spa and Hotel – All Inclusive
The Majestic Hotel is located right on the Laganas strip, so its within walking distance to all the main bars and clubs. There’s a lively pool here with a pool bar and you are a 5 minute walk to the beach. Some of my friends stayed here and it is great for party atmosphere. Rooms were ok too but all-inclusive wasn’t great, you could only get one drink at a time.
Most of my friends thought the food was bad, but they do have a great choice of ice cream! Overall it is a good choice with a good pool and good atmosphere.
Laganas Holiday Hotel
This is about half the price of the others, and is only a 2 star hotel, so you can imagine you’re going to be staying in an inferior place compared to the other All inclusive resorts. Although if you are just looking for a cheap hotel and don’t mind where you stay, then go for it.
Blue Palm
This was the hotel that had the worst reviews from my friends, but the atmosphere is great and the bar staff are very accommodating and helpful.
Find more Zante hotels, apartments and package deals below, with plenty of options to suit different group sizes and budgets.
Best Bars and Clubs in Zante
My whole group mainly ended up in Rescue or Sizzle every night, so they were definitely the best clubs in Zante for us.
Rescue – Free entry, open till 5am. They have the same DJ every night but he was very good
Sizzle – This is a great club, but if you don’t have it included in one of your packages, you need to pay to get in . There is a new DJ every week, we saw Robbie Doherty here and it was the best event I’ve ever been to.
Cherry Bay – This is a popular spot but we were warned about reports of spiking so just be extra careful here.
The Loft – This is an Irish bar which was a good spot to go for pre drinks. It was typically mobbed with people, but in a good way! We saw the bouncers in action (including fights) and noticed that the bouncers were very strict here, so you need to be on your best behaviour.
Drink Spiking
While it’s not nice to hear, party destinations like Zante can have issues with drink spiking, so it’s important to stay vigilant, know the warning signs and look out for your friends. Spiking can happen anywhere, but some bars have been reported to have a reputation for this, so take extra care when visiting them.
While we were there, we also saw a few people who appeared to have been spiked with needles. In most cases they went to a local clinic and, thankfully, did not appear to be in serious danger. However, their worried parents were then asked to pay for treatment. From talking to other students, needle spiking seemed to be something they had heard about or witnessed before, and there was a feeling among some that frightened parents were being charged significant sums when these incidents occurred.
Top tips to avoid being spiked
- Never leave your drink unattended.
- Buy a cap for over your cup, can be bought on Amazon.
- If you notice your drink looks or taste different, do not drink anymore.
- Drink bottled drinks. They’re not as easy to spike as glasses (still possible but maybe not as likely).
- Always buy your own drink or if someone is buying one for you just watch it being made.
- If your drink becomes cloudy, discard it immediately.
- If you feel funny or think you may have been spiked, attend the medical centre immediately.
- Stay in groups and keep an eye on your friends, particularly anyone who may have had too much to drink and could be more vulnerable to spiking.
Best Restaurants in Zante
Restaurant Mouria is a lovely seafront restaurant that was busy everyday.
Isabel’s Beach Club and Restaurant – DJ Nathan Dawes resturant on Laganas beachfront party vibes alongside excellent food.
Peri heaven – Nandos dupe offering chicken wings, burgers, pasta & more
Sirocco Restaurant– lovely family run restaurant right on the strip with yummy Greek and Medditeran food.
Hamsa – High end beach bar offering sushi and a gorgeous pool but it’s worth it.
Panos restaurant, on the Kalamaki road just a short walk from the strip. I love its Mediterranean menu, it has something for everyone.
Brusco Kitchen and bar on the seafront offers excellent food.
Cool Peppers – beachfront dining with a huge menu perfect for brunch or dinner.
BJs and Bad Boys’ pizza slices – unbeatable, a slice of pizza was only €2. This and a sea swim to end the night was the highlight of many nights out.
Top Things To Do In Zante
I pre booked an events package with Uncharted and it made every day a lot easier as there was an organised plan and structure in place for each day I was there, including boat trips, access to clubs and discounts. Other package options can be organised through Party Hard Travel.
