Zakynthos, also called Zante (its Italian name) and Zakinthos Greece, is the third largest island in the Ionian Sea. The island is named after Zacynthos, son of legendary Arcadian chief Dardanos.
While Ios and Kos are associated with party, and Rhodes and Crete with families, Zakynthos is something between. The majority of all beaches, towns, etc. are located along the east coast, as the west coast is battered by strong winds.
Cities
Understand
Archaeological excavations have proved that Zakynthos was inhabited from the Nealithic Age. The island is first mentioned by the Greek poet and writer Homer. In his masterpieces, the Iliad and the Odyssey, he stated that the first inhabitants of Zakynthos were the son of King Dardanos, Zakynthos (which the island has been named after), of Troy and his men who settled around 1500-1600 BC.
Over the years the island was conquered by King Arkeisios of Kefalonia, and after him Ulysses from Ithaca. Later on Zakynthos became the first indepedent democracy in the Hellenic area, as a treaty was signed and it lasted over 650 years.
In the summer of 1953, Zakynthos was hit by two severe earthquakes, resulting to the total destruction of the islands infrastructure and most of its state archives. The most powerful of those quakes registered 7.3 on the Richter Scale occured on August 12 and was felt throughout almost the entire country. Only three buildings were left marerly standing: the St. Dionysios Cathedral, the National Bank building and the church of St. Nicholas "tou Molou". The rebuilding of the island was subject to a very rigid antiseismic code, and has thus withstood several moderate and powerful earthquakes at a minimal amount of damage, one as late as 2005.
Mining has been common on the island, today however the only activity is two quarries on the mountain range in the western part of the island. A small mountain located on Zakynthos west side was mined during the late 20th-century, though it is no longer in use. Today tourism is the most important source of income and Zakynthos is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece.
Talk
National language is of course Greek, but pretty much all inhabitants also speak English (probably due to the fact that British tourists are by far the largest fraction of tourists). German is spoken by many as well, and Italian is well-represented, especially in the northern parts of the island.
Get in
By plane
Zakynthos is served by one airport (airport code ZTH), located towards the south end of the island near to the resort of Laganas and Kalamaki, it caters for both international and domestic flights. Almost all international flights are chartered flights from other European cities during the holiday season (May-October). Domestic flights are available between Zakynthos airport and Athens, served by the national airline Olympic Airlines, there are usually two flights a day. The journey time to Athens is approximately 1 hour.
By ship
Zakynthos has ferry links to Kyllini on the Greek mainland from Zakynthos Town 6.5€. Ferries to Kefalonia can be joined at Aghios Nikolas, on the North-East tip of the island.
Get around
By public transport
Bus services on the island are rather infrequent and sometimes unreliable. Taxis, however, are not too expensive.
By car
The best way to get around is by rental car. There are literally dozens of rental agencies on the island besides the big ones. Preferrably get a 4WD car, as some attractions are located off the main roads.
By motorbike/scooters
Rental agencies abound. However, scooters may be somewhat painful to ride around the island, because it is very hilly, so get something with a little bit more power.
By bike
Cycling is a pleasant way of navigating the southern parts of the island, if somewhat impractical in the rougher, more hilly terrain of the north.
See
Zakynthos, due to mild winter rainfall, is an extremely lush island; the Venetians (who conquered it) referred to it as 'Il fiore del Levante'-- the Flower of the Levant. March-May is a particularly rewarding time to visit; the island is relatively low on tourists, the Easter parade takes place and the island blooms spectacularly with a myriad of colourful flowers and lush green hills. The best time to see Zakynthos is in May, when the main season hasn't yet started, and the vegetation is in full bloom.
Zakynthos, like its neighbour Kefalonia, was heavily affected by the massive earthquake of 1953 and subsequently a lot of its stunning Venetian architecture was sadly destroyed. Ruins still lay in some parts of the island due to this. The main town was completely rebuilt and still has an uncanny resemblance to Venice's San Marco square; it is well worth taking a look at.
The beautiful white cliffs that plunge into azure seas towards Keri have to be seen to be believed; the water is wonderfully clear and it is worth hiring a boat to see such sights. Warning: Upon rounding the northern face of the island, there is no radio signal discernible from boat to Zakynthos. It is therefore not recommended that a tourist should venture out to that part alone, if it all.
Blue Caves
East of Cape Skinari, on the northen part of the island, are the Blue Caves. A series of geological formations have created the seascape. Natural arches have been carved out by erosion, but these caves are most famous for the color of the water in it's deepest hollows, a deep azure color which is most striking in the morning when the light is at it's brightest, hence the name Blue Caves. Kianoun cave is the biggest of the caves. In order to reach there you can hire a boat or go on a tour.
