4 Best Sights in Agios Nikoloas and the North, Zakynthos

Boats cast off from almost every harbor along the eastern side of the island to reach the twinkling waters of the Blue Caves. These trips typically combine a visit to Shipwreck Beach, but you'll find cheaper, faster there-and-back commutes (€10 per person) from Cape Skinari on the northern tip of the island. Once there, the glinting reflections seen within the tall white archways are best witnessesed in the morning or before noon, when the sunlight refracts off the water at just the right angle. Many trips include the opportunity to get out and swim or snorkel in and around the caves.

One of the better options for those allergic to crowds. Makris Gialos, on the northeast coast, lacks the facilities of many of the larger beaches, so rarely fills up. Limited parking means it isn't the most accessible, though most just park by the road. A few more sun beds and umbrellas have cropped up in recent years, but it's easy to find your own spot. There's a bar and shop a short hop from the shore. Aside from that, all you have is sunshine and deep waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Boats also go from here to the Blue Caves. Amenities: bar a short walk away; sun beds and umbrellas. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; adults; escaping the crowds.

Most beaches accessible only by boat tend to be remote affairs; their shores little trod. Navagio is the exception. It somehow manages to be impossible to reach yet simultaneously overrun. The reason is simply that every ship on the island heads here—though if you don't want to spend all day on a tour at sea, you can grab a quick boat (30 minutes) there and back at nearby Port Vromi. The beach gets its nickname from the MV Panagiotis, a cargo vessel that fell foul of the rocks here in 1983 while smuggling contraband cigarettes. It has been rusting on this shore ever since. Some have theorized it was placed there to attract visitors, but only the most devout of cynics would deny this cove its serendipitous beauty. From above, a curve of white cliffs bristling with green stubble frames its subject and sands perfectly. Strangely, it's perhaps the only beach you can best appreciate from afar. The viewpoint (with nearby parking) is a good hour's drive from Zakynthos Town and just as packed as below. Only from there does its geometry truly sing. Amenities: none. Best for: boat trips; viewpoints; Instagram photos.

Porto Vromi is another gem found on the far northwestern coast. Its narrow shore isn't very large and doesn't attract that many visitors. A pebbly shore drops off quickly to reveal deep waters, so it's not much good for families with small children. Most use it as a departure point for boats to Shipwreck Beach and the Blue Caves, but it's worth a visit in its own right. The cove is riddled with small caves and surrounded by quiet mountain villages. A great escape from the masses. Amenities: a beach bar; tavernas in the villages; a couple of sun beds. Best for: boat trips; mountain trails; rural villages.