Holidays in Zakynthos

Zakynthos, or Zante, the other form often used in English and in Italian, (Greek: Ζάκυνθος. Venetian: Zacinto) the third largest of the Ionian Islands, covers an area of 410 km² (158 square miles) and its coastline is roughly 123 km (76 miles) in length. The island is named after Zakynthos, the son of a legendary Arcadian chief Dardanus. The name, like all similar names ending in *nthos, is pre-Mycenaean or Pelasgian in origin. Zakynthos has a thriving tourism industry.

Zakynthos Geography

Zakynthos has a varied terrain, with fertile plains in the southeastern part and mountainous terrain with steep cliffs along the coasts on the west. Zakynthos town coordinates are: Latitude 37.79139/37°47'29 N, Longitude: 20.89528/20°53'43 E.
The mild, Mediterranean climate and the plentiful winter rainfall endow the island with dense vegetation. The principal products are olive oil, currants, grapes and citrus fruit.
The capital, which has the same name as the prefecture, is the town of Zakynthos, apart from the official name, it is also called Hora (i.e. the Town, a common denomination in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town). According to the 2001 census, the island has a population of 38,958.
Among the most famous Zakynthians is the 19th century poet Dionysios Solomos, the principal modern Greek poet and author of the national anthem of Greece. His statue adorns the main town square. Also the explorer Juan de Fuca (Ioannis Focas) and the Italian poet Ugo Foscolo were born here.
The island has one airport, the Zakynthos International Airport, "Dionysios Solomos" (on former GR-35) in its southwest which connects flights with other Greek airports. Further southwest is the National Marine Park of Zakynthos where loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are found in the Bay of Kalamaki. Caretta caretta is an endangered species - especially by the deck chairs laid out on their breeding grounds and the inevitable pollution. Every year at the beginning of June, the female turtles come to the southern beaches in order to bury their eggs in the sand. The incubation period for the nest is approximately 55 days, after which time hatchlings emerge from the nest and make their way to the sea. The survival rate for hatchlings is very small, and it is estimated that only one in one thousand hatchlings that enter the sea live to adulthood. Each nest contains around one hundred to one hundred and 20 eggs, each of which are around the size and shape of a ping-pong ball. Female turtles begin to lay nests at around 20 to 30 years of age.
The port of Zakynthos has a ferry connecting to the port of Kyllini on the mainland. Another ferry connects the village of Skinari to Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia.
The Zante currant, a small sweet seedless grape is native to the island.
Island length: 40 km
Island width: 20 km
Highest point: Vrachionas, 758 m
Sites of interest include Shipwreck Bay, Cape Skinari and the Blue Caves. The western part of the island is accessible and has a panoramic view of the sea. The ridge area from Anafontria has a small observation deck which overlooks the shipwreck and there is a monastery nearby.
Keri is located in the far south of the island. It is a mountain village and has a lighthouse in the south. It includes a panorama of the southern part of the Ionian Sea.
For tourist facilities, Zante has campsites and beaches including, a beautiful stretch near Keri, around 100 m in length and surrounded by cliffs. The island also offers a plethora of arches and cliffs which are widely known beyond the island, one is underground. Several documentaries have been filmed around this area of Zakynthos/Zante. Beaches are to be found in Porto Limnionas, Porto Vromi and Porto Zoro.

Zakynthos Sights

Zante: The capital of the island and one of the most beautiful towns in the Ionian Islands, with its western type architecture, the large public library and the museum of Dionysios Solomos. It is situated on the east side of the island and it is your entry point to the island if you are visiting by boat. From this port you can take a boat for a daily cruise around the island. While you are in town enjoy the walks in the wide open squares and visit the Byzantine Museum, the church of Agios Nikolaos tou Molou and the church of Agios Dionysios, the patron saint of the island, where you will have the chance to see his relics.

Shipwreck: The most famous sight and one that is definitely not to be missed is the Shipwreck - a picturesque beach in the north of Zante. The shipwreck is without a doubt the most famous sight on Zante.
It also gets referred to as its Greek name Navagio, as well as Smugglers Cove.
It lies in the middle of a beautiful white pebble bay, surrounded by white cliffs and blue water that looks like bleach has been added - the colour is certainly impressive.
Shipwreck beach can be appreciated in two ways either by taking a boat trip or by viewing it from the viewing platform above. There is no direct access to the beach.

Blue Caves: The Blue Caves are in the north of Zante and are one of the best known sights on the island.
The unusual caves were discovered in 1897, with the largest cave being called Blue Grotto.
In order to visit the caves you can hire a boat, or take a boat trip.
The nearest point to the caves to take a boat is the harbour of St Nikolaos, near Volimes, but trips depart from many other points on the island. The colours of the caves are spectacular and have to be seen to be believed and also an ideal for snorkelling.

