Few destinations in Greece combine beautiful nature, stunning coastlines, and cultural history like Zakynthos. We visited the third-largest island in the Ionian Sea a few days ago, realizing a very “comprehensive” journey. Given that Zakynthos covers over 400 square kilometers and many of its most beautiful places are quite far from the main town, we wouldn’t have enjoyed our trip as much without a reliable and safe car.
At the height of summer, when many people rent cars from the ports, Avis is a dependable choice. It boasts an extensive network, with stations at all major airports and over 60 service points throughout Greece. Finding the right car on the Avis website was an effortless process. We chose an SUV that met our standards while exploring the vast range of vehicles in the Avis fleet: premium, four-wheel drive, city cars, electric vehicles, and many more.
Opting for the quick pass, we did an online check-in, avoiding long waits and not wanting to waste a second of our beach time. We picked up our car on the scheduled day and time from the company’s station at Dionysios Solomos airport. After receiving a briefing from the informative staff on the necessary details about the car, we drove to our accommodation to drop off our things and began our exploration of the island.
The City of Zakynthos
The city of Zakynthos was largely destroyed by the earthquake of 1953 – few buildings survived. Therefore, you won’t see many old buildings from the Venetian and British periods. Nevertheless, there are landmarks here well worth your time. One of these is the Museum of Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians in the historic St. Mark’s Square. The museum is housed in a building constructed in the 1960s and holds the bones of Greece’s National Poet, Dionysios Solomos, as well as the poet Andreas Kalvos and his wife. There are portraits of the poets, as well as some of their manuscripts and personal items. Additionally, musical instruments, jewelry, paintings, personal belongings, and other exhibits belonging to prominent Zakynthians of the 17th and 18th centuries are displayed. Also presented are manuscripts by other notable Zakynthians, such as composer Pavlos Carrer and writer Gregorios Xenopoulos.
Impressed by the museum and the square, we got into the car. We followed the road that reaches the end of the city and, with the sea to our right. Here, we turned left to reach the district of Bochali. This is situated on an elevated point and offers a stunning view of the city of Zakynthos, as well as the ruins of the Venetian Castle. A bit further northwest is Strani Hill. Here, Dionysios Solomos was inspired to write the poem “Hymn to Liberty,” which later became Greece’s national anthem. Even without this historical perspective, the visit is worth it for the view of the city of Zakynthos, the coastlines of the Peloponnese, and the bay of Laganas. It was a good first taste of what we would see and do in the coming days.
To the West
Except for the world-renowned Shipwreck, which has been closed for safety reasons since 2023, the western coast of the island is less developed for tourism compared to the south and the Bay of Laganas. But it remains an ideal place for seeing the beautiful beaches, impressive steep coastlines, and some of the most stunning sunsets in Greece.
We started off from the city of Zakynthos, crossing almost the entire width of the island, and ended at the mountainous village of Agios Leon, passing through the villages of Machairado and Kiliomeno. In Machairado, there is the monastery of Eleftherotria, and to get from there to Kiliomeno, we followed one of the most beautiful routes in Greece. We stopped several times to photograph stunning spots. From the picturesque Agios Leon, we followed the downhill road leading to Porto Limnionas beach.
The Southern Side: Expansive Sandy Beaches and Sea Turtles
The beach has stunning caves and pure, crystal-clear waters. Luckily, we had brought along a mask and snorkel to enjoy the underwater scenery. A road starts from this beach that offers both seaside driving and forest crossings. It leads to the villages of Anafonitria and Volimes, semi-mountainous traditional settlements closest to the Shipwreck site. Some houses in Volimes, built before the earthquake, still stand. The villages are amphitheatrically built with views of the plateau and are ideal for strolls, especially in the cool afternoon hours.
Since access to the Shipwreck is prohibited – not only to the beach, which was accessible only by sea, but also to the upper viewing platform – we opted for an alternative way to enjoy the sunset. We didn’t regret it at all.
In the village of Kampi, about 15 minutes by car from Agios Leon, there is one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Mediterranean! The spot from where we enjoyed this splendid vista is about 300 meters outside the village, offering a breathtaking view of Schiza Bay, where seals often find refuge. We watched the imposing cliffs as the landscape filled with shades of yellow and red.
Aside from the stunning coastal areas, we also enjoyed a beautiful inland route in Zakynthos. The dirt road to Panagia Skopiotissa was somewhat challenging, as it is uphill and in some spots, there were rocks and grooves. However, our SUV performed excellently, bringing us to the top of the hill. There stands the church of Panagia Skopiotissa.
It is white, built in the shape of a free cross with a dome, and along with the church of Agios Andreas in Kalamaki, it is one of the only Byzantine-style churches in Zakynthos. Inside, there are preserved frescoes and an icon of the Virgin Mary. Even if architectural history doesn’t interest you, it’s worth coming here for one of the most beautiful views of the Ionian Sea. The island’s greenery and the blue of the sea harmonize perfectly. We wished we had more time in Zakynthos to explore the less touristy northern side better. However, we’re sure that we’ll return to the island of Kalvos and Solomos. Thanks to the numerous and frequently updated offers from Avis, this is very easy to do.
A Few Tips and Information for Your Trip to Zakynthos
If you’re someone who enjoys activities during your vacations, you’ll be surprised by how many options you have in Zakynthos for hiking, cycling, and of course, water sports. The island’s signature wine is the white Verdea, a Protected Geographical Indication wine produced exclusively on Zakynthos. Other varieties produced on the island include Goustolidi and Avgoustiatis. Several wineries on Zakynthos are open to visitors.
From Athens to Zakynthos, you can reach the island by plane or by ferry from Kyllini (around a six-hour drive from Athens), in a trip that can be combined with the beautiful coastlines of Ilia. In any case, you’ll need transportation. So, make sure to check the Avis website whenever possible to find the vehicle you need at the right price.
Read also:
Road trip to Parga, Epirus’ Coastal Treasure
Road Trip to Ermioni: Experience the Island Aura in Argolida
