Peligoni, Zakynthos: A Family-Friendly Review
You know somewhere is genuinely great for families when parents rebook year after year. And Peligoni, on the sunny Greek island of Zakynthos, is 100% one of those places. Part uber-stylish villa escape, part members’ club complete with a spa, restaurants and a huge roster of sports, this cool spot is so much more than your average family-friendly resort
Yes, you’ll find an awesome crèche and kids’ clubs – most remarkably, one that teens wholeheartedly buy into too – but it’s far from your standard set-up. Here, mum-of-two Alice Riley-Smith, who has visited three years in a row, gives us the lowdown on why Peligoni should be on every parent’s radar
Words: Alice Riley-Smith
Published: 17th September 2026 | Last updated: 18th October 2026
Your most asked Peligoni questions, answered
Peligoni: What makes it so good for families?
Peligoni is set up slightly differently from your usual family resort. Here it’s is all about combining beautiful villa living with a brilliant members’ club where there’s always something going on
First thing to note is that there’s no accommodation on-site – instead, families can choose from a hand-picked selection of properties in the surrounding countryside, from traditional hillside cottages to sprawling seafront villas. There’s something to suit everyone’s taste, whether you’re a family of four or a group of 20, and guests can enjoy the privacy of a villa holiday alongside all the activities on offer at The Club itself, which becomes your holiday HQ. You’ll find a swimming pool, restaurants, bars, tennis, yoga, fitness, watersports and plenty of lovely spots for parents to sit with a coffee (or, more importantly, a cocktail) while the children are busy having fun. And because you’re not all packed into one hotel, you get the space and privacy of your own villa when you want it too
Once your villa is booked through Peligoni, you can purchase membership to the club, granting access to the beach club, kids’ clubs, pool, restaurants, spa and wellness facilities
What’s included for families at Peligoni?
There is so much for children to do here. Little ones can head to the crèche, while older children have their own activities, games and watersports programmes, with teenagers getting plenty of freedom to make friends and get involved in sailing, kayaking, pool parties and more. Evening in-villa babysitting means parents can even escape for dinner on their own too
While it’s packed with entertainment, it never feels like a traditional kids’ resort. Adults get good food, gorgeous surroundings, exercise, spa treatments and a proper social scene with like-minded parents, while children have their own adventures, then everyone can come back together whenever they fancy
Amazing kids’ clubs
The children’s programme is properly thought through, with different options depending on their age and interests
Crèche for under-4: Qualified nannies look after babies and toddlers from 4 months to 3 years, in a crèche open 9am – 6pm, seven days a week. There are playrooms, gardens and sleeping rooms, plus lunch, snacks, dinner and nappies are included. You can dip in and out during the day, although spaces are limited and need to be booked in advance
Rugrats 4-5: This club offers four hours of activities each day, split into 9am – 11am and 3pm – 5pm, with a different programme every day. Expect things such as junk jewellery making, T-shirt painting, beach-ball tennis, pool games and sports days
Rascals 5-6: Want a full day to yourself? Upgrade to 9am – 5pm, with supervised lunch included. Rascals join the Rugrats activities but have childcare in between, making this a much more flexible full-day option
TARKA 6-10: If your kids are in this bracket, it’s worth knowing about the rather brilliant TARKA partnership at Peligoni. The British children’s activity company joined forces with Peligoni in May 2024, making Zakynthos its first overseas destination after years of running active, creative kids’ programmes in the UK
During May and October half-term, and throughout July and August, the team from TARKA joins us at Peligoni to host kids’ activity sessions seven days a week. These are all about getting children moving, being creative, making friends and having a proper adventure away from screens. Expect themed sessions such as the Peligoni Olympics, Poseidon Pool Party and Secret Spy, followed by a rather lovely wellness wind-down with stretching and breathwork. Basically, they have so much fun they barely notice they’re doing exercise
Older children & teens: There are organised activities, sports, watersports and social events aimed at older kids and teenagers, with plenty of opportunities to get stuck into the outdoors and make friends. The exact programme varies by week and season
Plenty of baby kit
The amazing Petit Peligoni service offers tons of essential and uselful kit to hire, including a Nuna Sena travel cot, cot sheets and mattress protectors, plus baby bouncers, bed guards, highchairs, sterilisers and Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep machines. Some villas also have their own cots and highchairs available on request, so it’s worth checking what your particular property provides before you book. You can also pre-order baby essentials and food, meaning you don’t have to spend your first afternoon in Zakynthos hunting down nappies
What’s the dining set up at Peligoni?