Day Clubs or Pool Parties
There are plenty of beach or pool clubs, whether you’re looking to chill out or join a pool party. It really depends on the vibe you’re after. Karma Day Club is generally relaxed during the day, except on Sundays when it hosts its famous White Party.
Pure Beach Club and El Paradiso are both livelier, while Hamsa and Rhoe have a more laid-back atmosphere, perfect for sunbathing and enjoying a few cocktails.
Visit Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach
The famous Navagio beach is not just one of Zante’s top attractions, it is considered one of the world’s best beaches. The only way you can set foot on this beach is to book a boat trip.
There are many boat trips to Shipwreck Beach and the Blue Caves. The most popular is this 3 hour cruise from €30 per person, however if your budget allows it, or you have a large party with you, check out the luxury private cruises!
Top Tips for visiting Shipwreck Beach: Bring swim shoes, plenty of water, snacks and anti sickness tablets.
Read: Top things to do in Zante
Rent a quad
If you want to explore more of the island, renting a quad is a popular option. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a valid driving licence, and police checks are common in the area, so make sure to drive responsibly and wear a helmet at all times. Driving a moped or quadbike without a licence and insurance is against the law.
Top Tips: Check if your travel insurance will cover you for riding a Quad, and bear in mind that if it does cover you, it will likely not cover you unless you are wearing a helmet.
Check the small print on your policy, as it may only offer Third-Party insurance, so if you damage the vehicle you will be charged to replace it. If you fail to pay you could be arrested. You may also be asked to leave your passport or pay a deposit in case of any damage to the quad.
Boat Party
No Zante party holiday is complete without a booze cruise! The boat parties in Zante are legendary and are often one of the best days of the whole holiday. If you’re booking a party holiday package, a boat party will most likely be included.
The main boat party companies in Zante are Tidal, Uncharted and VVIP, all offering plenty of boat party dates to choose from throughout the summer. We booked with Uncharted and the boat party was brilliant.
Rent out your own boat
We hired a boat for the day and loved it. You can usually hire a boat for as long as you like, with plenty of boats available along the main beach, with or without skippers. Its not cheap, but if you have a gang of friends, it can work out ok.
Go turtle spotting on Turtle Island
If you are visiting Zante you should probably make time to see its famous inhabitants – the loggerhead turtles. Currently there are only about 50,000 loggerhead turtles in the world, and Zakynthos is home to one of the most important breeding grounds in the Mediterranean.
Funnily enough, Turtle Island is actually shaped like a turtle as well! A visit to Turtle Island is one of the top things to do in Zante, and it is very close to Lanagas – you can see the island itself from Laganas beach.
Visit Cameo Island
Situated near Laganas beach is the Cameo Island. It is a must see especially if you are staying close by. You can get here on foot, or by small boat or bus from Laganas (10 minutes), and only costs €5 to enter.
In 1633 Cameo Island was actually part of Zakynthos, until an earthquake separated the small area from the mainland, but it is still connected by a wooden bridge today.
Top Tips: Go early in the morning for fewer crowds, and if you like snorkelling, bring your gear!
Water Village Waterpark
If you fancy a day away from the pub scene, a visit to the waterpark is a good idea. There are a few on the island but the best by far is the popular Water Village, which is easily accessible from most of the main resorts. There is something here for everyone, from big slides to lazy rivers.
12 Top Tips For Your Zante Party Holiday
I hope my Zante party holiday guide will help you find the best things to do in Zante and let you plan the perfect holiday to this stunning Greek island.
Luke
How to get to Zante
Ryanair flies weekly every Saturday from the 3rd of April until October. You can also fly with Jet2 from Belfast, which offers great value flights and package holidays to Zakynthos.
Many flights operate from the UK each day, so you can connect via Bristol, Manchester or London. I saved nearly €550 per person flying via Zurich. You can also connect via Athens or Frankfurt.
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, prices and experiences are subject to change. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional charge to you.
