Zante Town is the capital and commercial center of the island. The houses, shops and buildings were rebuilt in the traditional Venetian Style after the destructive earthquake of 1953, that ruined the majority of the buildings in Zante Town and forced the inhabitants to rebuilt them, giving significant emphasis on the protection against earthquakes.
In Zante Town, one can find mostly hotels in fairly affordable prices and a relatively good services quality. The basic advantage of staying in Zante Town is the commercial center and the cafes, which are close by, whereas it is the ideal base for excursions around the island.
Beaches around
In Zante Town one can visit the beach nearby Solomos square or in the outskirts of the town, in Kryoneri there is a beach with small pebbles and calm water. Both of them are a great solution for a short swim near Zante Town.
Activities
Zante Town offers a wide variety of activities. On the main road that leads to Zakynthos Port, one can find excursions point of sales for a day of Zante Coast Discovery. The Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos, Cultural Center which houses the Municipal Library and the Zakynthos historical reports, are located on Solomos Square. In the medieval square of St Mark, Solomos Museum with the impressive Dionysios Solomos and Andreas Kalvos tombs is definitely worth a visit. Here, the Catholic Church of St Mark is also situated with regular Sunday Holy Mass. The Tourist Train of Zante Town, the best way to see the town while enjoying a fun and relaxed ride, has daily guides that start from Solomos Square. The magnificent Church of St. Dionysios, the patron saint of Zante, hosts the relic of the St. Dionysios and it is also considered a great attraction for the visitors. Beside the church one can visit the Ecclesiastical Museum of Zante. Romas Mansion, nearby Solomos Square is one of the few buildings that were not destroyed by the earthquake of 1953. Just outside of Zante Town is the famous Stranis Hill, where Dionysios Solomos was inspired from the sounds of the Greek revolution to write the national anthem and Bohali, the place where one can enjoy the superb views across Zakynthos as well as a magnificent sunset.
Activities for children
At Solomos Square one can hire bicycles, toy jeeps and motorcycles for children. There, the children can play safely while adults can enjoy a stroll down the square or a refreshing cup of coffee.
Eating out
Zante Town offers a variety of taverns with traditional local cuisine and fresh fish, most of which are located along the main road that leads to Zante Port and a couple in Kryoneri. Likewise, one can choose Greek souvlaki with pitta, as there is an abundance of grill houses in town. For the fast food lovers, there are several shops with delicious sandwiches and pancakes.