Visiting Greece? Don't Miss the Island of Zakynthos

Maryann Taylor

Last updated: Apr 3, 2017

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As beautiful as a dream, the Greek island of Zakynthos is located in the fantastic setting of the Ionian Sea. Also known as Zante, this emerald green island is covered with thickly forested mountains and is home to many kinds of beaches. From sandy beaches with serene blue waters on the south-eastern part of the island, to craggy cliffs and a fascinating underwater world on the western part, Zakynthos has it all.

Greek-Island-Zakynthos — Zakynthos Island is as beautiful as a dream

Flower Of The East

Zakynthos was ruled by the Venetians from 1484 to 1797, who called the island “Fioro di Levante” or the flower of the east as there are over seven thousand species of flowers on this island alone.

Beach Hopping, Partying and More

Greek-Island-Beach-Hopping — Stunning views greet you as far as the eye can see

There’s no dearth of fun on Zakynthos Island. Go beach hopping to some of the most popular beaches on this Greek island Island, such as Navagio, Grekas, Kalamaki, Perto Zoro and Spanzio. If you’re looking at partying the night away then head to Laganas, dubbed as the “Party Town” of the island. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and flanked by a string of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and fast-food joints, Laganas is popular with young party goers. The Laganas Beach too has many nice bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a relaxed meal and drinks. You could even try Scuba Diving – there are many diving operators who offer short term courses. Turtle spotting is another interesting activity – the island is famous for the endangered Loggerhead Turtles, and the best time to spot them is between May to early July. If extreme sport is your thing then you can opt for Base Jumping. Every year professional Base Jumpers gather at Navagio Beach to jump off a 200 metre high cliff (with a parachute, of course!).

Culture Vulturing At This Greek Island

Greek-Island-Zakynthos-churches — Zakynthos Island is home to many beautiful churches

If partying is not your thing, don’t despair as there is a lot more to see and do in Zakynthos. Visit the Solomos Sqaure, which surrounded by buildings with traditional architecture, and spend a day admiring the historic architecture of the city. Or head to the Venetain Castle situated on a hill overlooking the town, making it a perfect place to enjoy stunning views. Or head to Strata Marina to enjoy the vibrant ambience of Zakynthos with its bars, restaurants and cafes. Zakynthos Island is famous for its historic churches such as the Aghios Nikolaos. Constructed in the 17^th century, it has a Belfry (a structure enclosing bells) dating back to the Byzantine era. Other remarkable churches in Zakynthos are Aghios Dionysios, Aghios Markos and Aghios Geogios. Easter celebrations on Zakynthos Island are very popular, with the entire island coming together to celebrate. You can time you visit accordingly if you wish to enjoy the Holy Week and Easter festivities in Zakynthos.

Looking Back

Archaeological findings prove that Zakynthos has been inhabited from the Neolithic Age. Greek poet Homer also mentions this island in his masterpieces, the Iliad and Odyssey, saying that the earliest inhabitants of the island was the son of the King of Dardanos of Troy named Zakynthos and his subjects.

Getting to Zakynthos Island

Air: Zakynthos Island’s airport caters to both domestic and international flights. Most international flights are charters from other European cities, especially during the holiday season. Domestic flights operate between Zakynthos and Athens, served by Olympic Airlines, the national carrier of Greece. Easyjet also has flights twice a week from almost all airports in the UK to Zakynthos. By Ship: Zakynthos has two main ports, one at Zakynthos sTown and the other at Agios Nikolaos. The main port has connections to the port of Kylini, which is on mainland Greece. Need some inspiration? Read more Greece travel stories here.

Comments

David | on 26 September 2018

Nice blog post with beautiful pictures! I can only affirm that Zakynthos is a wonderful place to visit! I would definitely recommend hiring a car or a quad (these are often rented by tourists on this island!) to get around more easily and make the most of your trip, as is suggested on this website (). It really is a gem amongst the Greek isles! Regards, David