Zakynthos island, also known as Zante, is located in the Ionian Sea, south of Kefalonia and west of Peloponnese. It is a fertile land with rich, dense vegetation and mountains covered with pines.
Zakynthos town is the capital and main port of the island located on the eastern side.
Its beautiful sandy beaches with crystalline waters attract thousands of visitors. The island is famous for the Caretta-Caretta sea turtle, which visits the golden sand beaches to lay their eggs during the reproduction period.
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos
A Little Bit of History
The island has been inhabited since the Neolithic times and according to Homer, Zakynthos, son of king Dardanos of Troy, and his men were the first inhabitants of this island.
The island was then conquered by King Arkeisios of Kefalonia and then by King Ulysses.
It became the first independent democracy in the Hellenic area and it lasted for nearly 650 years.
Due to its fertile land, the inhabitants became wealthy and established colonies in Crete, Paros and Spain. The islanders had their own municipality, laws, parliament and coins.
Port of Zakynthos
The island developed culturally and materially under the Romans. Christianity arrived in 34 AD and became dominant during the Byzantine Empire in the 3rd century.
Then the island came under the Venetians, Franks, King of Naples and then the Prince of Florence successively.
The French came in 1797 followed by the Russians and Turks. The French managed to take back the island, but the British came and stayed from 1814-1864.
The English modernized and developed the administration and public works on the island. Zakynthos was integrated to the Greek State in 1864.
The panorama of Zakynthos
The major festivals and celebrations here are the feast days of the Virgin Mary and Agios Dionysios, patron saint of the island.
Other than this there are some religious festivals, a Wine Festival, and Backgammon and Poker Festival.
The island is famous for its local wine, olive products, jewelry and leather goods.
Where is Zakynthos?
- 8.4 miles/ 13.6 km from Laganas, Greece
- 206.9 miles/ 333 km from Athens, Greece
- 368.4 miles/ 593 km from Thessaloniki, Greece
- 255.3 miles/ 411 km from Corfu, Greece
- 9 miles/ 14.5 from Dionysios Solomos Airport, Zakynthos
- 82 miles/ 132 km from Kefalonia Airport, Kefalonia
- 57.2 miles/ 92.1 km from Araxos Airport, Greece
Things to See
- Agios Dionysios Church
- Byzantine Museum
- Ruins of the Venetian Castle
- The Solomos and Kalvos Museum
- Monastery of Yperagathou
- Blue Caves
- The Naval Museum
- Scuba Diving
Beaches
- Kalamaki Beach
- Navagio Beach
- Lagana and Gerakas Beaches
- Porto Limnionas Beach
- Alikanas, Argasi, Agios Sostis, Tsilivi, Spanzia, Porto Zoro and Alikes are some of the other famous beaches of this island
Excursions
- Maherado
- Volimes
- Marathonisi Islet
The beautiful green Zakynthos Island surrounded by the blue waters of the Ionian Sea makes a perfect holiday destination.
Enjoy in the sunniest island in the Mediterranean and get immersed in the rhythms of the life of the locals.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!
