3 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.

Ruins Fodor's Choice
Anastasiou Street, Bohali, Zakynthos Town, Zakynthos, 29100, Greece
26950-48099
sights Details
Rate Includes: €4, Closed Sun. and Tue.

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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