Seven places to visit in Zakynthos

Turquoise sea, colorful flowers, white beaches, mysterious caves and diving with sea turtles. Zakynthos, the third largest island in Ionian Sea, offers all this and more. The article collected seven places that tourists should not miss when visiting Zakynthos.
Experienced travelers prefer to book a hotel in Greece in advance online, compare prices, ratings and reviews. For example, in Zakynthos, you can book The Lesante Luxury Hotel & Spa from 144 euros per night.

1. Xigia - natural resort
You will smell the sea before you see it. Thanks to the sulfur contained in the water, the beach of Xigia has turned into a natural sulfuric sea bath. On the way to the northern part of the island you can relax on a small pebbly beach with typical milky sea water. Just keep in mind that this is a natural resort, the temperature of the springs is not regulated in any way, so be prepared for temperatures around 18°C.
2. Buchali - amazing viewpoint
Beneath the ruins of a Venetian fortress, on the site where the history of the entire island was written, is Buchali village, which attracts visitors with its unique location. From this point, a beautiful view of the capital of Zante and the entire bay opens up. The view from the walls of the Venetian fortress or from the terrace of one of the traditional taverns is really impressive. In addition to the beautiful view, Bouchali has an open-air theater, the Maritime Museum and Agios Georgios Filicon Church.

3. Strofades - floating islands
Stamphani and the slightly smaller Arpia island, with its tiny height of only 10 meters, seem to float on the surface of the sea when viewed from afar. Thanks to this optical illusion, they are called "floating islands". However, the mere thought that the deepest sea trench in the Mediterranean is only a few minutes away gives goosebumps. The Inussa depression reaches an incredible depth - more than 4.5 km.
If you want peace and quiet, floating islands are the perfect choice. They provide accommodation for countless birds and only a few dozen inhabitants of the fortified Byzantine St. Dionysius monastery.

4. Marathonisi - home of the Carriage giant
Marathonisi islet, located in the southeast of Zakynthos, is popular for the rare giant tortoise - Caretta, which is on the list of endangered species. Each year, individuals flock to the beach near Laganas to lay their eggs, but out of a thousand or so, only a tiny number survive. People try to maximize their chances of survival, so special measures are taken during the breeding season. Certain sections of the beach are prohibited, public transport and artificial lighting are limited.You can also swim with the giants in Marathonis. There are few places on Earth where you can dive with turtles, which can grow up to one meter in size and weigh an impressive 150 kilograms. In addition to carriages, there is a chance to find other representatives of the underwater kingdom: crabs, sea urchins, jellyfish or starfish, and in rare cases even dolphins. Turtle Island can be reached by boat from the nearby resorts of Agios Sostis or Laganas.

5. Navagio is the most photographed beach
You won't find a single travel agency catalog that doesn't feature the infamous Navagio Beach. Massive cliffs, white sand, azure sea and a rusting shipwreck on the sand make for a breathtaking scenery, so it's no surprise that it's a popular spot for photographers not only in Zakynthos, but throughout Greece. However, a few decades ago things were different. It's hard to come to terms with the lack of a dramatic story around the shipwreck, full of ruthless pirates and chests of gold. Meanwhile, it was not exactly a pirate ship, but a smugglers' boat, which was wrecked on the shore only in the early 1980s due to an engine failure.Until recently, not only were there no sunken ships on the beach, but the entire landscape of the beach has changed. Initially, the area was a small rocky beach, which owes its current appearance to erosion and landslides. He began not only to delight tourists with his appearance, but also an oasis of peace for the soul. However, it is not accessible from the mainland. If you want to enjoy this natural beauty, you will have to get there by water. You can also take a water taxi from the nearby town of Purto Vromi or large cruise ships that depart from the port in the capital or Ag Nikolaos Volimon.

6. Blue caves
A place where nature once again showed itself from the best side. Limestone cliffs, alluring shapes and the play of light that makes the caves play with all shades of blue. To explore the cave systems, it is best to use small boats from the port of Ag Nikolos Volimon or from the lighthouse at Skinari Cape. Unlike the big cruise ships that depart from the capital, you can travel to the heart of the caves on a small boat. Ideal time for daytime - morning, when the sun is behind you, and the colors in the caves are the brightest!

7. Volimes - a village forgotten by time
As in all of Greece, the history of Zakynthos is steeped in mythology. No wonder the gods Apollo and Artemis, according to theories, also liked to stay in such beauties as this island offers. Even now, Zakynthos is one of the best places to stay. During your visit to it, be sure to visit the time-forgotten Volimes village, which is known mainly for its traditional crafts.The history of the mountain village of Volimes dates back to the 15th century, it has more than a thousand inhabitants and is the administrative center of the district. In addition to the local vernacular architecture dominated by churches with typical bell towers (eg the church of g. Spirdonas), the windmills add color to the landscape. However, the village became known for its soft cheeses ("ladytyri"), lace making, weaving and selling traditional agricultural products.