Zakynthos, also called Zante (its Italian name) and Zakinthos Greece , is the third largest island in the Ionian Sea. The island is named after Zacynthos, son of legendary Arcadian chief Dardanos.

While Ios and Kos are associated with party, and Rhodes and Crete with families, Zakynthos is something between. The majority of all beaches, towns, etc. are located along the south and east coasts, as the west and north coasts are extremely mountainous often with cliffs dropping many hundreds of feet straight into the sea.

Understand

Archaeological excavations have proved that Zakynthos was inhabited from the Neolithic Age. The island is first mentioned by the Greek poet and writer Homer. In his masterpieces, the Iliad and the Odyssey, he stated that the first inhabitants of Zakynthos were the son of King Dardanos, Zakynthos (which the island has been named after), of Troy and his men who settled around 1500-1600 BC.

Over the years the island was conquered by King Arkeisios of Kefalonia , and after him Ulysses from Ithaca. Later on Zakynthos became the first independent democracy in the Hellenic area, as a treaty was signed and it lasted over 650 years.

In the summer of 1953, Zakynthos was hit by two severe earthquakes, resulting in the total destruction of the islands infrastructure and most of its state archives. The most powerful of those quakes registered 7.3 on the Richter Scale occurred on August 12 and was felt throughout almost the entire country. Only three buildings were left barely standing: the St. Dionysios Cathedral, the National Bank building and the church of St. Nicholas "tou Molou". The rebuilding of the island was subject to a very rigid anti-seismic code, and has thus withstood several moderate and powerful earthquakes at a minimal amount of damage, one as late as 2005.

Mining has been common on the island, today however the only activity is two quarries on the mountain range in the western part of the island. A small mountain located on Zakynthos west side was mined during the late 20th-century, though it is no longer in use. Today tourism is the most important source of income and Zakynthos is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece.

Cities

• Zakynthos Town - capital, on the east coast. This has the main shops, piazza and harbour from which the frequent ferries to the mainland port of Killini depart and arrive.
• Laganas - The (in)famous resort of Laganas. This is the main "party" town on the island. The main street consists almost entirely of nightclubs, bars and fast food outlets. It's very popular with the younger visitors and the 18-30 brigade. The beach itself has some nicer bars and restaurants along its length.
• Kalamaki - Located to the east of Laganas past the turtle "no build zone". Although a busy resort its less of the all night party area than Laganas and is more suited to families. Most of its buildings and shops are located on the main road that runs between this resort, past the airport and towards Laganas. Like Laganas it shares a very long sandy beach that stretches for many miles across the south part of the island.
• Argasi - A few km south of Zakynthos town on the Vassilikos penninsula. No real beach and consists of a few streets with hotels and more across the main road that runs up the peninsula. It has some bars and clubs but not a lot else to recommend it.
• Agios Nikolaos - (north east) although the small village has only ~30 year-round inhabitants, it is the second most important port on Zakynthos, as the ferry to Kefalonia departs there. The bay itself is fairly sheltered by the tall mountains and island in the bay and has many sea front restaurants along with a local coastguard station. Boats running trips to the blue caves slightly to the north depart from here and although quiet it can get busy at certain times of day when bus loads of tourists arrive to get the ferry to and from Kephalonia
• Vasillikos - A quiet village in the south east on the Vassilikos penninsula. Here there are now no major hotels and just apartments, villas along with restaurants and tavernas. It has much more of a small village feel to it, has no nightclubs or other entertainment as is the place to look for a more relaxing, quiet holiday. In this area are the turtle nesting beach of Gerakas and Dafnia. Slightly to the north is Agios Nikolaos (not to be confused with the one in the north) where there are many watersports, basic scuba diving and a buisier place.
• Keri - Basically 3 parts to this. The pebble beach and coast area at Limniou Keri, the village of Keri itself in the mountains and further west the lighthouse of Keri which is popular with tourists who want to see a sunet.
• Tsilivi - A family orientated resort north of Zakynthos town. It has some late night bars and near nightclubs but on the whole is a bustling family resort with all the usual hotels, supermarkets, restaurants and so on. It has a very wide and long sandy beach along with watersports available from it.
• Alykes/Alykanes - 2 more family resorts on the east coast north of Tsilivi.

