29.10.2026
Living in Corfu Year-Round: The Basics Before Buying a House
Corfu is a well-known island in Greece, particularly popular as a vacation destination, but it’s much more than that.
Regional Guides
Zakynthos is small enough to get around easily, but varied enough that the best place to buy really depends on what you want: a lively resort, a quiet green peninsula, or an authentic hill village. There's no single answer. The island runs from busy southern beaches to peaceful northern coves and mountain villages inland, with prices well below the prestige islands. Below is a guide to the main areas, weighted towards where we most often help buyers find a home, including the Vasilikos peninsula and the northeast around Agios Nikolaos.
Vasilikos and the Southeast Peninsula
Vasilikos is one of our favourite parts of the island, and one where we regularly have listings. This green peninsula in the southeast feels calmer and more upmarket than the big resorts, with some of the island's loveliest beaches, including Gerakas. It's a beautiful spot for a villa with nature on the doorstep. Part of the area sits within or beside the National Marine Park, set up partly to protect the loggerhead turtles that nest here, so building and changes can be restricted near the protected beaches. That keeps the peninsula unspoilt, and it's something to confirm for any specific property.
Agios Nikolaos and the Northeast
The northeast around Agios Nikolaos is quieter and very scenic, a small port from which boats run to the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach. We see steady interest here from buyers who want calm, sea views, and an authentic feel away from the crowds. It's one of the parts of the island where we most often have homes.
Argassi and near Zakynthos Town
Just southeast of the capital, Argassi is a convenient, well-served resort with a beach and quick access to Zakynthos Town's year-round amenities. It's a practical choice for owners who want everything close by, and another area where we tend to have listings. The town itself offers traditional properties and a life that doesn't switch off at the end of summer.
Tsilivi and Alykanas
North of the capital, Tsilivi is the island's most developed family resort, with a good sandy beach, plenty of amenities, and an established rental market at reasonable prices. Neighbouring Alykanas is a touch quieter, with family-friendly beaches and a gentler pace. Both suit buyers who want easy, sociable holiday living with strong summer demand.
Laganas
Laganas, in the south, is the island's big, lively resort, known for its long beach and busy nightlife. It draws a younger crowd and a strong peak-season rental market. Two things to keep in mind: demand is concentrated in summer, and part of Laganas Bay is a protected turtle-nesting area, which brings restrictions near the beach.
Volimes and the Inland Hills
For authenticity and value, the northwest hill villages around Volimes are worth a look, and we often have options here. Known for handmade textiles and honey, and close to the famous Shipwreck viewpoint, these elevated villages offer traditional houses and big views at lower prices than the coast. They suit buyers after a genuine, peaceful base, with a car and a little self-sufficiency.
Coastal or Inland?
A simple way to frame the choice. Coastal and resort areas offer beaches, amenities, and a ready summer rental market, at higher prices. Inland villages offer space, character, and value, often with renovation potential, in exchange for quieter surroundings and needing a car. Many buyers find the sweet spot a short way back from the coast, with sea views but gentler prices.
What to Weigh Up
A few practical points apply across the island.
Protected Zones
Around the marine park and the turtle-nesting beaches, particularly in Vasilikos and Laganas Bay, what you can build or change may be restricted. Confirm this before you commit.
Seasonality
The resorts are lively in summer and much quieter in winter, while Zakynthos Town stays active year-round.
Access
The island has its own airport with seasonal European flights and year-round links via Athens, plus a ferry from Kyllini on the mainland.
Why Elxis?
The Ionian is one of our core regions, and we have a focused set of listings on Zakynthos, mainly around Vasilikos, Agios Nikolaos, Argassi, and the Volimes hills. We've been guiding international property buyers to find their ideal house in Greece since 1991. With Elxis, you get:
An in-house team of 10 lawyers, not outsourced work
Full due diligence on every property: titles, the National Cadastre, protected-area and planning restrictions, tax, and any outstanding obligations
Contract drafting and management of the whole transaction
Everything explained in your own language: English, Dutch, German, French, or Greek
A trusted network across Greece: notaries, surveyors, viewing teams, and technical specialists
Conclusion
There's no single best area in Zakynthos, only the best one for you. For a green, upmarket peninsula with beautiful beaches, Vasilikos. For a quiet, scenic northeast, Agios Nikolaos. For convenience near the capital, Argassi. For family resort life, Tsilivi and Alykanas. For lively summers, Laganas. And for authentic value, the Volimes hills. Tell us how you want to live, and we'll point you to the right part of the island.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. For any issues relating to specific cases, we recommend consulting a lawyer, an accountant, or a notary depending on your needs.
