Zakynthos, known internationally under the name “Tzante,” or “Phioro Levante,” meaning Flower of the East, is an island with many natural beauties as well as plenty of historical tradition. From Zakynthos’s pine-covered mountains to its rocky shores and impressive sea caves, Zakynthos has plenty of natural beauty. Zakynthos’s culture, on the other hand, extends from everything from its building all the way to is music, which plays a large role in the island’s long history.
Here, we break down the 10 best things to do and see in Zakynthos.
Built in 1708, the church of St. Dionysios is a Venetian-inspired church equipped with a bell tower which is the exact replica of the St. Marks bell tower in Venice! The church is also beautifully situated on the city’s beach. The most famous church on the island, a large festival takes place every year in the city lasting three days starting on August 24th which celebrates the church.
The most famous attraction in all of Zakynthos is Shipwreck Beach, a picturesque beach on the north coast of the island which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! With its clear waters, white sand, and stunning rock formations, along with the famous withered ship on its beach, this is a must-visit attraction.
Another famous attraction on Zakynthos is the Blue Caves. Accessible only by boat, one can sail through stunning caves on deep blue waters and see colors on the caves so impressive you would have to see it believe it.
Gerakas beach is a golden sandy beach which is home to Loggerhead Sea Turtles. The beach is a nesting ground for their babies, and the beach actually closes at 19:00 to leave them in peace. If you visit between May and October, you can actually go and see the hatching of little turtle eggs and see dozens of newborns take to the sea.
Marathonissi island, a small uninhabited island in the bay of Laganas off Zykanthos island, has white sandy beaches, and beautiful turquoise waters. This is also another breeding ground for Loggerhead Sea Turtles.
Greece has been leading the list of world travel destinations for years. This itinerary, which will take you around the Saronic islands, will help you discover why.
EMBARKATION – ATHENS (ALIMOS)
1st Day: Athens to Aegina
Just an hour from Athens, Aegina is a lovely island with a capital of the same name. It also has a floating grocery store near the city. Now how often can you see that?!
Perdika, the port of Aegina, has beautiful houses with courtyards, stairs sided with flowers, and plenty of delicious fish taverns. If you are lucky, you may even get to see some of the island’s natural inhabitants: wild boar or peacocks! You can also go swimming in the turquoise waters of the Monastery bay!
Best for a short day trip, Agistri is a small terrestrial paradise in the Saronic Gulf. In Agistri, you can find large pine green forests, sandy beaches, and crystal blue waters. Still, there is plenty of nightlife for those who enjoy it.
Methana, a seaside settlement of the Peloponnese, has beautiful beaches and old theatres. Many actors and theatre-geeks visit Methana to see these ancient theatres while the famous build small villas in Methana’s olive-tree forests.
The ancient theatre of Epidaurus was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most important monuments in ancient Greece. It is definitely worth paying a visit!.
Considered the birthplace of entertainment, the theatre, built around 340 to 330 V.C., has perfect acoustics and great beauty thanks to its symmetry.
Also in the Peloponnese lies an Asclepieion, what was considered a “healing temple” of ancient Greece. This temple was the most important healing center of the Greek and Roman worlds and is considered the place where modern medicine was born.
Methana is one of the oldest towns in the Saronic Golf, and it is also home to many hot springs and beautiful beaches.
Methana gets its name from the chemical compound of methane, which comes from the thermal waters in the area, making the warm sea ideal for swimming, fishing, and other water activities.
Paros, also known as the “little Venice” of the Saronic islands, is a tranquil island with many taverns neoclassical buildings, and marinas.
In the evening, there is a very cosmopolitan atmosphere on the island, with plenty of lights, drinks, and music.
Chora, the tiny harbor and capital of the island, has its own charm. With neoclassical buildings, narrow streets, and its own lagoon, Chora is a must visit town.
Hydra is a beautiful Greek island that not only has attracted the wealthy, but also famous artists such as Chagall and Picasso. The city/port is cosmopolitan yet elegant, with 18th-century mansions, old churches, and wells.
