The Italians have always had a special love for this island, ever since the Venetians ruled it as Zante in the 15th and 16th centuries. They also called it Fior di Levante, or the flower of the east. Zakynthos (or Zante) is basically a mountainous island graced with rich vegetation, pretty beaches and many sea caves. Among the better-known beaches, sought by the rich and famous, are Navagio, Laganas and the blue caves of Volimes. Laganas beach in particular is a rare breeding ground for the loggerhead sea turtle (caretta caretta), an endangered species. In recent years steps have been taken to protect the turtles from the ravages of mass tourism and clubbing by declaring 
Laganas a national nature park. The phenomenon is a poignant one. Each summer, from June to August, female turtles swim ashore at night, lay their eggs and cover them in sand. After a 55-day gestation period the baby turtles break out of their eggs and by some mysterious navigation crawl towards the sea. Sadly, only one or two in every thousand hatchlings survives to adulthood, often because of sheer tourist carelessness, so if you care about nature and animals, tread carefully at Laganas beach. The Sea Turtle Protection Association is doing good work to protect the breeding areas around the clock. For more on the turtles.
Twenty-two mautical miles south of Zakynthos are the two Strofades islets, Stamfani and Arpia, both reachable by boat from the main port of Zakynthos. The Strofades are the habitat of more than 250 plant and flower species. The islets are part of the Zakynthos national sea park, as at least 1,200 kinds of migratory birds make their homes there. Since 1241 there has been a monastery on Stamfani.
Sightseeing
An island full of contrasts, Zante (in Greek Zakynthos) combines cosmopolitan life with its pristine beauty. The island of Zante will impress you to its shores and its rich historical and cultural tradition. It is a crossroad of peoples and cultures and home to famous and worthy men of letters and arts, like the Greek National poet, Dionysios Solomos and the famous poets and writers Andreas Kalvos, Grigorios Xenopoulos etc. Here, was also born and raised Nikolaos Ugo Foscolo, the National poet of Italy. Zante has a great environmental importance, as it is the island where the rare sea turtle caretta-caretta and the Mediterranean seals are finding the ideal environment for spawning.
Touring the Island
Askos Stone Park: In the north of Zante, there is the Stone Park of Askos, 1km from the port of Aghios Nikolaos of Volimes, in an area of 500 square kilometers. It includes almost all flora and fauna of Zante; 200,000 different plant species and hundreds of animals, such as falcons, various mammals etc which live in freedom under their natural conditions.
Blue Caves: Blue Caves (in Greek “Galazies spilies”) is the most photographed natural attraction of Zante, after the Shipwreck beach (Navagio). They were discovered in 1897 and each year attract thousands of visitors. They are located at the northernmost point of the island, namely the north coast of Cape Skinari. They consist of successive chambers leading to Great and the Little Cave. Their name is thanks to the intense blue of the water. The largest of the caves is called “Kyanoun” (“Cyan”) cave.
The tour in the caves is by boats that tour around the island, starting from the port of the city or from the port of Aghios Nikolaos Volimon.
The best time to visit the caves is in the morning. Then, the reflections generated in the walls of caves from the sun create different shades in the water.
Bohali: The famous area of Bohali is the highest point of the town of Zante, and from there the view is breathtaking and you can see from above not only the city, but other areas of Zante, too.
The area of Bohali was among the first areas developed since the former centuries as the capital of the island was a little above, in the castle. Most houses have been destroyed, but the locals try to keep the traditional colours with traditional structures.
In excavations of the 19th century, findings were discovered that testify the existence of sanctuaries in the region dedicated to Apollo and Aphrodite.
In the square of Bohali dominates the church of Panaghia Chrysopigi or Zoodohos Pigi with its tall bell tower that is distinguished from all parts of the city.
Garden of orchidaceae: Garden of orchidaceae is located between the villages Kiliomeno and Lagopodo and thus characterized by botanists for comprising 42 species oforchidaceae.
Keri: It is located 20 km southwest of Zante town. It is named after the, dried now, lake of the area. It is a place rich in history and tradition, as the historian Herodotus lived here. In the small port in the area, you can run your vessel aground or get one of the boats that make frequent trips to Marathonisi and nearby sea caves.
