Zakynthos Ithaka (Pisaetos) ferry

Zakynthos Guide

What is there to do in Zakynthos?

Typically known by its Italian name of Zante, Zakynthos has developed a decadent reputation across Western Europe; the island has become a retreat for young tourists keen to exploit the hot temperature and abundance of alcohol, a pattern which has resulted in streams of teens bouncing from club to another. In a bittersweet turn of fate, the constant rush of holidaymakers has boosted the island’s economy yet masked the charming and quiet side of Zakynthos, though it is still possible to explore the quintessential Greek villages and spectacular scenery. Tranquil resorts that stay off the beaten track are found in the far south and far north of the island, perfect for drifting around the rural landscape and enjoying a touch of local food and drink. Regardless of your intention for visiting, the rugged mountainside that emblazons the west coast should place highly on your itinerary, especially after you scale the rocky terrain before basking in the breathtaking views afforded from the apex of the cliffs. The sea of natural beauty shapes the coastline, and if you venture inland, an array of impressive architecture adorns the centre, perfect for a day of sightseeing.

How do you get around Zakynthos?

Buses are the only form of public transport, covering the popular places around the island. Some choose to traverse the island on two wheels, either on bicycle or scooter.

Ithaka (Pisaetos) Guide

Ithaka (Pisaetos) Ferry Port

Ithaka is the second-smallest of the Ionian Islands that streak across the western coast of Greece. The entire island is shaped by an undulating vista of tree-topped hills, their scrubby slopes rising from the ragged shoreline of the crystal-blue Ionian Sea. The landscape is split into two regions, roughly arranged in a north-south formation, bridged by a narrow isthmus known by locals as the Eagle. Though small, Ithaka has a rich and varied history stretching as far back as the mid-1600’s BCE. During this founding era, the island is believed to have been the capital of the ancient Ionian Kingdom when it was inhabited by the Greek peoples of Mycenae. Centuries later the island was immortalised in Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey; Ithaka featuring as the homeland of the tale’s eponymous hero King Odysseus. The port of Ithaka forms part of the tiny Pisaetos marina on the island’s populated southern region. It sits on a secluded spot of the west-facing coast overlooking the Strait of Ithaka with the nearest town of Ithaki (the island capital), 4 miles away further inland. The port consists of nothing more than a small anchorage on one edge of a shallow bay. There are no passenger facilities here, meaning that food, drink, and other supplies must be bought before arrival. Though relatively isolated, travelling to Pisaetos marina is relatively straightforward. A single road connects the facility to the main town of Ithaki on a route that cuts through the heartland hills before tracing the pristine shores of the Molos Gulf. The only form of public transportation on the island comes in the form of buses that run on a limited schedule between the island’s biggest settlements, but these services do not stop near the port. A number of ferry routes currently operate from the port throughout the week. Services hosted by Kefalonian Lines sail the short distance south to the Greek mainland town of Kyllini and hop west to the towns of Sami and Poros on the large island of Kefalonia. Levante Ferries sail to Sami too, as well as offering another route to the sprawling city of Patras in western Greece.