Few places in Greece are as instantly recognisable as Navagio Beach in Zakynthos.
The dramatic white cliffs, turquoise waters and the rusting remains of the Panagiotis have made this secluded cove one of the most iconic landscapes in the Greek islands. For decades, the shipwreck has been more than a historical curiosity — it has become a symbol of Zakynthos itself and one of the images most closely associated with Greek tourism.
But now, an ambitious plan is being proposed to protect it.

A new beach for the famous shipwreck

A project commissioned on behalf of the Municipality of Zakynthos aims to extend the existing shoreline at Navagio by approximately 30 metres towards the sea.
The proposed solution is known as artificial beach nourishment. Around 45,000 cubic metres of coarse sand and gravel would be brought to the site by sea and placed along the seabed, creating additional space between the waves and the historic wreck. The project has an estimated budget of approximately €4 million.
Today, the Panagiotis lies only around 25 metres from the sea. The idea is to create a wider buffer zone that can absorb some of the energy generated by waves before they reach the fragile remains of the vessel.
Because Navagio can only be accessed from the sea, the materials would be transported by barges and distributed using floating equipment. Environmental measures would also be introduced during the works to limit water turbidity.

From shipwreck to symbol of Zakynthos

The story of the Panagiotis began in October 1980, when the vessel ran aground in the remote cove on the northwest coast of Zakynthos.
No one could have predicted that the abandoned ship would eventually become one of Greece's most photographed landmarks.
Over the decades, the combination of the wreck, the white pebbles, the intensely blue Ionian Sea and the surrounding cliffs transformed Navagio into an international tourist attraction.
The challenge today is that the ship itself is deteriorating.
The proposed beach extension is therefore only part of a wider plan. A second project, with an estimated budget of around €2.5 million, is expected to focus on the conservation and restoration of the Panagiotis, including rebuilding sections that have collapsed.

But can nature really be engineered?
This is where the story becomes more complicated.
The beach extension is based on an engineering study carried out by a multidisciplinary team from the National Technical University of Athens. Researchers studied waves, currents and seabed conditions and concluded that extending the beach could provide a relatively natural way of reducing wave energy around the wreck.
However, not everyone agrees.
Some scientists have questioned whether the beach is actually suffering from the type of erosion that would justify such a large intervention. One geological perspective presented in the report argues that the beach is naturally supplied with material from the surrounding cliffs and questions whether tens of thousands of cubic metres of imported gravel could simply be carried away by the sea.
That raises a much bigger question:
Are we protecting Navagio — or changing it in order to protect the image of Navagio?
Protecting a landmark without damaging the landscape
This is the difficult balance facing Zakynthos.
The Panagiotis is undeniably important to the island's tourism identity. At the same time, Navagio is not an artificial attraction. Its appeal comes precisely from the combination of natural landscape and human history.
Any intervention therefore needs to consider more than the survival of the shipwreck.
The wider environmental impact also matters. Navagio lies within the Natura 2000 network, meaning that the ecological consequences of the project need to be carefully assessed. The proposed works are expected to include a special ecological evaluation, while experts involved in the project have stressed the importance of monitoring the beach for at least two years after completion.
The future of Navagio
The story of Navagio is ultimately about more than an old ship. It is about how we preserve places that have become symbols of a destination — and how we decide where conservation ends and intervention begins.
The challenge for Zakynthos will be to protect the Panagiotis while preserving the natural character that made Navagio famous in the first place.
If the project succeeds, the beach could gain a new layer of protection and the historic wreck could remain part of Zakynthos for generations to come.
But perhaps the most important measure of success will be whether visitors in the future can still look across the turquoise waters of Navagio, see the Panagiotis resting beneath the cliffs, and feel that they are looking at the same extraordinary landscape that captivated travellers for decades.
Because saving Navagio should not simply mean saving the shipwreck. It should mean preserving the entire story that surrounds it.
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source:-kathimerini.gr

