Where is Zante?
The lovely Ionian island of Zakynthos is also known as Zante. The Venetians dubbed Zakynthos Fiore di Levante, which translates to “East Flower,” and they were absolutely correct!
Zakynthos is a beautiful island with rolling hills, lush green hills, and glittering beaches, some of which are world-famous, such as the famed Shipwreck Beach, with its bright light sand, turquoise crystal waters, and unusual rugged surroundings that make it both exotic and exclusive!
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Where is Zante?
Zakynthos is the southernmost of the Ionian Islands cluster, located in the Ionian Sea on the western coast of Greece.
It’s simple to go to Zakynthos!
Various nations provide direct flights to the island throughout the summer. Flights to Zakynthos are available from Athens and Thessaloniki during the off-season.
You may alternatively drive to the port of Killini on the western side of the Peloponnese to catch a boat to Zakynthos. You may also obtain ferries to Zakynthos from the other Ionian islands during the summer season.
Things to know about Zante’s History
The island of Zakynthos, as well as its name, are centuries old! Homer, in the Iliad and Odyssey, is the first to mention it. He claims that the island was named after Zakynthos, the son of Arcadia’s King Dardanos, who moved there with his warriors. When Odysseus was thought to be dead, Zakynthos sent suitors to Penelope and engaged in the Trojan War with six ships.
For both sides of the Peloponnesian War, as well as Roman invaders, the Ottomans, and eventually the Venetians in the 1400s, Zakynthos remained a source of strife and a wanted gorgeous prize of an island.
The Weather and Climate of Zante
The climate of Zante, like that of the rest of Greece, is Mediterranean. This implies that the winters are moderate and wet, whereas the summers are quite scorching. Temperatures can drop below 0 degrees Celsius in the winter, however they often range from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius. During the summer, temperatures consistently rise beyond 30 degrees Celsius, and can—and frequently do—exceed 35, and even reach 40 degrees.
The island’s lush greenery is due to the winter and spring rains, which are so heavy and frequent that it was dubbed “wooded” during medieval times.
What Zante is famous for
The Caretta-Caretta turtles and the beautiful beaches: Zakynthos’ beaches are frequently featured on international lists of must-see, must-visit seasides, combining traditional Greek and Caribbean-style exotic beauty: rich sandy golden and white golden colours mix with aquamarine, dazzling, crystal clear waters. Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) is one of Zante’s most well-known beaches, having one of Greece’s most famous shipwrecks.
The beaches of Zakynthos are known not only for their unrivaled beauty, but also for their ability to accommodate a variety of extreme activities, due to the jagged, unique rock formations that surround many of them: anything from flyboarding to parachuting to sub winging is possible in Zakynthos!
Just be careful not to go too far: portions on many beaches have been blocked off to protect the Caretta-Caretta turtles who come to Zakynthos to lay their eggs. You may join the volunteer groups of Zakynthos and aid small hatchlings make it safe to the sea if you enjoy conserving and participating in the beautiful life cycle of the endangered Caretta-Caretta turtle.
The architecture: You will be greeted with a lovely combination of romantic turn-of-the-century neoclassical, medieval Venetian, and traditional Greek architecture! Walking through the lovely marble and stone roads of the major town and villages, admiring the Venetian palaces with stunning vistas, and seeing the beautiful churches with the characteristic belltowers are all things to do.
The food of the region is the essence of the Mediterranean diet: Oil production is prevalent in Zakynthos, with indigenous olive trees providing the island’s signature olive oil foundation. You may sample local specialties, cheeses, and foods that you won’t find anywhere else.
As you wait for the specialties of stews and pies, try the local cheese ladotyri and wash it down with the aromatic local wine Verde. Then relish the native sweets, which are prepared with honey, semolina, or egg whites and have textures you won’t find anywhere else, while taking in the scenery!
