A quick look at Zakynthos Island, Greece: "The Flower of the East'

Zakynthos , Greece (also called Zante by many visitors) is one of the most frequented islands in the Ionian cluster. It is famed for a variety of characteristics that set it apart from all other islands. Its lush hillsides and plains are full of fragrant wild flowers and plants, while its sandy beaches are considered some of the finest in all of Greece, such as the famous beach of Navagio, (" Shipwreck Beach").

A few of the Zakynthos beaches are home to the endangered Caretta-Caretta turtles, which come to lay their eggs in the soft sands. The areas where the Caretta-Carettas lay their eggs are protected by special markers so visitors do not disturb the hatchlings. The surrounding islets are also beautiful, with azure waters and pristine beaches. Zakynthos (Zante) Greece is a favorite holiday spot for all types of tourists, as it offers facilities for party-goers, nature lovers, history buffs and family travelers. The natural environment of Zakynthos is the main reason why the island has recently developed into a holiday spot for alternative-style vacations. The excellent range of Zakynthos Greece hotels, apartments, villas, studios and rooms for rent offered on the island is astounding, making it easy to find the Zakynthos hotel that suits your needs and budget.

Visitors can find a wide array of entertainment venues throughout the island, ranging from exciting clubs and bars, to relaxing cafes and tavernas. Some areas offer great nightlife, of which the most popular are Zakynthos Town, Laganas, Alikes, Argasi and Alikanas.

While on Zakynthos Island (Zante), you will definitely want to do a little touring. There are a number of impressive historical monuments and natural sites that are worth visiting. Zakynthos villages, are extremely quaint, especially the ones on the hillside that offer visitors a “taste” of the traditional lifestyle of Zakynthos, Greece. Your best bet would be to get in touch with a preofessional Zakynthos car rentals agency to hire a car to tour the island.

Zakynthos Greece Hotels (Zante)

Are you planning your holidays in Zakynthos, Greece and are searching for suitable accommodation? Don't fret because you will find a wide range of Zakynthos accommodation, catering to all price ranges. You can select the accommodation of your choice from a variety of Zakynthos hotels and rooms for rent, as well as Zakynthos apartments and studios, depending on your particular needs. If you are travelling with your significant other, you may prefer a Zakynthos hotel or a spacious room to let, while if you are travelling with your family or friends, a Zakynthos apartment may be your best bet. Very large groups are advised to look into renting Zakynthos villas.

Zakynthos Greece hotels can be found throughout the island, so you can easily book the accommodation of your choice, whether you want a sea view or a mountainside vista. Some Zakynthos apartments, studios and hotels can provide guests with all inclusive holidays in Zakynthos Greece, including accommodation, car rental and excursions. You can ask the management of your Zakynthos hotel for more information.

For further information that will help you choose a hotel in Zakynthos, Greece, see a list of Zakynthos apartments, studios, villas and rooms.

Zakynthos Greece Beaches (Zante)

If you have chosen Zakynthos, Greece as your holiday destination, you probably know about its spellbinding beaches. They are the reason why so many visitors plan their vacation on Zakynthos (Zante).

In Zakynthos you can swim at long sandy beaches lined with chaise longues and umbrellas, and small coves that embrace sparkling blue waters. Some beaches, such as Navagio Beach, can be reached by tour boat from the island's major seaside resorts. Other Zakynthos beaches offer water sports facilities, cafes and tavernas. Zakynthos beaches are extremely lovely because they are surrounded by verdant hillsides or impressive cliffs. We suggest purchasing a detailed Zakynthos map to mark the island's best beaches.

The eastern coast of Zakynthos Greece is packed with beautiful beaches where most visitors spend their days soaking up the warm Ionian sun and taking dips in the crystal-clear waters. North of Zakynthos Town are the popular beaches of Tsilivi, Bouka, Alikanas, Alykes and Xigia. If you prefer quieter Zakynthos beaches, visit Kato Tragaki, Ammoudi and Makris Gialos.

South of the capital town of Zakynthos (Zante) are the cosmopolitan beaches of Argasi, Banana, Agios Nikolaos and Vasilikos. After Vasilikos Beach, you will come across Laganas Bay, which is the location of the much-frequented beaches of Laganas, Porto Koukla and Kalamaki, a major breeding ground for the Caretta-Caretta turtle.

The beaches on the western shore of Zakynthos (Zante) are absolutely stunning, and are accessed by tour boat. Hundreds of visitors gather at the beaches Linionas and Navagio (“Shipwreck Beach ”), the most popular and most photographed beach on Zakynthos Island, where people lay their towels around a shipwreck.

We also recommend taking a short boat trip to Marathonissi Island (a favourite Caretta-Caretta Beach ) and to the Blue Caves, where you have the opportunity to swim is spectacular azure waters.

Zakynthos Greece Nightlife – Zakynthos Greece Events

You can find a large number of nightlife venues in Zakynthos (Zante), mainly in the popular tourist resorts of Laganas, Argasi, Alikes and Alikanas, where clubs and bars line the main streets. Zakynthos Town and Vasilikos are wonderful locations if you want to have a meal, with the accompaniment of a Zakynthian cantata. While in Zakynthos Greece you should taste the local delicacies which are served at the traditional tavernas and restaurants, such as cock in a wine sauce, rabbit in a tomato sauce and the local sweet called “fytoura” (fried semolina with cinnamon and sugar), which is sold at stands by the port and in pastry shops.

