Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kerí
Hidden in a fold above the cliffs at the island's southernmost tip, the village of
KERÍ
retains
several pre-quake Venetian buildings, including the
Panayía
Kerioú
church; the Virgin is
said to have saved the island from marauding pirates by hiding it in a sea mist. A road
leads 1km on to the lighthouse, with spectacular views of the sea, rock arches and stacks.
Maherádho
MAHERÁDHO
boasts impressive pre-earthquake architecture set in beautiful arable
uplands, surrounded by olive and fruit groves. The church of
Ayía Mávra
has an
impressive freestanding campanile and, inside, a splendid carved iconostasis and icons.
he town's major
festival
- one of the biggest on the island - is the saint's day, which
falls on the first Sunday in June. The other notable church in town, that of the
Panayía
,
commands breathtaking views over the central plain.
Kiliómeno and around
KILIÓMENO
is the best place to see surviving pre-earthquake domestic architecture, in the
form of the island's traditional two-storey houses. The town was originally named after its
church,
Áyios Nikólaos
, whose impressive campanile, begun over a hundred years ago, still
lacks a capped roof. The road from Kiliómeno passes through the nondescript village of
Áyios Léon, from where two turnings lead through fertile land and down a paved loop
road to the impressive rocky coast at
Limniónas
, where there is a tiny bay.
11
Kambí
The tiny clifftop hamlet of
KAMBÍ
is popular with day-trippers, who come to catch the
sunset over the sea; there are extraordinary views to be had of the 300m-high cliffs and
western horizon from Kambí's three clifftop tavernas.
Mariés and around
Set in a wooded green valley 5km north of Kambí, the tiny village of
MARIÉS
is the only
other place with coastal access on this side of Zákynthos: a 7km track leading down to
the rocky inlet of
Stenítis Bay
, where there's a taverna and yacht dock. Another steep
road leads to the uninspiring
Vrómi Bay
, from where speedboats run trips to Shipwreck
Bay (see p.757), while the main road continues north towards Volímes (see p.757).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
THE WEST COAST
KERÍ
Apelati
T
26950 43324.
Just off the main road before
the incline east of the village, this farm-like taverna
serves home-style dishes from fresh ingredients and
has a fe
w si
mple rustic rooms.
May-Oct 11am-
midnight.
€30
Keri Lighthouse
T
26950 43384.
Scenically situated
taverna, 1km west of the village, where people flock for
sunset dinners in the large and lush patio garden. The food
is standard fare but the view unsurpassed.
May-Sept
daily noon-midnight.
KILIÓMENO AND AROUND
Ì
Alitzerini
Kiliómeno
T
26950 48552.
At this
beautifully restored eighteenth-century stone house with a
terrace the friendly owner serves up traditional cuisine
with a twist, such as
sfigadoúra
- beef in tomato sauce
with cheese and red pepper.
7pm-1am: May-Sept daily,
Oct-April Sat & Sun; also some Sun lunches.
Porto Limnionas
Limniónas.
Perched on a rocky outcrop
just above the tiny harbour, this
psarotavérna
is known for
its high-quality if rather pricey fish and also has a huge
selection of tasty mezédhes.
May-Oct daily noon-11pm.
The northeast
A few kilometres north of the capital the amalgamated resorts of
Tsiliví
and
Plános
are
the touristic epicentre of this part of the island. Further north they give way to a series
of tiny beaches, while picturesque villages punctuate the lush landscape inland. Beyond
Alykés
, as you approach the island's tip at
Cape Skinári
, the coast becomes more rugged,
while the mountains inland hide the weaving centre of
Volímes
.
