Zante Travel Guide
The Ionian island of Zante (also called Zakynthos) has been
colourfully billed as 'the green island of poetry, song and love',
mainly because it was the home of Dionysios Solomos, who wrote the
Greek national anthem, 'The Hymn to Liberty'. Arriving in Zante
by ferry is certainly a poetic experience: the picturesque town
curves around a bay dominated by a Venetian Fortress and the St
Dennis Cathedral. Zante town is reminiscent of Venice with its
historic St Mark's Square and Solomos Square, lined by
reconstructed neoclassical buildings. The Solomos Mausoleum is a
museum dedicated to the island's aristocracy of bygone days, while
the Byzantine Museum sports splendid icons and frescoes salvaged
from the island's beautiful medieval churches, destroyed in the
massive earthquake of 1953.The main attraction for visitors, however, is the triangular
shaped island's 57 miles (92km) of coastline, particularly on the
eastern and southern flanks, which are blessed with beautiful bays.
Favourites are the white sandy beaches of Lagana and Geraka, also
renowned for being the nesting grounds of the Caretta-Caretta sea
turtles. Inland, the mountain villages lure holidaymakers away from
the beach to sample some local hospitality and good food and wine,
and to explore monasteries tucked away among the greenery. Tourism
has become the main income earner for this popular resort island,
but the rapid development of infrastructure in recent years has not
depleted its traditional charm - Zante remains pleasantly
poetic.
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Description:
The region of Vassilikos has some of the best beaches on the
island and a favourite is St Nicholas, which has great watersports
facilities. Gerakas is also very popular, voted one of Greece's
best beaches. Many of the holiday resorts have their own beaches
for visitors to enjoy. The Navagio, Kalamaki, Porto Zoro and
Laganas beaches are all great; Loggerhead sea turtles can be seen
at Laganas Bay, home to the National Marine Park.
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Description:
The Smugglers Cove Shipwreck is one of the most popular sights
on Zante, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The
'Panagiotis' was wrecked in 1982 while smuggling a large cargo of
cigarettes and trying to evade a customs patrol in stormy weather.
There is a view point (of somewhat dubious stability) from which
the wreck can be seen, and there are also boat trips available to
the beach where the ship lies.
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Navagio Beach
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Description:
On the west coast of Zante, near the village of Volimes,
visitors will be enthralled by stunning views of the Blue Caves.
The water in the caves captures and reflects light in every
imaginable shade of blue, a surreal phenomenon to experience. The
caves look best at sunrise and sunset, or from under the water
while scuba diving. The Blue Caves are only accessible by sea but
there are many boats that make this excursion.
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Volimes
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Description:
Built shortly after the 1953 earthquake, the Byzantine Museum
exhibits a selection of wooden carvings and paintings, some dating
as far back as the 12th century, as well as Hellenistic, Early
Christian, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine sculptures. There are also
a few utilitarian implements and vessels on display to interest
visitors.
Address:
Solomos Square, Zante town
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+30 26 9504 2714
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Description:
Marathonisi is a small, turtle-shaped island in Laganas Bay,
completely unspoilt by human inhabitants. There are two main
beaches on this island; the white sands of the larger beach are the
nesting area of the endangered Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) sea
turtle, and the smaller pebble beach is home to a couple of
interesting sea caves. The natural pine, olive and green oak
forests on the island are another beautiful attraction. There is no
development on the island, part of National Marine Park, and
visitors are advised to take water and supplies for the day.
Address:
Laganas Bay, across the beach from Keri village.
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