Experience the best of Laganas

Laganas sits on the south coast of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Islands of Greece, a few kilometres from the island's main town. A long beach of pale sand curves around Laganas Bay, backed by a strip of cafés, bars and hotels. The bay is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which protects the nesting beaches of the loggerhead sea turtle, and the shore is carefully managed to keep nests safe.

Boats cross the bay to Marathonisi, a small islet shaped like a turtle, with sandy coves and sea caves for swimming. Elsewhere on the island, Navagio Beach, also called Shipwreck Beach, lies below white limestone cliffs on the north-west coast, and the Blue Caves cut into the rock near Cape Skinari at the northern tip. Zakynthos Town, rebuilt after an earthquake in 1953, has a seafront square and the church of the island's patron saint, Agios Dionysios.

Zakynthos is known for mandolato, a nougat of almonds and honey, for Verdea, a pale local white wine, and for olive oil, with tavernas serving grilled fish and local cheeses. Summers are hot and dry, with warm seas until October. Loggerheads nest from late May to August, and the best months for walking and sightseeing are May, June, September and October.