Couple that with fantastic accommodation options and soul warming Greek food everywhere, you have all you need for an amazing Greek getaway. If youre not one for stunning beaches, azure Mediterranean waters, and gorgeous vistas of olive tree-speckled mountains, then wed say count this one out. It overlooks the sea coast. Gerakas beach has been chosen to be the maternity home by Caretta Carettas, who have surely noticed that the Ionian view has a soothing ability. There are some facilities here including umbrellas and sunbeds for rent and the wonderful Porto Azzuro Beach Bar. This is a beautiful and broad stretch of sand about a 15-minute drive southeast from Zante Town. The castle is above Bochali and during the morning hours, you can visit it to see the remains of the old capital of the island. you are the type of person that Google searches for everything before visiting However, it has much more to offer tourists than just this extremely picturesque attraction. I've been to over 50 countries but my bucket list is the world, and some day I might check it off! The place to be to party on Zakynthos is Laganas. This large hotel is located on Solomos Square 90 meters from the beach and 20 meters from the port in Zante Town. You can choose to rent a boat and drive it yourself. Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Cove) 2. a foreign country, then I strongly suggest that you go ahead and type best beaches in Greece on your search Zakynthos, also known as Zante Island by locals, is an island in the Ionian sea known for its mesmerizing landscapes and stunning beaches. and food. Here youll find lots of different restaurants as well as souvenir shops and pretty much every kind of store you can find on Zakynthos Island. Solomos Square 2, Zante Town 291 00, Greece If you want beautiful seaviews, this is the place for you. The diving itself, for someone that normally dives in SE Asia and the Caribbean is not the most impressive. The answer is still the same: No. There is so much more to see on the island. However, if you are the type of visitor that is attracted more to the sleepy side of the island, then your options are plenty as well. The roads are not in the best shape but its not a dire situation. Zakynthos Island is in the Ionian Sea and the city of Zante points east facing the mainland. Scenic drives, hiking opportunities, fresh seafood, and colourful fishing towns are just some of the many things you can expect to experience on your trip to Canadas Zakynthos Greece (also known as Zante Island) is a small, stunning island that bobs in the Ionian Sea of western Greece. From Saint Markos Square walk along the gorgeous pedestrian-only Roma Street. Lets get started. Zakynthos - Paradise Among the Greek Islands? Zenfutura.com Theres not really a dramatic story behind the ornament of the famous There are also a few public buses per day that go here via Argassi town. Most packages involve about an hour for relaxing and exploring the beach before departure. Finally, there are also more off-beat hotels like the Ecoresort Hotel Zefyros, which sits closer to the Zante mountains and offers access to rural pursuits like trekking and horseback riding. Kolokotroni 2, Zakynthos, 29100, Greece When we were not on the west coast of the island, we drove the boat ourselves which was a first for me! Covering just over 400 square kilometers on the far eastern side of Greece, its famed for the jaw-dropping panoramas of Shipwreck Beach and the bumping nightlife resort of Laganas. The Shipwreck (or Navagio in Greek) beach is accessible only by boat. Snorkeling or diving, again, is a very natural way to observe turtles. Reading about the history of the beach is absolutely fascinating. The 1.5 kilometre-long seafront promenade that follows the harbour from The Monastery of Strofades ( ) to the Church Agios Nikolaos of Molos ( ) is a great place to walk. The pictures already induce the most amount of wanderlust possible, but yes it gets even better! However, In 1980, the Merchant ship named Panagiotis was smuggling cigarettes from Albania to Italy. Cruise To Zakynthos, A Hidden Ionian Gem - Avid Cruiser you will end up taking only a (no-doubt very cool) selfie, with the panoramic view of the beach. It just depends on where you want to leave from. My suggestion for Laganas is the Cocktails and Dreams club. Zakynthos, due to mild winter rainfall, is an extremely lush island. . Island), which is only approachable by boat and patiently wait for a turtle to The Most Unique Things