Porto Heli is a cosmopolitan heaven that has it all, from tasteful villas to renowned luxury resorts. With beaches with beautiful clear waters, famous taverns serving fresh fish, and numerous clubs, Porto Heli is a must-see destination.
Overlooking the ruins of an ancient city, Porto Heli is also home to plenty of shops, restaurants, and hotels for you to explore.
Spetses is one of the top travel destinations for tourists all over the world. You can even ride an old wagon and explore the entire island, passing through the Old Port, Agios Nikolaos, and Dapia!
With narrow streets, traditional architecture, neoclassical houses, pebble gardens, and beautiful balconies, Spetses is an island definitely worth exploring. It is also forbidden in Spetses to drive cars, providing a tranquility you’ll hardly find elsewhere.
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This itinerary will show you some of the best the Saronic islands have to offer, from quaint towns to beautiful beaches, and everything in between. We hope you’ll enjoy!
Itinerary: 7 Days in the South Ionian IslandsIf there is a paradise, you’ll find it among the Ionian islands. The Ionian islands offer everything from traditional architecture and outdoor adventures to cosmopolitan cities and fine dining. With its wonderful climate, turquoise waters, and scenic harbors, the Ionian islands are a must-visit destination. This itinerary will take you from Lefkada all the way to Zakynthos and back, ensuring that you visit all the hot spots among the Ionian islands along the way.
Lefkada, located near the western coastline of mainland Greece, is known for its traditional culture. In Lefkada’s main city, you can navigate small alleyways which will take you to tiny squares, traditional houses, and elaborate bell towers. The houses in Lefkada are often painted in bright colors and are kept neat and tidy, with carefully trimmed flower beds outside of windows and along the sidewalk.
Lefkada is also home to the settlement of Agios Nikitas, a town only accessible by walking. With its picturesque harbor, abundant greenery, famous fish taverns, and delicious cafes, Agios Nikitas is a great place to spend a day.
Lefkada has a number of very scenic beaches, with many different coves, rocks, and pine trees. Lefkada’s beaches include Seat, Eggs, Mills, Peukouli, and Amyglossa, but Enkremnoi and Porto Katsiki are it’s most famous.
Banked by steep cliffs, Enkremnoi has a beautiful natural look. Along with it’s turquoise waters Enkremnoi is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece.
Porto Katsiki is another famous beach, and it’s photographs can be seen all over the world.
Nydri a small town, is the largest tourist attraction on the entire island. Nydri is ideal for diving and water sports, as well as for it’s nightlife.
Close to Nydri lies Skorpios, the island onced owned by Aristotle Onassis, a former Greek shipping magnate. In 2012, Dimtry Rybolovlev gave his daughter Ekaterina Rybolovleva the island as a gift for her birthday.
Meganisi is located in one of the hidden corners of the Ionian Sea. It is however, known and appreciated by sailing who enjoy docking in its beautiful turquoise waters.
Meganisi also sports plenty of luxurious yachts and famous visitors. But behind its high-profile guests, Meganisi has an ancient history. First mentioned by Homer in The Odyssey, Meganisi has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. There are many traditional settlements on the island, including Katomeri, which has traditional stone houses, small shops and plenty of bars.
Ithaca is a central symbol of Greece as it was home to Odysseus, the hero in Homer’s The Odyssey. One can discover the history of Ithica at the island’s archaeological museum. The capital and port of the island, Vathi, is built along a lush natural bay.
Vathi is a traditional settlement which has an intense Venetian influence. With it’s the tiled houses, large mansions and picturesque stone chapels, Vathi is sure to delight.
Vathi also has a small port, Kioni. Kioni mainly serves day cruises and week charters from the surrounding Ionian islands. It is a must-see inland known for its quiet taverns and happy people.
Also on Ithaca is the area of Kaminia, which is a wild, natural, impressive landscape, and home to emerald waters of a small bay. Ithaca is also home to Gidaki, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Ithaca and among the best in Greece.
Kefalonia (also known as Kefallinia) is the largest island in the Ionian sea. Because of its unique beaches and green mountains, it has always been a popular destination to visit. Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia, is a picturesque village built around the Koutavo sea.
