The 10 best things to do in Zakynthos

Telegraph

a day ago

Zakynthos, also known as Zante, holds a varied selection of attractions – impressive for such a small island – from its scenic coast to charming villages.
The southern coastline is home to loggerhead sea turtles on the pristine beaches of Zakynthos Marine Park, while the northern coast boasts the famed Navagio Beach. Look for cultural activies in Zante Town, and be sure to sample the island's grapes at one of the local wineries, known for signature white wines. Whether you're staying for a weekend or a week, here's our expert selection of must-dos on the island.
For further Zante inspiration, see our guides to the island's best hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Plan an extended visit with our ultimate guide to planning a Greek island-hopping holiday.
Trainaki
Take the train
The white trainaki (little train) which trundles out of Zante town to Kalamaki's café-lined beach – stopping off en route to discover perfume workshops (scents are inspired by Mediterranean landscapes), and ceramic workshops selling Byzantine-style crocks – is an ideal and eco-friendly way to see the island's sights. Another train leaving from Alykes beach chugs through ancient olive groves to visit the high flung mountain villages of Katastari and Pigadakia, and culminates in a boozy tasting session: local Graigos wine served with spicy lado tyri cheese and other specialties in the tree-shaded tavern Kaki Rahi.
Zakynthos' Marine Park
Discover the wildlife
Zante is a haven for the endangered loggerhead turtle that clamber ashore to lay their eggs on the protected beaches of Zakynthos' Marine Park. Other critically endangered species that can be found frolicking in this protected zone, which stretches from wild and lonely Cape Marathia to Gerakas' talc-soft beach, include doe-eyed Mediterranean monk seals. To get up close without disturbing them, take a day trip to Marathonissi – better known as Turtle Island – with eco-friendly experts Nefis Travel.
Insider's tip: Never disturb the turtles, or stay on the beaches after sunset when they could be nesting or hatching out.
Boat tours
Hitch a boat ride
Some of the island's best attractions can only be reached by boat: Skinari is the starting point for half-day excursions to get a glimpse of Navagio, or Shipwreck beach, the dramatically picturesque cliff-framed sandy cove which earns its name from the rusted hulk of the MV Panagiotis, washed up here after an epic storm in the 1980s. Most trips also stop off at the Blue Caves, so-called because their pale limestone walls give the sea a ghostly turquoise hue.
Insider's tip: The Navagio viewpoint near Volimes village is accessible by road, but it's impossible to access the beach from this high-flung spot.
Solomos Museum
Meet the literatis
Dig deep into the soul of this culture-loving island at the Solomos Museum, which is dedicated to Greece's national poet, who was born here in 1798. The poet's primrose-yellow neoclassical home, which was bombed during the Second World War, contains an eclectic and fascinating selection of the writer's personal artefacts: look out for the desk where Dionysios penned the country's rousing national anthem in 1823 and the mausoleum on the ground floor which contains the poet's bones.
Insider's tip: Don't miss the other rooms dedicated to the life and times of other famous island scholars, including celebrated Greek Revolution poet Andreas Kalvos.
Zante town
Stroll the streets
Destroyed by a major earthquake in 1953, then rebuilt in Venetian style, Zante town's (semi-pedestrian) paved streets are lined with an elegant collection of buildings – low and well proportioned, with porticoes and pastel-painted facades – many of them are home to cafés and craft boutiques.
Insider's tip: Look out for the Provençal-style façade of Archontiko Roma. One of the few buildings that wasn't reduced to rubble, this 17th-century mansion which once belonged to President of the Greek Parliament Alexander Roma is now a small museum – family portraits, works of art and period furniture give an intriguing insight into the once lavish lifestyle of the island's aristocracy, but it is not often open so call before visiting.
Bochali
Admire the views
A winding road just outside of Zante town leads to Bochali, a pretty pine-scented suburb where the ruined battlements of the island's battered 15th-century castle offer eagle-eye views over Zante's red-tiled roofs, glittering harbour and the dense pine forests and sand beaches of distant Vassilikos peninsula. Enter the incense-scented Zoodoxo Pigi church to see richly gilded Byzantine icons, and then hike back down to Bochali village nearby and order a beer and meze snacks in one of the cafés clustered around the square.
Insider's tip: Phone in advance to check that the church is open.
Askos Stone Park
Roam with local deer
Families will love Askos Stone Park, named for its pond-sized 13th-century stone cisterns, whose tranquil green waters now squawk with ducks. Friendly guides lead walks out along the wooded hiking trails of this small nature park surrounded by dense pine forest: to pluck and sniff the wild thyme and oregano used to flavour countless local dishes, or to (hopefully) encounter Roe deer that run wild here. Children can also pick peaches and apples in the orchard or pet the farm animals which include portly pot-bellied pigs and fluffy chinchilla rabbits.
Visit a winery
Sample local grapes
Historically, most of the island's grape production was exported as currants – even so, Zante's dry, highly alcoholic wine is well worth sampling in one of the island's half a dozen wineries. The typical local wine is the oak-barrel-aged, intensely flavoured, highly acidic white Verdea, which has been produced here since the 19th century – another must-try is the silky-sweet Lianoroidi white. Sample both at Art and Wine, the Giatras-Gkoumas family's century-old wine estate in the island's north east region. Owner Giannis is also a skilled icon painter.
Insider's tip: Hire a car – most wineries are well off the beaten track.
Aristeon Olive Press
Learn about the local olive oil
The 2,000-year-old olive tree in the village of Exo Hora is living proof that world class extra virgin olive oil has been produced on Zante for millennia. Aristeon Olive Press is a (rather characterless) modern factory producing some of the island's best organic oil, but the small well-organised museum inside is packed with olive oil-making paraphernalia – age-pitted stone mills, ancient wooden presses and tall clay pots. An informative guided visit is followed by a tasting session, when crusty local bread is dipped into fruity green oil.
Panagia Skopiotissa
Hike to a high place
From the resort of Kalamaki on Zante's south east coast, it's a long, steep hike along thyme-scented, boulder-strewn paths to reach Panagia Skopiotissa (the island's oldest monastery), but it's well worth it for the views from this lofty leafy mountaintop whose name – Skopos – means watchtower. The monastery has been abandoned for decades, but the walls of the stocky 15th-century church blaze with 17th-century frescoes – the real gem is the gilded Panagia Skopiotissa icon said to have been brought here from Constantinople in 1341.
Insider's tip: Ask for the keys to the church at Skopos' small café.
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Heidi Fuller-Love
I'm a fan of traditional music, and have spent many summers listening to kanthades in Zante's kafeneions and hiking the island's remotest goat trails.