Vassilikos Holidays

This town plants a flag in the south-eastern corner of the island, on a peninsula that pokes out into the Ionian Sea. It’s the sort of place that sticks to tradition, so you can expect authentic Greek grub and houses that are spread out among olive groves and open countryside. And when you reach the very bottom of the peninsula, you’ll find an even slimmer slice of land that looks like a mini version of Italy’s boot.

Gerakas Beach grabs the headlines when it comes to sunning yourself. It’s a long belt of sand, hemmed in by a couple of sheer cliffs, with views across the bay on the island’s south-west corner. It’s a peaceful plot, too, with a backdrop made up of bumpy dunes rather than bars and hotels. There’s plenty of choice if you fancy changing things up, too, with the likes of St Nicholas Beach, Dafni Beach and Porto Roma Beach less than 10 minutes’ drive away.

Vassilikos mostly keeps itself to itself, but that doesn’t mean that city sights are totally off the cards. To raise the volume a little, take a 20-minute drive north to Zakynthos Town. It’s the island’s capital, and has everything from old-school architecture to a lively harbour scene. Bump up the journey time to 30 minutes, and you’ll find yourself in another capital, of sorts. Laganas is the premier party town, with sands sidling up to clubs and bars that keep the music playing around the clock.