Food at Peligoni is marvellously flexible – you can eat at the club, head out to one of the local restaurants or make the most of your own villa kitchen. It’s a winning mix that families rave about
At the club, Tasi is the main restaurant, while The Terraces is the more relaxed spot for pizzas, pasta, salads and family-friendly lunches. There’s also Mikro Nisi, Peligoni’s sister Greek fish taverna, where the food is designed for sharing. Throughout the week, the Courtyard hosts communal feasts, BBQs, guest-chef dinners and other food events – very much part of Peligoni’s sociable atmosphere – where you are encouraged to sit with and chat to other guests
If you fancy eating at home, Peligoni makes self-catering easy. There aren’t loads of big supermarkets scattered around this remote part of northern Zakynthos, so rather than sending you off on a mission to find bread, The Deli & Kitchen runs a shopping and delivery service. You can order groceries in advance through the Guest Hub and have them delivered to your villa ready for arrival, then arrange top-up shops during the week. The Deli is only around two minutes from the club and also sells fresh produce, wine, prepared food and ready-to-cook dishes
There are also arrival and breakfast hampers, BBQ and pizza-making kits, and plenty of family-friendly essentials – including nappies and baby food. So you can cook, barbecue or simply assemble supper at your villa without spending half your holiday hunting down a supermarket
Where is Peligoni?
Peligoni is located on the north of the Greek island of Zakynthos, a 3.5 hour flight from the UK and a 40 minute drive from the airport. Transfers can be arranged. Check-in is at the club, from where you’ll follow a Peligoni-branded Land Rover to your villa
Best time To visit Peligoni?
Peligoni benefits from a long summer season, with the club open from May to October. Out-of-season themed weeks include wellness retreat PACE in May and foodie-focused GATHER in September. These are aimed at adults so these weeks are less suited to children
The Crèche is open for the full season, while activities aimed at older children revolve around the school holidays
Through out the season you are pretty much guaranteed lovely warm Greek weather but be aware it can get very hot in the peak summer months, reaching around 30 degrees most days in July and August
Rooms & Suites
Villas with a difference
On the sun-soaked, windswept isle of Zakynthos, Peligoni’s rocky crop, with its clubhouse poking up above the pines, has managed to remain largely unchanged in its almost 40 years. A British family who had been coming to the island, and club, for years took it over in 1989, partnering with the surrounding villas to become a much-loved family holiday destination
Dotted along the coast and up in the verdant hills behind the beach club are villas that can be booked through Peligoni. From traditional terracotta-roofed cottages dressed in bougainvillea (Zygak and Yria) to modern, Bond-like layers for large parties (Eleonas), every villa benefits from Peligoni’s hotel-style concierge – a game-changer for families short on time or energy, particularly after a day of travelling
Those organised enough can pre-arrange a Peli Deli hamper of fresh goods, glass bottled water and ‘Petit Peligoni’ bath and bedtime kits, toy boxes and even potties for arrival. If you’ve forgotten something, last minute requests can be made via whatsapp, as they can throughout your stay
We stayed at Lagaria, a 10-minute drive up into the hills from the club (for walking distance consider Avlaki owned by lovely Costas and his wife who also run nearby Madrakia taverna). A sandy-hued stone house with sea-blue-shutters, entirely in-keeping with its surroundings, Lagaria’s wraparound gardens give the house an indoor-outdoor flow throughout. Its soft, traditional interior speaks to the natural materials of the island – stone, wood, rattan and ceramic – in tonal, sun-bleached hues that feel instantly comfortable and calming. The house has 6 bedrooms, three upstairs with sea views, and the largest on the lower ground – a dorm that can sleep at least four in huge built-in bunks that provide hours of den-making entertainment. A playroom, equipped with toys and books, allows extra space for busy little bodies
Entering through a pretty walled garden, scented with verbena and lavender, the extent of the garden tumbles out from the kitchen on the other side of the house, into olive groves overlooking the sea. Easy steps lead down to the pool, where an expansive shallow end keeps paddlers happy. An outdoor dining area, with bbq and pizza oven, is the evening focal point, though Peligoni babysitters are on call for eating out – truly the most flexible set-up
Not sure which villa is right for you? That’s where our expert travel agents come in. Get in touch for tailored recommendations and a personalized quote
Childcare and Kids' Entertainment
Amazing activities for all ages
