Book a Flight to Zakynthos from €40

Zakynthos: Built at the foot of a verdant hill, the city of Zakynthos or Chora was destroyed by the earthquake of 1953 and rebuilt anew on the ruins of the old town, without losing anything from its stately character. A central place and meeting point of the city is the vast Dionysios Solomos square on the seaside street, surrounded by the neoclassical buildings of the Byzantine Museum, the Cultural Centre and the Public Library. Next to it, stands the medieval church of Agios Nikolaos, built in 1561 and holding a special place in the hearts of locals, as it was where the Patron saint of the island, Agios Dionysios, served as priest. The cobbled Roma Street, is the commercial heart of the city of Zakynthos and an ideal spot for coffee, leisurely walks and window shopping. The busy street took its name from the Mansion of Alexandros Romas, at 19 Loukas Karrer Lane, and it is open to the public for a tour in the lifestyle of the aristocracy of Zakynthos in an era past.

Byzantine Museum: A museum worth visiting with an exceptional collection of icons dating from the Byzantine times to the 19th century. You will also see wood carved templa, frescoes of the 12th-13th century, painting masterpieces of great artists of the 17th-18th century from Zakynthos, sculptures from the Hellenistic, Byzantine and post-Byzantine era. The museum also includes an impressively detailed model of the town of Zakynthos, as it used to be before the earthquake.

Museum of Solomos, Kalvos and Other Eminent People of Zakynthos: Located at Agiou Markou square, the museum houses the tombs of the two great poets of Zakynthos, Dionysios Solomos (1798-1857) and Andreas Kalvos (1792-1869), as well as a series of documents and personal items of Solomos. The Museum also has collections with portraits of eminent people of Zakynthos, nobility coats of arms and photographs, furniture and costumes. www.museumsolomos.gr

“Grigorios Xenopoulos” Museum: Dedicated to the popular Greek writer, this small museum hosts personal items of Xenopoulos, publications of his works, issues of the magazine “I Diaplasis ton Paidon”, photographs and objects, furniture and utensils from the house of Xenopoulos family. Address: Gaita Street, Faneromeni District, www.zakynthos-net.gr/xenopoulos/index.htm

Bochali: The top destination for partying and relaxing with the narrow alleys and the impressive view of the town and the sea, the beautiful cafés and the restaurants where you can enjoy local dishes.

Venetian Castle: It stands at the top of the verdant hill in Bochali and offers an excellent view of the town. It is built on the ruins of the ancient acropolis (Psofida), and its walls that are preserved almost intact, were completed in 1646. Over the external gate you will see the Venetian emblem with Saint Mark's lions, while once inside the castle you will have the chance to see a 360 degrees view to the entire south side of the island.

The monastery of Agios Georgios at Gremna: Built in a dense forest near the mountain village of Anafonitria, the beautiful monastery was built in 1568 and was renovated in 1856. A little further from the monastery, there is the “balcony”; a natural plateau revealing the image of the famous “postcard”: below stretches the famous Navagio, the whitewashed beach with its trademark rusty ship that was carrying smuggled cigarettes and cast ashore in 1982.

The Lighthouse at Keri: At the south-west of the island stretches the seaside village of Limni Keri. From there you can take the boat to visit uninhabited Marathonissi, the Ionian version of the Caribbean with the whitewashed beach and the turquoise waters. A walk at mountain Keri is worth the while, as it is a traditional village with narrow alleys and old houses build around the enclosed central square. Walk up to the Lighthouse to enjoy a fascinating view to the open sea and the sunset. If you step a bit lower you will also see Myzithres, two huge rock cones that emerge from the sea to point at the entrance of the Keri Caves.

