Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Greece / Ionian Islands / Zakynthos
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| | | | Review by Rachel Munsey from Biggleswade
Zakynthos is fairly quiet with plenty of bars & restaurants with more of a family atmosphere unless you are under 20yrs old then Lagana is your thing!!!Some live music bars would be good for a different type of evening
Review by Ondrej Rudolf from Pilsen
At Zakynthos, two different worlds co-exist. One is the Laganas style - pure example of a fun-packed holiday resort full of young Birtish crowds. With everything this may bring. Go somewhere else and you can stay in a village, making friends in local shops, getting gifts of locally produced olive oil and wine, picking lemons right from the trees. There are places where you can feel being local, being Greek just for a week.
Zakynthos is covered with olive trees and generally, with sufficient water resources, the island is green thus providing better climate comfort than some of the southern islands.
Lovely beaches
I went to Greece for the first time this year and stayed in Tsilivi in Zante. It was fantastic. The people were lovely.
Tsilivi is beautiful, with lovely beaches and warm and clean water to swim in. The bars and restaurants were very clean and cheap. I went on a boat trip to see a shipwreck which was great and really enjoyable.
I can't wait to book up to go again next year.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
A magical island
Zante is a beautiful island with many attractions. A place recommended for stunning views is the taverna at Keri, which has a viewing point at its cliff top location.
It is possible to go to another point on the coast which overlooks the famed ship-wreck beach but I wouldn't recommend this for anyone with a fear of heights.
The traffic on the island is not too busy and the pace of life here is much slower than on other Greek islands.
We found the people to be exceptionally friendly and the food was excellent. Whether you are young or old, there is something for everyone in this magical place.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
Peaceful and friendly
I went to Zakynthos years ago and I still rate it as the best holiday I've had. We stopped at Vassilikos which is really peaceful and very friendly.
Taxis were cheap enough to be able to go into Argassi or Laganas for a night out. I wasn't impressed with Laganas but I could see the appeal if you wanted a lively holiday.
Argassi was good for a night out.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
We holidayed in Zakynthos two years ago and it was the best holiday ever. We had a fabulous apartment overlooking the sea and beach.
The scenery was fantastic, as were the boat trips around all the islands, the restaurants and above all the Greeks. They are attentive, polite and very friendly.
We will definitely go back again.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
Plenty for families and couples
I went to Laganas in late September and had a great time. The accomodation was typically Greek and basic but clean.
It was not too crowded at all. It's great for families or couples looking for a good night out, without big crowds of party-goers.
I would recommend Zante to anyone.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
Plenty of nightlife
Zante is a pretty island. We stayed in the outskirts of Tsilivi where there is plenty of nightlife in the town.
The only problem, until the airport extention is open, is the waiting time required at check in to book your luggage in and get through passport control. We had to wait about 2. 5 hours in the sun.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
For every kind of person
Zante is a place of such natural stunning beauty and serenity. I went there for a week three years ago, and had to return the following year for a further two weeks!
There is lots to do from snorkelling, scuba-diving and jet skiing to sightseeing, coach tours and ferries to nearby islands - all of which I have sampled.
The night life is ideal, a busy centre in Laganas for the young, party-mad type and yet if you venture just a few miles away, it is peaceful and tranquil.
An ideal holiday destination for every kind of person; families, young couples and older couples, what
other destination has so much to offer?
Zante is the ideal destination for any kind of holiday and I hope to return again soon.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
Behind the times
Suprises around every corner. beautiful scenery, great food, great people.
Behind the times? Yes, but great sea, great beaches and very relaxing.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
Not too many home comforts
I have just returned from Kalamaki, Zante. I had a very quiet and relaxing holiday. The Greek people were very friendly and helpful.
The island is famous for the Loggerhead turtles. Unfortunately, I never saw a real one, only replicas in the shops.
The weather was very hot and the food was great. I would recommend the resort only to people who don't care too much for home comforts and are easily pleased with very little facilities in their apartment. I was assured that all Greece was the same.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
Get away from the tourist spots
Zakynthos is a beautiful island, which unfortunately is being spoiled by tourism.
I stayed in Tsilivi, and found the "British" bars & "British" breakfasts hard to cope with.
