Zakynthos
Zakynthos island really offers a wide range of things to do and top attractions to see. Accessible at only 16 kilometers off Peloponnese's west coast in the Ionian Sea, the topography here is breathtaking and varied.
The combination of lovely scenery, stunning beaches, and easy access to a fabulous underwater world, packed with colorful fish and concealed caves, which is ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling, has popularized Zakynthos as a great tourist destination in Greece.
Learn what are Zakynthos' best attractions to visit and top activities to do in Zakynthos with my list. I have left the best attraction for last.
1. Byzantine Museum
Located on the main square in Zakynthos Town, the Byzantine Museum showcases frescoes, religious icons, and sculptures dating from the 12th century that belonged to monasteries and churches.
You'll find Byzantine icons etched into wood and two entire rooms housing 18th-century oil paintings. Also, there's a small scale of the town from about 1950 that provides an idea of how it appeared prior to the destructive 1953 earthquake.
2. Roma Mansion
Constructed in the 1660s, this mansion happens to be one of the lucky old structures to have endured the 1953 earthquake that ended up destroying the majority of Zakynthos Town. It's under the Roma family's ownership, who chose to renovate it as well as make the building available to the general public in 2007.
Inside, you'll see period paintings, furniture, and books, and you'll leave having some inkling of how the island's aristocrats must have lived centuries ago.
3. Blue Caves
At Cape Skinari, you'll run across the extraordinary Blue Caves. Inside, there's a mesmerizing play of mirrors as the bright blue sea amazingly reflects the sky's color that is mirrored off the cave's walls creating an unusually magical sapphire and azure light design.
You may come by to the Blue Caves in a little glass-bottom boat that leaves from Agios Nikolaos, situated on the northeast coast, about 32 kilometers from Zakynthos Town.
4. Keri Caves
Situated on the southwest coast, only 14 kilometers from Zakynthos Town, near the Village of Keri, a series of stunning caves open onto a transparent turquoise sea.
Visitors must explore these amazing caves whether snorkeling or scuba diving, for it's one of the most popular things to do in Zakynthos.
Imagine, the lighting effects from the sun's reflection traveling through the water and striking the cave walls; the result is an astonishing sight worthy of photos and video.
Today, you could visit Keri Caves by renting a boat and going independently, or as part of an organized tour.
5. Zakynthos National Marine Park
Located about 8 kilometers south of Zakynthos town, the broad bay of Laganas hosts many heavenly stretches of sandy beach. From the 1980s, it has become Zakynthos' top resort spot, along with its affordable accommodation luring tourists searching for sun, sea, and fun.
Moreover, the area is the breeding ground for the interesting but very shy loggerhead sea turtle, now an endangered species. Around 1,300 loggerhead turtles reside in Laganas Bay. Zakynthos National Marine Park was established in 1999 to both protect them and to restrict certain sections of the beach throughout the nesting season. To find out more, stop by the park's display center in Dafni, situated at the east side of Laganas Bay.
6. Navagio Beach: The Renowned Shipwreck Cove
Your experience on Zakynthos wouldn't be complete without visiting the island's most popular and photographed site. The famed Navagio Beach is an entire other experience to live through in person and one of Europe's top places to visit. You'll surely admire the surreal vistas of breathtaking white sandy beaches.
The beach houses the rustic ruins of the MV Panagiotis, a vessel which got trapped in the cove during the 1980s and has its own intriguing history. It's situated in the northeast of Zakynthos.
7. Zakynthos Venetian Castle
Located on the hill of Bohali over Zakynthos Town, the Venetian Castle was built on the site of the island's ancient acropolis as well as on the site of a previous Byzantine castle.
The Venetians completed the castle in 1646 AD and Saint Mark's Winged Lion, a symbol of the Venetian empire, sits over the central entrance. In those ancient times the castle served as the home and power base of the Venetian Proveditor, the island's administrator, and of additional officials. Because of factors such as time, attacks from wars, and earthquakes, the castle didn't survive without some damage.
Several churches were discovered in its inner walls like the Byzantine Church of the Savior which dates from the 12th century; the church of Virgin Mary Laurentena; the church of Saint John the Baptist; and the church of Santa Barbara.
