Zakynthos is the third largest of the Ionian Islands, covering an area
of 410 km2. The coastline of Zakynthos is roughly 124 km in length.
Zakynthos Island is located west of the Greek mainland, lying
northwest of the Peloponnese.
Zante is the southernmost island in the Ionian cluster of
islands. Zakynthos is about fifteen kilometres from Cape Kilini, the
harbour where the ferry boat from Zakynthos links to the mainland of
Greece.
As you travel around on your holiday, you'll notice that the geography
of the Greek island of Zakynthos varies greatly from region to region.
Fertile plains in the South East region of Zante contrast greatly with
the mountainous terrain and steep cliffs of the West coast of Zakynthos.
With such a varied geography, this is the perfect Greek Island to
explore for a summer holiday.
The basic geography of Zante
Zakynthos is the third largest of the Ionian Islands, covering an area
of 410 km2. The coastline of Zakynthos is roughly 124 km in length.
Zakynthos Island is located west of the Greek mainland, lying northwest
of the Peloponnese. It is the southernmost island in the Ionian cluster
of islands. Zakynthos is about fifteen kilometres from Cape Kilini, the
harbour where the ferry boat from Zakynthos links to the mainland of
Greece.
In all, by sea and road, Zakynthos is about 100 kilometres from the
nearest larger city of Patras. Zakynthos is about 300 kilometers, by sea
and road, from Athens.
The South, South West, and East regions of Zakynthos consist of lush
vegetation and spacious sandy beaches. These regions in Zakynthos are
where you'll find the more popular and developed tourist resorts in
Zakynthos. Along the West coast and up in the Far North of the Island
the geography is far starker, with cliffs and fiords dominating the
landscape. On holiday in Zakynthos you can enjoy an amazing selection of
beautifulbeaches around the coastline of the island.
The rich vegetation of Zakynthos is due to the mild Mediterranean Zante
climate, with intermittent rainfall in winter and brilliant sunshine in
the summer. It is widely documented that Zakynthos has the highest
number of sunshine hours in the Mediterranean - which makes it a perfect
location for beach weddings and weddings abroad from the UK.
The mild, Mediterranean climate and bountiful winter rainfall keep the
island greener than many Greek islands, with dense and varied
vegetation. Because of the rich vegetation, Zakynthos is a very fertile
island, with the production of agricultural products important for the
economy.
The main products from Zakynthos are olive oil, currants, grapes, which
are used to cultivate wine, raisins, and citrus fruit. Most families
work carefully to ensure a good harvest of olives and olive oil each
year, not just for family food but also to sell on as produce to the
government.
The stable winter population of Zakynthos is believed to be around
45,000 inhabitants, with 15,000 living in the vicinity of Zakynthos
Town.
The towns and resorts in Zante
The capital of Zakynthos, which has the same name as the island itself,
is known as Zakynthos or Zante Town. Zakynthos Town is also often called
Chora by the Greeks. This means Town in Greek, and is often used in
Greece when the name of the island is the same as the name of the main
town.
The main harbour of Zakynthos is located in Zante Town. There is a daily
ferry service connecting to the port of Killini on the mainland. Another
ferry from the northern port of St Nikolas connects Zakynthos daily to
the port of Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia.
Zakynthos island has one airport, situated in the South West, about 5
kilometres from Zakynthos Town, and just a few minutes drive from the
resorts of Kalamaki, Laganas and Argassi. The Zante airport has recently
been renovated to a very high standard.
There are a number of tourist resorts scattered around the coastline of
Zante:
Two of the largest resorts, Kalamaki and Laganas, are neighbours on
the South West Coastline. They share the longest beach on the island
which stretches from Kalamaki all the way down to Laganas.
The resort of Argassi is one of the smaller resorts on the island, but
still bustling in the summer months. Argassi sits on the South Coast of
the island, only a few minutes away from the main town. You will pass
through Argassi on the Southern Coastal road that takes you out to
Vasilikos.