Kefalonia is also home to world-renowned beaches, which makes it the ideal island to explore by boat.
People in Kefalonia also engage in many water activities, such as sea kayaking and diving which can occur in Kefalonia’s bays or in it’s caves.
Fteri beach is shown below, and it is one of the most beautiful places not only in the Ionian islands, but also in all of Greece.
Santa Efimia is one of the most beautiful villages along the coast of Kefalonia, and is located about 34 km away from the capital (Argostoli).
Assos Assos, another village in Kefalonia has maintained many of its Venetian characteristics, making it a charming city you definitely should check out.
Myrtos is the most famous beach in Kefalonia and and has been rated among the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world according to TripAdvisor!
A destination that many celebrities love to visit during when they cruise is Kefalonia’s cosmopolitan city Fiskardo. Despite it’s modernization, many of the traditional aspects of the city remain. Kefalonia is sure to impress!
In Zakynthos music is a huge part of the culture. Zakynthians often gather together to sing local songs.
Zakynthos has much natural beauty, with its pine tree-covered mountains, idyllic beaches, rocky shores, and impressive sea caves. The island also has a lot of historical monuments and traditions.
The Church of Dionysius is also located on Zakynthos and is the island’s most famous. Built in 1708 and situated beautifully on the beach, the Church of Dionysius dons a Venetian appearance and a bell tower exactly like St. Mark’s bell tower in Venice.
Navagio beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach, is a picturesque beach located on the north-east side of the island. In 1980, a ship allegedly smuggling contraband sailed around the island, before being abandoned on Naavagio beach, giving it its other name. According to many travel websites, the beach is one of the most beautiful in the world.
With its crystal clear waters, white sand beach, and stunning sharp cliffs, the beach is a must-see.
Gerakas is another beach in Zaynthos, and it is home to many turtle nests and baby Loggerhead sea turtes. The beach actually closes at 19:00 to leave the baby turtles in peace. If you get to the beach before dawn from May to October, you can actually see the hatching of turtle eggs and see them jump into the sea!
The beach of Mrathonissi is a small uninhabated island in the bay of Laganas on Zakynthos. It has beautiful white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and is home to plenty of those Loggerhead turtles.
The Laganas bay in Zakynthos is one of the most important shelters for sea turtles in the world.
In the morning one can return to Lefkada. This itinerary from Lefkada to Zakynthos is sure to impress for all travelers alike. It will take you to all the hot spots in the Ionian islands, and is a must-do trip for any true adventurer.
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Benefits of Luxury Yacht charterMost charters include a little bit of everything: relaxation on board, fun on land, excursions to places of interest, water sports, shopping and exploring the natural habitat of your destination. If you have any particular interest, be it cultural, gastronomic, sports, or history or nature for example, luxury yacht charter can adapt to your needs in order to offer you the best of what you like the most, but above all it is a unique opportunity to plan the most exceptional vacations you can imagine.
This type of yacht charter let the professionals make this dream come true. Whatever you want to see, any food you want to taste, the sports you want to practice on your own and what beaches, historic buildings and fantastic shops you want to visit, luxury yacht charter can provide everything you want.
Benefits of Luxury Yacht Charter
If you have any other questions about renting a luxury yacht, we’re happy to help.
10 things to do in SantoriniSantorini is not just romantic sunsets, donkey riding and cave suites. The island has much more to offer, especially for discerning travelers. Check what to do and see by visiting one of the most beautiful islands of Greece.
From cozy cafes and original bars to extravagant clubs – Santorini offers a wide range of places where nightlife is vibrant. In Fira, you can have a drink at Franco’s Café Bar, Tropical and Tango Bar – each has a view of the caldera. Those wishing to go wild should visit the famous Koo Club and Mamounia Club.
In the summer there is a series of cultural and artistic events. Among the festivals, deserves Vedema (which means winemaking) taking place in the SantoWines winery on the first Saturday of August and a spectacular show of Ifestia fireworks referring to the volcano eruption in the second half of August. An interesting place is the Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) in Vlyhad, where there are, among others, concerts, dance performances, and educational programs for children are organized.
