Laganas is a village and a onetime municipality, and located on the island of Zante, Greece. It is bustling with activity and a popular holiday destination. There is something for almost everyone from the adventurous sole to those wanting some relaxation time. Laganas is better suited for families without children. Seniors who enjoy a sedate lifestyle will not find much to do in the way of activities.
Laganas is best known for its crazy night life and has become a popular party destination. Laganas is a magnet for young people with its hip clubs and bars, fast food and chain restaurants and many local souvenir shops. There are more than 100 night clubs and bars in Laganas and many of them are open around the clock and offer non stop partying for those on the constant go or are always in the market for a party fix.
The accommodations are mainly apartments, with only few hotels. If you are an early to bed type of traveler, make sure your apartment is not above a club or a drinking establishment. If beach access is important, be sure to check the distance from the beach to your accommodation, as some of them are more than a mile from the beach.
One of the main attractions on Laganas Bay is the Caretta Turtles, known as Loggerheads. The beach is part of the National Marine Park. The turtles nest in the sands during the summer months and it is necessary to limit motorized water sports to protect the species. The beach is available for sun worshippers and tourists will find sun beds and umbrella areas and many convenient beach bars for added excitement. Sailing, scuba diving and banana boat rides are available at Laganas Bay, but there are buses available to take tourists to Zante and Saint Nikolas where jet skis and water skiing, among other water sports, can be found.
Scuba Divers will find the waters crystal clear blue and warm, making the sport a spectacular event. There are a number of shipwrecks and an old World War II submarine to discover and explore as well as a treasure trove of undersea creatures to observe in their underwater habitat. On the west coast of the island, there is Navagio Beach. An amazing beach, known also as Shipwreck beach, where the legendary smuggling ship , the Panagiotis, is found. The ship was built in 1937 in a boat yard in Scotland and sank in 1980 while being chased by the Greek Navy for carrying contraband goods.
One of the best ways to see the coastline is by boat. There are a good many boats for hire to see the fantastic sights of Laganas including the Blue Caves, Navagio ( Shipwreck beach ), Keri Caves and maybe a dolphin or two. Most tours are via glass bottomed boats that give visitors that up close and personal view of the aquatic life found in Laganas. The tour guides are experienced and well versed in the history of Laganas and will show you sights tourists usually do not find on their own.
In addition to being host to a 24 hour party zone, there are also a number of activities available for anyone who likes the great outdoors or shopping.
Weekend cowboys and cow girls will find the horse and pony riding excursions through the quiet hills and olive groves one of the more relaxing activities found on the island. The sand dunes of Laganas are very horse and pony friendly and a great way to spend an afternoon. There is a horseback riding school that provides instructions for first time riders or for riders whose saddle sores have long healed.
For the motorized visitor, a jeep safari allows visitors go off road and see some of the sights not possible by standard motor coach. Some of the dirt roads are classified for donkeys only, but a well driven jeep can handle those roads like nobody’s business. The tour guides will drive you places you would never find on your own as you head for the hills and discover hidden Laganas. Time seems to stand still for some of the hidden away hamlets that offer an intimate glimpse into the past. The breathtaking views and the bumpy rides are two things that make a jeep safari worth the time.
Water Parks are a huge hit in Laganas and a way cool way to spend the day. The water parks are part water and part amusements and provide a thrill a minute. Zante is home to the biggest of the 3 water parks, Water Village in Sarakinado, in Laganas and boasts the Thrill tower and Extreme Towers, the Family Tower and Boomerbowl Tower, the Jungle and the Kids Tower. The park also has mini golf and go carts, as well as the Lagoon Trampolines and a fast food and full service family restaurant and souvenir shop. The park allows visitors to bring in their own snacks and drinks and there are quiet areas secluded from the hustle and bustle of the park for those who need some quiet time.
The Tsilivi Water Park is relatively new, having opened in 2010, provides something for everybody. The water park is family oriented where there are many of the amusements geared for children. There is the Space Bowl and Black Hole and Turbolance, which is a 4 lane racing slide and aqua tube. There is plenty for younger children to do as they enjoy the slides of the pirate ship and a variety of slides in the shape of animals.
The newest water park is in Kalamaki and was built as an expansion of the Caretta Beach Hotel Resort, but it is open to everyone, including guests at other hotels and apartments. There are child friendly pools, as well as several challenging water slides. The park is very child and family friendly and great fun for everyone of any age. The kids can play and slide while the adults relax in the sitting areas and catch a few rays or stay cool in the shade. The park is still expanding, but for now, it is a great destination for a half day of fun.
