Zakynthos Island
Zakynthos Island
Zakynthos (also known as Zante) is an idyllic Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the third largest of the Ionian Islands. Zakynthos is the ideal holiday destination for people who love gorgeous beaches with crystal clear waters, stunning natural sights and lush landscapes. It covers an area of 405.55 square kilometres and its amazing coastline is roughly 123 kilometres in length. This magnificent island offers a unique blend of nature, recreation and culture. Its nickname is "the Flower of the East", bestowed upon it by the Venetians who were in possession of Zakynthos from 1484 to 1797. Home to the world famous Shipwreck Beach and Blue Caves, it is considered as one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean.
1. Shipwreck Beach
The world famous Shipwreck is one of the most photographed beaches in the world and a pole of attraction for thousands of people every year. It gained its popularity when the smuggling ship "Panagiotis" washed up on the shore in 1980. "Panagiotis" was carrying a freight of contraband cigarettes from Turkey, when it was pursued by the Greek Navy. Encountering stormy weather, it ran aground in a shallow cove, where it was abandoned by its crew. This amazing beach, with the crystal clear blue waters and imposing cliffs, is only accessible by the sea.
2. Blue Caves
This is one of the top natural sights on the island. The magnificent Blue Caves are located just below the lighthouse of Cape Skinari in northern Zakynthos. The distinctive characteristic of these caves is that they reflect the striking blue color of the waters in them, creating a stunning atmosphere. The impressive arches, created by erosion along thousands of years, will allow you to enter the caves and wander into this magical environment. You can visit the Blue Caves by renting a boat or participate in one of the excursions organized by local travel agencies.
3. Marathonisi
Marathonisi island (also known as the Turtle Island) is a small uninhabited island in the bay of Laganas. It is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which is the spawning place of the Caretta-Caretta loggerhead sea turtles. This amazing turtle-shaped island is completely covered in dense vegetation and offers a wonderful landscape. It has two main beaches with crystal clear waters and several beautiful sea caves. You can visit Marathonisi by renting a boat or participate in one of the excursions organized by local travel agencies.
4. Mizithres
This is one of the most imposing natural sights in Zakynthos. Mizithres are two huge rocks jutting out of the crystal clear blue waters, below the lighthouse of Keri. The two conical rocks are called the Small and Big Mitzithra. Next to Mizithres is a beautiful beach that was created fairly recently, when part of a cliff slid down into the sea and shaped a small coast. You can admire Mizithres either by sea (you may rent a boat or participate in an organised trip) or by land (there is a great viewpoint in Keri village where you can view Mizithres from above).
5. Porto Limnionas
The stunning Porto Limnionas is located 25 kilometers from Zakynthos Town, close to Agios Leon village. Surrounded by dazzling blue waters and imposing cliffs, this bay is a little paradise on earth. The sea is crystal clear and quite cold as there are underwater currents as well as an underwater river coming from within a very long and not fully explored cave. Porto Limnionas is ideal for snorkeling as there are many caves and a wide variety of fish. Those who prefer to soak in the sun can settle down on one of the flat rocks near the water.
6. Marine Park
The enchanting National Marine Park of Zakynthos is one of the most important breeding areas of the endangered Caretta-Caretta loggerhead sea turtle, which is considered one of the oldest forms of life on the planet. The nesting habitat comprises five beautiful sandy beaches: Gerakas, Daphni, Sekania, Kalamaki and Laganas. It also encompasses the islets of Marathonisi, Pelouzo and Strofadia, as well as the wetland of Keri Lake. The Marine Park is located along the southern coast of Zakynthos island and covers an area of 135 square kilometres.
7. Gerakas Beach
Gerakas is one of the most impressive sandy beaches in the Mediterranean and definitely one of the top in Greece. The beach is very long and wide with golden sand and crystal clear waters. It is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which is the spawning place of the Caretta-Caretta loggerhead sea turtles. Gerakas beach is located in the southeastern part of the island, in the beautiful village of Vasilikos. Its shallow waters make it ideal for all ages and the lush surroundings of the wider area offer plenty of opportunities for hiking or cycling.
8. Xigia Beach
Xigia beach is located on the north-east coast of Zakynthos island. This beautiful small beach offers a unique chance to enjoy a health spa for free! One of the first things that will strike you as you approach the beach is the amazing turquoise colour of the sea. This is due to the natural spring water that flows into the sea picking up sulphur through the rocks. You can actually see the undissolved minerals pouring into the sea in some areas. This flow of sulphur into the sea produces a natural spa which has a number of healing properties.
9. Bochali
Bochali is a beautiful village situated on a lush hill, just 1 kilometre away from Zakynthos town. It offers exceptional views of the town as well as many options for entertainment and dining. In a short walking distance from Bochali centre, you can find the Venetian Castle (built in 1480), which offers a great opportunity to familiarize with the history of the island. Another fascinating sight nearby is the Strani Hill, where Dionisios Solomos, the national poet of Greece, wrote the “Hymn to Liberty” that later became the national anthem of Greece.
