The visitor has many choices, since the island of Zakynthos offers many beautiful routes that its one has its own special characteristic. Many golden beaches, deep blue or green waters and dreamy caves make any indecisive visitor be in dilemma. In every route that you might follow, there would be something different, something that will excite you and something that will make you follow it.

Zakynthos - Argasi - Gerakas - Porto Heli

Setting of from the seaside and with direction to Agios Dionysos, we come across, in a distance of 4 klm, the green Argasi with its wonderful and long beach. It is one of the busiest areas of Zakynthos, giving a touch of vivid and full nightlife. Around this area, there are old churches and the ruins of a medieval castle. From there, starts the path that leads in the peak of Skopos.

According to mythology, there lived the goddess of hunting, Artemis. In the peak of the mountain there was her temple but today there is the monastery of Panagia Skopitisa in its place. Returning on the seaside road and crossing the picturesque Xirocastelo, on the justify, we follow a dirt road that leads to the unique beaches of Sekania and Dafni.

These beaches are one of the most important places of reproduction of the sea turtle Careta-Careta and for this reason there are some protective steps to be followed. Continuing to the initial direction and in a distance of 11 klm from the city of Zakynthos, we come across the graphic beach of Porto Zoro with rocks on its right side. Recently, its justify side was named 'Rock with Flowers, which has many small taverns and rooms to rent. A few kilometers down, there is the shallow beach of Banana, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, since in its sand grow white sea lilies, giving an exotic atmosphere to the beach.

A little further down, there is the beach of Agios Nikolaos, smaller than the previous beaches but equally beautiful with a camping site in operation. Just one kilometer down, stands the picturesque village of Vasilikos with its flowery front yards and taverns.

Leaving Vasilikos behind us, we reach the beach of Geraka, which stands on the east side of Lagana bay, which is also a place of reproduction for the sea turtle Careta-Careta. Northwest of Geraka stands the privately owned island of Peluzo, in which stand the ruins of the monastery that once existed there.

In the end of this route, we come across Porto Roma, a picturesque bay with excellent sand, clean waters and a small port for boats of small size, an ideal place for those who love sailing.

Zakynthos - Kalamaki -Laganas - Keri Lake.

Following the road that leads to the airport, in a distance of 8 klm, stand Kalamaki, another touristic area of Zakynthos. It is a wide beach with high rocks, covered with sand hills. In this beach grow sea lilies, giving an exotic touch to the area. To the justify, there are impressive rocks of plaster, known as Plaster-Rocks. Next to Kalamaki stand Ampelokipi and the airport of Zakynthos, where the road leads to the most important touristic resort of the island, Lagana, one of the longest beaches in Greece. This is one of the busiest resorts in the island. Usually, the visitors for their excursions to the rest of the island use this resort as a base.

We must not forget that the beach of Laganas is a protected Careta-Careta area. The beauty that springs out by looking at the beach is unique. It is not accidental that the sea turtles use this beach for their reproduction. Leaving Lagana behind us, we head to the west, towards the inner land, to Lithakia, where in a distance of 5 klm in a direction towards Volimia, stand the cave of Damianos. On the top of the mountain, above the gully of Avissos stand the so-called Human Cave, which, it is said that it became a grave for 150 people killed by the pirates.

Crossing the deserted village of Agalas with its picturesque stone houses, the road leads us to the impressive cave with stalagmites and stalactites.

Returning to the village, we can visit the area of 12 Wells, which date back to 15th century. In the road to Keri, we visit the lake, one of the best spots of the island to enjoy the sunset.

Long ago, the lake contained oil, which the inhabitants used to caulk their ships. In the same area, there is the spring of Herodotus. Across the lake stands Marathonisi. From this lake depart many small ships, which tour the sea caves and reach the white sand beach of Myzithres.

Just 4 klm down, stands Keri, which is built above sea, in 200m height and offers a wonderful and unique view. In this village, there is the remarkable church of Panagia Kerriotissa with its wonderful icon screen. In the cape of Marathias stands the famous lighthouse from where the view of the huge white rocks of Megali and Mikri Myzithra, which project over the sea like pyramids, is wonderful. Moreover, from this point you can admire one of the greatest sunsets of the Ionian Sea. The Ionian Sea stretches out, in front of your eyes, where the colors of the sunset harmoniously blend with the steep slope and the serene red, by the reflection, waters.

Wonderful are the remarkable caves of Keri with emerald waters and the beautiful Kamares of Marathia. These are arches that are formed by the rocks above the sea and under which the boats are sailing. In the beach of Marathia, the clear deep waters will amaze you since the beach offers a different feeling of peace and serenity. Returning to Zakynthos, there is the narrow beach of Porto Kukla where the green vegetation literally reaches the sea.

Zakynthos - Maherado - Agios Leon - Navagio.

