Things to Do in Zakynthos (Zante) in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Zakynthos (Zante)
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Dramatically lower accommodation prices - typically 40-60% cheaper than summer months, with beachfront hotels in Laganas and Tsilivi running €40-70 per night instead of €150-250. You'll actually have negotiating power this time of year.
- The island belongs to the locals in March - you'll experience authentic Zakynthian life without the cruise ship crowds. Restaurants in Zakynthos Town serve locals, not tour groups, and taverna owners actually have time to chat about their grandmother's recipes.
- Wildflower season transforms the interior into something genuinely special - the hills around Keri and Volimes explode with poppies, orchids, and chamomile. The landscape is green and alive, completely different from the sun-scorched August version most tourists see.
- Perfect hiking and cycling weather - temperatures of 14-16°C (57-61°F) during the day mean you can actually explore the mountain villages like Louha and Gyri without melting. The trails around Mount Skopos are comfortable, not punishing.
Considerations
- Sea temperature sits around 15-16°C (59-61°F) - realistically too cold for comfortable swimming unless you're particularly hardy or wearing a wetsuit. The famous beaches like Navagio and Porto Limnionas look stunning but aren't swimmable for most people.
- Many tourist-focused businesses remain closed until Easter - boat tour operators to Navagio, beach clubs in Laganas, and about 60% of restaurants in resort areas won't open until late March or April. You'll need to focus on Zakynthos Town and traditional villages for dining and activities.
- Weather unpredictability means you need flexible plans - those 10 rainy days can hit anytime, and when they do, rain tends to last several hours rather than quick tropical bursts. You might lose half a day to weather, and boat trips get cancelled more frequently than summer months.
Best Activities in March
Zakynthos Town walking and cultural exploration
March is genuinely ideal for exploring the capital on foot. The reconstructed Venetian architecture around Solomos Square, the Byzantine Museum, and the waterfront promenade are comfortable to navigate in 15°C (59°F) weather without the July crowds blocking every photo opportunity. The town operates on local rhythms now - cafes fill with Greek speakers, not tour groups. You'll catch authentic daily life at the morning market near Agiou Markou Square, where locals buy produce and the vendors actually make eye contact. The cooler weather makes the uphill walk to Bohali Castle above town actually pleasant rather than a sweaty ordeal.
Mountain village touring and traditional taverna experiences
The interior villages like Kiliomeno, Louha, and Maries are at their most authentic in March. These aren't tourist stops right now - they're actual working communities where you'll see olive harvesting finishing up, locals gathering wild greens from hillsides, and tavernas serving whatever's actually in season rather than standardized tourist menus. The green landscape and mild temperatures make driving the mountain roads genuinely enjoyable. Stone villages that look harsh and sun-bleached in summer photographs appear soft and inviting now, surrounded by wildflowers and cultivated terraces.
Hiking and nature trails
March offers the best hiking conditions you'll find on Zakynthos all year. The Mount Skopos trail above Kalamaki, the coastal paths around Cape Skinari, and the routes through olive groves near Katastari are perfectly comfortable at 14-16°C (57-61°F). You'll actually see wildflowers, hear birdsong from migrating species passing through, and encounter the occasional shepherd with goat flocks rather than tour groups. The landscape is green and alive - completely different from the dormant brown hillsides of summer. That said, trails can be muddy after rain, so check conditions and avoid hiking the day after heavy rainfall.
Olive oil mill tours and agrotourism experiences
March catches the tail end of olive harvest season and the beginning of oil production, making it genuinely interesting timing for visiting traditional mills. Several family-run operations around Lithakia and Macherado open their facilities to visitors, explaining cold-press processes and offering tastings of this year's harvest. This isn't staged tourism - these are working agricultural businesses where you'll see actual production. The experience connects you to the island's primary industry and gives context to all those ancient olive trees you'll see everywhere.
Photography tours of dramatic coastlines and Navagio viewpoint
The famous western coastline - including the Navagio Shipwreck viewpoint - is actually more photogenic in March than peak summer in some ways. Softer light, dramatic cloud formations, and green hillsides create more interesting compositions than harsh July sun and bleached landscapes. You won't get the turquoise water color as intensely as summer, but you also won't have 200 people crowding the Navagio viewing platform. The tradeoff is weather unpredictability - you need to watch forecasts and be flexible about which day you visit. Clear mornings offer the best light and visibility.
Wine tasting at local wineries
Zakynthos produces distinctive wines from indigenous grape varieties, and March is quiet season at the wineries around Lagopodo and Kallipado. You'll get unhurried tastings and actual conversations with winemakers rather than rushed production-line experiences. The cooler weather makes wine tasting more pleasant - your palate isn't dulled by heat, and the experience of sitting in a vineyard at 16°C (61°F) with a glass of Verdea or Avgoustiatis feels genuinely civilized. Several wineries offer tours explaining traditional cultivation methods on the island's hilly terrain.
March Events & Festivals
Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera)
The first day of Greek Orthodox Lent, typically falling in early-to-mid March, transforms into a massive outdoor celebration across Zakynthos. Locals head to countryside locations and beaches for picnics featuring special Lenten foods - lagana flatbread, taramosalata, olives, and halva. You'll see families flying kites everywhere, a tradition symbolizing the soul rising toward heaven. Join locals at spots like Tsilivi Beach or the hills above Zakynthos Town. It's genuinely participatory rather than performative - bring a kite, buy lagana from any bakery that morning, and join the picnics. The atmosphere is festive and welcoming to visitors who show interest.
Greek Independence Day
March 25th marks both Greek Independence Day and the Annunciation, creating a double celebration. Zakynthos Town hosts a military parade along the waterfront, followed by traditional dancing in Solomos Square and church services. It's a genuinely patriotic occasion where you'll see the Greek flag everywhere and locals dressed formally attending commemorations. Tavernas serve special dishes, and the atmosphere feels proud rather than tourist-oriented. Schools close and families gather - you're witnessing authentic national celebration.