Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Captain's Apartments
T
26740 31481,
W
captains
-apartments.gr.
Set up above the village with sweeping
views of the bay, these roomy a
part
ments are decorated in
warm rustic colours. May-Sept.
€50
Maroudas Apartments
T
26740 31691,
E
maroudas
@greek-tourism.gr.
Just a couple of blocks from the
harbour, these compact, convenient and comfortable
apartment
s ofe
r modern amenities and a warm welcome.
May-Sept.
€40
Oasis
T
26740 31317.
Harbourside taverna that offers
the usual selection of fresh salads, some dips and a good
choice of mainly grilled meat and fish courses.
May-Sept
daily noon-1am.
Zákynthos
ZÁKYNTHOS
, (Zante) southernmost of the six core Ionian islands, is somewhat
schizophrenically divided between relative wilderness and indiscriminate
commercialization. Much of the island is still green and unspoilt, with only token pockets
of tourism, however, and the main resorts seem to be reaching maximum growth without
encroaching too much on the quieter parts. The island has three distinct zones: the
barren, mountainous northwest; the fertile central plain; and the eastern and southern
resort-filled coasts. The biggest resort is
Laganás
, on Laganás Bay in the south, a 24-hour
party venue that doesn't give up from Easter until the last flight home in October. There
are smaller, quieter resorts north and south of the capital, and the southerly Vassilikós
peninsula has some of the best countryside and beaches, including exquisite
Yé r a k a s
.
The island still produces fine wines, such as the white Popolaro, as well as sugar-shock-
inducing
mandoláto
nougat, whose honey-sweetened form is best. Zákynthos is also the
birthplace of
kantádhes
, the Italianate folk ballads which can be heard in tavernas in
Zákynthos Town and elsewhere. In addition, the island harbours one of the key
breeding sites of the endangered
loggerhead sea turtle
at Laganás Bay (see box, p.753).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
11
ZÁKYNTHOS
By plane
Zákynthos' airport is 4km southwest of the
capital. It receives mostly European charters, plus a
seasonal daily easyJet flight from London and year-round
domestic flights from Athens (1-2 daily; 55min).
By bus
Buses from Zákynthos Town to the following
mainland destinations are timed to connect with ferry
sailings:
Destinations
Athens (4-6 daily; 5hr 30min); Pátra (3-4
daily; 3hr); Thessaloníki (2 weekly; 11-12hr).
By ferry
The island is well connected year-round with
Kyllíni on the Peloponnesian coast and has a seasonal
ferry link with Kefaloniá from the northern Áyios Nikólaos
(aka Skinári).
Áyios Nikólaos
to: Pessádha (Kefaloniá; 2 daily May-Sept;
1hr 30min).
Zákynthos Town
to: Kyllíni (5-7 daily; 1hr 30min).
GETTING AROUND
By bus
The local KTEL network radiates out from Zákynthos
Town with frequent summer services to the busiest tourist
resorts, especially Argási, Kalamáki and Laganás, but few
or no buses to the far north or the west coast.
By cars
and motorbike
There are many rental outlets
around the island, such as Eurosky (
T
26950 26278,
W
eurosky.gr), whose head Zákynthos Town office is at
Makrí 6, two blocks south of the main square.
By taxi
Taxis are widely available and can be called on
T
26950 48400.
BOAT TRIPS FROM ZÁKYNTHOS TOWN
At least ten pleasure craft offer
day-trips
around the island from the quay in Zákynthos Town
(around €20). All take in sights such as the
Blue Caves
at Cape Skinári, and moor in
Tó
Naváyio
(Shipwreck Bay)
and at the Marathiá caves at
Cape Kerí
in the southwest. You
might want to shop around for the trip with the most stops, as eight hours bobbing round the
coast can become a bore. Check also that the operators actually take you into the caves. There
are also shorter trips to Kerí and turtle-spotting in Laganás Bay for €15, including on one vessel
with underwater seating.
Cavo Grosso
at Lombárdhou 22 (
T
26950 48308,
W
cavogrosso.gr)
offers a range of excursions.