Getting there

By plane

Zakynthos is served by one airport (airport code ZTH), located towards the south end of the island near to the resort of Laganas and Kalamaki, it caters for both international and domestic flights. Almost all international flights are chartered flights from other European cities during the holiday season (May-October). Domestic flights are available between Zakynthos airport and Athens , served by the national airline Olympic Airlines , there are usually two flights a day. The journey time to Athens is approximately 1 hour.

By ship

Zakynthos has ferry links to Kyllini on the Greek mainland from Zakynthos Town 8.2€. Ferries to Kefalonia can be joined at Aghios Nikolas, on the North-East tip of the island.

Traveling around

By public transport

Bus services on the island are rather infrequent and sometimes unreliable. Taxis, however, are not too expensive.

By car

The best way to get around is by rental car. There are literally dozens of rental agencies on the island besides the big ones. Preferably get a 4WD car, as some attractions are located off the main roads. Beware of the condition of some of the roads - the smaller roads may well have pot holes and even the "better" roads are extremely slippery. Also beware of other drivers. If you assume everyone else on the road is out to get you and drive accordingly it's probably the best way of dealing with it. Due to the island being fairly small and only a few major towns its quite hard to get lost as most roads either go eventually to Zakynthos town or do Volimes in the north and you can work it out from there. Road signs are sporadic and some are bi-lingual with English and Greek, some are greek alone.
Also watch out for scooters especially in the main tourist areas.

By motorbike/scooters

Rental agencies abound. However, scooters may be somewhat painful to ride around the island, because it is very hilly, so get something with a little bit more power.

Budget Car Rental, Langaas Main Road,

By bike

Cycling is a pleasant way of navigating the southern parts of the island, if somewhat impractical in the rougher, more hilly terrain of the north.

See

Zakynthos, due to mild winter rainfall, is an extremely lush island; the Venetians (who conquered it) referred to it as Il fiore del Levante-- the Flower of the Levant. March-May is a particularly rewarding time to visit; the island is relatively low on tourists, the Easter parade takes place and the island blooms spectacularly with a myriad of colorful flowers and lush green hills. The best time to see Zakynthos is in May, when the main season hasn't yet started, and the vegetation is in full bloom.

Zakynthos, like its neighbor Kefalonia , was heavily affected by the massive earthquake of 1953 and subsequently a lot of its stunning Venetian architecture was sadly destroyed. Ruins still lay in some parts of the island due to this. The main town was completely rebuilt and still has an uncanny resemblance to Venice's San Marco square; it is well worth taking a look at.

The beautiful white cliffs that plunge into azure seas towards Keri have to be seen to be believed; the water is wonderfully clear and it is worth hiring a boat to see such sights.

Blue Caves

East of Cape Skinari, on the northern part of the island, are the Blue Caves. A series of geological formations have created the seascape. Natural arches have been carved out by erosion, but these caves are most famous for the color of the water in it's deepest hollows, a deep azure color which is most striking in the morning when the light is at it's brightest, hence the name Blue Caves. Kianoun cave is the biggest of the caves. In order to reach there you can hire a boat or go on a tour.

You can't miss ads by the tour operators. Blue caves can be seen starting from three places:

• Agios Nikolaos Port - these are the most spectacular ones
• Keri - also pretty good
• Porto Vromi - When taking a tour to the ship wreck. Not as spectacular, but you get them for free when going to the ship wreck.

Shipwreck (Navagio)

Originally a smuggler ship, which lost engine power in 1981 and was washed ashore in a magnificent small bay. Featured in Greek tourist ads, it is on the west coast and best visited by going there from Porto Vromi. Go there either early in the morning or in the afternoon (>15:00), as in the time between the big around-the-island cruise ships anchor there and the beach is heavily crowded - its not rare to have 20 boats all moored each putting a few hundred people ashore at once. Going there in off-peak times ensures you will have the beach pretty much to your own. Be aware the wreck is very sharp and its very possible to injure yourself if not careful
For the ultimate picture, follow the signs to the Agios Gergio Kremnao monastery - when you arrive there, use the road to your right to get to a small viewing platform some 600ft above the wreck and is where most of the picture postcard shots are taken from. It can actually be nicer to see it from this perspective than up close and personal on the beach itself.