For a “taste” of traditional Zakynthian lifestyle, we suggest attending some of the local festivities and events. In Zakynthos Town, Tragaki and Volimes, a variety of cultural events are held throughout the year, including concerts, theatrical plays and dance performances. Zakynthos Town is also the host of the Mardi Gras celebrations and the festival of Agios Dionysios on August 24. On the first Sunday in July, the Agia Mavra Church in Machairado holds its festival, while the Church of Agia Paraskevi in Volimes celebrates on July 26. Vasilikos is famous for its festival of the Virgin Mary on August 15. If you plan to come to Zakynthos (Zante) in Easter, you will have the opportunity to witness the Easter litanies.

Zakynthos Greece Sights & Attractions

Get ready to take hundreds of Zakynthos pictures because the island is full of splendid sights and attractions! Before embarking on your tour of the island, you should acquire a Zakynthos map that includes all the important tourist attractions of the island.

In Zakynthos Town, there are a plethora of wonderful historical and religious monuments. The Orthodox Churches of Agios Dionysios, the patron saint of the island, and Agios Nikolaos of Molos, as well as the Catholic Church of St. Mark, are quite impressive. History aficionados will be interested in visiting the Museums of the National Resistance and the Post-Byzantine Era, while the Museum of the poet Dionysios Solomos - author of the National Anthem of Greece - and other pre-eminent Greeks should not be missed. Above Zakynthos Town, you can visit the Venetian Fortress Ruins and the area of Bochali, lined with cafes and offering a breathtaking view of Zakynthos Port and Town.

After touring the capital of Zakynthos (Zante) Greece, you can visit the excellent sights on the rest of the island. For those who want to see ecclesiastical art, the Monasteries of Agios Andreas and Agios Georgios in Volimes, the Churches of Agia Mavra and Agios Timotheos in Machairado, and the Churches of Agios Nikolaos and Evangelistria in Ano Gerakari and Kato Gerakia are worth visiting. Zakynthos is packed with lovely natural sights and views. Marathonissi Island, located in Laganas Bay, has white sand and is the breeding area of the Caretta-Caretta Turtle. You can reach Marathonissi Island by tour boat from the town of Keri. The Blue Caves are a spellbinding natural wonder at the northern tip of Zakynthos, surrounded by turquoise waters. Tour boats depart from Agios Nikolaos throughout the day. The view from the Kambi Cliffs on the western side of the island is absolutely magical. In Keri, you can visit the Spring of Herodotus, from which tar and sulphurous waters flow.

There are several splendid archaeological sights on Zakynthos Island, Greece the finest of which is the Mycenaean Domed Tomb in Keri and the Mycenaean Graveyard in Kambi. The Stone Bridges in Alykes and Argasi are some of the most photographed sights on the island. In Argasi, we suggest you also make a stop at the Medieval Castle and the Mini Zoo. If you are a museum-goer, you can admire the collections at the Folklore Museums in Katastari and Vasilikos, or the Maritime Museum in Tsilivi.

Zakynthos Greece Weather – Zakynthos Greece Climate

The climate of Zakynthos Greece is perfect for a relaxing holiday. Zakynthos (Zante) has mild and rainy winters with frequent rainfall, resulting in the island's lush vegetation. Summer Zakynthos weather is hot and dry, but temperatures are pleasant, since cool breezes come from the Ionian Sea. Spring and fall Zakynthos weather is lovely and warm during the day, but just a little chilly in the evenings. We recommend taking a light jacket with you if you plan to come to Zakynthos (Zante) in the spring or fall.

The temperatures in Zakynthos Greece from January to March, range from 10°C to 17°C. In April and May Zakynthos weather is warmer, with temperatures ranging from the high teens to the mid 20s. The summer can get quite warm, and is highly appreciated by avid sunbathers and swimmers. From June to September temperatures are between the high 20s to the mid 30s. Autumn Zakynthos weather is still sunny though a bit cooler, as temperatures range in the high teens to the mid 20s. Late November and December are characterized by temperatures in the low teens and rainfall.

The Meltemi wind gusts in Zakynthos, Greece in July and August, cooling the warmest days of the year.

Ferries and Flights to Zakynthos Greece – Zakynthos Car Rentals

Ferries & Flights to Zakynthos (Zante) Greece
You can reach Zakynthos Island Greece by airplane or ferry boat. There are domestic flights to Zakynthos Greece from the Athens Airport all year round. You can also find charter flights to Zakynthos from the UK, Italy, France, Holland, the Czech Republic and other European countries. Many airline companies have special offers for cheap flights to Zakynthos Airport, especially during the low and middle tourist seasons, including last minute deals and student Zakynthos airfare. If you are interested in cheap flights to Zakynthos Airport, you can ask your travel agent for budget Zakynthos airfare.

Ferry boats to Zakynthos (Zante) depart from Kyllini Port in the Elia Prefecture of the Peloponnese. Ferry boats to Zakynthos Greece are quite frequent, especially during the summer, when thousands of visitors have planned their Zakynthos vacations. You can reach Kyllini Port by bus from Athens. Zakynthos is connected to Kefallonia Island by ferry boat.

Car Hire in Zakynthos (Zante) Greece
A practical and comfortable way of getting around Zakynthos Island is by rental car. The island is full of reliable Zakynthos car hire companies that can provide you with high-quality car rentals during your stay.

If you are interested in car hire in Zakynthos Greece, click here to view our Zakynthos Car Rental Agencies' page.