|
Zante Introduction
Zante is one of the Ionian Islands, lying within the Ionian Sea. It is the 3rd largest group of Ionian Islands and has a coastline of approximately 123 kms. It is the closest island to the Peloponnese region of Greece mainland. Zante Town has seen many changes to its architecture since the earthquake in 1953 which destroyed much of the Island.
Zante is high on the list for sightseeing; it has history, archaeology, mythology, culture, natural beauty, stunning views, architecture and more. Zante is a very diverse place to stay with something to suit everyone whatever your age or taste.
Zante has two names: it is also known as Zakynthos and perhaps it is the most popular destination for hundreds of tourists each year to the Ionian Island group, it does therefore, get quite crowded during the summer months.
Zante has such a wide variety of beaches you will have many decisions to make. Depending on what your choice is, whether you are looking for peace and quiet or an action packed time, you will find something for everyone on Zante. Some beaches on Zante have Blue Flags which have been awarded for their cleanliness and facilities. For Scuba Diving you will have a big variety of underwater viewing, such as the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Cove which are two popular sites.
It is famous for the turtles which enter the beaches each year to nest and lay their eggs. Many of the beaches are protected under the International Agreement and Greek Legislation, to preserve the endangered species such as caretta-caretta. Monk Seals also inhabit the island when they go to give birth to their cubs.
Zante has some mountains, the highest being mount Skopos. From here it is said that the panoramic views are absolutely stunning.
The main industry on Zante is naturally tourism, as it sees many holiday makers each year but farming and agriculture can still be found on Zante with the production of figs and olives. It also produces grapes for its wine.
Zante has a rich and varied nightlife, depending on what you are looking for and where you are staying. There are places you can go, such as Lithakia, Porto Koukla and Agios Sostis where you will not find anything noisy, just traditional Greek tavernas and restaurants.
However, if you are looking for lots of night entertainment then Zante Town and Laganas will have what you are looking for. They have a splendid variety of music bars, clubs and disco's all offering loud and buzzing music where you can party the night away.
Zante Location
Zante is one of the Ionian Islands, laying within the Ionian Sea. It is the 3rd largest group of Ionian Islands and has a coastline of approximately 123 kms. It is the closest island to the Peloponnese region of Greece mainland.
Zante has two names: it is also known as Zakynthos and perhaps it is the most popular destination for hundreds of tourists each year to the Ionian Island group, it does therefore, get quite crowded during the summer months.
There is a port just outside Zante town, which connects the island to Greece mainland and to Kefalonia.
Weather in Zante
Zante has a reputation for being one of sunniest places in Greece. The weather on Zante is particularly good and it experiences a longer summer than some European countries, usually from around May when temperatures start to rise reaching an average of 24°c, until October when the average temperature is still a good 23°c. Even after October you can often have a nice sunny day, but temperatures may drop quite rapidly by night fall.
Summer temperatures can reach a staggering high of +30°C, with sea temperatures reaching a high of 27°c during August. It can feel pretty humid which is around 56% in July, the hottest month and has the longest sunshine hours of 13. You can feel cooling breezes coming off the Ionian Sea which does help to keep the temperature more bearable.
Winters are usually mild, but you will see more rainfall during the months of October - April with an average of approximately 8 or 9 days each month.
Transfers from the airport
Arriving at a foreign airport can often be a strenuous affair and with most customers traveling independently these days having a pre-booked airport transfer is an essential part of your holiday package. Local taxis at the airport can sometimes be limited or with long queues, by booking a pre-booked you can not only make a fantastic saving on your transfer but also avoid all the stress of queues and haggling with taxi drivers. Book your airport transfer service here now >>
Airport Shuttle Bus Service
In most of our gateway airports you can pre-book an Airport Shuttle Service. This is a pre-booked only service that operates between the relevant airport and holiday resort. In normal times you can expect to wait up to 30 minutes for your shuttle bus to arrive however as this is a pre-negotiated service and only available to participating travel companies then expect to pay far less to get from the airport to your destination accommodation than other traditional forms or transport such as local taxis. Book your airport shuttle service here now>>
Car Hire in Zante
By far the best way to explore Zante is to hire a car. You may find you have everything you need at your resort and won't feel like venturing much further, but for some you will appreciate the complete Zante if you have a car to get you around. For a more reasonable package you would do better to go a local agent rather than one of the international agents.
Car hire is easy. There are agencies available at most of the bigger resorts, you will need your driving licence and a valid passport when you take the agreement. The minimum age for hire of a normal saloon car is 23 years and for jeeps, 4 x 4's and bigger vehicles the minimum age is 26. If you require a chid's seat you will need to request this and there is usually an additional charge of about 3€ per day.
In Zante you will drive on the right. Care should be taken particularly around some of the smaller roads which often have sharp bends and steep hills.
With a car you will be able to go to some of the beaches a little out of the way and visit some of those shops away from the bigger towns. Supermarkets out of town are usually cheaper than those in the more well known resorts.
