We travelled to Zante, staying near Laganas Bay, in May 2001. We flew from Manchester airport and the flying time wasn't bad at all. About 31/2 hours I think
As this was a late spring come early summer break we were not sure about the weather. However as it was early May we got a 2 weeks ... Read review
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Advantages: Warm,only short trip to airport,long sandy beach,lovely safe countryside walking nearby Disadvantages: Too commercial,overdeveloped
...travelled to Zante, staying near Laganas Bay, in May 2001. We flew from Manchester airport and the flying time wasn't bad at all. About 31/2 hours I think
As this was a late spring come early summer break we were not sure about the weather. However as it was early May we got a 2 weeks for the price of one deal.
After we booked friends decided to tell us that we wouldn't enjoy Laganas Bay. They said it could be noisy ... ...set to the east of Laganas within easy walk of the beach but on a quiet road.
The airport was small and although not bad it wasn't the cleanest I've seen, not by a long way. It had a real stale smokey smell .
As the coach drove us from the airport, in the early morning it took in Kalamaki and the strip in Laganas. The strip is a very long main road leading from the outskirts of Laganas right down to the beach. The clutter ... more
We travelled to Zante, staying near Laganas Bay, in May 2001. We flew from Manchester airport and the flying time wasn't bad at all. About 31/2 hours I think
As this was a late spring come early summer break we were not sure about the weather. However as it was early May we got a 2 weeks for the price of one deal.
After we booked friends decided to tell us that we wouldn't enjoy Laganas Bay. They said it could be noisy and overcrowded in high season and was becoming overdeveloped . A bit late to tell us but that's the way the cookie crumbles . So with some apprehension off we went. As always we decided to give it our best shot and not pre-judge the place .
We have been to various greek islands oodles of times, and have always really enjoyed ourselves, finding each one different in it's own way. At this time I was in my late 40's and my husband in his early 50's. We were travelling as a couple and staying in a self catering studio. The accomodation was set to the east of Laganas within easy walk of the beach but on a quiet road.
The airport was small and although not bad it wasn't the cleanest I've seen, not by a long way. It had a real stale smokey smell .
As the coach drove us from the airport, in the early morning it took in Kalamaki and the strip in Laganas. The strip is a very long main road leading from the outskirts of Laganas right down to the beach. The clutter of bars and shops along the strip would be some peoples heaven but was our nightmare. Not just as we were now a bit older, as even when young we liked to experience the local culture, sights and traditional Greece . We certainly were not looking for Blackpool with sun but we wondered if that was what we were getting.
The coach then surprised us and drove along the beach heading to the road where our accomodation was situated. Unless things have dramatically changed I assume the traffic still uses the beach as a quick cut through in the early morning and late evening. Part of the beach was excluded for access to traffic, even by foot, on a night due to the nesting turtles.
Settling in our accomodation, it was fairly cheap and cheerful but by the end of a fortnight it felt like home. The accomodation had nice grounds and a good sized pool. We didn't use it much as it wasn't large and there were a lot of families always there.
Our first venture out to the beach took us the short walk down our quiet road, past a couple of supermarkets to the beach. On our first day one supermarket tried to rip us off, and so never got anymore trade. At one time in Greece you would never have experienced this. How times change. Walking onto the beach it was warm and quite good sand despite all the traffic at times.
Venturing into the sea it felt a bit cool but you soon got climatised. After all it was only May. The sea was very shallow for a long way out. You could walk or swim out quite a way and feel very safe.There are glass bottomed boat trips from Laganas to see the turtles swimming. These are very reasonably priced ( but not many people actually saw any turtles! )
As our holiday progressed we found turning one way at the end of this road we could walk along to the strip or carry on past it to Kalamaki. The walk to Kalamaki was very pleasant along the beach and it is a much quieter resort, except for one thing. The planes coming in and out of the airport fly low over here for landing or from departing. Very noisy.
The other direction lead from the beach, to a short walk in shallow water round the headland, to a different bay and Aghios Sosti. Here there was a good choice of restaurants and tavernas and a very small beach. You could access this resort by road but it was a much further walk. Scenic though.
From the end of the strip near the beach the local buses ran. As usual they ran on GMT (greek maybe time) but all joking aside they kept to a reasonable timetable.
As it was early May the weather was a bit unpredictible. Most days were sunny and some very hot . Unfortunately we had a couple of deluge days when it was quite cool. If you are going in april or may I would take a brolly and thin jacket as people said they had found this before. This is probably why it is such a green island.
