- The city was entirely rebuilt after the massive 1953 earthquake destroyed almost every original Venetian building, leading to strict modern building codes.
- Zakynthos is historically known as 'The Flower of the Levant' due to its lush vegetation and fertile landscape.
- The city's local dialect retains strong influences from Italian, a legacy of the long-standing Venetian occupation from 1485 to 1797.
- It is the birthplace of Dionysios Solomos, the poet who wrote the Greek national anthem, honored in the local museum dedicated to him.
- Unlike many other Greek towns, the city layout features wide, planned streets and squares designed for efficient drainage and accessibility after the mid-20th-century reconstruction.
About Zakynthos (city)
Zakynthos serves as the administrative and commercial hub of the island, characterized by its Venetian-influenced architecture and resilience following the 1953 earthquake. The city is defined by its coastal position on the Ionian Sea and acts as a gateway to natural reserves like the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. Visitors often begin their exploration with the Panoramic View of Bohali, which offers an elevated perspective of the port below. Cultural depth is accessible through local institutions such as the Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos and the Museum of D. Solomos and Other Eminent People of Zakynthos.
Highlights of Zakynthos (city)
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
Provides the most comprehensive aerial perspective of the city harbor and the Ionian coastline.
Historical places
Offers a glimpse into the strategic military history that protected the port during Venetian rule.
Museums
Houses significant religious iconography and post-Byzantine art recovered from destroyed churches.
Museums
Contains manuscripts and personal artifacts belonging to the poet who authored the Greek national anthem.
Parks
Serves as the vital protected habitat for the loggerhead sea turtle nesting on nearby shores.
Historical places
Remains one of the few historical structural remnants still standing after the 1953 earthquake.
Top things to do in Zakynthos (city)
The 71 highest-rated places in Zakynthos (city), ranked by travellers.
1
Beaches and ponds
Navagio, also known as Shipwreck Beach, is a secluded cove on the northwestern coast of Zakynthos, Greece, accessible ex...
2
Places of interest
The Navagio Beach Viewpoint provides a cliff-edge vantage point overlooking the cove containing the MV Panagiotis shipwr...
3
Places of interest
The Blue Caves are a series of natural geological formations located along the northern coast of Zakynthos near Cape Ski...
4
Places of interest
Porto Limnionas is a rocky, fjord-like cove located on the western coast of Zakynthos, renowned for its exceptionally cl...
5
Beaches and ponds
Gerakas Beach is a protected nesting site for the endangered Caretta caretta sea turtle, located on the southeastern tip...
6
Places of interest
Bohali is a historic hillside settlement situated on a hill directly overlooking Zakynthos Town and the Ionian Sea. The...
7
Places of interest
Banana Beach is one of the longest sandy stretches on the Zakynthos peninsula, located on the island's southeast coast n...
8
Museums
The Aristeon Olive Press Museum in Lithakia is a functional ecological olive oil production facility that demonstrates t...
9
Beaches and ponds
St. Nicholas Beach is a prominent coastal destination in the Vasilikos peninsula of Zakynthos, Greece, known for its ext...
10
Beaches and ponds
Marathonisi, also known as Turtle Island, is a small islet located in the Laganas Bay of Zakynthos, Greece. It serves as...
11
Beaches and ponds
Laganas Beach is a 9-kilometer stretch of sand located on the southern coast of Zakynthos, Greece. It serves as a primar...
12
Temples
Anafonitria Monastery is a 15th-century fortified religious site located in the northwest interior of Zakynthos. It is m...
13
Places of interest
Marathonisi Caves are a series of sea-eroded grottoes located along the coastline of Marathonisi, an uninhabited islet i...
14
Parks
Tsilivi Water Park is a dedicated aquatic facility located in the resort village of Planos on the island of Zakynthos. T...
15
Places of interest
Navagio Beach, locally known as the site of the Panagiotis shipwreck, features the rusted remains of a freighter strande...
16
Parks
The National Marine Park of Zakynthos, established in 1999, is the first national marine park in Greece dedicated to the...
17
Places of interest
Keri Caves are a series of sea-level limestone arches and caverns located on the southwest coast of Zakynthos. The caves...
18
Parks
Askos Stone Park is a nature reserve and forest park located in northern Zakynthos, specifically in the village of Volim...
19
Historical places
The Argassi Bridge is a historic stone structure dating back to 1806, situated directly on the shoreline of Argasi beach...
20
Beaches and ponds
Alykes Beach is located on the northeastern coast of Zakynthos, Greece, characterized by fine, golden sand and shallow,...
21
Temples
The Monastery of Agios Georgios Krimnon is a secluded 16th-century religious site located on the northern cliffs of Zaky...
22
Places of interest
Skinari Lighthouse is located on the northernmost tip of Zakynthos, Greece, positioned atop high limestone cliffs overlo...
23
Historical places
The Venetian Castle of Bohali sits atop Bochali hill, overlooking Zakynthos town and the Ionian Sea. Originally construc...
24
Places of interest
Cape Skinari is the northernmost point of Zakynthos, Greece, characterized by steep, jagged limestone cliffs overlooking...
25
Beaches and ponds
Agios Nikolaos Beach is located on the northeastern coast of Zakynthos near the village of Volimes. The beach features a...
26
Temples
The Holy Church of Panagia Skopiotissa sits at the summit of Mount Skopos, the highest point on the Vasilikos peninsula....
27
Places of interest
28
Historical places
29
Temples
30
Museums
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Zakynthos (city) on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Zakynthos (city)
Late May to early June or September, when temperatures are moderate and the heavy summer tourist crowds are absent.
2-3 days, providing sufficient time to explore city museums, the Bohali district, and nearby coastal zones.
The city center is compact and walkable, while the rest of the island is accessible via rental car, scooter, or the local KTEL bus network.
Stay in the Bohali district for elevated views and a quieter atmosphere, or near Solomos Square for proximity to the harbor and central amenities.
Mid-range; while luxury options exist, dining and accommodation prices remain accessible compared to more prominent Cycladic islands.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 71 curated attractions in and around Zakynthos (city), ranked by traveller ratings.
Navagio is the highest-rated place to visit in Zakynthos (city) right now.
The largest category is temples, with 23 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Heraklion, Triandria, Athens.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
