In this article, we break down why Zakynthos is the ideal place to buy a second home for Belgian citizens. We enlisted the help of Belgian travel blogger Kaya Maes, who has traveled to Zakynthos.
About Kaya Maes (@Kayamaes)
Kaya is a Belgian travel, fashion, and beauty Instagram personality who has traveled in Greece to Zakynthos, Crete, and Santorini. Her Greek food, beach, and hotel recommendations are specifically for Belgians in Greece.
Find Kaya on Intagram and on Tiktok.
Why Zakynthos?
This southernmost Ionian island was also called ‘the flower of the east’ or ‘Zante’ by the Venetians. For an unforgettable experience, Zakynthos is definitely the right place, as it is one of the most exotic islands in Greece! Visit its spectacular beaches, where the protected Caretta Caretta turtles lay their eggs. Especially the white sand of Sekania is very popular for this.
Furthermore, you can visit the world famous ‘shipwrecked beach’ (Navagio Beach) with its huge white rocks and clear blue water. Also some vineyards are centuries old and produce up to 60 different types of grapes.
Navagio Beach is in the area of the island opposite the capital town, so it’s best to rent a car if you want to go to Navagio Beach. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Greece and definitely on the island of Zakynthos. It was originally called the beach of Agios Georgios, but that changed with the arrival of the shipwreck in 1980.
If you’re curious about the most beautiful part of the city, go to Bokhali, which offers a beautiful view over the harbor, full of photogenic alleys with old houses and traditional cafes, crowned with a Venetian castle; you shouldn’t miss it. The alleys of Zakynthos’s towns are also a great spot to find cats. Many will cuddle with you.
Rating Zakynthos for Belgians
Rating Methodology
How did we decide what factors are most important for Belgian home buyers? To solve this challenge, we first asked our sales and legal team, who offer consultation and legal handling to dozens of Belgian clients (both those who do and don’t purchase a property). We then combined this data with a small survey of Belgian clients who ultimately purchased a home to find out their highest priorities.
Sea View
Zakynthos has one of the longest coastlines of any Greek island, at about 120 kilometers. Compare that to Santorini and Mykonos, which both have a coastline of 70-80 kilometers. Some parts of Zakynthos are undeveloped and there are many opportunities for beachfront homes. Some popular areas to get a sea view in Zakynthos are Argassi, Vassilikos, Kalamaki, Laganas, Limni Keri, and Tsilivi.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Direct Flights
From Belgium, there are direct flights to Zakynthos from Brussels, at about three hours. If you are able to travel north to Amsterdam, you can also drive the three hours and get a direct flight from the Netherlands to Zakynthos.
Compared to flights from the Netherlands to Zakynthos, Brussels has more flights to Zakynthos. This is convenient because for most Greek islands, like the Cyclades, you need to take a plane to Athens and afterward a boat journey for several hours.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Property Prices
Prices in Zakynthos are slightly less expensive than the other popular Greek islands in the Ionian chain. According to national averages from Spitogatos, the average home price in Zakynthos is 2000 Euros per square meter, compared to 2100 Euros in Corfu and 2180 in Kefalonia.
Prices for beachfront homes in Zakynthos are also less expensive than popular Greek islands like Lefkada (2600 Euros per square meter) and the Cyclades (3400 Euros per square meter).
Rating: 9 out of 10
Internet Speed
Internet Speeds are available in Greece via Speedtest by Ookla. Compared to other areas of Greece, Zakynthos’s internet is close to average.
Rating: 8 out of 10
English Speakers and Expatriate Community
If you choose one of Zakynthos’s most popular towns, like Tsilivi, Laganas, Kalamaki, Argassi, Alykes or Alikanasm, you will surely find English speakers or even French and Dutch speakers. The Ionian islands are growing a lot in popularity, so you can expect to see many visitors.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Zakynthos Overall Rating: 9.4/10