Just 10 klm north of the city is Maherado, the second largest village of Zakynthos, after Katastari. The church of Agia Mavra is impressive. It is built in simple royal style among the cypress trees where its bell-tower stands out from far away and it is said that the sound of the bells is the most melodic sound in Greece. Going northwest and climbing the mountain, we come across the village of Agios Nikolaos or Kiliomeno, in 480m above sea level. There, stands the impressive bell-tower of Agios Nikolaos, which dates back in 1893 and its traditional houses of 16th century. Between Kiliomeno and Lagopodo, stands the so called by the botanists "Garden of Orchids" because of its 42 kinds of orchids.

The vegetation of the area is rich and unique. Walking along the pine trees, the cypress trees and many other flowers and bushes, we are charmed and impressed by the beauty of the landscape.

Leaving Agios Nikolaos and turning right, we are heading towards Agios Leon with a wonderful view of the sea. One kilometer before Agios Leon, there are the mountainous villages of Loyha and Gyri, which are surrounded by rich vegetation. The traditional architecture reminds of the villages of Mani because the first inhabitants were coming from the Peloponnese.

From Gyri, the road leads to the unexplored caves of Hagioti and Black Cave. Reaching the village of Agios Leon, we find the homonymous chapel, which is an impressive representative of folk architecture. This chapel is using the lower part of a windmill as its bell-tower. To the justify, in a distance of 3 klm, stands Kambi, built in the steep slope of Shiza. In the same area, exists a Mycenaean cemetery with chiseled caves. Across the sea stands the island of Fokia. Its name is due to its shape, sea lion. (Fokia means sea lion in Greek).

We reach the next island Maries, after Exo Hora. Maries took its name from Maria Magdalene. From the top of mountain Vrahion the view that reaches Kefalonia, is wonderful. Then we come across Navagio, the most beautiful part of the island with its wonderful and well-known beach. It is a unique landscape surrounded by white rocky slopes, green vegetation and smooth sand that reach the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea. It is an ideal place for a romantic night out. A few kilometers down, is the graphic bay of Porto Vromi, from where we recommend you to rent boats and explore the caves. From the small port, depart many boats for the beach of Navagio, which only take half an hour. The captain of the boat stops in caves with deep blue waters and white sand for those who want to swim there. Do not forget to take water with you.

Zakynthos - Alikes - Galazia Spilia.

Going to Bohali, in a distance of one kilometer to the right, the road leads to the hill of Strani and then to Akrotiri, an area rich in vegetation where the aristocrats used to build their summerhouses. In the same area, stands the summerhouse of Dionysios Solomos. All these summerhouses are the architectural inheritance of the past.

Across the sea, stands the islet of Bodi, which, in the past, used to connect with land by a small bridge. To the justify, stand the village of Bohali and Kastro. Going straight ahead, we come across Tsilivi, one of the beautiful beaches in the island with excellent sand. This beach attracts many visitors. The cape of Toraditis protects the bay from the strong winds and thus offers the visitor an ideal place for relaxation. After Tsivili, stands the picturesque Planos, an ideal choice for swim since its waters are clean shallow and safe.

Returning to the main road, towards Alikes we come across many small roads that lead to small beaches and bays, ready to satisfy even the most demanding visitor: Amboula, Pahiamos, Drosia, Psarou and Amoudi. In a distance of 2 klm, is the beach of Alikana, where the excavations brought to the light a vaulted tomb and pots of Mycenaean era.

In the bay of Agia Kyriaki, is the homonymous graphic beach with fine sand. Right after Agia Kyriaki, is the wonderful Alikes.

The beautiful long beach and the shallow waters, place Alikes among the best beaches of the island. Behind the settlement, are the salt-pits of Alikes, which used to be the economic base of the area. The road to the right leads to the village of Orthonies. Following the road to the justify, we come across Kato and Ano Volimes, which are famous for the wonderful hand woven materials and needle works. Then we reach the three Gerakaria, Ano, Kato and Meso Gerekari. In a distance of 9 klm, is the small port of Agios Nikolaos, from where the boats to Galazia Spilia depart.

STROFADES

In the deep waters of Ionian Sea, 45 kilometers southwest of Zakynthos and 78 kilometers west of Katakolo bay in the Peloponnese, stand out the two small, isolated islands of Strofades. The ancient Greeks used to call them "Floating Islands" because they look like they are floating. The biggest island is called Stamfani and the smallest Arpyia. The two islands are connected with a reef isthmus. In Stamfani stand a lighthouse and the monastery of Panagia Pantohara, which was built during the Byzantine Empire in 1241. Agios Dionysios, the protector of the island, used to be a monk in this monastery. Impressive and imposing at the same time, the monastery stands like a medieval fortress with walls that reach 25m height, obviously to protect the monastery by the pirates' attacks.