Zakynthos, Greece
This pearl of the Ionian has everything going for it
Beautiful beaches, a fertile inland, friendly locals... and the odd surprise or two, including turtles, shipwrecks, caves and offshore arches. Sit back and admire beautiful Ionian panoramas, or get stuck in to the island’s many natural attractions – the decision’s yours.
|
Destination overview
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Language: | Greek | |
| Currency: | Euro | |
| Time zone: | GMT +2 hours (GMT +3 hours in summer) | |
| Flight Time: | 3 hours 50 | |
| Holiday type: | Beach, Summer sun | |
| Weather: | Average maximum temperature: 18.6°C Rainfall: 968.1mm a year |
|
Must see:
Take a trip to Navagio (or ‘Shipwreck’) Beach, accessible only by boat, for a day of fun on pure golden sand in the company of the wrecked and rusting hull of the good ship Panagiotis. Amazing.
Must eat at:
Picture postcard Keri village is the kind of place you’d expect to find a well thought of restaurant... and the La Bruschetta Italian restaurant is just that.
Must be there for:
The truly surreal Zakynthos Carnival, which runs for two weeks every August, is simply not to be missed – and not just for its cheese eating rituals. Especially fascinating is the Pythonesque funeral ceremony at the close of festivities, when the ‘corpse’ of the carnival king is laid to rest.
Well-travelled tips:
- You might know this island by its Italian name of Zante... but get the Greek pronunciation right for extra Brownie points with the locals.
- Some of the more attractive sights are off the beaten track, so if you’re hiring a car, you might want to consider the four wheel drive variety.
Visa:
British citizens do not need a visa to visit Greece.