If you are visiting Zakynthos in late August, you have the opportunity to experience one of the island’s most important and atmospheric celebrations: the Feast of Saint Dionysios, the Patron Saint of Zakynthos.
Every August, Zakynthos Town comes alive as locals and visitors gather to honour Agios Dionysios (Saint Dionysios). The celebrations combine centuries-old religious traditions with processions, music, a large festival market and a wonderful atmosphere along the waterfront, including fireworks.
In 2026, the official religious celebrations will take place from Sunday 23 August until Wednesday 26 August, with the main feast day falling on Monday 24 August.

The Saint Dionysios Festival Market
One of the most popular parts of the celebrations for visitors is the large open-air festival market (emporopanigyri) traditionally set up near the waterfront and the Church of Saint Dionysios.
The market normally begins before the official religious celebrations, with rows of stalls attracting both locals and tourists.
You can expect to find clothing, shoes, accessories, jewellery, household goods, toys, gifts and many other items, as well as food stalls and traditional Zakynthian treats.
It is particularly enjoyable during the evening, when Zakynthos Town becomes much busier and families, visitors and local residents stroll through the market and along the waterfront.
When will the market open in 2026?
The official opening dates and operating hours for the 2026 Saint Dionysios festival market have not yet been announced.
Traditionally, the market opens several days before the main feast, and going by last year's dates the market officially opened on the 22nd of August, so visitors can expect activity in Zakynthos Town in the days leading up to 24 August.
We will update this page as soon as the official 2026 market dates and opening hours are announced.
Sunday 23 August – The Celebrations Begin. 
The official religious programme begins on Sunday 23 August 2026.
11.00a.m cannon shots within Zakynthos town will sound the official opening. Please be aware that across the island residents will take part with firing shots into the air and ferry boats will sound their horns, whilst church bells across the island will also take part. 
At 7:00pm, the Metropolitan of Zakynthos, Dionysios, will make the ceremonial procession from the Holy Monastery to the Church of Saint Dionysios.
This will be followed by a Doxology and a procession of the Sacred Relic of Saint Dionysios inside the church, followed by Great Vespers.
Monday 24 August – The Main Feast Day
Monday 24 August is the principal day of the festival and one of the most important religious days of the year in Zakynthos.
An all-night Vigil begins at 2:00am.
At 7:30am, the service of Orthros (Matins) begins, followed by a Divine Liturgy celebrated by several bishops.
The Procession Through Zakynthos Town – 7:30pm
For most visitors, the highlight will be the magnificent procession of Saint Dionysios through Zakynthos Town at 7:30pm.
The Sacred Relic of Saint Dionysios is carried through the streets of the town, accompanied by clergy, representatives of the authorities, military personnel, local organisations, Scouts and Guides, and philharmonic bands. A fire work display will take place at the end of the procession as the Saint enters the church. 
Thousands of people traditionally gather along the route to witness the procession and pay their respects to the island’s Patron Saint.
If you would like to experience the procession, we recommend arriving in Zakynthos Town well in advance. Roads become extremely busy and parking close to the centre can be difficult.
Wednesday 26 August – Closing Ceremonies
The celebrations conclude on Wednesday 26 August.
At 8:30am, a Hierarchical Concelebrated Divine Liturgy will take place.
At 11:00am, the Sacred Relic of Saint Dionysios will be carried in procession inside the church before being returned to its Sacred Reliquary, marking the conclusion of the official celebrations. Once again cannon shots will be heard across the island and residents will take part in the closing announcement in traditional style. 
Who Was Saint Dionysios?
Saint Dionysios is the Patron Saint and Protector of Zakynthos and holds a very special place in the hearts of Zakynthians.