Cape Skinari

The very northen edge of Zakynthos is labeled Cape Skinari. Here you can get a panorama view of the sea, having both the calm waters of the east and the windy of the west within view. At the location there are also some ruins from the great earthquake in 1953.

Beaches

• Agios Nikolaos beach - Termed the best beach on the island, on the south eastern peninsula near Vassilikos. You can get there also by free shuttle services from Laganas, Kalamaki, and Argasi - although it should be noted that in order to get a ticket to get the shuttle back again you have to pay to use a sun lounger (currently €4). Water sports (diving, jet skis, etc.) are offered, as well as a big British-run beach bar. This is not to be confused by the Agios Nikolaos village in the north of the island which shares little in common with this one!
• Gerakas - the main loggerhead turtle nesting beach located at the far south of the vassilikos penninsula inside the total marine excusion zone. This is a large long and wide sandy beach and gently shelving shore with sun beds and umbrellas provided. Some areas of the beach are off limits due to turtles nesting and the beach is closed at dusk for the same reason. There is a steep hill or steps leading from the cliff top to get down to the beach. A car park is provided but in busy periods this can fill up. Also near here are several tavernas for food and toilets.
• Dafni - access to this is via a steep hilly road in between Argassi and Vassilikos. This is a lovely sandy beach located again in the marine reserve with a complete ban on traffic. It's a quiet beach that has only a few local on the beach tavernas for food and drink along with sunbeds.
• Tsilivi - the family resort of Tsilivi boats a wide and long sandy beach, watersports, sunbeds and ample car parking
• Kalamaki to Laganas - the resort of Kalamaka shares a long uninterrupted sandy beach that runs from here to Laganas a few miles away. In some places it can be crowded but the further towards the middle you get the fewer people you find and given its size its possible to find somewhere quiet.

Things to do

Zakynthos is not so much an island for children; the water park there is small and rather hard to get to as compared to that in Corfu. Most resorts there are relatively low-key and tourist booths are more likely to offer excursions to neighboring islands or the Greek mainland rather than concentrating on Zakynthos' beauty. This is a shame, because it is still an island where mountainside villages and hidden coves await discovery by the discerning traveller-- it is well worth hiring a car, though beware of the sometimes treachorous mountain roads.

• Round the Island - due to the small size of the island with a rental car its perfectly possible to drive a complete lap of the island stopping at some interesting places on the way. For example, starting at Zakynthos town, dive north along the coast road and visit Tsilivi, continue past Alykes and Alykanes. The on that east coast road the scenery gets more impressive as you climb towards the mountains. This road then drops into the picturesque resort of Agios Nikolaos. From there you traverse the north coast passing Navagio (aka shipwreck) and the viewing platform and Volimes in the mountains where local arts and crafts can be bought. Then to the west coast travelling south the bay of Limnionas is extremely pretty, quiet with just a taverna that serves excellent food. Further south from there you have Kampi with stunning clifftop views and eventually Keri lighthouse with more stunning views, especially at sunset.
• Scuba Diving - although like the rest of Greece the area is devoid of much fish life due to massive overfishing the south of the island has a few decent sites such as "The Arch" and Keri Caves. Numerous dive operators run out of Laganas, Keri and elsewhere.
• Turtle spotting - The endangered loggerhead turtle uses the beaches for its nesting and a marine reserve has been established in the south around the Laganas bay area to protect these (although it appears to be completely ignored outside tourist season!) Many outfits in Laganas, Kalamaki and even Vassilikos offer short or full day trips including swim stops to look for these turtles. You stand most chance of seeing them between May and early July with the numbers decreasing after this.
• Day trip to Kefalonia - the ferry leaves Agios Nikolaos to and from this island several times daily and there are many official guided tours allowing you to visit and return
• Visit Olympia - There are many organised tours using the ferry from Zakynthos town to the mainland to visit the ancient site of Olympic (about 45 mins drive from the port) on the mainland, the home of the original Olympic games.
• Relax on a beach - probably the most popular past time on Zakynthos!

