Tour of Zakynthos Island
Zakynthos is the most southerly of the Ionian islands and one of the most famous and popular travel destinations.
It is the green island of poetry, of songs, the birthplace of Dionysios Solomos, the National Greek poet.
The island has numerous sandy beaches with crystal clear waters which attract thousands of visitors, with crystal clear waters which attract thousands of visitors, unique natural beauties, verdurous forests and fertile valleys, monuments and an excellent tourist infrastructure.
ZAKYNTHOS TOWN
The capital and harbor of the island, ZAKYNTHOS, is one of the most picturesque towns in the Ionian islands.
It is adorned with fine buildings and squares, vaulted porticoes, pretty streets, churches with imposing campaniles, monuments and statues.
There are several important churches in the town, containing paintings and icons by Cretan and local church-painters: the churches of the Lady of the Angels, Faneromeni, Pikridiotissa, and Saint Nicolas on the mole.
The last named was built in the 17th c. in a Renaissance style, and Saint Dionysios, the patron saint of the island, served as a priest here for a time after he came to Zakynthos from Aegina.
The church of Agios Dionysios, with its majestic campanile, the Saint’s relic, an icon of him and other important icons, stands on the avenue along the sea-front of the town.
ZAKYNTHOS TOWN
It is worth visiting the Post-Byzantine Museum, which contains works by church-painters from Zakynthos, and also the Museum of Solomos, Kalvos and Distinguished Zakynthians on the historic Saint Marcos Square. Here is also the Catholic church of the same name.
The town has also a fine Municipal Library and Art Gallery-both in the same building, containing scenes of Zakynthos as it was before the earthquake of 1953.
The Strata Marina is the street that encircles the harbor and it is the town’s busiest street during summer time.
It has innumerable cafes, restaurants and tourist shops.
Zakynthos is a good organized tourist town.
Here you will find hotels, apartments and rooms to let of all categories, restaurants of Greek and international cuisine, cafés, bars and clubs with live music for your nightlife.
Tour of Zakynthos Island
A short distance from the town is the historic little church of Agios Georgios Filikon, containing the icon before which the candidates for membership of the Friendly Society swore an oath during the Greek War of Independence of 1821.
The road after leads up to the hill of Stranis, on which is a bust of the Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos. Further up the hill are the remains of a Venetian castle.
In the picturesque suburb of BOCHALI is the church of Zoodochos Pigi (or Chryssopigi) with a Byzantine icon of the Virgin.
The scenic region of Bochali is tranquil and idyllic and has many villas, traditional apartments and delightful place to stay for a relaxing holiday. Here you will find hotels of all categories and some of the best restaurants in the town.
Other places worth seeing nearby include: Kokkinos Vrachos, Kryoneri where there is a beach which attracts many tourists, Faros and the verdant Akrotiri.
Beautiful villages in the south part of the island include: Ambelokipi, set amongst rich vineyards, Lithakia, Agalas in the foothills of Mount Vrachionas, Pantokratoras, Mouzaki, Romiri and Lagopodo.
Lithakia is one of the richest agricultural villages with a fertile ground.
Tour of Zakynthos Island
Continuing into the interior of the island, we come to MACHERADO, with the church of Agia Maura and the icon of the saint, which is thought to be miraculous.
Other inland villages amidst lavish vegetation are: Melinado where architectural members from an ancient temple have been found, Vougiato, Langadakia, Fiolitis and Agia Marina, where the church of the same name has a superb wood-carved icon.
The road leading west passes through mountain villages clinging to the sides of Mount Vrachionas and enjoying superb views, lush vegetation and refreshing springs.
In the north-west of the island is the village of Maries, with a church dedicated to Mary Magdalene.
Further north the road leads to Anafonitria. Just outside this village is the monastery in which Saint Dionysios was a monk.
Tour of Zakynthos Island
Amongst the important villages in the north of the island are Orthonies and Volimes.
The 15th c. monastery of the Panagia Spiliotissa is near Orthonies. In the same area is the grotto of Xingia, near the village of Skinaria.
Near Skinaria, the northernmost promontory of the island, is the famous Blue Cave (Galazio Spileo), discovered in 1897 at Aspros Vrachos or Krimnos.
This is a grotto with two communicating chambers, which is one of the major tourist sights on the island.
To the south of the capital there are some superb coastal sights with golden sand and lush vegetation, reaching down almost to the sea.
ARGASSI, PORTO ZORO, VASILIKOS, PORTO ROMA and GERAKAS a broad beach with fine sand.
