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International Airport

Zante (Zakynthos) International

Information

Language: Greek. Currency: Euro. Greek Tourist Office: 4 Conduit Street, London W1S 2DJ. Tel: 020 7495 9300. Fax: 020 7287 1369. www.gnto.co.uk

Travel money

Euro

Things to do

Drive winding roads to the north for peaceful pine covered hills and spectacular cliffs. Take a boat trip to the picture postcard Blue Caves or Smugglers' Cove. Visit Zante Town's Venetian castle ruins and St Mark’s Square. Admire breathtaking views from Strani Hill or sail to the mainland to see Olympia, historic birthplace of the Olympics, and climb to the top of Athens' ancient Acropolis.

Beaches

Zante is blessed on the beach front, with soft sands for all types of beach lovers. If you’re after a lively vibe, Laganas beach is one of the biggest in Zante and is popular with families and young adults, with the quieter part of the beach being towards Kalamaki.

If you’re after lazy days and watersports, check out Tsilivi and Argassi, where facilities are available to help you have loads of fun in the water. There are no watersports on Laganas or Gerakas beach due to the Loggerhead turtles, but Gerakas is still one of the best places to soak up the sun, with a wide stretch of beautiful, soft sand.

Blue Flag Beaches

8 beaches in Zante. Details at www.blueflag.org
www.blueflag.org

Explore your destination

Here's a little taste of what's on offer: for more excursion ideas, speak to your Rep.

Lazy Day Cruise

With rest and relaxation on tap, this lazy boat ride is perfect for exploring Zante's southern shores. You'll pass beautiful sun-kissed beaches and visit the famous Keri Caves, and you may even spot one of Zante's famous loggerhead turtles.

Island Tour

Travel through traditional villages and olive groves on this journey of legend, myth and discovery. A fully guided tour, you will also have opportunities to purchase locally produced goods such as embroidery, lacework, pottery, honey and rugs.

Olympia

Set sail for the mainland, as you are transported back 3,000 years to the birthplace of the Olympic Games. An historical site, Ancient Olympia once held the great Temple of Zeus, with the original Olympic track so well preserved you can even run a lap.

Smugglers Cove

Cast yourself away to see the shipwreck - the island's most famous treasure. Make a splash in the bay beneath towering cliffs in this natural beauty spot. (Please note entrance to the cove is weather permitting.) An island treasure.

Highlights

• Keeping your eyes peeled for the rare loggerhead turtles while you take a relaxing boat trip around parts of the island
• Visiting Zante’s most famous sight, Shipwreck Beach, where you can relax on the white sand, take a dip in the sea and see the smugglers’ ship, which was wrecked here in 1980
• Cruising to the Blue Caves, seeing beautiful blue water flowing through a series of arches and caves while on your holiday in Zante
• Wandering around the island’s capital, Zante Town, strolling along the harbour, stopping off in restaurants and bars and seeing the Venetian-style plazas and buildings
• Looking around Zante Town’s Byzantine Museum, seeing the artwork saved from the churches that were destroyed in the earthquake of 1953
• Taking a tour to mainland Greece from Zante, to see Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics Games
• Hiring a car to discover the island’s natural beauty and little villages, making the most of your Zante holiday
• Chilling out in Kampi, on the island’s west coast, where you’ll see the best sunsets from one of the little tavernas on the cliff top
• Lazing the day away on Zante’s amazing beaches, such as Banana Beach and Kalamaki’s sands
• Enjoying non-stop fun on your Zante holiday in the party paradise of Laganas, which is full of clubs, bars and restaurants for all your party needs

Food and drink

Food in Zante is a real mix of authentic Greek dishes and popular fast food, especially in Laganas where whatever you favour, you’ll find it, with burger bars, pizza restaurants and Italian eateries all along the main strip

If you’d rather sample local flavours on holiday in Zante, tavernas serve up traditional Greek salads, moussaka, souvlaki and fresh fish dishes. Zante Town has plenty of restaurants, or you could just find a shop selling mandolato, a local nougat sweet, and sit along the harbour and enjoy.

Evening Flavour

For a full-on party vibe join the club crowd, heading to Laganas, where you can dance through the night in neon-lit bars.

If you want parties but don’t want to be in the centre of it all, Kalamaki’s perfect, with low-key bars and restaurants just a short hop from Laganas if you want a night on the tiles, or try Tsilivi, which has its own serving of discos.

If you’re tempted by quieter nights on your Zante holiday, Alykes and Alykanas are top of the list.

Shopping

Zante Town, and especially Alexander Roma Street, is the best place to go shopping on holiday in Zante, with a good mix of shops packed with crafts, clothes and leather goods.

In Tsilivi and Laganas, you’ll find lots of tourist shops and newsagents selling everything from ice cream to inflatables. If you’re after traditional souvenirs, leather goods, jewellery and clothes, most of the island’s resorts come complete with places selling these items.

Dates for the Diary

St. Dionysios, the patron of the island is celebrated on 24-26 August, with processions through Zante Town.

For the Family

• Treat the family to a fun day out at one of Zante’s waterparks, which can be found in Sarakinado near Laganas, and Tsilivi, where there’s a lazy river and big slides that shoot you into cool pools
• Take a family cruise around the island to see if you can spot any of Zante’s famous loggerhead turtles; an exciting trip for kids and adults
• Enjoy a ride through the streets of resorts like Laganas and Tsilivi in a donkey-drawn carriage on your Zante holiday