What to do on Zakynthos island
Choose a different beach every day of your holiday
From your seat on the caique that does the circuit of Zente, you’ll see a procession of beaches and coves, each seemingly more magical than the last. Laganas, Gerakas, Vasilikos, Marathonisi, the Blue Caves … all rank among the most splendid in Greece. Not forgetting, of course, Shipwreck Beach, with its famous beached vessel that adds drama to the sandy setting, white cliffs and turquoise water. Come early in the morning, or drop anchor the previous evening, so you can enjoy your first dive before the rest of the world arrives.
Search for sea turtles in Zakynthos’ marine park
The sea around Zante was picked for Greece’s first marine park. This is where the rare caretta caretta sea turtles lay their eggs. In spring, these endangered creatures set off for Zakynthos from the Libyan Sea and the southern Adriatic, not because they like the swim but because nature tells them to lay their eggs in the sands of Gerakas, Dafni, Kalamaki, Marathonisi and, especially, Sakania, east of Laganas, as they always have. If you’re lucky enough to witness this spectacle, please don’t disturb these beautiful creatures or their eggs.
Prepare your Instagram feed for panoramic views
Zakynthos is not only beaches. Take a stroll through lovely Bokhali, 2km from the centre of town, and you’ll find yourself stopping every few minutes to admire the panoramic view of the harbour, Argassi and the Bay of Laganas. Or to photograph the alleys lined with old houses and traditional cafes. Walk a bit higher and you’ll come to the castle, camouflaged by all manner of plant and shrub, where the Venetians had their island capital.
Pay a visit to Zante’s miraculous St Dionysios
The church of St Dionysios draws Orthodox Christian visitors throughout the year as it houses the relics of the saint of the same name (also the island’s patron saint). The impressive church was built in 1926, with a three-aisled basilica and inner arch. Zakynthos’ catastrophic earthquake of 1953 left it virtually undamaged. Miracle or just solid foundations?
Source : www.discovergreece.com