However I also found many very good local restaurants and the people were, without exception, delightful, friendly, courteous and helpful.
When you leave tourist spots and explore the rest of the island you will find many breathtaking views.
As a woman travelling alone I never felt at all threatened when out walking by myself.
Another plus is the ease with which you can visit Athens, Olympia and several other main land sites.
I will certainly visit Zakynthos again, but I do not think that it will be to Tsilivi, it will most likely be to a quieter place such as Argassi, or Alikes.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
Fond memories
Beautiful resort. I have been seven times - it will be eight next year. I have been to other Greek islands but still come back.
The people so friendly we have very fond memories of this resort - lovely beach, good food, relaxing place.
Travel Guide: Zakynthos
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Sorry, there is currently no general information available for this destination.
| | Fact File : Zakynthos |
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| | | Zakynthos | | Did you know?
Zakynthos town was devastated by an earthquake in 1953 but rebuilt to something near its former glory.
Language
Greek
Visas
None required for EU residents.
Getting there
Direct charter flights from UK. Regular air service to Athens. Ferry links to other islands in Ionian group.
Flying time from London
Around four hours
Getting around
There is no shuttle service between Zakynthos Town and the airport, but it's only six km away. There are frequent bus services round the island, stopping at the bigger towns. There is a motorbike and car hire outlet in Zakynthos Town.
Currency
Euro
Costs
Litre of petrol 51p; bottle of beer £1; moderate restaurant meal for one with wine £10; 24-exposure camera film £2.50; four-mile taxi ride about £3.
Weather
Summers are long and hot (up to 32C/90F). Winters are mild (around 13C/55F) and not as windy as in other parts of the Greek Islands, but rainfall is heavy (around 200mm in December).
Time difference
Three hours ahead of GMT in summer, two hours ahead in winter.
International dialling code from the UK
00 30 for Greece, followed by island code 695.
Voltage
220V, 50Hz - UK appliances will need an adaptor for the standard continental two-pin plug.
Opening hours
Banks open 8am-2pm Mon-Thur and 8.30am-1.30pm Fridays. Post offices open 7.30am-8pm and till 2pm on Saturdays. Shops vary - some open seven days a week, some close for very long lunches.
Health - Before you go
UK citizens are covered for health care on production of form EHIC (from UK post offices). Emergency treatment is free in hospital (though relatives must take food in for patients). However, the health service in Greece is very underfunded and one of the poorest in Europe, so if you'd prefer the security of private treatment, decent travel insurance is essential.
Health - When you are there
Sunburn is the biggest danger, especially in summer. Slap on the sunscreen and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Warnings
Tap water is generally safe to drink. Be wary of the sun, and pack an insect repellent.
Emergency
Tel 166. British Embassy, Ploutarhou 1, Athens 106 75. Tel. 723 6211.
Customs
Cats are everywhere and feeding them is a popular pastime.
Pets
May be taken under the PETS travel scheme. Rabies vaccinations and blood tests are needed for the documentation and the process takes at least seven months prior to travel.
Tipping
Service is included on restaurant bills but it is customary to leave a small tip. The same goes for taxis.
Tourist office
Hellenic Tourism Organisation, 4 Conduit Street, London, W1R 0DJ. Tel. 020 7495 9300.
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| | Available rental properties in Zakynthos |
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| |  | | Paradise villa
3 Bedroom villa with private pool set in Mature Olive grove, 10 mins walk to beach, 15 mins to restaurants.
|  | | Villa Kathleen
MASSIVE £200 OFF JUNE BOOKINGS !!!!
Villa Kathleen is in the ideal location for a relaxing holiday away from the hustle & bustle of mass tourism.
|  | | Villa Belusi, Archontiko
Zakynthos makes one forget time and place.A precious emerald dropped in the clear blue water of the Ionian Sea waiting for those who know to enjoy it
|  | | Villa Belusi, Stavloi
Zakynthos makes one forget time and place.A precious emerald dropped in the clear blue water of the Ionian Sea waiting for those who know to enjoy it
|  | | Kookis village- villa for 4
Whoever stays at Kookis villas which combines traditional architecture along with modern conveniences will discover an oasis among the industrialized
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Holiday Rentals in Zakynthos |
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