Quick Rental Search

Vehicle:

Pickup

Pickup

Pickup Date:

Pickup Time:

Return

Return :

Return Date:

Return Time:

Quick enquiry

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your web rates different than your local rates?

Absolutely! In fact the web rates are 15% to 30% lower than local rates depending on rental duration.

Do I get it cheaper if I book in advance?

Yes! The earlier you book, the cheaper you can get your preferred vehicle.

What is the minimum/maximum age to rent a car/bike. Are there any age restrictions?

To rent a car in Greece the minimum age required is 21 and the maximum 70. For certain car types we require a minimum age of 25 (Renault Scenic and Fiat Scudo Minibus).
For renting a bike the age should be between 18 and 70.

If I book a child seat will this definitely be provided?

Child seats are mandatory in Greece and must be requested at the time of booking.
For older children, we provide booster seats. Faros Rentals guarantees all child seats or booster seats booked and confirmed at least 7 days before the rental start date.
The daily fee for each child seat or booster seat is 3€ and is not included in the price.

Am I fully insured for damages to the Faros car?

Yes you are! Our Full Damage Waiver policy is excess-free and it doesn’t cost you any extra.
However, as is common with all insurances, the tires are not insured. In case of a non repairable tire damage you will be asked to pay a charge of 40€.

Are there any mandatory insurance policies which are not included in the price? Are there any hidden extras?

No they are not. All mandatory insurances are included in the prices.
There are some optional policies, such as Personal Accident Insurance and second driver insurance which you can select on stage 3 of the on-line reservation process.

What payment options I have if I book on-line?

Firstly, you don’t have to use your credit card for on-line payment of deposit.
You can pay on collection either by cash or credit card (VISA-MASTERCARD-AMEX).

However, you can decide to pay in advance by fax in case you want to take advantage of the extra 5% discount offered for advance payments.

Send us a fax with your credit card details and get the additional 5% discount.
Faros Fax Number: +30 26950 41440

At the airport, where do I get my car?

A representative of our company will expect you in the arrival’s hall at the scheduled time of your arrival, holding a board with the FAROS name on it. Please look for him and have you cell open, in case we need to contact you.

Does pick-up or drop-off take place beyond working hours?

You can pick up or drop off the rented car 24/7. The delivery and collection is free during office hours (09:00 – 21:00) then a charge of 20€ applies.

Can I take the car/bike outside Zakynthos island?

You can take any car outside Zakynthos island with a written approval from FAROS Rentals.
Unlimited Mileage are granted for a minimum of 6 days rental.
Bikes are not allowed to be taken outside Zakynthos due to insurance restrictions.

 



Zakynthos island sightseeing


Zakynthos pier at dawn

Do you wish to have the freedom to discover Zakynthos at your own pace?
To stop when and where you wish?
Find your own private little beach?
Head out to the countryside and visit small villages, far from the main tourist areas? 
If you can answer yes to any of the above questions then you have come to right place.
At FAROS we help you with creating your own holiday experience, catering to your own freedom, at your own pace.
Public transportation in the mountains and the country side is limited on Zakynthos. However the road network is well extended and the roads hold high quality and have clear signs on most routes. Giving yourself the possibility of own transportation enables you to discover the most of this beautiful island and will enrich your holiday experience of Greece to the fullest!

Agalas, the twelve wells of the 11th century

In order to truly experience Zakynthos we recommend at least a three-day rental period. That way you give yourself the time to enjoy all the villages, beaches and sites at your own pace as well as enough time to go back and visit your favorites again. And take our word for it, you will find favorites! Ofcourse renting a car/scooter for your whole stay in Zakynthos gives you the absolute comfort, freedom and flexibility of your holiday. However, one day around the island is better than no day at all. Therefore FAROS presents you with a tour suitable for one day. We have included beaches, villages, tavernas, shopping, historical places and magical sceneries along the main roads. If your are more adventourous we recommend that you rent a vehicle for more days in order to discover all the hidden gems.

ONE DAY TOUR BY CAR

Porto Zoro beach

Essentials: Camera, swimsuit, towel, pocket money for lunch dinner and boat trips.