In Zante the road signs are international and modern. Care should be taken as a lot of the roads are very narrow and winding. Always carry your driving license, passport and car rental agreement because if you are unlucky enough to be stopped by the police, you could face a fine for not having one of these documents. Drink driving is illegal and heavy penalties are imposed if caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
Shopping in Zante
Zante Town is definitely the place to go if you are looking to spend some money and bend the plastic. If you are looking for something specific then head off to Zante Town and be amazed by all it has to offer in the way of shopping.
Shops are normally open all day from Monday to Saturday. Zante, like many European countries produces arts, crafts, ceramics, embroidery, lace, leather, shoes, silverware and jewellery. There are some trendy designer boutiques where you can spend many an hour browsing the rails.
Smaller than the Town Centre, Alexandrou Roma Street has a good variety of designer shops and a well known name such as the Body Shop is here.
In the main tourist areas, shops seem to be open seven days a week from early morning until late at night. Around the island you will find an enormous selection of tourist shops selling beach items and souvenirs, postcards and typical mass produced tacky items. Some shops take a siesta between the hours of 13.00 - 17.00.
Around the Island you will find little supermarkets which can supply you with your day to day commodities, generally they are a little bit more expensive than the bigger supermarkets at the main resorts. At least without a car you will still be able to buy things that you might need if you are self catering.
There will usually be a market taking place in some of the larger towns on Zante, where you will be able to find lots of bargains at the market, but it is especially good for fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables and typical Greek produce like pottery, ceramics and leather and it is perfectly acceptable to barter the price, you never know you might just find the bargain you've been looking for.
Eating Out in Zante
Like most Mediterranean countries, Zante enjoys simple, but wholesome food that tastes delicious. A normal diet on Zante doesn't usually consist of fast food or convenience type food. They like their own locally produced fruit, salad and vegetables which are picked and cooked extremely fresh. They cook with olive oil, and make some tasty salad dressings which are low fat and high in nutrients, as is locally produced tomatoes either in puree, pulp or cooked whole.
Meat dishes are usually braised or stewed to perfect tenderness and flavour. Locally grown herbs are usually added, particularly Thyme.
Fish is popular, particularly as people from Zante eat fish which has been freshly caught that day to maintain absolute freshness. Fish is usually grilled or baked. There are several good fish and seafood restaurants throughout Zante.
Avocado dishes are popular, particularly served with tomato and mint. Eggplants are usually on most Greek menus. Feta cheese is widely used in many countries around the world, particularly as a garnish for Mediterranean salads.
You will find Kleftiko, Baked Lamb, Bekri meze and Giouvetsi (veal) typical menus at a lot of the traditional Greek restaurants. Souvlaki is also a traditional meal, this is a kebab with small pieces of meat and vegetables.
Meze is a well known dish internationally as a starter, sometimes served with keftedes which are nice and spicy meatballs. Served with tzatziki which is a dip of yoghurt, olive oil, garlic and cucumber. Taramasalata is another popular starter, this is made from fish roe, bread, onions, olive oil and lemon juice. Often you will find a selection of seafood dishes such as kalamari (squid) and octopus.
Vegetarian menus are available, and usually have gigantes which are large white beans, small boiled courgette flavoured with oil and lemon. Olives are cheap and grown locally so they are served extremely fresh.
A filo pastry desert which is filled with an almond and honey sauce is very rich and sweet, but delicious. Loukoumade which is honey drizzled pastry puffs are very popular and again very sweet.
There are many international restaurants on Zante so you will be able to find a choice of Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai.
Nightlife in Zante
Zante has a rich and varied nightlife, depending on what you are looking for and where you are staying. There are places you can go, such as Lithakia, Porto Koukla and Agios Sostis where you will not find anything noisy, just traditional Greek tavernas and restaurants.
However, if you are looking for lots of night entertainment then Zante Town will have what you are looking for. It has a splendid variety of music bars, clubs and disco's all offering loud and buzzing music. They stay open until the early hours so you will be able to party the night away and then go to the beach, if you wish, to sleep it off.
Nightlife in Laganas is simply buzzing, with more than enough bars which play loud music and attract the wrong crowds at times. If you are looking for a lively evening, you will certainly find it here. The clubs host a variety of theme evenings often with celebrity DJ's along with regular DJ's. There are music bars, cocktail bars, sports bars, karaoke bars and English Pubs so whatever your taste you are bound to find it here. All the activity takes place along one long strip so you can move from one to the other quite easily.
The resort of Argassi does not go short of tavernas, snack bars and even a couple of discos to keep your feet tapping and your body swaying, if you want to dance the night away. At night you will find some trendy bars, English style pubs playing loud music, life here can get pretty busy in the height of the season.
Kalamaki has its fair share of tavernas, bars and restaurants. Some of which offer karaoke music, and others are much more quiet and relaxing where you can enjoy a nice meal, good wine with a friendly Greek atmosphere. There is also a disco, and this is placed well away from the beach area and the resort centre.
In the resort centre of Tsilivi you will find a good choice of restaurants, take aways and tavernas all offering a good choice and variety of something to eat. You will also find night life pretty lively, although more laid back and not as busy as that of Laganas.
