Zakynthos North Villages

The magical Zante or Zakynthos is fabulous in all its facets. In addition to idyllic beaches and a spectacular sea, it still preserves in the northern part villages frozen in time where it is possible to understand and have a real image of the spirit that has always lived on the island that speaks of culture, history, tradition and people who will always welcome you with a smile and sincere friendship.

Barren mountains, enchanting woods, steep roads that climb up to hidden monasteries with a thousand legends, where tourism has not yet changed the territory and much less the lifestyle, still made up of farming, agriculture and crafts.

Walking along the roads that lead to these remote lands and away from consumerism, you can taste the real local cuisine still made according to ancient recipes and with products that you can get from the earth with effort and dedication, what is more beautiful in stopping in a small kafenio (cafeteria) and meet the locals who tell stories about their beloved Zakynthos, making you discover things that you will never find in any blog or book? Personally I think that the best way to explore a country is to "mix" with the locals, from them you can get important information on everything and that go beyond the classic tourist circuit, thus managing to fully grasp the soul of the environment.

As we always say to our guests "get lost" in the Greek Islands, often taking the wrong route you find yourself in places that did not even fit in your imagination and that will make you feel privileged just for having found it.

So what's better than setting off on an adventure and finding yourself in fairy-tale villages where the hands of the clock have such slow rhythms that they can't feel the time? In Zakynthos, as in all the Greek Island, this feeling is still possible.

So let's start with illustrating some of the villages to mark among the things to do in Zakynthos! The first we want to tell you about is Agios Leon a classic mountain village to the west. His name comes from an archbishop who when he was canonized took the name of San Leone to whom a church was dedicated right here in the fourteenth century. Famous for being close to Porto Roxa and Porto Limnionas, two jewels of Zakynthos, it offers its visitors some typical taverns where they can taste genuine dishes, some traditional products shops, houses separated from the main road and labyrinthine alleys where they can get lost. In Agios Leon there are also accommodation facilities such as apartments and small hotels for an alternative holiday. A curiosity in the country there is a church built inside a mill, strange right? Agios Leon is also a great spot for trekking lovers where hiking trails and narrow roads start parallel to the rocky coast giving you amazing views of the high cliffs and caves below.

We arrive at Loucha village in the northwest about 10 kilometers from Porto Limnionas. Stopped in 1953 when the terrible earthquake struck the island, it still preserves the traditional architecture with houses and gardens fenced in local stone that miraculously survived the earthquake, narrow cobbled streets and with a fantastic view of the valley below full of vineyards and vegetable gardens. A view that makes rural life very good.

And here we are at Gyri village more 'moved towards the hinterland. It is located about thirty kilometers from the capital Zakynthos City at 550 meters above sea level. It has 35 inhabitants (a real paradise I would dare to say!). Few houses, a church and two taverns where you can stop for lunch and taste the dishes of the day. There are two roads connecting Gyri, one comes from Loucha, the other from Agia Marina. One of the oldest villages of Zakynthos, dating back to the fifteenth century and nearby it is possible to visit the 60 meters deep cave of Idiotism with particular rock formations, or with a walk to reach the top of Mount Vrachionas at 750 meters where the view is fabulous.

Let's now pass to the village of Kampi or Kabi as the locals call it. It is located 300 meters above sea level right on top of a promontory overlooking the waters of the Ionian Sea. A rural village made of stone-paved streets that intertwine like mazes, traditional stone houses and shops selling handicrafts such as tablecloths, carpets, honey or oil, where everything is as at least six decades ago. In Kampi there is the large concrete cross dedicated to the fallen of the civil war from which you can enjoy a wonderful view, as worthy as the one from the Keri lighthouse or the Navagio beach.

We continue to Exo Chora village, a mountain community near the west coast of the island thirty kilometers from the capital. A traditional village with a large square where all life is concentrated. A typical tavern where you can sit and have a hearty lunch based on fresh and local products, some cafes and souvenir shops. In Exo Chora there is the church of Agios Nikolaos with the ancient olive tree of about 2000 years from the trunk and the unusual shape.

So let's get closer to Maries more and more north of Zakynthos. About 31 kilometers from Zakynthos City and with 400 permanent inhabitants who mainly deal with agriculture and livestock, we find it right on top of a green hill. A quiet village, made up of traditional stone houses and narrow and intersecting paved alleys. The central square is the fulcrum of the village where the Panagia Mariesotissa church is located, which preserves a precious icon considered miraculous. From here a breathtaking view of the sea, unmissable!

We now reach Anafonitria 30 kilometers northwest of the capital Zante City very close to Porto Vromi and the Navagio beach. It has about 221 inhabitants and is a small village of classic stone houses, small squares surrounded by trees, characteristic taverns where you can get to know the typical dishes of Zakynthos, and shops of excellent local products such as honey and oil produced by the inhabitants. Famous is his Panagia Monastery of Anafonitria, a much visited place dating back to the 15th century where Saint Dionisios, patron saint of Zakynthos, lived in solitude for some time and where he performed the charitable act of forgiving his brother's murderer.

We end with Volimes village the most northern in the Elation region among fairytale pine forests, overhanging white rocks with a memorable view of the Ionian Sea where ancient customs are part of daily life. A blast from the past where everything is still at its origins and the main activities are local crafts, especially during the winter, agriculture and pastoralism. To visit the Monastery of Agios Andreas with its beautiful frescoes, the church of Agios Georgios on the steep wall of the slope, and still a few kilometers away the Monastery of Anafonitria Moniase Agios Dionisios with its Byzantine church the oldest on the island dating back to 1400 built in memory of the Virgin Mary. A quiet area of untouched nature where you can enjoy one of the most suggestive sunset of Zakynthos.

In conclusion, we can say that the northern area of the island is certainly the wildest made up of Mediterranean scrub, villages lost in time and where to rebalance the energies. Don't forget to add them to the list of things to see in Zakynthos, it will be a wonderful experience.