From your resort you will drive north-east towards Katastari, the second largest village of the island. From Katastari, follow the signs towards the coastal road for St. Nicholas port. Leaving Katastari you will notice the landscape dramatically changing as the roads embraces the mountains as they grow taller. The coastline becomes slightly steeper and the views grow more intense and breathtaking along the way. There are plenty of viewing-points along the way from Katastari where you can stop by the side of the road and enjoy the views.
One of the first beaches you encounter is Xigia, the island’s own natural SPA. In the high-sulfuric waters of Xigia Caves the local inhabitants go to swim all year around as the water holds amazing health-bringing properties. Anyone suffering from joint pains, muscle aches or skin problems will find remedy here. The beach itself is picturesque, white peppeled/sandy with limestone blocks scattered randomly in the water. Ideal for snorkling as “chrystal clear” closest describes the colour. The slightly pungent smell of sulfur is something you get used to and the calm and clear blue water weighs over to the beach’s absolute advantage. As the beach is unorganized we recommend you bring your own picknick or purchase light snacks and drinks from the cantine found by the footpath leading down. Some quite steep stairs will take you down to the beach and when you find yourself down there enjoying the sun and the sea, you wont feel like climbing up again!

Agios Giannis Prodromos monastery

Three kilometres north of Xigia you’ll find another stunning pearl of the east coast, Makris Gialos, a long, wide pebbled beach with the advantage of enjoying natural shade from the cliff behind it. From morning until 2 pm the entire beach is sunny and as the afternoon prolongs the shade grows closer to the water. You will find yourself moving along it, closer and closer to the shoreline. The beach itself has no food or drink facilities but the small kiosk by the parking offers snacks ice creams greek ice coffee, beer and soft drinks. Ideal to stay for a quick dip as its right by the road of your route.
After swimming and sunbathing in two places you will probably start hearing your bellies nag about how empty they feel. Lunch in this area is best enjoyed at the beautiul tavern Nikos By The Sea. Continuing 1 km north from Makrus Gialos it is the second tavern on the right side after the beach. On the delicate menu you will find everything fresh in an innovative new thinking greek/ mediterranean style. In the kitchen you will find Hazel and Nikos with staff who’s passion for good quality simple meditteanean food will be a delight to your taste buds and their hospitality a warm experience for you as a visitor. From the taverna terrace the view of Micro-Nissi and the old Venetian lighthouse is quite unique and you will want to rest your eyes on it long after your plate is empty. If you feel like a swim after dinner, the narrow stone ladder leads down to the private taverna dock.
After lunch, do continue north as the island has more to discover! Head towards St. Nicholas port of the northeast, the island´s second oficial port. Apart from serving the ferry line of neigbouring island Kephalonia, the harbour also offers day trips to both the famous Blue Cave of Skinari and the Navagio beach. The boats leave several times per day and the best buy is getting your ticket from the street salesman outside the café. It will be impossible to miss him, as his eagerness to show you the blue gem of his island is almost big as his will to put your money in his pocket. For about 7 € you’re set for an hour trip to the Blue Caves including a swimstop. Be sure to leave the port no later than 2 pm as by then the sun will be working the hardest giving those caves their speacial blue light. For the Navagio, which is a 2-hour tour, you’ll need about 15-20 € per person, money well spent on a sunny day! Park your vehicle in the designated harbour parking lot. High season, the boats doesn´t leave unless they are full and the quoue can be a strain even to the mind of the most rested vacationer. If you’re too impmatient to wait by the boats, have an ice-cream or coffee or alternative lunch at the STARAKIAS taverna by the sea, or why not a quick dip off the pretty pebbeld beach? Whilst at sea, keep a look out for bottled nosed dolphins (June though August) and the rare spottings of the the endangered Monk Seal of which there are merley 25 individuals left in the Ionian Sea and a total of 500 in the whole world! Consider yourself lucky if you spot on of them with cubs.
An altenative option if you don’t fancy the boat trips but do want to swim in the Blue caves, is continuing north, following the signs for VOLIMES, turning towards KORITHI and the Skinari Lighthouse. Drive til roads end and park in the big lot. The stone stairs are leading all the way down to the very spot of the Blue Caves and from here you have the option to jump the short distance or walk all the way down. Letting the cool blue waters remind you of your existance.
Skinari being the most northern point of the island, the only logical route to choose from here is driving south on the west side. However, the nature of the west is slightly wilder and not as acessible and there is no coastal close road along the west coast. Instead you’ll find yourself driving through olive groves and stone villages from where the roads digress to the pearls of the west coast. One of those pearls, and a stop it would be a shame to miss is the view over the famous SHIPWRECK BEACH, known to the locals as NAVAGIO.

