Show-stopping beauty and hidden depths. White beaches, sea turtles and a party atmosphere make Zante – or Zakynthos as the island is known in Greek – a favourite holiday destination in the magical Ionian Sea.
Love is nothing if it’s not authentic. And when it comes to finding authenticity amongst all the things to do in Zante, the villages have it all. There’s Kiliomenos, with its bell tower from another time, and Loucha, with its stone houses and cobblestone streets. For beautiful views, Kambi overlooks the bay of Schiza and Katastari the gulf of Alykes. And definitely head up to Ano Gerakari with its fabulous 360 degree view. If you time your village visit to coincide with a festival, you’ll experience the kantathes. Sung in the streets to the accompaniment of the mandolin and guitar, they were traditionally how islanders expressed joy and grief … and, of course, love.
The Venetians called Zakynthos “Fiore di Levante”, the Flower of the East. Every inhabitant and settler seems to have been inspired by the island. So for your inspiration, head to Bochali, a small village on a promontory at the back of the main town. Here you can explore a Venetian Castle and become acquainted with Dionysios Solomos, a local 19th-century poet who wrote (amongst other verses) the Hymn to Freedom that gave birth to the Greek national anthem.
From your seat on the caique, you’ll be treated to a procession of beaches around Zante, each seemingly more magical than the last: Tsilivi Gerakas, Vasilikos, Marathonisi … all ranking among the most splendid beaches in Greece. Not forgetting, of course, that Zakynthos landmark, Shipwreck Beach (Navagio), with its famous beached vessel that adds drama to the sandy setting, white cliffs and turquoise water. And then there’s the Blue Caves … not a beach, of course, but an unforgettable swimming spot. Come early in the morning or drop anchor the previous evening, so you can enjoy your first dive before the rest of the world arrives.
The sea around Zante was picked for Greece’s first marine park. This is where the rare caretta caretta sea turtles lay their eggs. In spring, these endangered creatures set off from the Libyan Sea and the southern Adriatic, not because they like the swim but because nature tells them to lay their eggs in the sands of Gerakas, Dafni, Kalamaki, Marathonisi and, especially, Sakania, east of Laganas, as they always have. If you’re lucky enough to witness this spectacle, please don’t disturb these beautiful creatures or their eggs.
Zante isn’t just about beaches. Take a stroll through lovely Bokhali, 2km from the centre of town, through alleyways lined with old houses and traditional cafes. You’ll find yourself stopping to admire the panoramic view of the harbour, Argassi, and the Bay of Laganas. And if you walk a bit higher, you’ll come to the castle, camouflaged by all manner of plant and shrub, where the Venetians had their island capital.
The church of St Dionysios draws visitors throughout the year as it houses the relics of the saint of the same name (also the island’s patron saint). The impressive church was built in 1926, with a three-aisled basilica and inner arch. Zante’s catastrophic earthquake of 1953 left it virtually undamaged. Miracle or just solid foundations?
A final cheers to Zante at the wineries. Set aside some time for a visit to a local winery, some of which go back centuries. Hundreds of hectares on Zante are devoted to vineyards and there are more than 60 different grape varieties.
The Ionian island goes by both names – Zakynthos, which is its Greek name, and Zante, its name in Italian. It was first mentioned as Zakynthos thousands of years ago in Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. It has a population of around 11,500.
How to Get There :
You can reach Zakynthos by boat from Kyllini Port or by plane from Athens to Zakynthos airport.
Famous For :
The most famous sight in Zante is Navagio beach, meaning shipwreck in Greek. The island is also a breeding place of the endangered caretta caretta sea turtles & the birthplace of Dionysios Solomos.