to Do in Corfu in Winter! I don't plan to spend my entire time at the hotel beach - I would rather rent a car and explore some places on the island, if there are many :), Are there any other attractions worth a visit? When it comes to the nightlife, its all about what you are looking for as a traveler. Discover the best things to do in Naxos in this guide. (2023) How To Get Your Hacked Or Disabled Instagram Account Back: Guide To Facebook Support, The Perfect 5-Day Itinerary For Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Antelope Canyon, Ultimate Guide To Applying For Multiple Chase Ink Business Cards, The Ultimate Spreadsheet To Track Credit Card Churning, The Perfect Travel Itinerary For Madagascar. A Guide To All The Ionian Islands, Greece: Which Island Is The Best? While there are a few stretches of sand in Zante Town and nearby, these are more of the Urban-Style beaches and definitely arent the best beaches in Zakynthos (like Alykes Beach, Navagio Beach, Keri Beach, Xigia Beach and Gerakas Beach). Visiting The Venetian Castle in Zakynthos, Greece Having only visited Crete before Zakynthos which had some of the best food of my life, I was unsure how a smaller island like Zakynthos would stack up as its known for being such a party island.must eat gyros in Greece! Despite the popularity of its gorgeous beaches, the Greek island of Zakynthos (also known as Zante) has plenty to offer. In fact, the island boats a whopping 28 individually designated beaches, which equals almost one per day if you stay a whole month! Zakynthos: Half-Day Tour to Turtle Island and Keri Caves. Visit Navagio Beach (Not Applicable for 2023!) Other names you should have in mind while visiting are Porto Zoro, Dafni, Alikanas, Alikes and Porto Xygkia. Given the location, its also usually easy to get to Zakynthos after riding overnight ferries in from Italy via the port city of Patras. Blogs are great, but a combination of a blog and a guidebook is key to having the best access to information easily at your fingertips. Dont try to go there by car, as its very probable that your car will end up being a part of the Ionian view. Food & Drink. The one that prefers the You can book day trips and tours to visit the famous sights and youll be sorted. Upon arriving, you can either venture right or left from the parking lot. Chania or Heraklion: Which City in Crete is Right for You? The room rates include a decent breakfast in the morning and the rooms on the front of the building have lovely views out to the Ionian Sea. People will flock in from all over to witness it, with some even coming across from the Greek mainland and the neighboring island of Kefalonia. Nick's advice has been featured on the Lonely Planet, CNN Money, Business Insider, WiseBreadand Forbes and he spoke at the World Tourism Forum in Istanbul about the business of travel blogging. . 4.4/10 (345 Google Reviews) Its so much more relaxing. Small hint, you can go out on the balcony of the club and enjoy the view of the party street and possibly masses of drunk people. The second option has to be done by boat. The food is absolutely on point and I had some of the best octopus in Greece here. The 7 Reasons You Should Go in 2023 5 months ago 10 min read Is Zakynthos worth visiting? Driving in Zante, Greece - what to see when you hire a car This article will guide you through some of the best things to do in Zakynthos, from visiting hidden caves and wine museums to sunning on beaches with healing . So you heard it here first, dont try this! Soaring to over 700 meters above sea level, they offer oodles of untrodden donkey paths that shoot through olive groves and time-stood-still villages. However, if you did happen to want to crank up the adrenaline factor just a little, the island will oblige. You could also pay a visit to Museum of D. Solomos and A. Kalvos. We publish new content about the Balkans almost every day! 10 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do on Zkynthos Get answers to your questions about Kefalonia, Trip Reports & Holiday Memories - Please supply and read them here, Large Supermarkets en route to your destination, Nightlife & Clubs in and around Argostoli, Typical Taxi Transfer Prices from Airport 2014, New Restaurant at Paspalis: Baracca (Pizza). Driving on Zakynthos was largely fine. He was great and took us to some very deserted beaches that were just stunning. Check out ourAthens Instagram guide, thebest Athens day trips, and our completeAthens hotel guide. There is an international