The airport is preparing to resume full operations after all required on-site procedures were successfully completed earlier today.
According to reliable sources, crews are currently carrying out the final cleanup of the runway. The operation is expected to take approximately 90 minutes, after which the airport will be ready to welcome arriving and departing flights once again.
The most encouraging outcome of the inspections so far is that no fatalities, major damage, or significant structural issues have been found on the runway infrastructure, allowing the reopening process to move forward as planned.
Extended Operating HoursTo accommodate delayed and rescheduled flights and ensure passengers can travel with minimal disruption, the airport will operate on an extended schedule:

• Tonight (12:00 a.m.) – The airport will officially reopen.
  
• Overnight – The airport will remain open throughout the night to facilitate flight operations.
  
• Friday, July 10 – The airport will continue operating on extended hours, with terminal facilities remaining open until 2:00 a.m. on Saturday to serve scheduled flights.
  

Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight information, as schedules may continue to be adjusted during the return to normal operations.

There is encouraging news for travellers following today's disruption at Zakynthos International Airport.
According to local reports, including Ermis News, the Hellenic Air Force F-16 aircraft involved in today's emergency incident has now been removed from the runway. The aircraft was reportedly lifted by crane and will be transported to Kyllini and then on to Araxo, allowing the runway to be cleared.
Although airport authorities have not yet issued a formal announcement confirming that normal operations have fully resumed, there are positive signs that the airport is returning to service.
The official Zakynthos Airport flight information system is once again live and displaying arriving and departing flights, including active departures with check-in desks, boarding information and gate allocations. This suggests that airlines have begun operating flights again, although many services are still expected to run behind schedule as carriers work through the backlog caused by the temporary closure.
Passengers travelling today are advised to:

• Check the latest status of their flight directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.
• Allow extra time, as delays are likely to continue throughout the day and into the evening.
• Watch for emails or text messages from their airline regarding any schedule changes.

The situation is continuing to improve, and we expect flight operations to return to normal gradually as delayed aircraft and passengers are accommodated.
We will continue to monitor developments and provide further updates as more official information becomes available.
Last updated: 9 July 2026
More photos click on main source ermisnews.gr

​The Municipality of Zakynthos has issued the following update regarding today's temporary closure of Zakynthos International Airport.
The airport remains temporarily closed following the emergency landing of a military aircraft. Recovery operations are currently underway, and the necessary safety inspections are being carried out to ensure the runway can reopen safely.
According to the Mayor of Zakynthos, George Stasinopoulos, a further update will be provided after 7:00 PM. If no damage is found during the inspections, the airport is expected to reopen later this evening and remain operational throughout the night to accommodate today's scheduled flights.
The Municipality has asked local tourism businesses and accommodation providers to assist visitors whose departures have been affected by extending their stay where possible until normal airport operations resume.
The safety and wellbeing of both residents and visitors remain the highest priority. We understand that this unexpected situation may cause inconvenience and sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will share further updates as soon as official information becomes available.
Thank you for your cooperation, and we wish all our guests safe travels.

Travel Update: 
​Visitors travelling to or from Zakynthos today may experience flight delays following an incident involving a Hellenic Air Force aircraft at Zakynthos International Airport.
Earlier today, a military F-16 made an emergency landing at the airport. Emergency services responded immediately, the pilot was reported safe, and the runway was temporarily closed while the aircraft was secured and recovery operations began.
According to local authorities, the runway is expected to remain closed until at least 7:00 pm (19:00). A specialist Hellenic Air Force recovery team is due to remove the aircraft and clear the runway, after which the airport will assess when operations can safely resume.
There are local reports suggesting that some commercial flights may begin operating again after approximately 9:00 pm, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.
Fraport Greece, which operates Zakynthos Airport, has issued the following official advice:
"Runway operations have been suspended until further notice due to the emergency landing of a Hellenic Air Force aircraft. Passengers are advised to contact their airline or travel agent regarding any changes to scheduled flights."
At this stage:

• The airport remains temporarily closed to normal runway operations.
• Airlines are managing delays and any schedule changes individually.
• Many passengers have returned to their accommodation while awaiting further updates.

