Cheap Flights to Zakynthos

Quick summary

Identity

The "Florence of the East," rebuilt after catastrophe

Under centuries of Venetian rule, Zakynthos Town developed the features of a European polis unlike anywhere else under Ottoman-era Greece, earning the nickname "Florence of the East" — Fior di Levante — for its exquisite buildings and close cultural ties to Italy. On August 12, 1953, an earthquake measuring 7.2-7.3 on the Richter scale destroyed most of the town's buildings in under a minute; only three landmarks survived, including St. Dionysios Cathedral. The rebuilding that followed was subject to a rigid anti-seismic code, reconstructing the town in neoclassical and Venetian style in a deliberate attempt to preserve the character the original stones could no longer provide — arcaded streets, bell towers and pastel neoclassical facades that still climb Bochali Hill today. That code has held: the town weathered further earthquakes, including a magnitude 6.4 tremor in 2018, with only minor damage.

Don't miss

Solomos Square, Bochali Castle and the harbour

Solomos Square is dedicated to Dionysios Solomos, the father of modern Greek poetry, born on the island — a museum nearby holds his relics, personal objects and archives. Along the waterfront, the Church of Agios Dionysios stands close to the harbour, its tall bell tower an unmistakable landmark; remarkably, the present church was built just before 1953 and survived the earthquake that levelled almost everything around it. A twenty-minute walk up to Bochali Hill leads to the free-to-enter ruins of a Venetian castle, offering a magnificent view over the town and bay — the same hilltop where Solomos is said to have written the words of the Greek national anthem. In the evenings, the Strada Marina promenade and the cafés on Solomos Square come alive with the traditional "volta" stroll, while older residents gather at kafeneia to play backgammon.

Nature

Shipwreck Beach and the National Marine Park

Zakynthos Town itself isn't a beach destination — most visitors base themselves in nearby resort towns such as Laganas, Tsilivi or Psarou and come into the capital for a day. The island's real natural icon lies further afield: Navagio, or Shipwreck Beach, on the north-west coast, its rusted wreck resting on brilliant white sand between towering cliffs — one of the most photographed beaches in the world. Direct beach access has been restricted since 2018 due to rockfall risk, but it remains visible from purpose-built viewpoints on the clifftops above. To the south, the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, created in 1999, protects the Mediterranean's most important nesting beaches for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), a conservation effort that has made the island a byword for lush greenery meeting marine wildlife.

Getting around

Airport, ferries and the road network

Zakynthos International Airport "Dionysios Solomos" opened in 1972, giving a powerful impulse to the island's tourism industry, and sits just south of town near Kalamaki. Daily direct flights connect to Athens, with direct international routes to numerous European cities expanding through the summer season. The town's harbour is the island's transport hub, with ferry connections to the Peloponnese and boat excursions departing for the caves and beaches along the coast — March to May is a particularly rewarding time to visit, with fewer tourists, the Easter parade, and the island blooming with colour.

When to go

When to visit Zakynthos

Zakynthos Airport

The gateway to the National Marine Park

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Zakynthos