My least favourite Greek Resort (Laganas)

Member Name: eiley123

Product:	Laganas
Date:	13/01/07 (1860 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Warm , short transfer from airport , long beach , safe countryside nearby .

Disadvantages: Too commercialised , overdeveloped

We travelled to Zante staying near Laganas Beach in May 2001.We flew from Manchester and the flying time wasn't bad at all.

As this was a late spring/early summer break we were not sure about the weather etc.Because it was early May we got a 2 weeks for the price of one deal.

After we booked friends decided to tell us we wouldn't enjoy Laganas Bay. They said it could be noisy and overcrowded in high season and was becoming overdeveloped . A bit late now but that's the way the cookie crumbles . So with some apprehension off we went . As always we decided to give it our best shot and not pre-judge the place .

We have been to various greek islands oodles of times , and have always really enjoyed ourselves , finding each one different in it's own way . At this time I was in my late 40's and my husband in his early 50's . We were travelling as a couple and staying in a self catering studio.The accomodation was set to the east of Laganas within easy walk of the beach but on a quiet road.

The airport was small and although not bad it wasn't the cleanest I've seen , not by a long way . It had a real stale smokey smell .

As the coach drove us from the airport in the early morning it took in Kalamaki and the strip in Laganas . The strip is a very long main road leading from the outskirts of Laganas right down to the beach . The clutter of bars and shops along the strip would be some peoples heaven but was our nightmare.Not just as we were now a bit older ,as even when young we liked to experience the local culture , sights etc . We certainly were not looking for Blackpool with sun but we wondered if that was what we were getting.

The coach then surprised us and drove along the beach heading to the road where our accomodation was situated . Unless things have dramatically changed I assume the traffic still uses the beach as a quick cut through in the early morning and late evening . Part of the beach was excluded for access to traffic , even by foot , on a night due to the nesting turtles.

Settling in our accomodation, it was fairly cheap and cheerful but by the end of a fortnight felt like home . We had nice grounds and a good sized pool . We didn't use it much as it wasn't large and there were a lot of families there.

Our first venture out to the beach took us the short walk down our quiet road , past a couple of supermarkets to the beach . On our first day one supermarket tried to rip us off , and so never got anymore trade . At one time in Greece you would never have experienced this . How times change . Walking onto the beach it was warm and quite good sand despite all the traffic at times .

Venturing into the sea it felt a bit cool but you soon got climatised . After all it was only May . The sea was very shallow for a long way out . You could walk or swim out quite a way and feel very safe .T here are glass bottomed boat trips from Laganas to see the turtles swimming . These are very reasonably priced ( but not many people actually saw any turtles! )

As our holiday progressed we found turning one way at the end of this road we could walk along to the strip or carry on past it to Kalamaki . The walk to Kalamaki was very pleasant along the beach and it is a much quieter resort , except for one thing . The planes coming in and out of the airport fly low over here for landing or from departing . Very noisy .

The other direction lead from the beach to a short walk in shallow water round the headland to a different bay and Aghios Sosti .Here there was a good choice of restaurants and tavernas and a very small beach . You could access this resort by road but it was a much further walk . Scenic though .

From the end of the strip near the beach the local buses ran . As usual they ran on GMT (greek maybe time) but all joking aside they kept to a reasonable timetable.

As it was early May the weather was a bit unpredictible . Most days were sunny and some very hot . Unfortunately we had a couple of deluge days when it was quite cool . If you are going in april/may I would take a brolly and thin jacket as people said they had found this before . This is probably why it is such a green island.

The main strip that runs from the beach has plenty of shops,bars,cafes,restaurants,banks and a couple of chemists . There were plenty of cashpoints readily available . You could also hire bikes here and as it is such a flat area round Laganas you would have no problems . Although I moan about the commercial side of the strip I had to trek along there quite early in the morning , alone , one day as my husband had burnt his legs and I needed the chemist . I felt perfectly safe and it was reassuring knowing what I needed was readily available.

We did a lot of walks in the area around Laganas and you find a lot of the roads lead back round in a circle so you can get around and see quite a bit without getting lost or off the beaten track . We felt perfectly safe and met some nice local people doing this . In Laganas centre it is a bit too commercialised for this .

Walking round the nearby countryside you are filled with the scents of various plants . Lovely . On a night although it was early in the season we were plagued with mosquitos you do really need to wear an insect repellent and have a mosquito plug for your room. You also need to buy bottled water as the tap water is too mineralised .

Eating on a night there are some good places . At the end of our road as you turned onto the beach there were quite a few restaurants directly on the beach . We found a particularly good one which became our favourite . This is because we like to try the local cuisine and so avoided the burger joints. It was very pleasant eating your meal , listening to the sea and watching the sun go down.

If still available there is a free minibus to a greek night in a restaurant near an old rambling , derelict mansion . We did not go but were told it was a great night for food and entertainment .

Although this review may sound negative I think that's because:-

1)Early in season so weather not brilliant

2)Have been to much nicer greek islands and resorts

3)Accomodation was a bit basic- but then it was
cheap

4)Nightlife and clubs not our thing-they may be
yours .

5)It was busy even so early in the season-I can't
imagine it in high summer.

6)It did not feel Greek in Laganas . It could have
been almost anywhere in the sun .

As for recommending I would like to say maybe .If you like a commercial resort , which is overdeveloped , has too many bars and english shops , a long beach and good weather , you will probably love it . If like us you want some modern conveniences but some of the real Island , with scenery , sunshine , tavernas and a bit of culture thrown in , then it will not be for you .

Also the island itself was not bad if you selected places carefully . Zante town (the islands capital) was reached easily and cheaply on the local bus . It had a different feel , good architecture , shopping and was better for a traditional night out .The island tour which took in a lot of the north of the island showed Zante's diversity . If you hired a car you could see all sorts .

But this is a review of Laganas Bay.

So as I have already said if you want a lively resort with plenty of hustle and bustle , life , music , pubs , clubs , shops and a great beach thrown in then you will probably not be dissappointed. But if you are looking for the real Greece stay as far away from Laganas Bay as possible.YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Copyright eiley
also posted at Ciao grafter123

Summary: What was once probably a great place to stay ruined .