15 Best Sights in Zakynthos, Greece

Marathonisi Island

Fodor's choice

"Turtle Island," as it's known, is one of the most important breeding areas for the Caretta caretta loggerhead turtle in Zakynthos. It lies off the shores of Keri, west of Laganas, and is made up of two small islets, with a pine-speckled hump and a thin sandy outcrop that even makes it look like a turtle. It falls within the boundaries of the National Marine Park. Trips may only be made during daylight, though the chances of spotting a turtle are high. If you do go with a local company, try to book with Nefis Travel, which is authorized by the marine park and works in tandem with sea turtle conservation organization Archelon. Boats can be boarded at Agios Sostis, 2 km east of Laganas.

Venetian Castle

Fodor's choice

A steep 30-minute walk from downtown leads to a world utterly removed from the bustle below. This ruined 15th-century Venetian Castle sits high in the quiet hamlet of Bohali, built atop the site where the island's acropolis is thought to have stood. In 1514, invading Turks destroyed it only for its walls to be later rebuilt. It set the tone for the earthquake-stricken years that followed. Attempts by the British to conserve the building in 1812 stopped the rot, though today it's more like a quiet forest park, with only a few vestiges of its past still visible in its dungeons, armory, and fortifications. Views from the top are worth the climb alone.

Be warned: while the castle shuts at 4 pm, last entrance is at 3 pm, which catches out a lot of visitors.

Zakynthos Museum (Byzantine Museum)

Fodor's choice

This remarkable two-floor museum is a testament to the resiliance of the island. Most of the ecclesiastical artworks here date from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and were rescued from more than 100 churches across the island after the 1953 earthquakes tore through the land. Entire frescoes, woodcarvings, iconostases, and religious artworks by key artists from the Ionian School of painters (Doxaras, Koutouzis), who flourished in the post-Renaissance, all survive here. The only tragedy is the lack of English translation to give context to their past. Last entry is 3:30 pm.

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Agios Nikolaos Beach

This beach owes its name to the small chapel that stands to its western end. Its shores are hardly pious though. This is the sportiest of the sands lining the Vasilikos, with the thwack of volleyballs accompanying loud music, the roar of Jet Skis, and a mostly younger crowd. It's also very pretty, with a thick ring of pines fringing the white-pebble shore and twinkling sapphire waters. There's every variety of watersport here, but it's an especially good spot for diving and snorkeling. Amenities: sun beds; umbrellas; food and drink; watersports; showers. Best for: snorkeling and diving; sea kayaking; volleyball.

Banana Beach

Not nearly as unknown as it used to be, though the same could be said for the entire peninsula, Banana Beach's golden sands are still impressive. It is the largest beach on the island, with rocky, wooded fringes and clear, shallow waters perfect for families. It has a few bars, restaurants, and services. Sun beds occupy a good chunk of the shoreline, but its size means you can always find a quieter corner. Around four bus services a day run here from Zakynthos Town, if you don't want to drive. Amenities: sun beds; showers; food and drink. Good for: families; sunworshippers; swimming.

Blue Caves

Boats cast off from almost every harbor along the eastern side of the island to reach the twinkling waters of the Blue Caves. These trips typically combine a visit to Shipwreck Beach, but you'll find cheaper, faster there-and-back commutes (€10 per person) from Cape Skinari on the northern tip of the island. Once there, the glinting reflections seen within the tall white archways are best witnessesed in the morning or before noon, when the sunlight refracts off the water at just the right angle. Many trips include the opportunity to get out and swim or snorkel in and around the caves.

Cine Negas: Open Air Cinema

This waterfront open-air cinema, on the road to Akrotiri, sees crashing waves and flittering bats compete with the roar of Hollywood blockbusters. It makes for an incredible setting. Films are usually screened in English with Greek subtitles (kids' cartoons are dubbed), and late-night, post--11 pm screenings turn up everything from little-known early Agatha Christie adaptations to the latest thrillers. Expect comfy deckchairs, cheap prices (€5), and a good snack shop.

Makris Gialos Beach

One of the better options for those allergic to crowds. Makris Gialos, on the northeast coast, lacks the facilities of many of the larger beaches, so rarely fills up. Limited parking means it isn't the most accessible, though most just park by the road. A few more sun beds and umbrellas have cropped up in recent years, but it's easy to find your own spot. There's a bar and shop a short hop from the shore. Aside from that, all you have is sunshine and deep waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Boats also go from here to the Blue Caves. Amenities: bar a short walk away; sun beds and umbrellas. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; adults; escaping the crowds.

