Booked via Jet2holidays · From £450.00pp · 7–10 August 2025
Trip snapshot
- Destination: Zante (Zakynthos), Greece
- Dates: 7 August 2025 → 10 August 2025
- Travellers: 2 adults + 2 kids (ages 6 and 2)
- Booked via: Jet2holidays
- Approx price per person: £450.00
- Getting there: Jet2holidays package into ZTH; hired a car from Avis (fourth time, consistently good service).
A quick summer escape built around naps, snacks and sea time. We based ourselves in Tsilivi for easy beach access, drove north for the famed Potamitis windmills and Blue Caves, and kept the kids happy with plane-spotting in Kalamaki and frequent bakery stops. Hiring a car made everything simpler with a toddler and a six-year-old in tow.
Where we stayed: Contessina Hotel
Official site · Address: Tsilivi, Zakynthos 29100, Greece · Room: One Bedroom Suite with Private Pool · Board: —
What worked for the kids
- Suite layout: a separate bedroom makes naps doable without lights-out for everyone.
- Private pool = quick cool-down dips between beach and dinner.
- Easy stroll to Tsilivi’s family-friendly amenities (supermarkets, beach gear, playgrounds).
What to watch out for
- August heat — plan pool/indoor time at midday and book dinner a bit later.
- Some steps/uneven paving around resort areas; take a lightweight buggy.
Our rating: 5/5
Stylish, calm and genuinely family-aware. The one-bedroom suite with a private pool gave us breathing room for naps and evenings, and staff were warm and efficient. Tsilivi is on your doorstep for beach days and supplies, and driving out to the island’s north is straightforward from here.
Where we ate (kid-approved)
- Anna’s Kitchen (Tsilivi) — Zakynthian recipes with a twist in a leafy courtyard; friendly with little ones.
- Runway View Café (Kalamaki) — sandwiches, smoothies and front-row plane-spotting thrills.
- Warm & Fresh Bakery Demetis — cakes, ice-cream and pastry bribes that work every time.
- Route 111 (near Xigia) — excellent street-food stop after a north-coast swim.
What we did (2–3 day plan)
- Day 1: Tsilivi Beach & hotel pool — easy first day with toddlers; sandy shallows and nearby shops for supplies.
- Day 2: Potamitis Brothers Windmills & Blue Caves — dramatic views and short boat trips from Skinari; go early to dodge crowds.
- Day 3: Kalamaki plane-spotting & beach time; nap break, then Tsilivi dinner.
Queue-busting tip: If you’re doing Potamitis, arrive before 09:30, check wind/swell, and pack water shoes for the rocky steps.
Costs & booking links
| Item | £ each | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | — | Included in Jet2holidays package |
| Hotel (3 nights) | — | Included in Jet2holidays package |
| Car hire | — | Avis Zante Airport — pre-book child seats |
| Attractions | Varies | Blue Caves from Skinari (Potamitis) — pay direct |
| Approx total | £450.00 pp (≈ £1,800 for 4) | Booked via Jet2holidays |
Useful links: Official tourism · KTEL buses · Met Office weather · GOV.UK travel advice
Family tips (what we wish we’d known)
- Sleep/quiet: Take a white-noise app and a clip-on blackout shade for the buggy; plan pool breaks in the hottest hours.
- Food: Taverns are flexible with kids’ portions; allergy cards in Greek help if needed.
- Pram/buggy: Pavements can be uneven; a lightweight stroller is ideal. Many beach entrances are pram-friendly.
- Toilets/changing: Carry tissues/wipes; baby-change facilities aren’t universal.
- Driving: Roads are narrow in the north; start early, park once and explore on foot.
Our travel tech that made it easier
- Portable 5G router: ZTE MU5120 with EU prepaid SIM — kept iPads online on the move. Our full review: ZTE MU5120.
- Chargers & power: Apple USB-C chargers (multi-port) and an Anker/UGREEN EU adapter; a 20,000 mAh PD power bank for beach days.
- Headphones for the kids: Belkin (volume-limited) — perfect for flights and quiet time.
- Luggage trackers: Apple AirTags — handy peace of mind through baggage claim.
- Cameras: iPhone 15 Pro Max and Ricoh GR IIIx HDF.
FAQs for families visiting Zante
Is Zante good with a pram/buggy?
Yes, mainly — beaches like Tsilivi are manageable and many tavernas have space for a stroller. Expect some uneven paving and occasional steps; a lightweight buggy is best.
How much should we budget for a long weekend?
Our Jet2holidays package worked out at about £450pp for 3 nights in August, excluding car fuel and casual meals. Bakery breakfasts and family tavernas keep daily spend sensible.
What’s the best way to get around with kids?
A hire car (we used Avis at ZTH) made naps and spontaneous beach stops far easier. Buses run between town and Tsilivi if you’re car-free, but summer schedules can be busy.
Can you stay connected easily?
Yes — our ZTE MU5120 5G router with an EU prepaid SIM kept multiple devices online. Many cafés offer free Wi-Fi but mobile data is more reliable for maps and queues.
Is August too hot for toddlers?
It’s hot and dry (around 31 °C average): plan early mornings/evenings out, long lunches and pool breaks at midday, and keep hats/water on rotation.
