Venetians called Zakynthos the Flower of the East due to natural wonders: the Shipwreck beach, the arcade of blue caves, National Marine Park sheltering rare Caretta-Caretta turtles, thickets of cypresses, pine trees and olives and sugar-fine sand beaches. All this framed with sounds of mandolin kantades.
Go for the world known trademark of Zakynthos - scenic Navagio (Shipwreck) beach. Take our tender as it is accessible only from the sea. Use a unique possibility to take a tender to access the little-known vacant beaches where you will feel as if you were in prehistoric times. Watch the sun drooping into the sea in Aeras restaurant right above Shipwreck beach. Use our kayaks to swim through the arcade of blue caves of Volimes. Get lucky to see rare Caretta-Caretta turtles hiding their eggs on the beaches of National Marine Park.
Stroll amidst pine trees, olive groves, vineyards, stone houses, narrow alleys and churches of Volimes village to the lighthouse. Cross over the large wooden bridge to the isle of Agios Sostis. Access the verdant Isle of Marathonisi, inhabited only by Caretta-Caretta turtles. Get inspiration on the Strani hill viewing the panorama of the capital. Here Dionisios Solomos, famous Zakynthian poet, got his muse to write Greek national Anthem.
View Bahali village from the top of Strani, flowering with fuchsia bougainvillea, whitewashed houses and the Castle of Bohali – a big Venetion fortress complex with vaulted prisons, cannons and churches. Immerse yourself into the wildlife in the Stone Park of Askos. It is filled with stone structures including walls, pavements and cellars made 600 years ago. Enjoy the sunset and Ionian Sea view with sails-shaped rocks from the Lighthouse of Keri. Get comfortable in the restaurant right in the Lighthouse sipping Keri wine – best in Zakynthos.
Hike through numerous villages, covered with pine trees, cypresses and glooming gardens: Agalas has 12 stone active wells and the Damianos cave with stalactites and stalagmites, Exo Hora has the most typical Zakynthian architecture, Gyri is located highest of all and offers a trail to Vrahionas Mount, buy local olive oil, wine and honey right from the Agricultural Cooperative of Melissiotises in Kiliomenos village, Argassi is the liveliest village with crazy nightlife.
Choose your beach: populous beaches are alternated with deserted ones. Laganas bay and Marathonisi beaches host many turtles. Xigia is rich with therapeutic waters.
Listen to local music: playful arekia, lyrical kantades and serenades were developed here. The first philharmonic orchestra was also established here.
Taste local specialities: skordostoubi (spicy aubergines), stifado (veal, tomato, onion, garlic) and sartsa (veal with ladotiri cheese in casserole).
Zacynthus was the son of the legendary Arcadian chief Dardanus. He sailed from the coast of Elis to the opposite island and became its first settler which was afterwards called Zakynthos after him. Zakynthos is depicted on the flag of Zakynthos.
Zakynthians participated in the Odyssey.
Artemis, the Goddess of hunting, used to wander around the green woods of Zakynthos while her brother, Apollo, played his lira under the bay trees and chanted the beauty of the island.