10. Kampi Cross
The Kampi Cross is located on Schiza mountain, in the picturesque village of Kampi. It was erected in remembrance of the lives lost during the Greek Civil War and the World War II. The monument is made of cement and due to its huge dimensions it can be spotted from far away. The lush area surrounding the Kampi Cross offers spectacular views across the Ionian Sea and is a great place to enjoy the famous Kampi sunset. The village of Kampi is preserving the authentic traditional Greek way of life and is a charming place to stroll around.
1. Shipwreck Beach
The world famous Shipwreck is one of the most photographed beaches in the world and a pole of attraction for thousands of people every year. It gained its popularity when the smuggling ship "Panagiotis" washed up on the shore in 1980. "Panagiotis" was carrying a freight of contraband cigarettes from Turkey, when it was pursued by the Greek Navy. Encountering stormy weather, it ran aground in a shallow cove, where it was abandoned by its crew. This amazing beach, with the crystal clear blue waters and imposing cliffs, is only accessible by the sea.2. Blue Caves
This is one of the top natural sights on the island. The magnificent Blue Caves are located just below the lighthouse of Cape Skinari in northern Zakynthos. The distinctive characteristic of these caves is that they reflect the striking blue color of the waters in them, creating a stunning atmosphere. The impressive arches, created by erosion along thousands of years, will allow you to enter the caves and wander into this magical environment. You can visit the Blue Caves by renting a boat or participate in one of the excursions organized by local travel agencies.3. Marathonisi
Marathonisi island (also known as the Turtle Island) is a small uninhabited island in the bay of Laganas. It is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which is the spawning place of the Caretta-Caretta loggerhead sea turtles. This amazing turtle-shaped island is completely covered in dense vegetation and offers a wonderful landscape. It has two main beaches with crystal clear waters and several beautiful sea caves. You can visit Marathonisi by renting a boat or participate in one of the excursions organized by local travel agencies.4. Mizithres
This is one of the most imposing natural sights in Zakynthos. Mizithres are two huge rocks jutting out of the crystal clear blue waters, below the lighthouse of Keri. The two conical rocks are called the Small and Big Mitzithra. Next to Mizithres is a beautiful beach that was created fairly recently, when part of a cliff slid down into the sea and shaped a small coast. You can admire Mizithres either by sea (you may rent a boat or participate in an organised trip) or by land (there is a great viewpoint in Keri village where you can view Mizithres from above).5. Porto Limnionas
The stunning Porto Limnionas is located 25 kilometers from Zakynthos Town, close to Agios Leon village. Surrounded by dazzling blue waters and imposing cliffs, this bay is a little paradise on earth. The sea is crystal clear and quite cold as there are underwater currents as well as an underwater river coming from within a very long and not fully explored cave. Porto Limnionas is ideal for snorkeling as there are many caves and a wide variety of fish. Those who prefer to soak in the sun can settle down on one of the flat rocks near the water.6. Marine Park
The enchanting National Marine Park of Zakynthos is one of the most important breeding areas of the endangered Caretta-Caretta loggerhead sea turtle, which is considered one of the oldest forms of life on the planet. The nesting habitat comprises five beautiful sandy beaches: Gerakas, Daphni, Sekania, Kalamaki and Laganas. It also encompasses the islets of Marathonisi, Pelouzo and Strofadia, as well as the wetland of Keri Lake. The Marine Park is located along the southern coast of Zakynthos island and covers an area of 135 square kilometres.7. Gerakas Beach
Gerakas is one of the most impressive sandy beaches in the Mediterranean and definitely one of the top in Greece. The beach is very long and wide with golden sand and crystal clear waters. It is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which is the spawning place of the Caretta-Caretta loggerhead sea turtles. Gerakas beach is located in the southeastern part of the island, in the beautiful village of Vasilikos. Its shallow waters make it ideal for all ages and the lush surroundings of the wider area offer plenty of opportunities for hiking or cycling.8. Xigia Beach
Xigia beach is located on the north-east coast of Zakynthos island. This beautiful small beach offers a unique chance to enjoy a health spa for free! One of the first things that will strike you as you approach the beach is the amazing turquoise colour of the sea. This is due to the natural spring water that flows into the sea picking up sulphur through the rocks. You can actually see the undissolved minerals pouring into the sea in some areas. This flow of sulphur into the sea produces a natural spa which has a number of healing properties.9. Bochali
Bochali is a beautiful village situated on a lush hill, just 1 kilometre away from Zakynthos town. It offers exceptional views of the town as well as many options for entertainment and dining. In a short walking distance from Bochali centre, you can find the Venetian Castle (built in 1480), which offers a great opportunity to familiarize with the history of the island. Another fascinating sight nearby is the Strani Hill, where Dionisios Solomos, the national poet of Greece, wrote the “Hymn to Liberty” that later became the national anthem of Greece.10. Kampi Cross
The Kampi Cross is located on Schiza mountain, in the picturesque village of Kampi. It was erected in remembrance of the lives lost during the Greek Civil War and the World War II. The monument is made of cement and due to its huge dimensions it can be spotted from far away. The lush area surrounding the Kampi Cross offers spectacular views across the Ionian Sea and is a great place to enjoy the famous Kampi sunset. The village of Kampi is preserving the authentic traditional Greek way of life and is a charming place to stroll around.
