Zakynthos Island is a truly fabulous place with pristine nature and magnificent views. The island is located in the Ionian Sea and belongs to Greece. Should I go here on vacation, what to do on the island and what are the reviews about Zakynthos (Greece) - read the article.
A bit of island history
Zakynthos was called the son of King Phrygia Dardan. It was in his honor that this heavenly place was named. According to Greek myths, the island was conquered by the grandfather of the famous Odyssey. Since Zakynthos (Greece) kept a neutral side during a long period of Greco-Roman wars, he was given autonomy. At the end of the XII century, this land was conquered by the Venetians, who really liked the area. Only in 1797 their domination was interrupted by the French.
Since 1813, Great Britain rules here. A few decades later, the island was given to Greece. Chanted by poets born on the island, Zakynthos passed from hand to hand, suffered from invasions of pirates and earthquakes, but did not lose its pristine beauty. Reviews about Zakynthos Island in Greece come to one thing: the magical atmosphere of the place envelops travelers from the first second of their stay and never lets go.
What is the weather like on the island?
Most of the year the sun shines on Zakynthos, so tourists come here at any time. In summer it is hot and dry, but the breeze from the sea gives tourists comfort. In July, the thermometer rises to +32 ° C. In the winter months, the daily temperature does not fall below +14 ° C, such weather is convenient for sightseeing holidays. Rains are rare.
How to get to the wonderful Ionian island? In the high season from May to October, charters from Moscow and St. Petersburg fly here. At other times, they fly to Greece (Zakynthos) with a transfer in the capital of the country. You can also get from Athens by train or bus to Kilini, and then transfer by ferry.
What can be seen on Zakynthos?
Most of the local attractions are classified as natural, but there are also interesting architectural buildings. This includes the temple of Dionysius, built at the beginning of the XX century. It was built with such care that it survived the 1953 earthquake, when most of the buildings were destroyed.
The three-nave temple is built in the Venetian style. Next to it is a 40-meter bell tower with an observation deck. The relics of St. Dionysius are kept in the temple, which can be attached to.
The Church of St. Nicholas Mola is located on Solomu Square. This is the oldest construction site erected in 1561. During the earthquake, she was severely damaged, but the restoration did not radically change her appearance.
Another ancient attraction of Zakynthos (Greece) is the Monastery of the Virgin Anaphonitria, which is currently inactive, but allows tourists into its walls. The church is interesting in its unusual appearance for Zakynthos: three-nave basilicas and a roof made of wood. Inside is a relic - the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, saved from the Turks.
Near the monastery lies the village of Anafonitria, people come here to see the real, not tourist Zakynthos (Greece).
Zakynthos Marine Reserve
The national marine park on the island was opened in 1999 and is the only park of its kind in all of Greece. The main purpose of the reserve is to protect the beaches on which the Caretta tortoise lays its eggs. The museum at the park sets the task of environmental awareness of visitors.
The reserve territory includes a large number of coastal lands with a developed ecosystem; populations of Mediterranean seals even live here.
Since turtles laying eggs love peace and solitude, there are strict rules for tourists in the park. Staying here after sunset and lit lanterns and bonfires are prohibited. It is strictly forbidden to litter and drive to the beach by car or bicycle. In the reserve you can not make noise, play with the ball or rackets.
If you built sand castles on the beach while leaving, destroy them, as they can become an obstacle for turtles.
The beaches and bays of the island
The main wealth of Zakynthos (Greece) is its wonderful beaches. The coastline stretched 123 kilometers. The most visited beach on the island is called Shipwreck Beach or Navagio Bay. On the soft white sand, which tourists love so much, there is a ship of smugglers, thrown here during a storm. You can get to the beach only from the sea, it is best to rent a boat for this.
Gerakas Beach is located in the southern part of Zakynthos. It is part of a marine reserve, which means that here you can see a carriage turtle. The warm turquoise sea and magnificent views attract many travelers here.
The beaches of the resort of Civil are surrounded by vineyards and olive gardens. A large number of bars, clubs and shops are also concentrated here.
There are no truly picturesque and wonderful beaches in the city. Therefore, tourists go to the places described above. But if you wish, you can visit the city beach. It is crowded, and the sand and pebble coating.
What museums to visit on the island?
Among the attractions of the Ionian island, there are museums. The most interesting of them is the Byzantine Museum. Its exposition allows us to judge the development of Christian culture in Zakynthos. Viewers are presented with a large collection of icons and frescoes, sculptures and paintings. The museum is especially proud of the carved iconostases of the 16th century. You can find the building in the island's capital on Solomos Square.
The Solomu and Kalvu Museum is located on St. Mark's Square. It is interesting for the manuscripts of the poets who lived here, and their portraits. On the ground floor even the remains of the creators, whose names are called the museum, are stored.
If you come to the village of Pigadakya, you can get acquainted with the traditional way of life of the settlement in Zakynthos and agriculture. The agricultural museum has collected furniture, utensils, agricultural equipment. Some exhibits date back to the 16th century.
What excursions to go from Zakynthos?
No matter how beautiful the island of Zakynthos in Greece (photo in the article) may be, some tourists want to see as much as possible. For such travelers, trips from the island are organized. Read about the best of them now.
Boarding a comfortable ferry in the port of Zakynthos, you can find yourself in the port of Kilini. From here it is easy to get to Ancient Olympia - it was here that the legendary ancient Olympic Games were held. Here you can see the Temple of Zeus, where previously there was one of the wonders of the world (a statue of Golden Zeus).
A ferry in Agios Nikolaos will bring a tourist to Kefalonia. This largest of the Ionian Islands is famous for its unique caves, comfortable beaches and the Enos mountains with interesting flora and fauna.
Active tourists who want to accommodate as much as possible on vacation can arrange a trip to Athens. It will take more time, but will no doubt be interesting. It is better to set aside a few days for a trip to Athens and go there as part of a Russian-speaking group.
Local cuisine: what will surprise you?
The cuisine on Zakynthos, as on all the Ionian islands, is Mediterranean. It follows that not a single local dish is complete without olive oil. On Zakynthos, it is very fragrant, because there are so many olive groves around! Be sure to bring home a bottle of Mediterranean oil.
The dishes also use a lot of tomatoes, garlic, herbs and lemons. Try the local traditional dish of sarz - this is beef cooked with tomatoes, garlic and sheep’s cheese. Skordostubi includes tomatoes, eggplant and seasoned with olive oil and garlic. Be sure to order local bread for the dishes, it is very tasty.
Love on the island and sweets. The most popular of them is mandalato - a mixture of eggs, almonds and honey. It is worth a try and pastels made of honey, sesame seeds and almonds. You can buy misitra cheese (salted or fresh) with you. Eat it worth it with honey or sugar.
Popular hotels in Zakynthos (Greece)
There are a lot of hotels on the island, but you should think about the reservation just in case. Below we will talk about the popular hotels in Zakynthos.
- Hotel Palatino is located in Zakynthos, near the center. Elegant rooms with sea or mountain views, a bar, a restaurant are at the guests' disposal. According to tourists reviews, the hotel is amazing. Breakfast here is plentiful (for a fee you can take lunch and dinner), and the staff is polite.
- Hotel Diana has a gym, sauna and rooftop pool. Reviews of Zakynthos (Greece) tourists about this hotel stop at "Very Good".
- Hotel Plaza has a great location, directly opposite Agia Triada Beach. It pleases tourists staying here, because you just have to cross the road and you are on the beach! Tourists rate "Excellent."
Whatever hotel you choose, a vacation on Zakynthos will be great. This paradise is simply created for a serene pastime and bliss.