A lot of evening entertainment takes place in some of the Island's restaurants and tavernas. Here you will find a very traditional atmosphere, where you and your children will be especially welcomed while you have a very peaceful, and enjoyable meal.
Zante Beaches
Zante has such a wide variety of beaches you will have many decisions to make. Depending on what your choice is, whether you are looking for peace and quiet or an action packed time, you will find something for everyone on Zante.
Some beaches on Zante have Blue Flags which have been awarded for their cleanliness, facilities like sun loungers, toilets and parasols. There are usually toilets and showers on the more organised beaches.
Agios Sostis Beach
Has a nice beach which is sandy and a nice gentle shelve into the warm Ionian Sea. It has some tavernas right on the beach so you don't have too far to go to find snacks or refreshments.
Alykanas Beach
The beach is sandy and completely safe for young children as it gently shelves into the sea. On the back of the beach there are some sand dunes, some grassland and olive groves so it is sheltered and possible to find some shade if you wish. Beach side kiosks provide you with those all important drinks, ice creams and snacks. Water sports are available.
Alykes Beach
The bay at Alykes is popular with wind surfers and body boarders. The bay benefits from having a gentle breeze which comes off the sea, and consequently enables you to have a pleasant combination of sun and breeze for your sunbathing. The beach is well organised and there are plenty of water sports on offer for you to try.
Banana Beach
A very pretty sandy beach with plenty of sun bathing facilities and water sports. The sea is calm and crystal, you have to walk a fair way out to reach sea deep enough for swimming. Tavernas are nearby to offer refreshments.
Bouka Beach
It has a fantastic sandy beach with is flanked with plenty of bars and places to find something to eat and drink. Also at the beach is a playground for the children and water sports are available. The gentle shelve into the warm sea is a bonus as it is perfectly safe for families with young children. The beach has been awarded the European Blue Flag for its cleanliness and facilities.
Dafni Beach
The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle, it is a quiet beach with hardly any facilities so you should take supplies with you. Ideal for a spot of rest and relaxation.
Gerakas Beach
One of the finest beaches on Zante with fine sand. The sea is calm and shallow making it ideal for families with young children.
Kalamaki Beach
The beach is wonderfully sandy and some parts of the beach which lead to other bays and beaches are out of bounds to holidaymakers because they are protected. It is well known for being a popular nesting beach of the turtles called caretta-caretta, which come across the beach at night to lay their eggs.
Kaminia Beach
A nice sandy beach which also has a large strip of grassland to sunbathe and rest on. Sun beds and parasols are available and the water gently shelves away from the beach so it is ideal for families with young children.
Keri Beaches
There are two beaches and sea is very warm and shallow and just perfect for children to splash and roll about in one has pebbles and one has sand so you can take your pick. The beaches have some stunning views around it, including the little isle called Marathonisi which is the natural habitat to turtles.
Keri Lake Beach is also a nice beach to swim and sunbathe on, and there are plenty of
Kypseli Beach
The beach at Kypseli is a calm one, which never gets too busy or crowded with people. It is a mixture of sand and pebbles and with a gentle shelve into warm seas; it is an ideal family beach which everyone will love
Laganas Beach
The beach is large and sandy, but you will never be left alone in peace to enjoy the sun shine or to relax, as ticket touts go on the walkabout all the time giving out leaflets and publicity for local clubs. This aside, the beach gently shelves into the sea so it is safe for young children. There are some pedalloes you can hire.
Limnionas Beach
This beach is not sandy as there are some rather large rocks, but you could find a place to sunbathe and enjoy the tranquillity. Diving and snorkelling is popular at this bay. You will find a friendly taverna close to the bay that provides a traditional menu as well as including fish as a choice.
Porto Koukla Beach
It has a small beach with fine pebbles, crystal clear azure seas which are always warm and inviting. The beach is never too crowded, and despite only being small it does have some sunbathing facilities. It is absolutely perfect for families with young children. The beach has some tavernas which offer reasonably priced dishes along with traditional Greek cuisine.
Porto Roma
A quiet beach which is never too crowded, ideal for a spot of quiet sunbathing and relaxation.
Porto Vromi Beach
This beach has beautiful glistening white sand which will just slip between your toes. The beach is sheltered so you will not have a problem with summer breezes and you can take a short boat excursion to the Blue Caves, where you will also find the Shipwrecked boat.
Porto Zorro Beach
A beach recently discovered and is becoming more and more popular each year. It is one of the hardest beaches to find and is not accessible by vehicles. You will have to park up and do the rest of the journey by foot. The surrounding scenery is stunning.
Vourderi Beach
A quiet and sandy bay with a gentle shelve to the warm Ionian Sea which is crystal clear and turquoise. There are a few tavernas by the beach so you don't have far to go to find refreshments.
Diving Centres on Zante
Adventure Diving - Laganas
Diving Paradise - Laganas
Eurodivers - Laganas
Turtle Beach Diving - Limni Keriou
Vasilikos Beach Diving - Vassilikos
|