Your stay — Al Mare
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The Property — Al Mare
Al Mare is a straightforward, whitewashed 3-star on the Argassi strip, 100m from the beach. It has a small pool, a sun terrace with sea glimpses, and a bar that does decent cocktails. The lobby is tiled cool, smells faintly of sun cream and chlorine, and feels like a no-fuss base for people who want beach time and nightlife rather than resort isolation.
Chronicles of Zakynthos
Zakynthos Town was rebuilt after the devastating 1953 earthquakes, so its architecture is mostly low-rise post-war concrete with neo-classical flourishes. The original Venetian castle still crowns the Bochali hill, but the old town was lost. Today it’s a busy ferry port and commercial hub for the island’s tourism, with a lively waterfront lined with tavernas and souvenir shops. Its identity remains firmly Greek, but Italian and British influences shape the menus, the music, and the pace of summer life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Zakynthos guide →Best months
May–June for warm 25–28°C days, calm seas and empty beaches before the July crowds surge.
Peak / festival surge
July–August. Temperatures hit 35°C, hotels including Al Mare double their rates, and Navagio beach is overwhelmed. The main drivers are school holidays and the full-moon ferry parties to Marathonisi.
Budget shoulder season
September. Still 28°C, but prices drop 30–40%, the meltemi wind eases, and the sea is warm until October.
Weather & packing
Zakynthos gets sudden strong afternoon winds (meltemi) in July. Pack a light windbreaker and a sarong that doubles as a beach towel and scarf.
Live City Briefing — Zakynthos
- Argassi’s main road is undergoing resurfacing through June 2026 — expect daytime traffic delays and noise near the hotel.
- A new direct charter from Manchester to Zakynthos starts May 2026, likely increasing British visitor numbers in July.
- The island’s fire alert level remains ‘very high’ from July 1 — check local bans on BBQ and open flames in rural areas.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Al Mare, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard or side street. These upper floors reduce street noise from the main road and offer better air circulation, as the 3-star property likely lacks full air conditioning.
Rooms to avoid
Stay away from ground-floor rooms near the reception or any street-facing rooms on the 1st floor. Ground level can be loud with foot traffic and reception noise; 1st-floor street-facing rooms catch exhaust fumes and early-morning scooter rumble from Zakynthos town's narrow streets.
Best views
The hotel sits on Zakynthos town's main strip, so a rear-facing 3rd-floor room gives a partial sea glimpse over rooftops, but the best view is a side-facing room with a balcony overlooking the harbour or the Venetian fortress—worth asking at check-in if available.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors. The lift rarely goes higher, and most guest activity stops by midnight. A rear-facing room on these floors will be noticeably quieter.
🔊 Noise notes
Zakynthos town is lively from May to October: expect church bells, bar music until 1 AM, and delivery traffic on narrow streets. The main road runs to the front; a rear room cuts that noise by about 60%. No pool = quiet at night, but no buffer from street sounds.
Insider tips
1) Check in by 2 PM to grab a rear-facing room; front desk holds these for early arrivals. 2) Ask about parking at a nearby lot—Al Mare has no on-site parking, but the municipal car park is a 5-minute walk and costs €5/day.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Al Mare
Free for all guests. Single network per room key code. Average speed 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up. No paid upgrade.
One lift serves all three floors (ground, first, second). No stairs-only sections.
No newspaper delivery. Two daily Greek papers available at reception desk (free, first come). No digital newsstand.
Check-in 15:00–23:00; early bag drop from 12:00 (free). Late check-out until 15:00 costs €30 (subject to availability). Weekend check-in same hours.
Free of charge. Store in locked luggage room behind reception. No size limit but must be tagged.
Step-free entrance from street via ramp (moderate slope). Lift to all floors. No grab rails in standard bathrooms. Two accessible rooms on ground floor with roll-in shower and lower sinks.
Free on-site private parking (uncovered, 12 spaces). First-come, first-served. Nearest public car park: Laganas Central Car Park, 300m, €10 per 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €0.50 per person per night (applies to guests 18+)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; refundable incidental hold of €50 credit card or €150 cash at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St. Denis (316 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Άγιος Νικόλαος (499 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Εκκλησια Αι Γιαννισ (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Maritime Museum — 940 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Euronet — 169 m · ~2 min walk
Tom & John Center — 277 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use local bank ATMs for the best rate; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange desks which give poor rates.
Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in most restaurants, shops, and hotels; some small tavernas and market stalls are cash-only, so carry some cash.
Not expected but appreciated — round up the bill at restaurants or leave 5-10%; tip taxi drivers a couple of euros; hotel staff a few euros for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek frappe or iced cappuccino from a local kafeneio costs around €2.50-€3.50.