The ice cream tokens may have had something to do with it, but our three-year-old couldn’t have loved the Crèche more, which made it infinitely easier dropping our 18-month-old off beside her. Open from 9am to 6pm daily, with flexibility to drop in and out as you please, the Crèche runs from ages 4 months to 3 years. There are blissfully air-conditioned play and sleep rooms and an expansive walled garden, shaded by canopies, stationed with dressing up boxes, water tables, mud kitchens and a huge tee-pee to one end. Beyond the Crèche, children are taken on immersive treasure hunts and mermaid-spotting boat trips, for yoga and dance lessons, and to paddleboard on the sea
New to the Crèche this year is a partnership with parents-favourite Lune & Wild, whose organic, homemade meals were a total hit. Mains of moussaka with crispy potatoes or spaghetti ragu were followed by watermelon sorbet, banana bread, sticky date flapjacks, and creamy Greek yoghurt
For older children, aged 4 – 5, there are the ‘Rugrats’ and ‘Rascals’ clubs. A combined group but with different timings, the former runs for four hours a day, split into morning and afternoon sessions (included in the club membership), while the latter is a full day, 9am to 5pm, with lunch included at an additional price. Energy levels are high – playing beach-ball tennis, swimming in the pool, paddleboarding, making jewellery and painting t-shirts
For ages 6 to 10, the London-based children’s club TARKA is in residence for May and October half term and throughout July and August. The programme aims to develop children’s physical, emotional and social skills, with all the fun of the club at its fingertips. For ‘Inbeteeners’ (11 to 13) and ‘Teens’ (14+), there are daily activities to dip in and out of as they please, from five-a-side football to kayaking through the island’s famous Blue Caves. A full watersports upgrade grants access to daily clinics and lessons out on the water
Wining & Dining
Totally flexible foodie options
Having the option to dine in or out makes a stay with young children so much more relaxed. That and the fact that the handful of great restaurants nearby don’t require booking well in advance, with babysitters easily accessible through the club, takes the pressure out of planning
When the kids are in the Crèche during the day, lunch can a long and lazy affair – padding up from the cabanas on the rocks to feast on seabass ceviche, Greek salads, salty fries and ice-cold rosé. There are two restaurants: Tasi, overlooking the sea and serving mezze, with signature dishes of chicken milanese and beef ragu; and Terraces, where an open-fire grill cooks up giant prawns and butterflied seabream, whole-roasted chicken, marinated lamb and slow-roasted vegetables. Wood-fired pizzas are on the menu at both
A pop-up kitchen serves food-to-go, from tacos to smash burgers – a popular teen hangout – while the cafe is open for coffees and croissants, juices and toasties throughout the day, with a buzz about it first thing when the kids are dropped off and iced caffeine is required
The biggest treat is to hop on a water taxi to Mikro Nisi, 10 minutes south on the island, past pristine coves and enviable villas that tumble down to the sea (Amoulakis). The traditional Greek fish taverna is almost hidden under a veranda of vines, above a shallow cove of dappled blue-green sea – too good not to dip into between courses. Order an array of Greek mezze plates to start – feta in honey and thyme, meatballs in tomato sauce and courgette carpaccio – followed by the catch of the day. Evenings here are just as magical, when the veranda twinkles with pea lights and the moon’s reflection ripples on the water below
For slightly fancier seafront dining, Nobelos is a restaurant with rooms near the quiet port village of Agios Nikolaus. You can rent a sunbed for the day here too: the calm and shallow cove is ideal for little swimmers (though the small public beach, shaded by trees, in the port round the corner is a lovely spot). The food here is an elevated take on traditional Greek dishes – the souvlaki and moussaka are particularly good. Inland, and up in the hills behind Peligoni, The Old Wildmill is a more rustic affair. Beside the ruins of an old windmill, and with views out to sea, the hazy outlines of Kefalonia and Greece beyond, the restaurant not only serves very good Greek mezze but kids can be kept entertained with a playroom full of toys and musical instruments, an outdoor playground with swings and a climbing frame, and a large pet rabbit
We loved eating in the villa too, without the mad dash of getting the kids to bed and getting ready to go out. We picked up marinated meats from the Peli Deli (where you can also get pizza and pastas to have in or to go), fruits and vegetables from the Spar, and had barbecues on our terrace. We booked a chef one evening, organised through the owner of the house, who cooked up the most delicious Greek feast, with cocktails and canapes to start
What is there for adults?
