About Zante

Nature & the Coastline
Zante Interior
Zante Springs
The Caves of Zante
Climate and Crops of Zante
The Zakynthians
Useful Telephone Numbers
More about Zante

Zante is the third largest island in the Ionian sea and the eleventh in Greece. It is 14 miles south of Kefalonia and 14 miles of the shoreline of the Peloponnese, mainland Greece. Zante Island is 406 square kilometres and has a population of over 39,000 inhabitants.
Zante burst through the sea from the sea bed in the prehistoric times from a large powerful earthquake. The sea across the south-eastern coast of Zante, has the deepest point in the Mediterranean basin known as "The Well of Oinouses", about 4500 metres in depth.

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Nature & the Coastline

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The earthquakes that were responsible for the creation of Zante also caused a number of rocky barriers, reefs and many small islands, the most significant of these islands is the group called Strofades, 37 miles south of Zante. The geological changes caused by the earthquakes are responsible for Zante coastal landscape, which features smooth sandy beaches  along it's eastern shoreline and in the Laganas Bay Area, but then vertical, steep and often rocky shores on it's western side.
Zante resembles an irregular triangle, The islands Zante western shoreline is 34km long and steep, creating many caves and secluded coves.  Zante's famous Shipwreck  (the most photographed beach in Zante) is in one such cove, only accessible by boat or a vantage point of over 250 metre's above it.
The eastern coastline (opposite the Peloponnese), is ideal for swimming with most of the beaches having a sandy beach that slopes gentle into the water. This coastline is 37km long, from the northern point of Zante, Cape of Skinari (is where rough waters turn into smooth waters as you come along the eastern coastline), to the southern point of Zante, Cape of Gerakas.
The Blue Caves are just of the Cape of Skinari, again only accessibly by boat. These caves were created along with it's rocky coastline are impressive in size and colour, especially if you manage to get there early in the morning to catch the suns reflection of the water, as this makes the caves come alive and a magnificent blue.
The Laganas Bay, is the biggest tourist area in Zante, it is between the Cape of Gerakas and the Cape of Marathias. The bay includes the islands of Marathonissi and Pelouzo and is now The National Marine Park of Zante, home of the endangered species of the Caretta Caretta Turtle. All motor powered water sports have now been banned from the Laganas Bay to stop the deaths of countless turtles been chewed up by the propellers of these motor boats as they skimmed through the waters. For motor powered water sport fun, you would have to travel to one of the many beaches on the eastern shoreline.

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Most of Zante's landscape is mountainous, the tallest is Mt. Vrachionas (758 metres) in the western part, Mt. Skopos (492 metres) on the southern-eastern side of the island heading down to Gerakas. Other mountains of note are Kaki Rachi (680 m), Mount Atheras (583 m).
One side of the Mt. Skopos is Argassi and is on the eastern shoreline, while on the other side of the Mt. Skopos is Kalamaki and is in the Laganas Bay area. There are no large rivers on Zante, there are only two small rivers and they are, Aghios Charalambous, which runs through Zante Town, and Skourtis, a smaller one in Alykes. Across Zante you might drive past small streams and ravines. Zante has many underground streams which are fed by a number of wells and springs, Zante is therefore blessed with abundant waters, which together with its fertile soil guarantee a plentiful supply of agricultural produce. The island’s main products are oil, grapes, wine, citrus fruits, potatoes and onions, while the upland pastures favour animal-rearing.
Zante is divided into three sections, geographically and geologically from the north to south.
The first section starts from the north of Zante Cape of Skinari and move in a southern direction, occupying the western side of Zante, down to The Cape of Marathias. This part of Zante is the most mountainous and scarcely populated. The coastline of this side of Zante is characterised by steep rocky shores and breathtaking views, with some fantastic caves along the shoreline.
Zante middle section begins in the north, at the bay of Alykes and ends at the Laganas Bay. This part of Zante is the flattest and the most fertile piece of the island. Here is where Zante inhabitants mostly live, with over 10,000 of them living in Zante Town alone. The land here is cultivated for the tasty local wine and the sultanas.
The third section of Zante is the eastern and south-eastern part, all the way down from Zante Town to The Cape of Gerakas, Along this part of the islands has some of the best beaches and where you will have the chance of seeing dolphins swimming in the waters of the Cape of Gerakas.
 