You can't miss ads by the tour operators. Blue caves can be seen starting from three places:
Shipwreck (Navagio)
Originally a smuggler ship, which lost engine power in 1981 and was washed ashore in a magnificent small bay. Featured in Greek tourist ads, it is located on the west coast and best visited by going there from Porto Vromi. Go there either early in the morning or in the afternoon (>15:00), as in the time between the big around-the-island cruise ships anchor there and the beach is heavily crowded. Going there in off-peak times ensures you will have the beach pretty much to your own. For the ultimate picture, follow the signs to the Agios Gergio Kremnao monastery - when you arrive there, use the road to your right to get to a small viewing platform.
Cape Skinari
The very northen edge of Zakynthos is labeled Cape Skinari. Here you can get a panorama view of the sea, having both the calm waters of the east and the windy of the west within view. At the location there are also some ruins from the great earthquake in 1953.
Beaches
Do
Zakynthos is not so much an island for children; the water park there is small and rather hard to get to as compared to that in Corfu. Most resorts there are relatively low-key and tourist booths are more likely to offer excursions to neighbouring islands or the Greek mainland rather than concentrating on Zakynthos' beauty. This is a shame, because it is still an island where mountainside villages and hidden coves await discovery by the discerning traveller-- it is well worth hiring a car, though beware of the sometimes treachorous mountain roads.
Tourist Don't:
Zakynthos is home to the endangered loggerhead turtle. These shy, gentle creatures nest in the south of the island during the spring and summer months, but their numbers are threatened of late, and one of the biggest culprits is undoubtedly mass tourism. Eggs that have been laid on the beaches of Laganas and Kalamaki have in the past been smashed by deckchairs or dug up by children; turtles have been killed on Zakynthos roads after having been disoriented by the bright neon lights of the bars they mistake for the moon by which they navigate their way to the sea. Thankfully, the Greek authorities are placing emphasis on protecting the turtles with signs and volunteers reminding tourists on the beaches of their duty to respect the turtles and stay away from them.
That said, several unscrupulous firms on the island run "turtle tours", whereupon a tourist can pay to take a boat ride to "spot" the turtles-- this is not a good idea. The turtles are easily distressed by this intrusion, and this has a knock-on effect on their breeding and hence is contributing to the threat to their very survival.
Eat
Traditional agricultural products are olive oil, (thyme) honey, currants, and wine, which can be purchased at road-side stalls or in the villages.
Zakynthos is a growing tourist island, and hence amongst traditional Greek fare one will find Anglicised cuisine. In Laganas, travellers would be more hard-pressed to find baklava than an English-fry up, but there are some very good places to eat Greek cuisine, and at very reasonable prices.
In particular, Mermaids in the resort of Kalamaki serves a good variety of Greek and international cuisine.
If in the Northern part of the island, towards Alikes, do try The Clear Horizon at Amoudi-- these apartments are served by a restaurant with a friendly owner who serves traditional Greek fare-- baklavas, stifado, briam -- at very reasonable prices in large portions, with an unrivalled view of the Ionian sea and Kefalonia rising from the mist in the background.
Drink
Bars are found in abundance on Zakynthos, from the lazy beach bar to clubs to British-run establishments. The beer of choice is Greek Mythos beer, though Amstel comes a close second. Drinkers looking for a more sartorial experience are advised to check out bars in Zakynthos town.
Sleep
One suggestion would be to purchase some air conditioning if not included in the price or fans can alternatively be quite useful. This is because during the high season, the temperature on the island can be extremely warm well in to the early hours.
Stay safe
Zakynthos enjoys a very low crime rate, but precautions should still be taken, especially in heavy tourist areas. Regrettably, a lot of petty crime is down to the tourists.
Get out
Zakynthos (Greek: Ζάκυνθος), the third largest of the Ionian Islands, covers an area of 410 square kilometers and its coastline is roughly 123 kilometers in length. The island is named after Zacynthus, son of a legendary Arcadian chief Dardanus. The name, like all similar names ending in -nthos, is pre-Mycenaean or Pelasgian in origin. Zakynthos has a thriving tourism industry and is one of the top tourist destinations in Greece.
Population
See also: List of settlements in the Zakynthos prefecture
Description
Zakynthos has a varied terrain, with fertile plains in the southeastern part and mountainous terrain with steep cliffs along the coasts on the west. Zakynthos town coordinates are: Latitude 37.79139/37°47'29 N, Longitude: 20.89528/20'53'43 E.