Akrotiri boasts a neighborhood with some of the most beautiful Santorini beaches, the beautiful La Ponta castle and the legendary Aegean settlement. The archeological site of Akrotiri is one of the most important discoveries of the Mediterranean basin, called the Lost Atlantis.
There are over a dozen vineyards on the island, each of which has its own unique character. Five of them stand out particularly, including Koutsogiannopoulos Winery in Vothonas, where there is a very interesting Wine Museum. On the other hand, in Megalohori, I suggest a visit to Venetsanos Winery, where you can enjoy wine with a view of the Caldera. In the village there is also a traditional, old family vineyard Gavalas Winery, whose owner made sure that his Vinsanto was made in the old style.
Holidays on Santorini is a great opportunity to dive – there are many interesting places worth exploring. These include around the Cape Tripiti near the islet of Thirassia, the wreck of a ship near Palea Kameni and the reef Adiavati near Akrotiri.
Near Oia there is a charming and colorful bay Ammoudi, which is known for its excellent fish taverns, including Dimitris Taverna and Katina Taverna.
This is one of the most popular places on the island, where crowds gather every day to admire the sunset. If you want to find a good place, you should be here well in advance.
It is worth climbing to the highest point of Nea Kameni to enjoy the amazing view of the caldera. In a small bay around Palea Kameni you can immerse yourself in hot springs, which supposedly have healing properties.
The flagship product is cherry tomatoes cultivated on the island for over 150 years. Capers are also excellent in taste, accompanied by the majority of local dishes and sweet white aubergine. The Santorinian cuisine is very diverse. Next to fish and seafood, it is worth trying a fava served with onions, tomatoes and capers (fava pantremeni), deep fried tomato fritters (ntomatokeftedes), grape leaves stuffed with minced meat, rice and onions (dolmadakia), baked omelette with potatoes and vegetables, most often zucchini (sfouggato) and deep fried white eggplant (melitzanes) – preferably when served with grated cheese or dip tzatziki.
An unquestionable attraction number one is a catamaran trip from Crete to Santorini. You have the option of also booking a private 5-hour catamaran cruise, thanks to which you will see the most beautiful landscapes and in the most pleasant way you will spend those few hours of your life.
Ionian Islands. If there is a paradise, I finally found it…
Wonderful climate, turquoise waters, scenic and gorgeous harbors. Traditional architecture, cosmopolitan places, green mountains, hospitable people, unique traditional cuisine and sea for sailing, diving and other water sports. The duration of travel between islands is estimated approximately on an average speed of the boat.
The cosmopolitan gorgeous island, exuding a nobility, with a venerable Venetian element, historic buildings, palaces, fortresses, romantic Canadas with arched galleries, amazing beaches and long history from Homer’s years.
The city of Corfu is characterized by its intense Venetian architecture element, but also by many English and French influences. It is a cosmopolitan city that exudes a sense of nobility, with its main attractions the old and new fortress, the Town Hall, the cannon, Mon Rope and the great square Spianada, the largest square in the Balkans. Also, Michael and George’s Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces left behind by the British Empire, is also a major attraction. In Corfu Venetian mansions and buildings are painted with the traditional Corfu color of the ocher.
In front of Kanoni is probably the most famous attraction of Corfu, the island where the church of the Virgin of Blacherna is located, which is connected with the land through a narrow strip of land.
Ponticonisi – tourist attraction of Corfu, which is a natural museum, on which is a small church, the Pantokratoras, of the 11th-12th century.
Palaiokastritsa In the most famous tourist resort of Corfu, the green overflows to the six small bays The beach of Paleokastritsa is famous for its waters
Favorite destination by boat north of Corfu.
The list of the wonderful beaches of Corfu is not over
… Sidari and Canal d’amour, Palaiokastritsa, Rovinia, Agios Stefanos, Kassiopi, Kontokali, Agios Gordios …
St. Gordios
Rovinia
The picturesque village
Corfu will amaze you…