The main Strip that runs off the beach has shops, bars, cafes,r estaurants, banks and a couple of chemists. There were plenty of cashpoints readily available. You could also hire bikes here and as it is such a flat area round Laganas you would have no problems. Although I moan about the commercial side of the strip I had to trek along there quite early in the morning, alone, one day as my husband had burnt his legs and I needed the chemist. I felt perfectly safe and it was reassuring knowing what I needed was readily available.
We did a lot of walks in the area around Laganas and you find a lot of the roads lead back round in a circle so you can get around and see quite a bit without getting lost or off the beaten track. We felt perfectly safe and met some nice local people doing this. In Laganas centre it is a bit too commercialised for this.
Walking round the nearby countryside you are filled with the scents of various plants. Lovely. On a night although it was early in the season we were plagued with mosquitos you do really need to wear an insect repellent and have a mosquito plug for your room. You also need to buy bottled water as the tap water is too mineralised.
Eating out on a night there are some good places to go. At the end of our road as you turned onto the beach there were quite a few restaurants directly on the beach . We found a particularly good one which became our favourite. This is because we like to try the local cuisine and so avoided the burger joints. It was very pleasant eating your meal, listening to the sea and watching the sun go down.
If still available there is a free minibus to a greek night in a restaurant near an old rambling, derelict mansion. We did not go but were told it was a great night for food and entertainment .
Although this review may sound negative I think that's because:-
1)Early in season the weather was not brilliant
2)We have been to much nicer greek islands and resorts
3)The accomodation was a bit basic- but then it was cheap
4)The nightlife and clubsare not our thing, butthey may be yours .
5)It was busy even so early in the season. I can't imagine what it would be like in high summer.
6)It did not feel Greek in Laganas. It could have been almost anywhere in the sun
As for recommending Laganas Bay I would like to say maybe. If you like a commercial resort, which is overdeveloped, has too many bars and english shops, a long beach and good weather, you will probably love it. If like us you want some modern conveniences but some of the real Island, with scenery, sunshine, tavernas and a bit of culture thrown in, then it will not be for you.
Also the island itself was not bad if you selected places to visit carefully. Zante town (the islands capital) was reached easily and cheaply on the local bus. It had a different feel, good architecture, shopping and was better for a traditional night out.The island tour which took in a lot of the north of the island showed Zante's diversity. If you hired a car you could see all sorts.
But this is a review of Laganas Bay.
So as I have already said if you want a lively resort with plenty of hustle and bustle, life, music, pubs, clubs, shops and a great beach thrown in then you will probably not be dissappointed. BUT if you are looking for the real Greece stay as far away from Laganas Bay as possible.YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Advantages: Buzzing nightlife, decent beach, very little chance of boredom or isolation Disadvantages: Commercial, soulless atmosphere where everything is aimed at English tourists
...the Kalamaki Road, the main Laganas strip, and the beach. The Kalamaki Road is where you will find most of the restaurants and a few bars, and overall the amenities on offer there are variable in quality. Everything in the resort is orientated almost solely towards English tourists, and the Restaurants all offer the same 'authentic' English breakfasts, which are quite often fairly disappointing, if cheap. There is little to be found in the way of ... ...that can be reached from Laganas via bus and taxi, such as the ones on the Vasilikos peninsula.
Laganas is fine if you want to take excursions such as boat tours and turtle spotting, with 4 or 5 different operators clearly visible on the main road. Overall, Laganas is almost completely English, fairly soulless, and aimed squarely at the young British lads and ladettes. At the same time, it does offer alot to do, has a decent enough beach and is ...
DanB17 21.09.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Laganas Bay, Zante
Advantages: up all night, fun party time! Disadvantages: noisy!
I visited Laganas in Zante (Zaknythos) in July 2008. I had heard some pretty bad things about the town, as a boy was killed when bouncers threw him down some a steep staircase the week before I flew out. We flew with Thomas Cook which was, as always, pleasent as ever. Our group of 6 were 18 so obviously we wanted to have fun whilst in Zante. WHERE WE STAYED- We stayed in the Alexander Hotel (also known as Alexander the Great) around 10 minutes away ... ...Some of the restaurants around Laganas were excellent, we would barter between two restaurants outside out hotel and ended up with as much as 25% off our meals and free cocktails. Also interesting mixes of food such as an Italian/Chinese restaurant which catered for everybody in the group really. THINGS TO DO- We went on a Thomas Cook booze cruise, was a bit disappointed. Took us to some nice sights though of beautiful beaches. Got to jump off the ...
blondie_lauren 24.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Laganas Bay, Zante
Went to Laganas in June 2005 for two weeks. The flight took a little less then expected, just under three hours, which was good as it was an evening flight. Arrived at Zante airport and even though it was the evening the heat hit me as soon as i stepped off the plane.
