Shipwreck Beach, Blue Caves and Turquoise Water
Zante, also called Zakynthos, is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, known for sheltered sandy bays, white cliffs and clear blue water. Its best known image is Navagio, the Shipwreck Beach, a cove enclosed by tall cliffs with a rusting wreck on the sand, reached by boat and seen from a clifftop viewpoint. On the northern tip, the Blue Caves near Cape Skinari glow with reflected light on a calm day.
The island's capital, Zakynthos Town, sits around a harbour and Solomos Square, rebuilt in a Venetian style after the earthquakes of 1953. Its waterfront, churches and cafes give a gentle contrast to the busier resorts, and it is a natural story for a tourist board to tell.
Beaches, Tavernas and Island Evenings
Zante's beaches suit every mood. Tsilivi, Alykes and Argassi offer shallow, easy water for families, Kalamaki and Laganas have long sand and a lively holiday atmosphere, and Vasilikos and Porto Roma are quieter, with a more local rhythm. Evenings are for the harbour and village squares, where tavernas serve grilled fish, local sausages, lamb and fresh salads.
Stays range from small family hotels to large all-inclusive resorts and villas above the sea, which gives a hotel group a wide range to promote. For a different island feel, travellers often compare Sicily, while Paros offers a calmer Aegean rhythm.
Read the full Zante guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitZante.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.