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Zante has been known from the ancient times for it's hot springs, the most famous are at the following, Ag. Panteleimon in the municpality of Pigadakia, Vromoneri or Nera tou Kareri in the municipality of Kato Gerakari, a spring that is said to offer relief from rheumatism, Maghiorou Langadia in the municipality of Koukesi Kallitheas, a mineral water spring, and Tsouri in the municipality of Aghios Dimitrios, whose water is used as a cure for scabies, itchiness and arthritis. Other springs are Xyghia in the municipality of Orthonies, Tetartia in the village of Gerakari, Kolosourtis in the bay of Alykes, Magera and Gremina in the municipality of Skoulikados, and Dragonaras in the municipality of Ano Volimes.
There are two springs in the harbour of Nafthis or Keriou that produce water with tar. One of the springs is called Herodotus Well or Pigi tou Irodotou and local history relates it to the ancient Greek historian himself. Similar wells have been discovered in other parts of Zante, but their great depth does not allow their exploitation for oil extraction purpose.

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Very few tourist to Zante realise that there are more than 20 caves, and even fewer pay them a visit. The most popular caves are The Blue Caves on Cape of Skinari, The Ksigia Cave at Orthonies, the caves at Keri and Marathonissi. But most of Zante's land caves remain a mystery. Some of the most spectacular caves are at Gyri Village, The Red Cave, The Black Cave and Hayioti Cave.
To get to these caves you need hiking experience and a local guide to find them. The entrance to the cave is just outside Gyri Village, about 300 metres along a track way from the cemetery. The opening is not very obvious and you might miss it. Many of the caves have bats and fantastic stalactites inside them.
There are many other caves dotted around Zante, The Human Cave in Agalas, also in Agalas is The Damianou Cave and then there's "The Dragon Cave" in  Mouzaki. Some of these caves where used to hide and house the freedom fighters during the wars and some where used to hide inform ancient pirates who use to raid Zante for it's wealth. In Kalamaki one of these caves has been turned into a bar named "The Cave Bar". Its surroundings is absolutely breathtaking, with the views of Kalamaki and Laganas, the garden that they have created  makes it a must see place on Zante.

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The Mediterranean climate, transforms Zante into a very fertile landscape, which blossoms in spring and last for most of the year, even during the winter months you'll see flowers out in full bloom. Zante prevailing green colour inspired the Venetians to call it "The flower of the east" or "Fior di Levante".
During the summer, the temperature fluctuates - around 35C+ in August, while in the winter months it drops around 13C in January. Rainfall on Zante is a significant aspect of its climate (average yearly rainfall 98cm), while the sight of snow can happen up in the mountains, is still quite rare. Winters on Zante are mild and summers are now getting warmer, a combination which favours the cultivation of crops such as vine, olives, garden produce, and citrus fruits.
From the old days, the most important occupation of Zante inhabitants was the cultivation of sultanas. It used to be said that punishment by death should be for the criminals of traitors and  sultana-smugglers!
Zante soil gives the local wine a particular flavour, "verdea", greatly sought after, particularly when accompanied by local oil-cheese. During the summer, the season for onions, each grocery shop eagerly displays strings of the local large, sweet onions.
Bougarini, the perfume from Zante, was very famous and is still found in shops around the island. Also in the local shops that supported the local economy is nougat and sesame seed bars.

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The local people of Zante are optimists, genial and friendly both towards their fellow Zakynthians and to all visitors. Famous for their jokes and the pranks they pull on each other, Zakynthians are well known for their chatty nature and lively gestures. The local dialect is very song-like and many of the words used in the language have Italian roots. The Zakynthians great love of art, in its every form, is evident every step of the way and it is no surprise that Zante has given rise to many famous personalities both in dancing, literature and arts in general. There is no need to stress the Zakynthians inclination towards music because this is quite obvious as soon as they begin to speak, Zakynthians love their island, their villages, the churches and their Saint.
Zante constant struggle against the peculiarities of nature has yielded stubborn and strong inhabitants, who have succeeded in overcoming their fear of earthquakes and have always accepted the bitter consequences with great hope and self-confidence, certain that tomorrow will bring another day.
Nature has gifted the Zakynthians with a polite character and a innate instinct for hospitality. Even today where hospitality has become a profession, the Zakynthians smile and welcoming nature comes straight from the heart.