Airport
Well what can i say, this was the worst part of the holiday. It was a shed with one very small belt for luggage. Three flights arrived almost at the same time and with only ... ...from each flight was buddled together and then someone had to stand there and chuck the suit cases on. This took us about 1.30hrs to get our luggage so as you can imagine it was a nightmare. Going home was even worse. Had to queue outside and only 5 people at a time can check in. The departure lounge was so over crowded and very stuffy. Im sure it was against regulations to have that many people in one small place.
Our appartment
The journey only ...
beauty81 11.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Laganas Bay, Zante
Advantages: Turtle spotting, clear water, high temps Disadvantages: over crowded
...Zante and that was true. Laganas is 5km in length and in my opinion it is quite narrow. However, that opinion maybe due to the fact that I visited it at the end of July and there were a lot of tourists there, the majority British who crowded the beach a lot.
Laganas is also the most "lively" resort on the island which again is true. The main strip runs all the way down to the beach and then the bars, cafes, restaurants etc. follow the coast line ... ...The beach runs from Laganas to Kalamaki and in the centre of the beach is the maining nesting ground for the local loggerhead turtles which take over this area in the night time. If you want to see one of these turtles then you can rent a pedalo with your family or a few friends (they cost 30 Euros for 20mins) and go out a little bit deeper, many of my friends saw turtles swimming this way and it worked out cheaper than a boat trip (even thought ...
mjrobert 23.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Laganas Bay, Zante
Advantages: Relaxing during days & transforms at night to a party hotspot Disadvantages: Depending on where you stay the nights could be noisy
...my partner recently went to Laganas in Zante, I have to say this is the best holiday I have ever been on, its a fantastic island with very friendly people. The holiday cost us about £400 for a B&B hotel for seven days (Direct Holidays) I think this was a absolute bargain. The town of Laganas is the main resort on the island, Its where all the youngsters head due to the crazy amount of bars & clubs, having said this during the day all the youngsters ... ...quite so you can have a relaxing day at the beach. The beach is long and narrow with some water sport offered (this is restricted to certain areas due to the protected turtles which Zante is famous for). It is also lined with bars and cafes who all have there own sun chairs on the beach, you pick a cafe you like the look of, pay the small fee & they give you a menu with a bell on which you ring whenever you want food or beer, then then serve you ...
soutram 01.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Laganas Bay, Zante
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Advantages: Everything Disadvantages: The water and the main beach
on stage!!
As for the bars, all fantastic, make sure you take note on how much fishbowls are in each place as we paid 20 euros for one in one bar and 12 euros with a free shot each ( there were six of us) in another, (sorry cant remember the names of them). alcohol itself is quite expensive so make sure you take full advantage of the free bars 18-30 have to offer! rescues club is brilliant - dont miss rat pack night!!, coyote bar - has the dentist chair again unmisable! my fav bar would be cherry bay right at the end of the strip, backs off onto the beach! proper cheese but a proper laugh at the end of the evening.
Overall i didnt find much wrong with zante, reps are awesome always there to help. resort clean and welcoming.. apart from laganabay tried to avoid that and kept round the pool not the cleanest of beaches! also watch out ...
aguernseygirl 12.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Club 18-30
Advantages: Much greener than greek islands in the east,some traditionally greek,not bad prices Disadvantages: Can be rainy,some resorts overdeveloped
especially as it was our first Greek island and it gave us a taste for more. If you like a mixture of the real Greece, with good scenery and bathing thrown in, unless it has changed drastically, you should thoroughly enjoy.
ZANTE / ZAKYNTHOS
***********************
We travelled to a few more Greek islands, having loved the above holiday, namely Cyprus, Rhodes, Crete and Thassos. We finally returned to the Ionian Islands in 2001 when we visited Zante. LaganasBay which was our resort was over developed and very commercialised. Despite this I have very fond memories of Zante, as the island itself had some strong attractions and our accommodation, as a base, was fine.
We flew again from Manchester with roughly the same flying time. The journey from the airport was relatively short and fairly flat all the way.
This island also has ...
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