Zante
Zakynthos, or Zante as the Venetians called it, is not merely an island: it is a chromatic emotion oscillating between the electri...
Updated 7 July 2026
Zante
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The story
The story of Zante
A history on the border between East and West
The roots of Zakynthos reach back into myth, already mentioned by Homer as part of Odysseus's kingdom. However, its deepest historical identity is tied to the long Venetian rule, lasting from 1484 to 1797. During these three centuries, the island became a cultural centre of primary importance, a bridge between Byzantine culture and the Italian Renaissance. The local nobility adopted Venetian customs and manners, fostering the development of the arts, music and literature. After the fall of Venice, the island passed under French and then British control, becoming part of the United States of the Ionian Islands before its final union with Greece in 1864. The year 1953 marked a tragic turning point: a violent earthquake almost entirely destroyed the town of Zakynthos. The subsequent reconstruction sought to preserve the neoclassical and Venetian layout, keeping alive the spirit of a community that managed to rise from its own rubble without losing its noble elegance.
Shipwreck Beach: the icon of Navagio
Navagio Beach is probably the most photographed image in all of Greece. This strip of dazzling white pebbles, enclosed between tall limestone walls, holds at its centre the wreck of the motor vessel Panagiotis, which ran aground in 1980 while smuggling cigarettes. The bright white sand and limestone seabed give the water a milky azure hue that appears almost unreal. Visiting the Navagio is an experience to be lived in two ways: from the sea, landing on the beach to touch the ship's rusted iron, and from above, reaching the panoramic viewpoint near the village of Anafonitria. From here, the view over the bay is vertiginous and allows you to fully grasp the majesty of Ionian nature. It is a fragile place, often subject to restrictions for visitors' safety, but it remains the undisputed symbol of the island's wild beauty.
The Church of Agios Dionysios and the spiritual heart
Located on the capital's seafront, the Church of Saint Dionysios is the island's principal religious building and holds the relics of the patron saint. Originally built in the 18th century, it was one of the few buildings to partially withstand the 1953 earthquake, before being carefully restored. The interior is a riot of Byzantine art, with richly detailed frescoes, silver chandeliers and an imposing gilded iconostasis. The bell tower, standing separate from the body of the church, clearly recalls the style of that of St Mark's in Venice, once again testifying to the unbreakable bond with the lagoon city. Every year, on 24 August and 17 December, the island comes to a standstill to celebrate its protector with solemn processions that draw the faithful from across the nation, offering an authentic glimpse of Greek devotion and tradition.
The Byzantine Museum and historical memory
Overlooking the vast Solomos Square, the Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos is an essential stop for anyone wishing to understand the island's artistic wealth before the earthquake. Its halls house an extraordinary collection of icons saved from destroyed churches, detached frescoes and sculptures spanning from the Byzantine period to the 18th century. Particularly valuable are the works of the so-called Ionian School, which blends Eastern hieratic style with the realism and perspective of Italian Renaissance art. The museum also houses a scale model of the town as it was before 1953, allowing visitors to imagine the old urban layout of arcades, stately mansions and narrow streets. It is a place of silence and beauty that restores dignity to the historical memory of a wounded yet proud community.
The village of Bochali and the Venetian fortress
On the hill overlooking the town of Zakynthos stands the picturesque village of Bochali. This district, partly spared from last century's destruction, is famous for its open-air cafes and the breathtaking view it offers over the harbour and the eastern coast. Not far away lie the remains of the old Venetian fortress (Kastro), built upon the ruins of the ancient acropolis. Walking among the pines and the remnants of the fortified walls, you can spot the lions of St Mark carved in stone, ancient prisons and the foundations of Catholic and Orthodox churches. The fortress is not just an archaeological site, but a nature park where history blends with the scent of resin and wild thyme, offering a refreshing break from the heat of the beaches and a privileged vantage point over the island's geography.
The Blue Caves and the northern coast
Along the coast running from Agios Nikolaos towards Cape Skinari open the spectacular Blue Caves. These are a series of natural arches and marine hollows carved by centuries of wave erosion. The peculiarity of these caves lies in the phenomenon of light refraction: the crystal-clear, deep water reflects sunlight onto the white walls of the caverns, creating an intense, luminescent blue effect that envelops everything, including bathers who dive in. The caves are accessible only by sea, with small boats able to venture into the narrowest passages. Continuing towards the Cape Skinari lighthouse, the landscape grows rugged and solitary, offering one of the most unspoiled and striking coastal stretches of the entire Ionian archipelago.
