Zakynthos
About Zakynthos
The Venetians dominated the island during the Middle Ages, Zakynthos called “Flower of the East” or else Flower of the East. Zakynthos is the southernmost and third largest of the Ionian Islands, located 8.5 nautical miles south of Kefalonia and 9.5 nautical miles west of the Peloponnese. Regarded as one of the most fascinating Greek islands, is full of contrasts with many picturesque villages and lush vegetation. Main attractions of the island is the beautiful Blue Caves and Shipwreck unlikely, which is considered one of the most popular in the world. As it has an ideal tourist destination for every taste!
Zakynthos is one of the Greek Ionian islands situated off the west coast of the Peloponnese. The island is one of the greenest and most beautiful archipelago and boasts some wonderful sandy beaches. The beaches of the island that make the island a magnet for thousands of tourists who come here from Easter until October. The busiest seaside resorts rival those of Corfu terms of frenzied nightlife and admirers of beautiful beaches. But if you go away from the main areas – resorts, you will find some lovely secluded coves, dramatic mountain scenery and unspoilt villages in the hinterland. Many tour-operator fly directly to the island’s international airport, six kilometers southwest of the town of Zakynthos. There is at least one daily flight to and from Athens and regular bus services linking the capital with the mainland port of Patras (3.5 hours) and continue for Athens (another seven hours).
Sights-Beaches
The most famous landmark of the island is Shipwreck Beach. It is a cove on the southwest shore, isolated by high cliffs and accessible only by boat. The beach and the seabed is made of white pebbles, and surrounded by turquoise waters. Named after a shipwreck (MV Panagiotis) which sunk on the shore around 1980. The area of Anafonitria has a small observation deck which overlooks the shipwreck and there is a monastery nearby. Numerous “Blue Caves”, cut into cliffs around Cape Skinari, which is accessible only by small boats. The sunbeams reflecting in the clear blue sea on the white stones of cave bottoms and walls, creating interesting effects. Keri is located in the far south of the island. It is a mountain village and has a lighthouse in the south. From there you can enjoy a panorama of the southern part of the Ionian. The whole western shore, from Keri until Skinari contains many interesting rocks, mainly arches. The northern and eastern shores contain numerous wide sandy beaches, many of which are packed with tourists during the summer months. The largest resort is Laganas, whose beach stretches a length of about 10 km. The small beach on the north Xigia noted for underwater springs rich in sulfur, which gives a characteristic odor. In Bochali Hill above the town of Zakynthos is a small venetian castle, and offers panoramic views over the city. Strani Hill, located on the other side of Bochali is the place where Dionysios Solomos wrote the national anthem of Greece. Marathonissi (also known as “Turtle Island” because of turtle-shape), an islet near Keri (the beach village of Keri – also known as Keri) is a small paradise, with tropical vegetation, turquoise beaches water and sea caves.