If you are travelling today, we recommend:

• Checking your flight status directly with your airline.
• Allowing extra time before travelling to the airport.
• Waiting for confirmation from your airline before leaving your accommodation if your flight has been delayed.

We will continue to monitor official updates from Fraport Greece and the airlines and will share further information as soon as it becomes available.
Last updated: Thursday 9 July 2026

Last Updated: Today

Passengers travelling to and from Zakynthos Airport should be aware of significant disruption following an emergency landing involving a Hellenic Air Force aircraft.
According to an official announcement from Zakynthos Airport (Fraport Greece), runway operations have been suspended until further notice for operational reasons after the military aircraft made an emergency landing at Zakynthos International Airport "Dionysios Solomos".
Official Airport Announcement
"Due to an emergency landing of a military aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force at Zakynthos Airport 'Dionysios Solomos', runway operations will be suspended for operational reasons until further notice. For the better service of passengers, travelers are advised to consult their airline and travel agencies regarding any changes to scheduled flights." (zth-airport.gr)
National T.V station ERTNews stated that operations will not begin until the  military aircraft has been removed from the runway.  

What This Means for Travellers
As Zakynthos Airport operates with a single runway, all arrivals and departures are likely to experience delays until airport authorities confirm that operations have resumed. Some flights may also be rescheduled depending on how long the runway remains closed.
If you are due to fly today:

• Check directly with your airline for the latest flight information.
• Keep an eye on the airport's live departures and arrivals boards.
• Do not travel to the airport without first confirming the status of your flight if possible. (zth-airport.gr)

Pilot Reported Safe
Greek media report that the Hellenic Air Force F-16 made an emergency landing following an in-flight malfunction. Emergency services responded immediately, and the pilot is reported to be safe. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Zakynthos InformerWe will continue to monitor the situation and update our readers as soon as Fraport Greece or the airlines confirm that the runway has reopened and normal operations resume.
We wish everyone travelling today a safe journey and thank passengers for their patience while airport staff manage this unexpected situation.


If you would like to read more on this topic please click on the link below:-
www.zakynthosinformer.com/blog/emergency-landing-for-hellenic-air-force-f-16-at-zakynthos-airport?fbclid=IwY2xjawS8euNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeG4aBuEe7xmkkZtYG41bzWBLJxFifs8goYGWC1vxstbbPxq47HTKpV89vwlI_aem_Gb5S07Ec7bJmCiGgBATajA

Photo Exclusive: original photo by Neil Bray:-  Airport firefighters surround a Hellenic Air Force F-16 with firefighting foam following its emergency landing at Zakynthos International Airport on Thursday. The pilot landed safely and was unharmed as emergency crews responded to the incident.

Pilot safe as emergency services respond – no injuries reported
A Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Zakynthos International Airport earlier after the pilot reported a technical problem during flight.
According to the information available, the pilot declared an emergency before safely landing the aircraft at Zakynthos Airport, following established emergency procedures. The pilot exited the aircraft safely and no injuries have been reported.
A major emergency response was immediately launched, with airport firefighters and emergency services rushing to the scene.
As the incident unfolded, a resident witnessed black smoke rising from the airport, while the sound of emergency sirens could be heard across the surrounding area. At least four airport fire engines responded, surrounding the aircraft within minutes of it coming to a stop on the airfield.
Firefighters quickly covered the aircraft and the surrounding area with firefighting foam as a precaution while emergency personnel continued to monitor the situation. At the time of publication, emergency crews remained at the scene. Emergency services responded immediately, and the aircraft was surrounded with fire-suppressant foam as a precaution against a possible fuel or engine fire. This is standard procedure when there is a suspected hydraulic leak, overheated brakes, engine problem or fuel leak after an emergency landing.
The exact nature of the technical problem has not yet been officially disclosed. The Hellenic Air Force is expected to carry out a technical inspection and investigation to determine the cause of the emergency landing.
Reports circulating on social media have suggested that some inbound commercial flights may have been diverted while the incident was being dealt with. However, at the moment we have not been able to independently verify those claims, and no official statement has yet been issued by Fraport Greece or Zakynthos Airport confirming diversions or widespread disruption to commercial flight operations.
For travellers due to arrive in or depart from Zakynthos, there have been no reports of injuries or damage to the airport's runway or infrastructure, and there is currently no official indication that the airport has been closed. As a precaution, passengers are advised to check directly with their airline for the latest information regarding their flight while emergency procedures are completed.
The incident attracted considerable attention across the island, with many residents and visitors witnessing the emergency response as firefighters worked to secure the aircraft.
Zakynthos Informer will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more official information becomes available.
video follows:-
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There was a time when people visited Greece for their holidays, a time before laptops and smartphones, before TikTok and Facebook. It was a time that was simpler and more laid back.