The mild, Mediterranean climate and the plentiful winter rainfall endow the island with dense vegetation. The principal products are olive oil, currants, grapes and citrus fruit.
The capital, which has the same name as the prefecture, is the town of Zakynthos; apart from the official name, it is also called Chora (i.e. the Town, a common denomination in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town). According to the 2001 census, the island has a population of 38,957.
The most famous Zakynthian is the 19th century poet Dionysios Solomos, the principal modern Greek poet and author of the national anthem of Greece. His statue adorns the main town square. Also Juan de Fuca (Ioannis Focas) was born here.
The island has one airport, the Dionysos Solomos Airport (on former GR-35) in its southwest which connects flights with other Greek airports. Further southwest is the National Marine Park of Zakynthos where loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are found in the bay of Laganas. Caretta caretta is an endangered species - especially by the deck chairs laid out on their breeding grounds and the inevitable pollution. Every year at the beginning of June, the female turtles come to the southern beaches in order to bury their eggs in the sand. The incubation period for the nest is approximately fifty five days, after which time hatchlings emerge from the nest and make their way to the sea. The survival rate for hatchlings is very small, and it is estimated that only one in one thousand hatchlings that enter the sea live to adulthood. Each nest contains around one hundred to one hundred and twenty eggs, each of which are around the size and shape of a ping-pong ball. Female turtles begin to lay nests at around twenty to thirty years of age.
The port of Zakynthos has a ferry connecting to the port of Kyllini on the mainland. Another ferry connects the village of Skinari to Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia.
The Zante currant, a small sweet seedless grape is native to the island.
Sites of interest include Shipwreck Bay, Cape Skinari and the Blue Caves. The western part of the island is accessible and has a panoramic view of the sea. The ridge area from Anafontria has an observation deck which overlooks the shipwreck and there is a monastery nearby.
Keri is located in the far south of the island. It is a mountain village and has a lighthouse in the south. It includes a panorama of the southern part of the Ionian Sea.
For tourism, Zante has campsites and beaches including a beautiful one near Keri around 100 m in length which is surrounded by cliffs. The island also offers a numerous amount of arches and cliffs which are famous. One of the arches is underground. Several documentaries were filmed around that part of Zakynthos/Zante. Other campsites include Camping Alykes. Beaches are in Porto Limnionas, Porto Vromi and Porto Zoro.
History
Zakynthos was inhabited from the Neolithic Age, as some archaeological excavations have proved.
The famous ancient Greek poet and writer, Homer, first mentioned the island in his masterpieces, the Iliad and the Odyssey, stating that the first inhabitants of it were the son of King Dardanos of Troy called Zakynthos and his men and that they first came on the island around 1500-1600 BC.
The island was then conquered by the Great Imperial King Arkeisios of Kefalonia. The famous Ulysses (Odysseus in Greek) from Ithaca was the next King to conquer the island.
Later on, a treaty was signed that made Zakynthos an independent democracy, the first established in the Hellenic area, and that lasted more than 650 years.
Zakynthos, along with the rest of the Ionian islands, spent centuries as a subject of La Serenissima Reppublica (Venice) and other Italian principalities. Italian rule protected the island from Ottoman domination but in its place it put a feudal oligarchy. The cultural influence of Italy (and of Italian on local dialect) was considerable. The wealthy made a habit of sending their sons to Italy to be educated. A good example is Dionysios Solomos, a native of Zakynthos and Greece's national poet. However, both the Greek language and Orthodox faith survived intact. During the Napoleonic wars the islands were occupied at different times by France (which induced the peasants to revolt), Russia, Turkey and finally Britain, which held on to them until 1864, when they were ceded to Greece to stabilize the rule of the newly crowned Danish-born King of Greece, Georgios I.
The Great Earthquake of 1953
This 'paradise on earth' suffered a series of four severe earthquakes in August 1953, resulting in the total destruction of the island's infrastructure, including most of its state archives. The third and most destructive of those quakes, registering 7.3 on the Richter Scale, occurred at 09:24 UTC (11:24 am local time) on August 12, 1953. It had its epicentre directly under the southern tip of the nearby island of Kefalonia and caused widespread destruction there as well. In addition, the quake was felt throughout most of the country. Only three buildings on Zakynthos were left standing after the disaster: the St. Dionysios Cathedral, the National Bank building and the church of St. Nicholas "tou Molou" (of the Quay). A few other buildings in outlying areas managed to avoid complete collapse. The first relief efforts came from the state of Israel; during Nazi Germany's occupation of the island, the island's Bishop Chrysostomos gave the Germans a list of Jews on the island. It was a list of two names; his own and the mayor's. Israel's relief came with a message that read "The Jews of Zakynthos have never forgotten their Mayor and their beloved Bishop and what they did for us." The rebuilding of the island was subject to a very rigid anti-seismic code, and has thus withstood several moderate and powerful earthquakes at a minimal amount of damage.