Porto Roma is one of the most popular beaches on Zakynthos.
Porto Zoro is a picturesque sandy beach, 17 kilometers from Zakynthos town.
ARGASSI
Argassi has a long, safe beach ideal for families with children.
Its excellent range of tourist facilities and its proximity – 4 km. south to the capital- make it one of the most popular holiday resorts on the island, known for its nightlife.
Here you will find a large variety of bars, restaurants coffeehouses, night clubs and shops making it appealing to people of all ages.
There are hotel units, apartments and rooms to let of all categories.
VASSILIKOS
The beautiful village of Vassilikos is located 16 km. from the capital and belongs to the developed tourist regions.
It has many gulfs and small sandy shores, which attract those avoiding cosmopolitan beaches.
LAGANAS – KALAMAKI
In the open bay of Laganas are the coastal settlements of KALAMAKI and LAGANAS, with a beach of fine sand that extends for 9 kilometers, AGIOS SOSTIS and MARATHIAS.
In the bay itself are the verdant little islands of PELOUZO, AGIOS SOSTIS and MARATHONISI.
There is an interesting sea-cave at the last of these.
The island of Agios Sostis was connected to Zakynthos until 1663, when an earthquake separated them.
Today the island can be reached through a small bridge.
Laganas has one of the best resort beaches of the island and is the most famous tourist resort.
The area is well known for its wide range of nightclubs and bars emitting a party atmosphere all night long until the early hours.
There is an extensive range of restaurants and taverns serving all types of international and local cuisine.
When looking for accommodation it is mainly self-catering apartments and a variety of hotels of all categories.
Agrilia is a coastal settlement close to the gulf of Laganas. During the last years the region has been evolved a famous summer resort.
Very close to Laganas is KALAMAKI, a cosmopolitan place. Its fine beach is the natural continuance of Laganas.
In the area you will find hotels, rooms to let, taverns and cafes.
Tour of Zakynthos Island
KERI
In this area is the Lake of Keri.
The village of KERI, built on a hill in an impressive environment, has a Renaissance style church of the Panagia Keriotissa.
From this steep promontory, there a unique view over the sea and the wild rocks in the sea, especially at sunset.
Keri has a beautiful beach that offers a great selection of taverns and restaurants.
The west of the island has a steep coastline.
There are sandy beaches in the bays of Exo Chora and Vroma and at Navagio (or Shipwreck beach).
Navagio is one of the most famous and most photographed beaches of Greece, accessible only by boat.
There are daily boat services leaving from the port in town.
By contrast, the east coast is just as busy and popular as the south.
The best known beaches are: TSILIVI, AGIA EKATERINI, ALIKANAS, ALYKES and AGIA KYRIAKI.
TSILIVI
Tsilivi has a long and safe beach with fine sand and clear waters.
It lies only 6 km. from the capital and it is located near the village of Planos.
During last years it has evolved to a busy tourist resort.
In the area you will find many hotels, apartments and rooms to let, taverns, restaurants, shops, and bars.
The picturesque village of Tragaki is next to Tsilivi peninsula and belongs to the developed tourist regions.
Here, you can swim at some of the most famous and beautiful beaches of the island like Tragaki, Amboula, Drosia, Bouka, etc.
In the region you will find hotels and rooms to let of all categories.
ALYKES
Alykes is a coastal settlement with a fine sandy beach.
It is a developed tourism region you will find many tourist installations.
A rare species of sea turtle, caretta-caretta breeds on the south coast of the island.
The beaches of Laganas, Kalamaki, Vasilikos and Dafni and the small islands of Marathonisi and Pelouzo have been declared biotopes, and measures have been taken to protect the turtles; visitors are kept informed of these by notices.
TRADITION –EVENTS
There is a large number of festivals on Zakynthos, which have a local atmosphere.
The most important of them are those of Agios Dionysios, the patron saint of the island on 24 August and 17 December.
Others of interest are the festivals of Agia Marina at Macherado, the Panagia Pikridiotissa, etc.
The carnival on Zakynthos is one of the best known in Greece, and has its roots in the carnivals held during the period of Venetian rule.
The island has also an interesting cultural life, with performances on plays, musical concerts, exhibitions, etc.
LOCAL CUISINE & PRODUCTS
Don’t leave Zakynthos without tasting the local recipes and especially the traditional “ladotyri” (= oil cheese).
The local wine that’s called Verdea, famous for its unique flavor and the best nougats in Greece, as well.
In the taverns of the island you can taste the Zakynthian cuisine. The island’s specialty is “stifado” with rabbit.