Location: Zakynthos
Top Things to do in Zakynthos
The 10 Best Points of Interest & Landmarks in Zakynthos, Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are splendid, cinematic paradise. The waters are bluest blue, the sands are achingly silky and smooth. Everything looks heavily Photoshopped. But that's just Mother Nature, in all her unspoiled glory. Zakynthos is the largest of the Ionian Islands, and it's as fruitful as it is beautiful, boasting a bounty of crops like olives and grapes. Music is a huge part of the local culture—you can catch a concert or festival almost any night of the week, and you'll be captivated by the sights and sounds of Zakynthos performers.
Restaurants in Zakynthos
1. Anafonitria Monastery
2. Monastery of Panagia Skopiotissa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By liz_haine
Absolutely incredible views over Zankythos. Very hard walk up especially in the heat. Recommend taking a good supply of water!! We parked at the bottom just off the main road and walked up the gravel path. Did see a couple of cars drive up but didn't want to risk it as the roads weren't great. If you don't want to walk it, we saw a couple of quad bikes and they seemed to be managing the road with ease. No refreshment stop half way up , it is no longer there but a lovely cafe 200m for the monastery which sells cold drinks and ice creams. Also a Byzantine church ruin on the way up which is worth having a look. Sign stating the history in greek and english near the outside of the ruin. When you get to the top the monastery is locked but the man that runs the restaurant was bringing a man up and unlocked it, so we managed to have a look around. It may be worth stopping at the café and asking if he could unlock it before going up the last bit. Also if walk up past the outside of the monastery there is a large pile of rocks that you can climb and reach the peak of mount Skopos. The view is stunning and well worth making the climb. However the rocks are steep so care should be taken . Well worth including on your trip to Zankythos.
3. Vardiola of Kypseli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By TJ200609 - London, United Kingdom
My husband, I & 27 friends enjoyed a wonderful evening here at the Vardiola. The owner Spyros & his staff did a wonderful job of looking after us all & making our night so special. Some friends had never been here before & were stunned by the beautiful location by the sea. All the food was cooked fresh to order & all served together which is very impressive considering there were 29 of us. The meals varied from Pork & Beef steak, kleftico, seafood & swordfish - all were excellent!! A lovely place to have a special celebration - everyone really enjoyed it. Thank you!!
4. Ekklisia Faneromeni
5. Monastery of Spiliotissa (Holy Virgin of the Cave)
6. To Navagio (The Shipwreck)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 280 reviews
Reviewed By martinab381 - Munich, Germany
The place is a must if you are on the island, but be prepared - it’s the biggest attraction soo lots of tourists. For visiting the beach itself, we would really recommend renting a private boat from Porto Vroni so you can explore at your own pace and also see many other caves/ places around this beach. If you are on the big organized tours, you have a limited time on the beach, they usually take you there when it is flocked with tourists ( some boats have 200-300 people) and you dont get to explore that many of the other attractions around the beach. Leave alone the whole COVID aspect right now that made us easily choose the private boat. We also went to the viewpoint where you see the beach from the top - a huge lone of tourists to snap a photo so be prepared to wait( there is a photo platform). Otherwise, you cannot really see the beach itself and all other access has ben closed off as it is extremely dangerous and people apparently fell from the cliffs.
7. Dafni Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 724 reviews
Reviewed By PaulThomasFarrell - London, United Kingdom
We landed in Zakinthos, it was a lovely day and we strolled across the road to collect our hire car. The off we went to Vasilikos around 45 mins form the airport. We'd hired a house called Villa Artemis for the week. It was beautiful, Dafni beach was just one of the locations we visited. Hard to get to by road but worth the hairpin bends! Jerry and Angela met us at the house on our arrival in fact Angela phoned us as we were driving and guided us in. They'd got us ice and snacks to get started! The house is beautiful. All mod cons to make your stay comfortable. There's even a ground floor bedroom if you don't fancy the stairs! What's important is to leave where you came from at the door and immerse yourselves in traditional surrounding with a modern flavour. The view from the master bedroom window opposite the bed is stunning. The terrace outside the master bedroom is ideal for sipping iced gin and watching the carpet of stars at night. There's a barbecue at the end of the garden that we didn't use but that would easily host six guests with room to roast a whole lamb! Nearby and I mean walking distance, is Gerakas Beach. Just go. It's beautiful. Also the other way while walking you'll first encounter 'Perfetto' restaurant. It was so perfect we didn't eat anywhere else and staggered home most night after delicious food and way too much red wine at prices that coming from London UK left us amazed. Terrific food and wine for less than 35 euros......for two! We'd hired a car and used it to get around the island which is small. The roads are a little on the bendy side and often quite narrow so go slow and stay sharp! Wont say much more but really, using Jerry and Angelas place as a base you are completely sorted! We''l be back for sure and hope you enjoy the place as much as we did. On a final note I notice quite a few reviews (not for this place) that pick at every single little issue and I feel it's easy to find something wrong if you're looking too hard. Try not to forget you're visiting another country often with different infastructure and lifestyles. Try to fit in and don't waste your time looking for fault. It'll never be perfect but then who is perfect? That's me done. Thank you for letting us into your home it's a memory we'll treasure forever.
8. Keri Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 565 reviews
Reviewed By claudia_ciocoiu - Bucharest, Romania
Amazing view.breath taking.better than navagio’s grande panorama.we only had a cocktail, not eating.the menu is poor-ish.great ambiental music.chilling one.it s worth it????.you cannot take pictures until you have dinner or drinks.prices a bit higher, but it’s worth it
9. Olive Tree
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By GinaK1000
The Olive tree at Exo Chora is very impressive.Up to now,it's been estimated to have a life span of aproximately 2300 years!The trunk is incredible,you'll have to make a full circle of walking around it to take in it's form and shape once that the trunk has split into three!And it's so twisted that you'll just love taking pictures on it!The olive tree still produces olives and olive oil of course!Just next to it there's a taverna at the square which is a lovely spot to relax and cool down whether for a coffee,snack or lunch,it's worth it!
10. Agiou Markou Square
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By GinaK1000
Now,this I consider the most tradtional,old and attractive Square in Zakynthos Town!All special festivities take place every so often once that it's connected to Solomos Square. It's a meeting point for strolling,having a coffee break,having lunch or dinner,visiting tourist shops and a special attraction is the Solomos and Kalvos Mausoleum in which the graves of our National Poet Dionysios Solomos and our other famous poet Kalvos and his englsih wife exist.The Museum is full of paintings,statues,works of eminent mayors and ministers,poets and painters are kept.The lovely Catholic Church adds to the traditional touch of the Square.This is where the Revolution took place in 1628 against the Venetian Nobility who used to take advantage of lower classes.The stonework on the ground takes you back to a lost era!I just love St.Marcus' Square representing the old traditional Zakynthos as it existed before the 1953 earthquakes destroyed the island!Do visit it,it's worth it!There are people everywhere drinking,relaxing,enjoying music,shopping,chatting,walking around,enjoying a friendly local lifestyle!
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