Venetian Castle: The Venetian Castle, on Bohali hill on the outskirts of Zante town, was built in 1480 but only shortly afterwards part of it was destroyed by invading Turks.
From 1514 onwards it was repaired and at one point it became the capital of the island. The castle is in ruins today but it is still worth visiting as there are exceptional views of Zakynthos town below and across the Ionian Sea to the Peloponnese region of Greece.
Before the Castle was built, there once stood an acropolis on the same sight. The Castle is set amongst pine trees and is a lovely place to visit, for a better understanding of Zakynthian history, the splendid views and also the atmosphere one of tranquillity.

Zakynthos Beaches

The beaches of Zakynthos are famous for their unspoilt beauty and their exotic emerald water. The most famous beach of the island is the wonderful Navagio Beach (Shipwreck), which has soft white sand, turquoise waters and impressive cliffs around it.

Navagio (Shipwreck): Navagio is the most famous beach of Zakynthos. This beach is always crowded because excursion boats go there all day long. The exotic water and the rocky surroundings attract a lot of people.

Gerakas: Considered among the most beautiful beaches of Zakynthos, the long sandy beach of Gerakas has wonderful crystalline waters.

Agios Nikolaos: Agios Nikolaos is a popular beach resort on the northern side of the island. It gets very busy for its watersports activities and the area is great for scuba diving.

Kalamaki: Kalamaki is the closest beach to the airport and among the most developed resorts in Zakynthos Town. It gets very popular and has plenty of tourist facilities.

Laganas: Laganas is the busiest beach resort of Zakynthos. Fortunately, the beach is very large and can cope with all these tourists. Many watersports centres and beach bars are located along the coast.

Tsilivi: Tsilivi is a popular beach resort in close distance to Zakynthos Town. The beach is organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and many watersports.

Agios Sostis: Agios Sostis is a small beach between the popular resorts of Laganas and Porto Koukla, on the southern side of the island.

Alykanas: Alykanas is a busy tourist resort on the northern side of Zakynthos. With soft sand and clean water, Alykanas receives many visitors.

Alykes: Alykes is a long and sandy beach on the northern side of Zakynthos. It gets very popular in summer and has some watersport centres along the coast.

Argassi: Argassi is a very popular tourist resort in close distance from Zakynthos Town. It is well organized with umbrellas, sun beds and watersports.

Banana: This long, sandy beach is considered among the most beautiful in Zakynthos. It is organized and has clean water.

Dafni: Although the other beaches on the south of the island are crowded, Dafni is secluded because of the track road that leads there.

Drosia: This small beach gets less crowded than other beaches of the area, but still it is busy. The coast is organized and sandy.

Porto Koukla: Porto Koukla is an organized beach close to Laganas and Limni Keriou. Lush greenery surrounds this sandy beach.

Xigia: Xigia is a narrow, sandy beach on the northern side of Zakynthos, close to Alykes. A huge rock with lush greenery surrounds it.

Keri Lake: Although the southern side of Zakynthos is much developed, Keri Lake has managed to develop its tourist gradually and to keep its traditional character. The beach is sandy and it is surrounded by lush greenery.

Limnionas: Limnionas is not actually a beach but a rocky cove where people dive from the rocks into the crystal water. Its secluded location doesn't make it very popular.

Makris Gialos: On the way to Agios Nikolaos, on the northern side of the island, Makris Gialos is a small beach with crystal water. As it is not much organized, Makris Gialos doesn't get very crowded.

Marathia: Marathia is a secluded, pebbled beach on the southern side of the island. Far from most popular beaches, Marathia is ideal to enjoy total relaxation.

Kaminia: This is a small beach between the popular resorts of Vassilikos and Argassi, on the southern side of Zakynthos. Small and organized, this beach gets much crowded in summer.

Porto Zoro: Porto Zoro is a long and sandy beach between Argassi and Vassilikos. Due to its location and its natural beauty, it gets very popular in summer.

Porto Roma: Porto Roma is a picturesque beach with crystal water and surrounded by much greenery.

Porto Vromi: Porto Vromi is a secluded, narrow beach that usually doesn't get very popular. It is surrounded by a green, rocky landscape.

Zakynthos Nightlife

Almost as alive is the island during the day, it is at night as well! Zakynthos nightlife offers you a choice in whatever kind of entertainment you like.
The many resorts of the island offer a large variety of bars, clubs and pubs where you will find lively music and the latest summer hits. However, most of the action takes place in the south side of the island and especially in Argassi, Laganas, Kalamaki, Alykes and Tsilivi. These are the most developed tourist areas of Zakynthos so if you are looking for pure nightlife enjoyment with no rules turn your attention there.