Museum of D. Solomos & Kalvos

A museum dedicated to the life of the island's literary greats, the poets Dhionysios Solomos and Andreas Kalvos. The former, in particular, is considered the father of modern Greek literature, championing the use of demotic Greek, a more colloquial form that had become the language of the people by the early 19th century, as opposed to the more conservative katharevousa form. Both are cherished sons of Zakynthos, whose bones are kept within the museum in a ground-floor mausoleum. Many of their letters and writings are on display, along with photographs and paintings, but little is explained or translated into English, so along with the rest of the local scholars and benefactors celebrated here, viewers without the benefit of a guided tour will gain little.

Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach)

Most beaches accessible only by boat tend to be remote affairs; their shores little trod. Navagio is the exception. It somehow manages to be impossible to reach yet simultaneously overrun. The reason is simply that every ship on the island heads here—though if you don't want to spend all day on a tour at sea, you can grab a quick boat (30 minutes) there and back at nearby Port Vromi. The beach gets its nickname from the MV Panagiotis, a cargo vessel that fell foul of the rocks here in 1983 while smuggling contraband cigarettes. It has been rusting on this shore ever since. Some have theorized it was placed there to attract visitors, but only the most devout of cynics would deny this cove its serendipitous beauty. From above, a curve of white cliffs bristling with green stubble frames its subject and sands perfectly. Strangely, it's perhaps the only beach you can best appreciate from afar. The viewpoint (with nearby parking) is a good hour's drive from Zakynthos Town and just as packed as below. Only from there does its geometry truly sing. Amenities: none. Best for: boat trips; viewpoints; Instagram photos.

Oil Press Museum

A charming tour run by the most famous olive-oil brand on Zakynthos. Many of the island's famed dopia olive trees are thought to be more than 2,000 years old, and this deep dive into local oil production in Zakynthos follows the process from branch to bottle. If you want to see an ancient dopia in real life, head to the village of Exo Chora, on the northwest coast. At its center grows what's known locally as the "elephant tree," a truly venerable gnarled wonder.

Porto Vromi

Porto Vromi is another gem found on the far northwestern coast. Its narrow shore isn't very large and doesn't attract that many visitors. A pebbly shore drops off quickly to reveal deep waters, so it's not much good for families with small children. Most use it as a departure point for boats to Shipwreck Beach and the Blue Caves, but it's worth a visit in its own right. The cove is riddled with small caves and surrounded by quiet mountain villages. A great escape from the masses. Amenities: a beach bar; tavernas in the villages; a couple of sun beds. Best for: boat trips; mountain trails; rural villages.

Sea Turtle Rescue Center

The Caretta caretta loggerhead sea turtle is a common visitor to Zakynthos. Every summer, hundreds return to its shores to lay their eggs, and yet their survival remains in the balance. The IUCN still classify this species as vulnerable. The problems caused by encroaching development, uneducated tourists, and unscrupulous boat tours is a major threat to the welfare of a species that, when hatched, already has just a one in 1,000 chance of surviving until adulthood. This center, run by volunteers, does its part to help those that stumble along the way. It should be noted that you aren't guaranteed to see any sea turtles (there are usually a few turtles); that's the nature of a rescue center. Daily feedings (10 am, 2 pm, and 6 pm) do take place, however, when there is something to feed. The center runs on minimal staff and looks a little shabby these days, but still offers good information.

St Dionysios Church

The largest and most impressive church on Zakynthos is named after the island's patron saint and bedecked in impressive frescoes and giltwork. It was completed in 1948 yet miraculously escaped significant damage during the earthquakes of a few years later. Locals naturally saw this as a sign. Its namesake saint, Dionysios, was born on Zakynthos but spent much of his life on a monastery on Strofades, some 40 km off its coast, where he was first buried. He is considered the saint of forgiveness, after lying to save his brother's murderer from retribution. His body is displayed here in the church and a procession of his relics is held on August 23 and December 17. Many other items rescued from the original Strofades monastery, ranging from paintings to muskets, can also be seen in a small, well-explained Ecclesiastical Museum to the rear (open 9 am–1 pm and 6 pm–10 pm).

Tsilivi Beach

For an island that doesn't really do public transport, Zakynthos makes a rare exception for its resort areas. There are regular buses between Tsilivi and Zakynthos Town, around 6 km away, during summer. That helps to make this one of the busiest stretches on the island, and you'll struggle to find an inch of its golden sands not subsumed by a sun bed or lobster-red British tourist. It also means it's well catered to, with umpteen bars, tavernas, and cafés surrounding the shore. Its waters accommodate Jet Skis, kayaks, banana boats, and paragliders. It's busy but you know what you're getting, and it's a good spot for those with little children, who will want for nothing. Amenities: food and drink; toilet; lifeguard; showers. Good for: families; watersports; resorts.

Zakynthos

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