A woman warns against holidaymakers travelling to this popular Greek island town, known for its filthy beach, fatal accidents and drunken fights
A traveller has revealed a part of a Greek island is like an “alternative universe” she “wanted to leave immediately.”
In a TikTok video, the vlogger posted a warning to other holidaymakers considering a visit to Laganas in Zakynthos, dotted in the Ionian Sea. The video was captioned: “Laganas was our worst nightmare”, and travelwithanika showed footage of a crowded beach followed by a dusty strip filled with sports bars. The voiceover added: “Don’t go to this part of Zakynthos”. Go to this part,” followed by an aerial shot of pristine blue coves and secluded beaches.
The creator asked in the comments, “Can someone explain what the obsession with Laganas is? Omg [sic], I thought I landed on another island…an alternative universe and I wanted to leave immediately,” she added. Located on the south coast of Zante (or Zakynthos), Laganas is known for its long stretch of coast-line and Ibiza-style nightlife attracting thousands of young, party-mad tourists every summer.
The Greek nightlife hub was recently listed by the Telegraph as one of Europe’s ugliest seaside towns, filled with “bare-chested lads and gangs of girls clad in skimpy bikinis.” A recent TripAdvisor review for Laganas beach described the destination as a “messy busy beach that needs a good clean” with “rubbish and cigarette butts” littered everywhere.
Another wrote: “What a seedy sexualised place this is. It’s definitely only for the twenty somethings looking for a lads or lasses holiday. The first thing we saw as we entered the place was a strip club then night clubs and lots of young women parading themselves walking back from the so called “beach” and groups of young men walking around looking for women.” Another criticised the “stench”, saying that there was “the smell of urine on the filthy sunbeds”.
Instead, travelwithanika revealed in the comment section of the video that they had left Laganas to stay in the north part of the island near Agios Nikolaos Harbour. Set in sheltered cove, the harbour is surrounded by a quaint, lively town containing restaurants, tavernas and bars. There are also regular boat trips running to stunning attractions such as the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach.
A TripAdvisor reviewer praised the town’s beach for offering “a break from all the other tourist-packed beaches”. For budget travellers, mid-range accommodation in the town typically costs between £60 and £90. The cheapest month to fly is April according to Skyscanner, with return flights operating between the UK and Zante for as little as £75 and an average travel time of three and a half hours.