Mining is also common on the island. where a small mountain located in Zakynthos' west side was mined during the 1990s, though it is no longer in use. Today, mining still continues, but now with two quarries on the mountain range in the western part of the island. Tourism remains thriving and Zakynthos is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece.
The April 2006 Earthquake Swarm
Starting in the early morning hours of April 4, 2006, a usual series of moderate to strong earthquakes occurring in an almost daily basis have kept rattling the entire island. On April 11, however, the phenomenon intensified in both magnitude and rate of events. At 03:02 local time of that day, a powerful, magnitude 5.7 earthquake hit the area, only to be followed by an even stronger tremor registering at 5.9 on the Richter Scale, at 8:30 p.m. (20:30) EET. On April 12, a committee of the nation's most prominent seismologists had an emergency meeting with the Greek Ministry of Environment and Public Works in order to asess the emerging situation. The meeting ended in a scientific consesus among them that this specific area of the Ionian Sea is simply not ready to produce an even stronger quake thus advising the nervous citizens of the island to remain calm. Unfortunately Mother Nature seems to have already decided to keep these nerves on the edge. At 19:52 and at 19:56 local time of that same evening, two more earthquakes shook the region sending scores of terrified people into the streets. The earthquakes had a preliminary moment magnitude of 5.8 and 5.4 respectively. Seismologists at the Athens Seismological Institute were taken once again by surprise by what is turning into an unprecedented riddle on whether or not these are actually foreshocks of a major event. The chances are, nonetheless, that this is just a phenomenon known as earthquake swarm, characterized by a pattern of a considerable amount of magnitude-wise similar tremors, all occurring within a limited number of days or weeks. As a result of the recurring jolts, moderate damage was reported to a total of sixty residencies and one library, while a small crack appeared on the eastern part of the capital's port. In addition, several rocks were tumbled on one of the island's main roads, located in the mountainous areas.
The Ionian Islands are situated upon one of Europe's most notorious faults, capable of producing earthquakes that could potentially result to both widespread damage and a considerable loss of life. However it should be stressed that, following the catastrophe of 1953, the authorities of Zakynthos have enforced a strict program of antiseismic standards to be applied in every building to be constructed ever since. That is, all buildings have been built on a swimming slab and enforced with steel, determined by the government to ensure safety. Therefore, an earthquake similar to that of August 12, 1953 will most certainly result in far less destruction.
Transportation
Greece National Road 35, a road linking Zante and Porto Roma and another road linking Zante and Volimes.
Flights
The island is served by Zakynthos International Airport.
Olympic Airways flies 2-3 times daily to Zakynthos from Athens even in the winter. The flight time is about 60 minutes. There are also flights from Kefalonia on Monday and Wednesday.
Approximate airport transfer times to the major resorts are:
Alikes Seventy five minutes, Argassi Thirty minutes, Kalamaki Fifteen minutes, Laganas Twenty five minutes, Tsilivi Forty five minutes, Vassilikos Ninety minutes.
Ferries
Hellenic Ferries run regular services from Brindisi, Italy, while Superfast Ferries sail from Ancona, Brindisi and Venice to Patras, Igoumenitsa and Corfu where travellers can catch connecting ferries to Zakynthos. Blue Star Ferries also operate similar routes.
Regular daily ferry services run from Kilini (Kyllini) on the Greek mainland to Zakynthos with around seven ferries Monday to Saturday and three services on Sunday. The crossing takes around 90mins. Buses go from Athens to Kyllini and the journey takes around four hours.
A daily car ferry goes from Agios Nikolaos to Pessada on Kefalonia in the summer season.
Driving
Roads on Zakynthos are generally good where they serve the main resorts. Off the main roads they can quickly deteriorate into rough tracks.
Buses are cheap and efficient with regular daily services from Zante Town to all the main resorts. Detailed timetables are posted in the bus station in Zante Town and passengers pay the driver. The number of daily services to the major resorts are detailed here but are approximate and subject to change: Alikes - 4, Argassi - 9, Kalamaki - 7, Laganas - 13, Vasilikos - 3, Volimes - 2.
Communications
Television
Radio stations
Sporting clubs
FootballFootball (soccer)
Existing teams
Former teams
Notable people from Zakynthos
