Zante Hotels
Mini guide to Zante
Zante (Zakynthos) is the third-largest island in the Ionian Sea. Rich in beauty
and tradition, both historical and cultural, Zante is the ideal destination for
a holiday of exploration combined with relaxation.
The greater square of Zante town is surrounded by very important buildings
like the Byzantine Museum of Zante, which is home to old icons and frescoes
from the medieval churches which did not survive the earthquake of 1953.
Visit the Solomos and Kalvos Museum, which is also their Mausoleum. Here you'll
find original artefacts of the island's gentry along with their seals. Solomou
Square, dominated by the statue of the Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos,
is host to locals and visitors on summer strolls in the evenings.
The church of Saint Nikolaos on the Mole was built in 1561 and is the oldest
surviving Venetian building in the city. It is a church of historical value
and great importance because the patron saint of the island, Saint Dionysios,
served here.
Next to church of Saint Nikolaos on the Mole, another imposing building houses
the Cultural Centre of Zante and the Public Library, one of the best in Greece
with over 50,000 books. The library includes a small art gallery, small dolls
with local costumes, photographic material and the historical archive of Zante.
For relaxation, head to the fabulous beaches in the area for sunbathing and
water sports. Alikes and Alikanas are two excellent beaches which stretch for
three kilometres along the northeast coast and offer shops, bars, restaurants
and tavernas. Other beaches include: Argasi, Bouka, Geracas, Laganas, Navagio
(Smugglers Wreck), Porto Koukla, Porto Roma and Tsilivi.
For a more rural experience, the mountain villages (Keri, Lithakia, Maherado,
Koiliomeno) are famous for their Zakynthian hospitality. Here you can enjoy
the local delicacies and wine. Local dishes, cheeses, cold meat cuts and the
special sweets as well as the semi-dry wine (mastelado) of the area will delight
you.
You can fly from Athens to Zante Airport on Olympic Airways (duration: one
hour). Greek Coach Services (KTEL) has buses from Athens; estimated travel time
is five hours, including the ferry ride. Alternatively, you can take a bus from
Athens to Kilini (four hours), and then catch a ferry from Kilini to Zante (one
hour). The trip from Patras is approximately two hours by bus and ferry.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
|