Louha: It is a picturesque mountain village of 45 residents, promoted for the creation of an Open Museum. Situated in a beautiful place, it has so far remained unaffected by tourism development. Louha, like most villages, has been destroyed by the earthquakes in 1953 and rebuilt by its inhabitants.
National Marine Park: The National Marine Park of Zante (NMP-Z) is the first of its kind established in Greece in order to preserve important natural and cultural heritage of the region, together with the socio-economic development.
It is located in the southern part of Zante. Most of the marine park includes the sea and the land around the Gulf of Laganas, where are the most important spawning beaches for the rare sea turtle Caretta – caretta and a land, protected area, including the surrounding wetland of Keri Lake, Strofades islands and islets Marathonisi, Pezoulo and Aghios Sostis, which, along with the northern beaches (Gerakas, Dafni, Kalamaki and Sekania), are sites of special ecological importance.
Strani Hill (Lofos Strani): The hill of Strani is very close to Bohali, just 2 kilometers from the town of Zante. At this point, our national poet, Dionysios Solomos, was inspired and wrote the Greek national anthem, listening to the canons of Mesolonghi (Etoloakarnania, Western Greece, where the Turks had the Greeks under siege, 1826). In place of the tree that Solomos touched, while writing the “Hymn to Freedom” stands his bust today. In a short distance is also the mansion of the poet, which is maintained in good condition.
There are 10 Blue lag beaches in Zakynthos: Alykanas 1, Alykanas 2, Alykes 1, Alykes 2, Amboula Psarou, Tsilivi, Bouka and Ampoula Tragaki.
St. Nicolas of Volimes
Sandy beach at the picturesque port with the same name. Here there is a ferry service to Kefalonia and boats going to the Blue Caves. Besides St Nicolas beach, in the area you may also find other beaches if you search a little through the small trails leading to the rocks. Right across there is the small uninhabited St. Nicolas island. It’s at the north part of the island, 30 km from Zakynthos town.
Alikes – Alikanas
Alikes and Alikanas beaches are connected by a sandy beach (almost 3 km). Alikes beach is ideal for all swimmers and safe for children since the sea deepens smoothly for a long distance. Alikanas is a place surrounded by olive grooves where you may find many bars, taverns and restaurants serving local and international cuisine.
Makris Gialos
A beach with thin pebbles. It’ s organized with umbrellas and deck chairs and has an easy access from Zakynthos town. It is at the northeast of the island.
Shipwreck
An eerie, unique, impressive beach with thin pebbles at the northwest of the island. It’s well-known worldwide for its water, the incomparable scenery of cliffs that take a golden colour and for its famous shipwreck. It is without exaggeration the most photographed beach in the Mediterranean. You may get there only with speedboats from St. Nicolas or Porto Vromi, but also with boats that tour the island and stop there.
Xigia
The characteristic strong smell of sulphur spread in the small bay with the steep rocks doesn’t destroy the conjectural result. At the top of the beach hill there is a tavern with panoramic view. It provides some umbrellas and deck chairs. It is at the northeast of the island and you will come across it just before entering Volimes village.
Porto Vromi
A fiord of unheard beauty and a 20 m beach with thin pebbles, a sea with turquoise water which is usually cold because water jets out of the ground. It is at the northwest of the island.
St. Nicolas
An organized beach, ideal for water sports like surfing, banana surfing and jet skiing. It also has a beach bar. It’s situated at southeast Zakynthos.
Argassi
An organized, cosmopolitan beach with shallow water, sand and pebbles. It is aoristically developed due to its small distance from Zakynthos town. It’s only 4-5 km from Zakynthos town, while you may get there on foot via the coastal road (1km).
Vasilikos
Maybe the prettiest beach of the island. Exotic with sand dunes, canteens along its shore playing rock and ethnic music, food and drinks. It has very shallow water. “Banana” with its water sports club is part of it while “Golden Bay” with its two strange sculptures of Poseidon and a mermaid rests at the top of two boulders.
Vrontonero
An eerie beach with black sand frequented by nudists. It ends at two steep, big boulders hanging vertically over the sand creating a small cave. You may find there fresh spring water. It’s at Kalamaki, at the south part of Zakynthos.