Beaches: Zakynthos has dozens of beautiful beaches, some accessible by streets and others only by sea, as well as beautiful places to explore and go diving. Most beaches are organised and many offer sea sports. Opt for Makrys Gialos, Vassilikos, Porto Koukla, Alykanas and pretty Dafni. Visit the fjords of Zakynthos, on the west coast, Porto Vromi, Porto Roxa and Porto Limnionas with its crystal waters and the small caves. On the fantastic sandy beach of Gerakas - as in most south beaches - are a habitat and spawning area for the Caretta - Caretta sea turtle. Naturally, the star of Zakynthos' beaches and one of the most famous in the world, Navagio [Shipwreck], at the north side of the island is a spectacular scenery of whitewashed rocks meeting the dazzling blue of the sea. Near Navagio, are the famous Galazies Spilies, with the crystal blue waters and the rocky passages. These two locations are accessible only by boat or ship. Trips are organised from the town, as well as with the boat from Schoinari and Porto Vromi.

In the centre of Chora, shops have the latest fashion in clothes, jewellery and accessories and art objects. For a more local note in your shopping, in Zakynthos you will also find amazing traditional products from small family businesses. Buy wine and olive oil, especially if you are visiting during harvest, hence you will have to look for fresh green olive oil. Furthermore, buy famous ladotyri and the traditional sweets pasteli, mantolato and fytoura. Visit the Agricultural Women Co-op of Koiliomenos and buy comb honey, pasteli and home-made trahanas. At Solomos winery you will find good local wines. Try “Lianoroggi”. Except its natural products, Zakynthos is also known for its textiles so you could buy original tablecloths, towels and other small textile crafts.

The quality of local products and the generosity of nature offer a special aroma to the cuisine of Zakynthos. Apart from the typical Mediterranean recipes try local dishes such as stuffed rabbit with ladotyri, the aromatic sofigadoura with cauliflower in red sauce and the delicious boutridia, a local version of vegetable stew that includes green beans, chard and okras. Do not forget to accompany your meal with the famous spicy ladotyri that matures in containers with olive oil and finish your meal with traditional “frygania” (rusk), a dessert like ekmek and made as one might expect, with rusks, milk and cream. You will find good restaurants mainly in the town of Zakynthos and in Bochali, as well as in various areas such as Argassi and Vassilikos. For your entertainment, in the town of Zakynthos there are beautiful cafés, restaurants and some bars, but if you want a more intense clubbing experience head for Argassi, the beach of Laganas and Tsilivi.

• Every year the most important theatre performances of the year are presented in the Flower of the Levant, in the framework of the festival “En Zakyntho Synantiseis Technis” (Art Meetings in Zakynthos), held mainly in the Open Air Municipal Theatre.
• Interesting and romantic, the Ionian Festival of Classical Music “Pavlos Karrer” held in July and August is developed on the axes of the cultural tradition of Zakynthos, with events such as the concert with works of the great composer from Zakynthos, Pavlos Karrer and the union of the world of classical music with new technologies and other arts. It is held in the open air theatre of Dermatoussa.
• One of the most important local events, the fair of Agios Dionysios on 24 August, celebrates the transfer of the relics of the Saint from the monastery at Strofadia to the church of the Saint, where they are kept to this day. The fair lasts for three days and culminates on 24 August with a majestic litany and fireworks. The Dormition of Agios Dionysios is celebrated with the same grandeur on 17 December.
• Giostra: If you want to watch real knight fights, Giostra is one of the oldest events in Zakynthos, with its history dating back in the 16th century. It is a horse-riding tournament, with two competitions. In the first, the ring competition, the knight has to pull a small ring from the wooden post were it is tied. In the second competition, the Mascaron Moro, the knight has to cut with his spear a feather, which is on the head of a human replica. This impressive feast is usually held during Carnival. Note that apart from locals, knights from across Europe, and mainly Italy, also participate in the feast

Transportation from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands in the “Dionysios Solomos” airport of Zakynthos, in the area of Laganas, 6km from the town. Recently renovated, the airport has a duty free shop, a café, a restaurant and car rental agencies. For your transportation you may call a taxi or use private means.