A gyros pita from a street-side grill is typically €3-€5.
A main course at a taverna (like moussaka or souvlaki) averages €8-€12.
The main strip in Zakynthos Town and the harbour have clusters of souvlaki and gyros shops for cheap eats.
Lidl and AB Vassilopoulos are the main budget supermarket chains on the island.
Zakynthos Town market has a few affordable high-street clothing stores and souvenir shops, but for serious shopping head back to the mainland.
The cheapest way around Zakynthos is by local bus (€1.50-€2 per journey) or a day pass for around €5-€6. From the airport, take the local bus or a shared shuttle (around €5-€8) rather than a taxi (€20+).
Eat at tavernas away from the main tourist strip for better value; fill up a reusable water bottle from public springs (free, safe to drink in most places); book car rental in advance and off-airport to avoid premium prices.
Good to know — Zakynthos
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Zakynthos112 is the pan-European emergency number; in Zakynthos dial 100 for police, 166 for ambulance, 199 for fire. For non-urgent tourist police call +30 26950 28500. Keep your hotel address and nearest landmark handy.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Zakynthos, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Al Mare
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Euronet — 169 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Zakynthos Town Bus Station → Plaka Beach (Tsilivi stop)
💡 Buses are limited on Sundays—check the KTEL Zakynthos app for live times. Get off at the Tsilivi stop near Romas Taverna; it's a 10-minute walk to Plaka.
Plaka Beach Resort → Zakynthos Town Centre
💡 Flag down a taxi on Tsilivi's main strip or call +30 26950 48500. Rates are metered but confirm before departure; trips within Tsilivi are flat €5–€7.
Zakynthos Airport (ZTH) → Zakynthos Town Bus Station
💡 This is a limited summer service. From the town station, switch to the Tsilivi bus (€1.80, 25 mins). Avoid for late flights—last bus leaves at 20:00.
Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) → Plaka Beach Resort (near Tsilivi)
💡 Pre-book through the hotel or a local company like Zakynthos Transfers to avoid airport surcharges. Drivers typically meet you at arrivals with a name board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Al Mare?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard or side street. These upper floors reduce street noise from the main road and offer better air circulation, as the 3-star property likely lacks full air conditioning.
Which rooms should I avoid at Al Mare?
Stay away from ground-floor rooms near the reception or any street-facing rooms on the 1st floor. Ground level can be loud with foot traffic and reception noise; 1st-floor street-facing rooms catch exhaust fumes and early-morning scooter rumble from Zakynthos town's narrow streets.
Is Al Mare noisy?
Zakynthos town is lively from May to October: expect church bells, bar music until 1 AM, and delivery traffic on narrow streets. The main road runs to the front; a rear room cuts that noise by about 60%. No pool = quiet at night, but no buffer from street sounds.
Which rooms have the best views at Al Mare?
The hotel sits on Zakynthos town's main strip, so a rear-facing 3rd-floor room gives a partial sea glimpse over rooftops, but the best view is a side-facing room with a balcony overlooking the harbour or the Venetian fortress—worth asking at check-in if available.
What are insider tips for staying at Al Mare?
1) Check in by 2 PM to grab a rear-facing room; front desk holds these for early arrivals. 2) Ask about parking at a nearby lot—Al Mare has no on-site parking, but the municipal car park is a 5-minute walk and costs €5/day.
What time is check-in at Al Mare?
Check-in at Al Mare is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Al Mare have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Single network per room key code. Average speed 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up. No paid upgrade.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Al Mare?
€0.50 per person per night (applies to guests 18+)
Where can I eat cheaply near Al Mare?
A gyros pita from a street-side grill is typically €3-€5.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Al Mare?
The cheapest way around Zakynthos is by local bus (€1.50-€2 per journey) or a day pass for around €5-€6. From the airport, take the local bus or a shared shuttle (around €5-€8) rather than a taxi (€20+).
When is the best time to visit Zakynthos?
May–June for warm 25–28°C days, calm seas and empty beaches before the July crowds surge.
Top Attractions in Zakynthos
💡 Grab a coffee from a kiosk (€2) and sit on the steps by the church. The free municipal museum nearby has brilliant earthquake photos.
💡 Park at the Anafonitria monastery car park (free) then walk 15 mins. Avoid midday when tour buses jam the spot.
💡 Park near the 'Sunset Taverna' and follow the dirt track 200m. Arrive 30 mins before sunset for a bench on the rocks. No facilities.
💡 Bring water shoes. The path is rocky. Go before 10am to beat the boat crowds.
💡 Entry is €4 (cheap for the quality). On the first Sunday of each month it’s free. Photos without flash allowed. Allow 45 mins.