<b>Tourist Don't:</b>

Zakynthos is home to the endangered loggerhead turtle. These shy, gentle creatures nest in the south of the island during the spring and summer months, but their numbers are threatened of late, and one of the biggest culprits is undoubtedly mass tourism. Eggs that have been laid on the beaches of Laganas and Kalamaki have in the past been smashed by deck chairs or dug up by children; turtles have been killed on Zakynthos roads after having been disoriented by the bright neon lights of the bars they mistake for the moon by which they navigate their way to the sea. Thankfully, the Greek authorities are placing emphasis on protecting the turtles with signs and volunteers reminding tourists on the beaches of their duty to respect the turtles and stay away from them.

That said, several unscrupulous firms on the island run "turtle tours", whereupon a tourist can pay to take a boat ride to "spot" the turtles-- this is not a good idea. The turtles are easily distressed by this intrusion, and this has a knock-on effect on their breeding and hence is contributing to the threat to their very survival.

Comments on the above:
A new travel agency has picked up on most of the issues mentioned above. They organise excursions that are very suitable for the whole family, eg a theatre/entertainment evening and a turtles/pirates tour. The turtle tour is done under the guidance of a Archelon volunteer. Archelon, the turtle protection society, is very active on the island, and there are very strict rules in the National Marine Park (Laganas Bay). For more information on activities for children or regulations concerning the turtles, you can always contact Nefeli Travel (free service - without any obligation).

Eat

Traditional agricultural products are olive oil, (thyme) honey, currants, and wine, which can be purchased at road-side stalls or in the villages.

Zakynthos is a growing tourist island, and hence amongst traditional Greek fare one will find Anglicized cuisine. In Laganas, travellers would be more hard-pressed to find baklava than an English-fry up, but there are some very good places to eat Greek cuisine, and at very reasonable prices.

In particular, <b>Mermaids</b> in the resort of Kalamaki serves a good variety of Greek and international cuisine.

If in the Northern part of the island, towards Alikes, do try <b>The Clear Horizon</b> at Amoudi-- these apartments are served by a restaurant with a friendly owner who serves traditional Greek fare-- baklavas, stifado, briam -- at very reasonable prices in large portions, with an unrivaled view of the Ionian sea and Kefalonia rising from the mist in the background.

Way off the beaten path "Galini" in Vassilikos (south east of Zante town) is a traditional family-run place sprawled in the middle of the large estate where they grow their own food. Scenic ivy-clad terrace seating, rabbits running free, a children's playground and views out to sea are some of the things that will fail to distract you from the hearty traditional food served here. Island specialty "Kleftiko" is a must.

Drink

Bars are found in abundance on Zakynthos, from the lazy beach bar to clubs to British-run establishments. The beers of choice are the Greek Mythos, Alfa and Fix , though Amstel comes a close second. Drinkers looking for a more sartorial experience are advised to check out bars in Zakynthos town. There are also the local village wines (beware:- strong!), the metaxa brandy along with the standard Ouzo.
The bars of Laganas can serve pretty much anything else and caters for the young drunk tourist.

Sleep

One suggestion would be to purchase some air conditioning if not included in the price or fans can alternatively be quite useful. This is because during the high season, the temperature on the island can be extremely warm well in to the early hours.

• Maistrali apartments (Zakynthos apartments), Tragaki, Zakynthos, Greece, Post code 29100, ☎ +30 26950 65090-1-2 Maistrali apartments is in Tsilivi village just 7km from the capital of Zakynthos island in Greece. Prices from 24 €/night/room.

• Zante Park, ☎ +3026950 52310, 3026950 52311, +3026950 52313 . Zante Park is in a walking distance from the Lagana beach, the last refuge of Careta-Careta sea turtle.

• Paliokaliva Village (Paliokaliva Villas), Tragaki, ☎ +302695 063770, +302695 043078 . Paliokaliva Village comprises ten unique houses ranging from one-bedroom bungalows to two-bedroom cottages.
• Blue House, Vasilikos, ☎ +302695035218 Apartments and studios just 50m from the beach. Relax and enjoy the view, the nature, the silence and of course the sea.

Talk

National language is of course Greek, but pretty much all inhabitants also speak English (probably due to the fact that British tourists are by far the largest fraction of tourists). German is spoken by many as well, and Italian is well-represented, especially in the northern parts of the island.

Safety

Zakynthos enjoys a very low crime rate, but precautions should still be taken, especially in heavy tourist areas. Regrettably, a lot of petty crime is down to the tourists.

Get out

• Olympia

• Athens overnight trip
• Day trip to Kefalonia