The harbour esplanade is the most animated part of Zakynthos Town, stretching for about a kilometre along the seafront from the ferry terminal to the marina. The views across the strait to the mountains of the Peloponnese are clear on most days, and at dusk the water turns the colour of the hills behind it. Fishing boats, excursion vessels, and the Killini ferries share the port.
Cafes, bars, and tavernas run the full length of the esplanade, and this is where most of the town's evening social life happens. It is a good place to watch the ferry traffic — the connection to Killini on the Peloponnese runs several times daily in season — and to eat grilled fish while looking at the water. The strip gets crowded in July and August but remains pleasant in the shoulder months.