Just as much fun for the parents
Peligoni is referred to as a ‘a playground for all ages’ – – and that definitely includes adults too. A little overwhelmed the first time I saw it, a schedule is released each week detailing everything that ‘doers’ can do, from sunrise SUP and ‘Rusty Rackets’ tennis to guided bike tours and boat trips to the island’s famous Shipwreck and Blue Caves. In partnership with wellness brand Oyogo, fitness and yoga classes take place daily, included in club membership, as is the open-air gym
But if organised fun is not for you, I can wholly recommend hiding in a cabana by the sea, with nothing but a good book and a margarita for company. This year, I felt the pull of using my free time ‘well,’ which did involve answering emails, but also heading to the spa for a manicure and doing a reformer pilates class – the sorts of things that usually require military planning around work and the kids. On the list for next time is a trip on Odyssey, Peligoni’s wooden kaiki-style yacht, exploring secluded coves and dropping anchor for lunch
It’s also worth noting that Peligoni isn’t just about family holidays. Pick the right week and the whole place takes on a much more grown-up feel, with special weeks dedicated to wellness, fitness, food and/or doing very little indeed
There are wellness weeks such as PACE, where the days are packed with yoga, Pilates, fitness sessions, cycling, tennis, swimming and plenty of feel-good activities. Then there are weeks where food takes centre stage, with guest chefs, long lunches, food festivals and seriously good dinners. The idea isn’t boot camp – you can be as energetic or as gloriously lazy as you like. These weeks are particularly lovely for couples, groups of friends or anyone travelling without children, as the atmosphere is more adult-focused and sociable. Basically, Peligoni with the kids’ timetable swapped for a rather fabulous grown-up one
Alice's verdict
This was our third summer here, with two children now in tow, and it stepped up in all the right ways: a pretty, Greek stone villa that gave space and flexibility; a crèche that we couldn’t keep our three-year-old away from; and a beach club with spa and wellness spaces to dip in and out of as we pleased
It’s easy to settle into the rhythm of the island here. Despite being a villa holiday, everything was taken care of upon arrival and throughout our stay by Peligoni, from the children’s sleep set-ups to water deliveries and restaurant bookings. While the Peligoni’s themed evenings – Greek night, open-fire feast, and Friday food festival – are lively, it’s largely a dressed-down, low-key spot, with wilder times reserved for the nearby party town of Zante. With excellent childcare to suit every age, at Peligoni we were able to truly relax, barefoot and salty-skinned
Peligoni: Our Tiny Travelship Take
Meet the mama
Alice Riley-Smith is a writer and editor with previous roles at Condé Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Vogue Hong Kong, where she edited the Vogue Living pages. Alice has since become freelance, writing design and travel stories for her old titles alongside new, while also consulting and developing content for brands. She is embracing travel with her two young daughters in tow, from windswept Cornish beaches to the Dolomite Alps and, while she is definitely not averse to a kids’ club, a strong sense of place is the most important requisite when finding somewhere special to stay