Gerakas
The east side of Laganas Bay is famous for its special geological formations (huge steep boulders) named “glines” which are the only geological monument of the area. They are at the end of the cape, were formed during the Pliocene and were covered by sand rocks. Its beach is 600 m long. It worths taking a dive during the sunset, when the colours of the sun taint the rocks red. The beach is preserved, because is one of those where Caretta Caretta sea turtle lays its eggs. That’s why it has no buildings. It’s considered the calmest in Laganas bay. It’s 18 km from Zakynthos town.
Dafni
Sandy beach with four taverns, canteens, deck chairs and wicker umbrellas. It’s the second more important egg-laying beach for Caretta Caretta sea turtle. It is 850 m long and is bordering with Sekania beach, which is totally protected (entry is not allowed) because it’s the nucleus of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos.
Kalamaki
An endless sandy beach with a lot of crowd. It stretches for 3.5 km and is the biggest egg-laying beach in Laganas bay.
Laganas
Laganas is at the south side of Zakynthos and is the major tourist and most known destination in Zakynthos. Its bay is a place of special beauty, with small hills at its west side whose number increases in the mountains with fruit baring trees and olive groves.
Laganas sandy beach, 5 km long, is pretty narrow and descends until it reaches the crystal clear sea water. Water sports are limited because in this beach Caretta Caretta sea turtle lays its eggs. It’s not recommended if calm vacations are what you seek. It’s the paradise of young people from all over the world, because of its live night life and it provides may rooms to let and hotels.
Keri lake
The area was named after the big lake that once stood there which is now dried up. It has a beautiful pebble beach. At one end a small port is formed, from where boats set of to the Blue Caves and Marathonisi. In Keri Lake you’ll find may fish taverns where you may eat fresh fish and seafood delicacies. The beach offers an enchanting view to Laganas bay and to the uninhabited Marathonisi. Keri Lake is at the southwest cost of the island, almost 15 km from Zakynthos town. Keri is ideal for those seeking a calm and quiet place for their vacations.
Marathonisi
Two sandy beaches where you may go by boat from Porto Koukla and Keri Lake. There are no facilities there. After the sunset the island remains calm because spending the night there is not allowed. Here there is also an egg-laying beach located at the northeast coast of the island, stretching for 150 m.
Porto Zoro
A special beach with two characteristic boulders in the sea water. The water isn’t as shallow as in the other beaches of the east coast. Preferred by young people because it provides a nice hang out providing coffee and food. It has loud rock or electronic music and holds parties ending at the dawn of the next day.
Porto Limnionas
An enchanting fiord with deep, clear water and small moorings. The beach has no sand but many big rocks. The water has deep blue colour and is very clean. Ideal for those who love diving.
The famous tavern is 30 m away and offers fresh fish and other delicacies.The beach is next to St Leon village, in a virgin area, and it’s easily accessible by car. It’s situated at the northwest of the island, 25 km from Zakynthos town.
Porto Roxa
An unforgettable sunset, memorable plunges, an incomparable bay, unique wild scenery created by “loubes”, the holes in the vertical cliffs when salt is accumulated. It is at the southwest of the island.
Porto Roma
At the end of Vasilikos, you may find the small, sandy Porto Roma beach, with some taverns serving traditional Zakynthian dishes. It combines sea and mountain.
Tsilivi
A clean, sandy beach in eastern Zakynthos, safe for children since it’s shallow for a great length. Here you may practice water sports like water skiing, windsurfing, banana surfing, jet skiing, paragliding and many others.
Marathias peninsula
Isolated at the west side of Laganas bay with beautiful country houses, olive grooves and small, isolated beaches 10-20 m. long. During the summer they are crowded because in Zakynthos it’s difficult to find a quiet place. It is also an egg-laying beach for the rare Caretta Caretta sea turtle.
Useful Phone Numbers on Zakynthos
Police: +30 26950 22221
Tourist Police: +30 26950 24482 – 4
Port Authorities of Zakynthos: +30 26950 28117 – 8
Airport: +30 26950 29500
Local Buses Services: +30 26950 42656
Hospital: +30 26950 59100
Greek highlights 