airport about 4.5 kilometres south of Zante Town. 10 Reasons You Should Visit Zakynthos Instead Of Santorini Lomvardou 20, Zakinthos 291 00, Greece And its exactly that and nothing less. There are some facilities on the beach, like change rooms, showers and toilets and there are sunbeds and umbrellas for rent here starting at 7 each. Theres not a great deal to see or do at the church itself but there is a pleasant beach next to it if you fancy a dip in the ocean or a drink. Nowadays its a nice place to walk around and its a decent walk up from the city. This is the moment we were all waiting for: Zakynthos food tips. Yes, thats what we sober ones do when you get drunk. Some of the most famous menu options include the rustic mountain stew with rabbit, feta, and red wine. All-in-all, Zante Town has a lot of charm and while it may not have the spectacular beaches like Navagio and Gerakas, its a great hub for exploring the rest of the island either by your own rental car or in some cases by using the developing public transport system. It's one where plenty of forested wilderness and traditional rural villages remain, but its the spectacular scenery of the rugged west coast, where mighty limestone cliffs plummet down to unreal turquoise waters, thats the true highlight. Hey mate the restaurant is lofos restaurant und pizzeria. They have unobstructed views of the entire island as well as the church in the distance. At this time the island is roasting hot so you may want to spend most of your time at the beach, but its still a nice time to stroll down the shady streets of Zante Town. worth visiting - Review of Marathonisi, Zakynthos, Greece - Tripadvisor No spam, promise! Along with Saint Markos Square, Solomos Square is one of the most important squares in Zante Town. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Music is a huge part of the local cultureyou can catch a concert or festival almost any night of the week, and you'll be captivated by the sights and sounds of Zakynthos performers. 78 Lomvardou Str., Zakynthos Town, Greece +30 2695 026732 Website Improve this listing Ranked #19 of 118 Restaurants in Zakynthos Town 949 Reviews Cuisines: Greek Dining options: Breakfast, Late Night, Reservations LondonMjm London, United Kingdom 21 15 Reviewed September 22, 2019 Worth a visit It has locking zippers, slash-proof construction with metal mesh hidden in the fabric, and tons of other smart security features all while being cute and stylish enough to be our everyday bag. You can also subscribe without commenting. The southern and southeastern shorelines are dominated by heavy - and often low-quality - package tourism, although even here there are some attractive lower-key bases hiding just out of sight of the larger, run-of-the-mill resorts; examples include Keri and Limni Keriou in the remoter southwest. This small, pebbly beach is located right in the center of Zante Town along the coast. What to do in Zakynthos Town and its surrounding areas Some links on this site contain affiliate referrals. Click Here to learn more about visiting Gerakas Beach area and Click Here to learn more about swimming with the turtles here and in other parts of Zakynthos. However, if you rent a car, then mos tof the areas on the east side of the island are accessible. Of course, Zakynthos is also known for limitless partying among British teens, and a large number of visitors choose to visit for this reason and only. The best times of the year to visit Zakynthos are spring and fall. Today's visitors to the southernmost Ionian Island (known as Zakynthos in Greek) would agree, though they come mostly for its iconic beaches - Lagana, Tsilivi, Argassi, Kalamaki, Alykes - where British . The right will be a short walk to a breath-taking viewpoint over the cliffs and crags. There are ropes, stairs, and things to grab on to that kind of reminded me of my hike in Lions Head, Cape Town. They do great moussaka, some tasty pastas and excellent seafood dishes. The beach itself is of course spectacular in beauty but the huge rusting boat in the middle of the beach adds that dramatic factor that you cant find anywhere else. There are far less tourists on Zakynthos than in Santorini. In this post, Im going to explain everything youll need to know about visiting Zante Town including the best places to stay, the best restaurants, the best places to walk, the best nearby beaches and more. Every room has A/C, flat-screen TVs, an iron and a fridge with private bathrooms, free wifi and some