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Zakynthos (Zante)

- Fiore di Levante
Zakynthos (Zante) shipwreck - navagio

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Zakynthos (Zante) Island or fiore di levante - the flower of the East as it was called by the Venetians, is a fertile island with olive trees, vineyards and a rainbow of flowers, and offers to the visitors an easy going pace of life, vibrant night life coupled with small friendly resorts with excellent beaches. It is the perfect playground for adults and children too.

Loggerhead Turtles (Carreta - Caretta) has used southern shores of Zakynthos (Laganas and Kalamaki) to nest and lay their eggs. In the evening female turtles can be seen resting in the shallow waters. Noise and lights can disorientate them and make them uncertain as to where to lay their eggs. Thus there are designated areas of the beaches set aside for the turtles.

  • Getting There

    There are daily flights from Athens and several charter flights from Europe. There ferries from Kefalonia, Corfu and several schedules a day from Kilini (Peloponnese).

  • Getting Around

    Bus service in Zakynthos is good. Car and motor bike hire is available.
    Taxis are plentiful.

Zakynthos Beaches

Alykes Beach, Zakynthos
Alikes, long sandy beach with water sports, bars restaurants and tavernas.
Argassi, long and narrow sand and shingle beach with coves
Banana Beach, wide and sandy.
Kalamaki, long sandy beach with shallow water
Laganas, very long sandy beach, the most popular in Zakynthos
Makrys Yialos , pebble beach with crystal clear waters
Navagio (Wreck), famous beach with white sand, reachable by boat
Porto Roma, excellent sandy beach
Tragaki, sand and shingle beach
Tsilivi, long fine sandy beach -one of the best on the island- with water sport facilities

Touring Zakynthos Island

Zakynthos
Zakynthos Town the capital was rebuilt after the destructive earthquake in 1953. Its setting is superb, on a bay facing Peloponnese, with the ancient acropolis hovering above, with a fertile central plain, with the one side flanked by a wooden hillside and the other by Mount Skopos.
Places of great interest include the Neo-Byzantine Museum (near the town hall in Platia Solomou) with a splendid collection of Ionian art rescued from churches, the church Kyra tou Angelou which was built in 1687 with icons by Panagiotis Doxaras, the Faneromeni church (15th century), the Solomos Museum with mementoes of the poets, the Venetian Fortress with excellent views.

Agia Marina
is worth a trip for the church with the beautiful baroque altar screen.

Argassi
is lively, traditional resort becoming more popular each year. The beach is narrow and about one kilometer long and offers a variety of water sports.

Kalamaki
is a relaxing family resort, an extension of Laganas beach, with golden sands and crystal clear waters. As Kalamaki beach is the nesting place of the loggerhead turtle (Careta Careta), there are no water sports and no one is allowed on the beach after sunset.

Kambi
is the favourite spot for sunset tours. In Kambi there are two tavernas at the top of the cliffs, 300 meters above the sea with spectacular view.

Keri
is in the south-west corner of the island, remoted, 200 meters above the sea. Close to the village is a white lighthouse with splendid view to the sea. Swimming in Keri caves (boat from Zakynthos or Laganas) is an unforgettable experience. Further to the south, Kamares (arches) of Marathia (rocky arches/bridges above the sea) are spectacular.

Laganas
is the most popular and biggest holiday spot in Zakynthos with a magnificent 5 kilometers sandy beach with warm and clear waters. There is a brilliant selection of hotels, apartments, restaurants, tavernas, bars and clubs. There is a frequent bus service to Zakynthos Town.

Tragaki
is a relaxing place one and a half kilometer from Tsilivi. There is a small sandy and shingle beach.

Tsilivi
is becoming one of the most popular resorts of the island without the noise and bustle of the larger ones. Tsilivi has a long fine sandy beach with excellent views and offers a great selection of tavernas and bars. All kinds of watersports are available.

Useful Info

Population: 30,000
Hospital: 26950 49111
Tourist Police: 26950 27367
Police: 26950 22100
Port Authority: 26950 28117, 26950 28118

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