In those decades, from the hippy trail to the mid 1990s, it was a different Greece. One that enticed people with its historical charm, and quaintness, with the possibility of visiting somewhere abroad that was unique and relatively “untouched” by tourism.

Visitors at the time would have explored a more traditional Greece, with less urbanisation. There would have been swathes of open land, history and miles of sweeping shoreline and with often not a sunbed in sight!

Greek hospitality was home cooked, or a small shack with a small menu but the best food you’ve ever tasted in your life. Locals would have tended the land, olive groves and currents, fished or worked in local businesses.

Exploring Zakynthos during these decades was an adventure. It was an exploration of the sights and sounds of Greece. Visitors could travel by bike, scooter or car, seeing where the next road or track would take you. There were no, or very few, tourism companies vying for your Euro, because Drachma was king and most “tourism companies” were simply locals giving you directions.

Buildings were mostly small and traditional, and the urban sprawl of big flashy hotels, apartments and villas was barely a light on the distant horizon.

It all sounds wonderfully nostalgic and idyllic doesn’t it? And you’re right, it was.

Times have changed, since, with tourism in Greece growing exponentially. Many call it progress. Others say it’s not a progress they would have wished for. Despite this, tourism in Zakynthos is now king, having stolen the crown from the discarded Drachma. Many of the once pristine areas of the island are now busy resorts, filled with tourists and influencers, the landscape unrecognisable with new buildings going up yearly.

Progress always come at a price, and many of the old ways of earning a living on Zakynthos have gone, because of these modern changes and continuance of modern tourism is how Zakynthians survive, to ensure they have money for themselves and their families.

Nostalgia is a wonderful thing, it draws us back to a different time. Whilst Zakynthos may have changed, to become more built up and busy, there are still places on the island where you can get a glimpse of the Zakynthos of the past. You just need to get off the beaten path, away from the resorts and seek it out.

Explore the images below for some great photos of the island during early years of tourism to see how many places you recognise!

The UK Government has recently launched its "Planning for Later Life" campaign, designed to help British citizens living overseas prepare for the future. The initiative encourages expats to think ahead about important matters such as healthcare, social care, finances, legal arrangements, and long-term support as they grow older.
With thousands of British nationals choosing Greece as their permanent home, the campaign aims to provide practical guidance and ensure that people are aware of the options and services available to them before they are needed.
We're particularly proud to share that our very own Island radio 88.6 radio announcer, Bobby Gee, had the opportunity to be involved in the campaign here in Greece. Bobby joined representatives and participants as part of the awareness initiative, helping to highlight the importance of planning ahead and staying informed.
The campaign's message is simple: whether you've recently moved to Greece or have called it home for many years, taking time to plan for your future can provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
Here are some exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the campaign activities in Greece, featuring Bobby Gee and others who helped bring this important message to the British expat community.
As more information becomes available, we'll continue to share updates and resources to help our listeners and readers make informed decisions about their future in Greece.