Zakynthos Island is a beautiful Greek island where there is plenty to see and a lot to do from hiking to scuba-diving and swimming. However, in spite of its great wealth of natural beauty, there is one corner of the island that garners more attention and love than the rest: Navagio Beach. One of the most extraordinary and photogenic beaches in Greece and the world, it is located on the north-west of the island and is home to a famous shipwreck, called Panagiotis. Originally a smuggler ship, that washed ashore after losing engine power in 1981, it has lent the beach the nickname ‘Smugglers Cove’.
If it seems familiar, it is probably because of its prevalence in Greek tourist board ads, thousands of photographs from visitors and, more recently, as a backdrop to scenes from the blockbuster South Korean television drama, “Descendants of the Sun” that swept across Asia with feverish popularity last year. In fact, the drama has increased the fame of the site hundredfold and locals report a growing influx of fans of the show from China and Korea, in particular.
If it seems familiar, it is probably because of its prevalence in Greek tourist board ads, thousands of photographs from visitors and, more recently, as a backdrop to scenes from the blockbuster South Korean television drama, “Descendants of the Sun” that swept across Asia with feverish popularity last year. In fact, the drama has increased the fame of the site hundredfold and locals report a growing influx of fans of the show from China and Korea, in particular.
Greece was the filming site for the KBS2 drama, which was set in a fictional, war-torn country called 'Uruk' and the popularity of the show, starring Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo, has even lead to Interpark, an online shopping mall in Korea, releasing a 9-day 'Descendants of the Sun' package tour to Greece.
However, for non-drama fans, the truly incredible visual of the half-moon cove, white sand, rocky outcrop and bluer than blue water, with the rusted orange shipwreck at the centre, is more than enough of an incentive to visit.
Be aware that from 10am until 2pm, it is a very busy site and does not have any facilities on location so the sun will be beating down. However, if you visit in the early morning or afternoon, you can have the beach pretty much to yourself and avoid the hottest part of the day. There is a frequent boat service to Shipwreck Cove from nearby Porto Vromi, from the Harbor of Saint Nikolas in Volimes, or from island’s capital city of Zakynthos.
However, for non-drama fans, the truly incredible visual of the half-moon cove, white sand, rocky outcrop and bluer than blue water, with the rusted orange shipwreck at the centre, is more than enough of an incentive to visit.
Be aware that from 10am until 2pm, it is a very busy site and does not have any facilities on location so the sun will be beating down. However, if you visit in the early morning or afternoon, you can have the beach pretty much to yourself and avoid the hottest part of the day. There is a frequent boat service to Shipwreck Cove from nearby Porto Vromi, from the Harbor of Saint Nikolas in Volimes, or from island’s capital city of Zakynthos.
While it is nice to walk along the beach yourself, however, the best shots are taken from afar. For great pictures, just follow the signs to Agios Gergio Kremnao monastery, take the road to your right and you'll find a small viewing platform 600ft above the wreck.
Once you have found a vacation rental in Greece, this is one of the truly representative sights that you will want to visit.
Once you have found a vacation rental in Greece, this is one of the truly representative sights that you will want to visit.
Photo credits
Picture 1: Ghost of Kuji / CC BY 2.0;
Picture 2: Rodidon / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: maczopikczu / CC BY 3.0
Picture 1: Ghost of Kuji / CC BY 2.0;
Picture 2: Rodidon / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: maczopikczu / CC BY 3.0