The Shipwreck beach “Navagio”

Navagio landstop is a viewing point and will not take you to the actual beach as the only way to get there is by boat. As one of the most photographed beaches in the world, and definatley Greece’s most visited you’ll be a fool not to bewitness those stunning colours of sea and sand from 200 metres above. The viewing platform hanging off that cliff may seem like a hazard, but don´t worry, It´s built to hold up to 15 people. If you have height fright or don’t wait in line with the masses, follow the narrow path leading away from the viewing balcony, a bit further up, you’ll have a perfect view of the beach as well as a bit of privacy.
Spending a few euros here is often unavoidable as the local farmers bring their sweets, olive oil, wine and honey. Despite the overdimensioned price tags, go for the authentic thyme honey, a product of the local Volimes beehives. Bees more eager to plese their queen are hard to find on these latitudes. However, the oil and wine from these venders you can do without.
If shopping is on your high priority list for this day trip then head for the village of VOLIMES. Local handicrafts, more honey, pottery, carpets, good wine, nuts and oil at baragin prices. Besides the small flea market, the central-crossroad-café has a pastry god residing in their kitchen with a particual feel for syrup-drenched-almond-cake. 

Volimes village

3 km from Volimes you will come upon the village Anafonitria. Built around the island’s most famous medieval monastery and church where Dionysios, the island's beloved patron saint spent his last years as a monk. Visit the monastery grounds and learn more about the legend surrounding St. Dionysios.

Heading south you will drive through the small and traditional villages Maries, named by the two Marias of the bible and the next coming along the route, Exo Chora, the location of the islands oldest and largest olive tree. Leaving Exo Chora, a lovley place to aim for next is the village of Kampi. Located 200 metres above the sea facing open sea westwards, the tavernas along the village are ideal for watching the summer sun set into the sea. The Food is best and cheapest in Mihaelos Sunset Tavern. Eat here and head up to the cafeteria by the big cross for coffee and desserts. The cross was raised in memorial of those killed in the Greek Civil War of 1946-1949. In Kampi, there is also a Byzantine burial site that could be of interest for those of you interested in history. 
To get on your route drive back to the main road and the next village you come across is St. Leon (Agios Leon). This is where the road leads to the fantastic swimstop of Porto Limnionas. Not recomennded for night swimming as the road gets dark and the steps are steep and sharp. However, you will love it if you come early in the morning. A narrow tounge of water has dug its way into the mountain creating a green lagoon of salt seawater mixed with sweet from the limestone reserves. Jump off the cliffs into the deep or slide down on your bum and be sure to bring a mask and snorkel! After the refreshing swim you can sunbathe on one of the the naturally flat shelves formed along the rocks.

Porto Limnionas

By now it is probably getting a bit late and about time to head back to you resort for a rest. The island has surley intruged you by now and if you feel like exploring the rest of the west tomorrow or perhaps the fabolous beaches of Vasilikos in the south east you can always phone us here at FAROS and we will inform you if your vehicle is free for another day! We stay open until 10 pm high season.

Drive calmly and enjoy your vacation!

Gerakas beach

Photographs by Zisis Kardianos.
You can view and purchase here his photobook “A Sense of Place – photographs of Zakinthos” with uncanny imagery of landscapes, candid scenes and street portraiture, all in exquisite black and white.
Download the tour on PDF {printer friendly version}