The basics
Seven nights in Tsilivi
The gentle green east coast of Zakynthos — a long sandy beach with shallow, calm water for the little one, and a relaxed strip of family-run tavernas. The villa sits up the hill in the olive groves: views and quiet, everything a short drive away.
🏠 See the villa on Airbnb →September's lovely — warm sea, thinner crowds, softer heat. Most days write themselves: beach or an outing in the morning, pool and a nap after, a taverna in the evening. See the Ideas tab for things to do.
Home for the week
The villa
Sea View Villa — three bedrooms, perched on the hillside with big views over Tsilivi Bay toward Kefalonia.
🏠 View on Airbnb →Private pool & terrace
Secluded pool and loungers off the living room, with the panoramic bay view. Sunset drinks sorted.
Balcony with a view
Two upstairs bedrooms open onto a big balcony over the countryside and bay — the morning-coffee spot.
Sorted for the baby
Cot and high chair available — just give the host a heads-up.
Comfortable & easy
Air-con throughout, modern kitchen, free parking, Wi-Fi, and a welcome food pack on arrival.
One thing to know: it's a 10-min walk downhill into Tsilivi (uphill back), no pavements or lights at night — so it's the Jeep or a taxi (~€10–15) for evenings out.
The good stuff
Local bars/restaurants
Tsilivi punches above its weight — nearly all family-run, generous and good with little ones. The standouts, a few minutes from the villa. Worth booking the popular ones. Tap a name for the map.
Palatium
The showstopper — chateaubriand carved at the table, custom pasta, lovely outdoor area. Save it for a special night.
Estia
The local favourite — beef stifado, courgette fritters, homemade puds, a warm family feel. Big portions, fair prices.
The Brothers Taverna
Huge plates, treats on the house, the friendliest welcome going. Good for a relaxed lunch too.
Ideal
The fish pick — fresh grilled sea bream, a mixed grill you can't finish, very reasonable.
Benikos
A touch more refined — fresh fish, attentive service, virgin cocktails for the driver. Reliably lovely.
Avli
Pretty, stylish and relaxed — can get busy, so book. The prawn linguine gets a shout.
The Balcony
Close enough to walk from the villa — perfect for a night we don't fancy the drive.
When we fancy a day out
Ideas
Things to dip into through the week — pick and choose as the mood (and the nap schedule) allows. The Jeep makes all of these easy.
Zante Town
Boutique streets, the marina, the Venetian castle area and café-lined squares. Easy with a pram — a morning mooch and lunch.
Gerakas Beach & turtles
The loveliest beach on the island — soft sand, shallow clear water — and a protected loggerhead nesting spot, with a free turtle info centre by the entrance.
Askos Stone Park
Family-run wildlife park — hand-feed deer and racoons, see tortoises and goats. A guaranteed toddler hit. Carrier beats a pram; closes 15:45.
A wine afternoon
All an easy drive and great for an afternoon.
Goumas Estate
Small family vineyard, lovely whites and a smoked rosé, with nibbles (the fig jam's famous). Closed Sun.
Grampsas
Wine and a long lunch — stone estate, award-winning restaurant, vine-shaded terrace.
Callinico
Closest to us (~20 min) — guided tour, little wine museum, charismatic host. Book a slot.
A couple more
For ranging a bit further.
Glass-bottom boat trip
Short gentle trips from Tsilivi or Zante marina — calm water, good chance of turtles. Easy with the little one.
Smugglers Cove viewpoint
The famous shipwreck beach, best seen from the clifftop. (Cove access can be restricted — check locally.)
Northwest villages
A scenic Jeep drive through olive groves and mountain villages like Volimes — cool, quiet, a world away.
Rough numbers
Budget
Ballpark for the four adults — villa's £800 per couple, jeep splits four ways. Tweak as things get booked.
Per person
On top, budget ~£200–350 each for eating out, fuel, sunbeds, taxis and days out. (The little one flies free.)