have a view of the plaza. You dont have to be in Laganas to get your fix of nightlife on Zante though. Theres also a great pedestrian-only walkway that cuts through the most charming part of the city and a few open plazas and parks to enjoy as well. Would you mind sharing the link to them please? Zakynthos 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor I rented a car for almost 2 weeks that I took to explore Zakynthos and Kefalonia. Single sunbeds cost 4 while a set of 2 with an umbrella will set you back about 8 for the day. There are plenty of hotels here, great restaurants, fascinating churches and a lovely seafront walkway that stretches on for about 1.5 kilometres along the harbour on the east side of town. While there might not be as much nightlife here as in other places on the island like Laganas, and the beaches near town arent blue flag accredited beauties like Navagio Beach and Gerakas Beach, there is still plenty to keep you busy in Zante Town. How to Visit the Thessaloniki Christmas Market for a Wonderful Greek Christmas. Agios Nikolaos beach (Saint Nicolas) is the ultimate fun summer setting. How to Live in Bali Permanently: Making the Dream a Reality, P&O 1 Week Iona Norwegian Fjords Cruise 2023 (HONEST Review). Inspiration The 26 best Greek islands to visit in 2023 'The isles of Greece, the isles of Greece, eternal summer gilds them yet' By Rachel Howard and Cond Nast Traveller 23 March 2023 Zakynthos, also called Zante, is widely known among British teenagers and young adults, who are regular visitors of Laganas. Any fellows from Greece here? I heard some people actually tried climbing down from the viewpoint at the very top which after being there in person, is a big WTF? way I see it, there are always two types of travelers. Located high up in the mountains next to the Agios Nicholas Church, this is one of my favorite meals in Zakynthos. Youll sit in the shade of painted plane trees there and enjoy a real smorgasbord of Greek sharing dishes. Zante Town is located on the eastern coast of the Island of Zakynthos. In more recent history, in 1953 the island was rocked by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake with destroyed many of the buildings in the city. The food here is also very tasty as I had some of the best lamb chops of my life here. Once famous for the sulphur mud thats found here (nowadays the mud is closed off to tourists due to erosion), Gerakas Beach is still one of the best beaches on the island for families and for spotting the amazing Loggerhead Turtles which frequently nest on the sand and swim in the waters here. then you might just have found that next vacation paradise. But you dont have to take to the skies to reach Zakynthos either. What to Do in Zante Town Beaches The beach in Zante Town The beach of Zakynthos Town which is mostly pebbles rather than sand, extends for 2 km from Solomos Square (see its position on Google maps) to Kapo Krioneri / Akrotiri and is visited mostly by Greeks on weekends. There are a lot of these so be very mindful which paths you choose! Follow me for my occasional updates on travel, finance. If you are more than 2 people, this is a no brainer. Located about a 45-minute drive west from Zante Town is the lovely village of Keri. Local food and a father and daughter serving you will make you feel welcome in the best possible way! The hotel would be in Argasi and I really want to see the Navagio beach but it would be an 1 hour ride. Couple that with fantastic accommodation options and soul warming Greek food everywhere, you have all you need for an amazing Greek getaway. I experienced both sides of the island and I still cannot understand, how this can be true but it is. This island manages to pull together a number of the great things about Greek destinations. On the left side, will be a hike down towards the rocks and beach. On either end of those dates, the sea will be a little bit too chilly for swimming, but its a great time to visit because there are much fewer crowds. Worth a visit - Review of Thymalos, Zakynthos Town, Greece - Tripadvisor Early in the morning, youll see the goings-on of this bustling port center, with ferries and boats arriving and leaving, as well as fishermen selling fresh fish. On the way, you can pass through Keri Beach area, which is great for a swim and lunch, then continue on to Keri Village which is up on the cliffs on the craggy western side of the island. On your way to Vasilikos, the taverna O Aderfos tou Kosta is an amazing choice.