Marathonisi and the National Marine Park
Zakynthos is one of the main nesting sites for the Caretta caretta sea turtle in the Mediterranean. To protect this vulnerable species, the National Marine Park was established in the Gulf of Laganas. At the heart of this area lies Marathonisi, a small uninhabited island that curiously has the shape of a turtle. The island boasts two main beaches: one of fine sand, where turtles lay their eggs and where access is strictly regulated, and one of white pebbles with spectacular sea caves. Exploring these waters with low-impact boats or by kayak allows you to spot these ancient marine reptiles in their natural habitat, provided you respect the strict rules of conduct needed not to disturb their delicate life cycle.
The interior: Volimes and rural tradition
Moving away from the coast, Zakynthos reveals a genuine, rural soul. The village of Volimes, located in the mountainous north, is the heart of local craftsmanship. Here local women still display outside their homes hand-woven rugs, fine embroidery and tablecloths bearing traditional patterns. The interior is dotted with centuries-old olive trees, some over a thousand years old, which produce an intensely flavoured extra virgin oil. Visiting villages such as Maherado, with its Church of Agia Mavra and its Venetian bell tower, or Exo Chora, home to the island's oldest olive tree, means discovering a different Zakynthos, made of slow rhythms, the scent of burning wood and a cuisine drawn directly from the land's produce, far from the flows of mass tourism.
Keri and the sunset over infinity
At the south-western tip of the island lies the village of Keri, a place where nature reveals itself with primordial force. The village has preserved its stone houses and cobbled lanes, but the true draw is the lighthouse a short distance away. From this scenic point, the cliffs drop vertically for hundreds of metres into the sea below, where the Mizithres rise, two enormous white sea stacks emerging from the turquoise waters. As the sun sets, the sky above Keri turns fiery shades, offering one of the most spectacular sunsets in all of Greece. Beneath the cliffs also open the Keri Caves, less known than the Blue Caves but equally fascinating for their plays of light and the chance to snorkel in waters of absolute clarity.
Flavours and gastronomic traditions
The gastronomy of Zakynthos reflects its history, combining typical Greek ingredients with Venetian influences. A unique product is Ladotyri, a spicy pecorino-style cheese preserved in olive oil inside terracotta jars. Among the standout dishes is rabbit stew (kouneli stifado), cooked with red wine, onions and cinnamon, and spetsofai, a flavourful local sausage dish. Desserts are a chapter of their own: mandolato is a soft nougat with honey and almonds, a Venetian legacy, while fitoura is a humble sweet made of fried semolina sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, typical of religious festivals. You cannot leave the island without tasting Verdea wine, a dry, full-bodied white made from local grapes that pairs perfectly with the bold flavours of Zakynthian cuisine.
- Renting a private boat to explore the secret coves between Porto Vromi and the Navagio.
- Admiring the sunset from the Mizithres sea stacks, perhaps sipping a glass of Verdea.
- Visiting the Museum of Solomos and Distinguished Zakynthians to learn about the island's literary history.
- Snorkelling in the protected waters of Gerakas, respecting the turtle nesting areas.
- Getting lost among the textile craft stalls in the village of Volimes.
- Climbing up to Bochali in the evening to see the city lights reflected on the harbour.
Living Zakynthos: when to go and how to get around
Zakynthos enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, but its beauty truly bursts forth between May and June, when the island is in full bloom and temperatures are perfect for excursions. September is another excellent month, with the sea still warm and the summer crowds beginning to thin out. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, ideal for those seeking nightlife and entertainment, especially in the areas of Laganas and Tsilivi. To explore the island freely, renting a car or scooter is essential, as public transport connects the main centres well but does not reach the most secluded beaches or the inland villages. Living Zakynthos also means learning to adapt to its rhythms, allowing yourself an afternoon siesta before enjoying long evenings in the tavernas beneath the vine-covered pergolas.
FAQ
È possibile visitare la Spiaggia del Relitto a piedi?
Dove si vedono le tartarughe Caretta caretta?
Qual è la zona migliore dove alloggiare?
Quanto tempo serve per visitare l'isola?
Getting there
- Aeroporto Internazionale di Zante 'Dionysios Solomos' (ZTH), situato a circa 5 km dalla capitale.
- Non sono presenti linee ferroviarie sull'isola.
- Si arriva via mare con i traghetti dal porto di Killini (Peloponneso), con una traversata di circa un'ora. In estate esistono collegamenti anche con Cefalonia e l'Italia (Bari/Brindisi).
- Prenotate il traghetto in anticipo se viaggiate con auto al seguito durante i mesi di luglio e agosto.
Perfect for
Un paradiso per gli amanti dell'acqua, dalle spiagge sabbiose del sud alle grotte e falesie del nord.
Un mix affascinante di eredità veneziana, arte bizantina e tradizioni letterarie greche.
Ideale per l'ecoturismo grazie al Parco Marino e ai sentieri tra gli uliveti secolari dell'entroterra.
To see
