Car Hire Zante - Zakynthos: Laganas

Helping you to get the most from your car hire.

Destination Laganas
Type of place scenic drive
Island Zante, Zakynthos
Distance from Zante Airport 5km




One of the highest villages on Zakynthos, Kiliomenos is in the heart of the southern mountains. After climbing up the long and winding road from the plains the air is noticeably cooler up here.

This is very much a working agricultural village, the regions producing olives and olive oil, wine and other vegetables. Just beyond Kiliomenos wide expanses of pine forests scent the air.

Kiliomenos managed in part to survive the 1953 earthquake. Considering how close it is to Laganas, few tourists come up here. Park up your hire car and take a few minutes for a wander and get a feel for a very different Zakynthos.

Tucked deep into the mountainous heartland of Zakynthos are the tiny twin villages of Gyri and Louha. Its about as far away from the coast as you can get and a million miles away from the hussle of Laganas. It is like another world up here.

Several pieces of Venetian architecture can still be seen in Louha, including the old bell tower and the pretty stone courtyard of the cafe just up from the church. Park up your hire car and stop off for a drink here. It won’t feel anything like down on the main drag of Laganas

Louha has a permanent population of about 45 people, a few more in the summer months but Gyri is a bit more of a crumbling affair. Get out of your car for a wander around the crumbling backstreets and pathways of Gyri that nature is slowly reclaiming.

In Gyri, you will find a tiny cafe, set in a courtyard with a good display of old agricultural tools and almost opposite is one of the best tavernas on the island, set in a beautiful stone Venetian courtyard. You need to book ahead and if you make the effort to return in the evening you will eat food light years away from the more familiar mass-produced food of Laganas

Back on the plains is Macherado set on the first ridge of hills that rises inland from Laganas and so affords great views over the huge bay of eastern Zakynthos. If you are staying in Laganas, it is an pretty village to get to for a little taste of Zakynthian life.

With a population of around four thousand, Macherado is the second biggest village on Zakynthos. Don’t forget to take time when you are driving around the island. Park up the old hire car, stretch your legs and savour the smells and tastes of the Laganas countryside


Friends of the Ionian are keen to help you get the most out of your car hire. We want you to get the best value for money when you hire a car by having plenty of good idea for routes and excursions across Zante.Every car hire comes with a free map and DVD/CD Zante Explorer Pack. Just email with your car hire confirmation and address. Email us here

Friends of the Ionian are a not for profit company. For the past 17 years we have been working to bring about sustainable development in the Ionian islands of Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zante, Zakynthos.

We always encourage visitors to use public transport where possible though on Zante car hire to visit some of the remoter villages is essential. Friends of the Ionian offer competitive rates for car hire on Zante with free maps and Information packs included.