The popular family-oriented resort of Tsilivi is located on the East
Coast of the island about 5 kilometres from Zante Town. Tsilivi has a
lovely golden sand beach that is very popular with tourists in the
summer months.
The neighbouring resorts of Alykes and Alykanas are located on the
East coast, about 10 kilometres on from Tsilivi. These resorts are two
of the quietest on the island with no nightclubs and only a handful of
bars.
There are a number of smaller resorts, such as Porto Koukla and Agios
Sostis, scattered around the island, perfect for people who really want
to get away from it all!
The Islets of Strofades off the Zakynthos
Around the coastline of Zakynthos there are several small, beautiful
islands, many of which can be visited with boat trips from Zakynthos.
About 20 miles south of Zakynthos are the Strofades islands. The
natural environment of the Strofades island contains a very old cedar
forest with hollies, oaks, and wild olive trees.
The Strofades islands contain a rare and protected habitat of flora
and Mediterranean migratory species. In springtime, from late March,
through April and May, thousands of birds come from Africa. The Kuki,
Grouse, Stafrochelidona Orthochelidona, Spitochelidona , Sylvia, Ortolan,
Muhos, Asimoglaos, Thalasokorakas, Peregrine, Bonelli's Eagle, Hoopoe
and Yellowbird have all been spotted here.
Marathonisi island, which has access both at the front and the back
of the island, is great for swimming. The sand is fine and the seas are
really clear on the island of Marathonisi. Marathonisi, also known as
Turtle Island, is a main nesting beach for the Caretta Caretta
loggerhead sea turtles, and as such is carefully protected by the
National Marine Park.
Pelouzo island is the main nesting beach for the Caretta Caretta, and
access to the island is prohibited for this reason. You can see the
island floating on the horizon from much of the South West coast of
Zante, but you will not be able to visit here during your stay.
The National Marine Park of Zakynthos
The Bay of Laganas, and most of the South West Coast of Zakynthos, is
the major nesting ground in the Mediterranean for the endangered species
of caretta-caretta loggerhead sea turtles.
Visitors on holiday in Zakynthos Zante need to take care around the
beaches in the Bay of Laganas, to follow the guidelines of the National
Marine park of Greece to avoid lying or tramping upon the sand which
covers the turtle nests.
Sea Caves around Zakynthos
There are a number of large Sea Caves around the island of Zante.
These large formations are fantastic to visit during your holiday in
Zakynthos.
The famous Blue Caves are located around the Far Northern region of
Skinari. The large Sea Caves are big enough for the glass bottom
motorboats to take you inside. Once you are in the caves, you will be
amazed by the inky blue of the water. A unique process of reflection on
the water transforms the sea water here into a deep indigo blue a
really amazing Zante experience.
Between the small beach port of Porto Vromi and Shipwreck Bay there
are a few more Sea Caves to explore. If you take a boat trip to
Shipwreck to Porto Vromi, they will take you into the caves on the way.
These are spectacular formations, but lack the wow factor of the Blue
Caves in the North.
The Keri Caves are located around the South Western point of Zante.
There are a number of boat trips that will take you to see, and swim
around, the Keri Caves. These formations are quite different from the
Blue Caves in the North they are dominated by white rock and striking
arches emerging from the sea. The waters around the Keri Caves are a
sparkling turquoise shade another highly recommended Zante trip to
include in your summer holiday here.
Earthquakes in Zante
Zakynthos is one of the main seismic earthquake zones in Greece. A
number of damaging earthquakes have occurred here over the centuries -
the most recent disaster was in 1953.
Most of Zakynthos Town was destroyed following this earthquake in
1953, not actually due to the buildings collapsing, but from fire that
quickly spread through the town, caused by gas burners being used at the
time of the quake for cooking midday meals. The Island was rebuilt as
closely to the original as possible, with heavily fortified buildings
that have been deemed safe to withstand very strong earthquakes today.
.jpg)
