Central Greece

Agia Pelagia: on the northeast side of the island. Small harbor town with pebble beach, taverns and cafes and small hotel businesses. There are several bathing beaches along the coast. A marked hiking trail also connects these beaches. The view from the village leads directly to the Peleponnes. Passing ships always provide variety.

Ag. Nikolaos is a small fishing village with a cozy harbor, 5 km south of Stoupa on the Mani peninsula and about 30 kilometers south of the district capital Kalamata. There are several taverns where you can watch the hustle and bustle. Ag. Nikolaos belongs to the district region of Messinia. Many residents of Ag. Nikolaos fled to Australia in World War II, but many of them returned. Imposing is the mountain backdrop of the Taygetus mountains in the background. Agios Nikolaos was a centre of fighting during the Greek Civil War. The three towers, built as machine gun emplacements scattered around the village; the largest about 20 metres / 66 feet high dominates the 'skyline' on the main road into the village. In Ag. Nikolaos is a small fish market almost every day. South of the harbor, about 1 km, is a beautiful sandy-pebble beach with plenty of shady trees. There is even a beach shower here.

Visit Athens the heart of Greece! A hearty welcome to Athens, a lively capital city with blend of classic visitor sights, excellent social scene and its laidback old-town "Plaka". Athens and its heritage are an adventure. Athens the capital of Greece and his Culture is a magnet for artists from all over the world. Athens is not only the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. A city that is so young and yet so old! The Acropolis has been a World Heritage Site since 1987, and the Acropolis Museum shows the heritage exclusively from the Acropolis of Athens. In June 2009, after 5 years of construction, the Acropolis Museum reopened. The Archaeological National Museum of Athens is the most important and oldest museum in Greece, where you can see a collection of the most important antiquities from all over Greece from the Neolithic era to Classical periods (Patission Str. 44). Worth to see: “The Agora” built in the plain around the Acropolis. The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre, and the seat of justice. Price for Tickets: 8 reduced 4 € Expert advice what to do in Athens: Athens it’s easy to explore on foot. Athens is one of the most important cultural cities in Southern Europe and offers not only archaeological sites and Antiquity. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Athens. 2-Day Itinerary: First day 1. The peerless Parthenon never disappoints and you can save with a multi-site Acropolis ticket that includes six other archeological sites. 2.If you’re only going to fork out for one museum in Athens, make it the Acropolis Museum. The Parthenon Gallery on the top floor makes an unforgettable impact. At just €10 to enter (€5 off-season), it’s one of the best value museums of its calibre in the world. 3. Take a scenic, ten-minute stroll to Mnisikleous Street in Plaka and unwind on the café-lined stairs. 4. The lively "Athens Central Market“and rustle up a locavore’s picnic of cheap seasonal produce, olives and cured meats. At cheery Karamanlidika tou Fani, just by the central market, you can purchase delicious salami and cheese to go, or eat them in-house. 5. "Monastiraki flea market“ has bargains galore, especially on Sunday morning when many traders sell bric a brac on the streets around "Avissinia Square and Thissio station". Protogenous Street in hip "Psirri" is heaven for dedicated vintage shoppers.

Avlemonas, a small picturesque fishing village on the east coast of Kithira. The architectural style with the typical white houses and blue windows is reminiscent of the Cyclades islands. There are several plateaus with entry aids for swimming. A Venetian fortress can be seen at the entrance to the harbor. This fortress also bears the coat of arms of Venice, the lion of St. Marcus. (Here the ship "Mentor" of Lord Elgin capsized, who wanted to ship marble friezes from the Parthenon temple.) There are some taverns in the village.

East of the Greek mainland in the empire of Alexander the Great lies the Chalkidiki peninsula with its 3 fingers. Here you will find the longest and most beautiful exotic beaches surrounded by pine forests, a dreamy coast with a fascinating backdrop and the holy Mount Athos. Here you will find not only dream beaches but also archaeological sites and museums. Not to forget the rich Macedonian cuisine which was influenced by the Orient. The three fingers of the peninsula are called Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos. The Chalkidiki coast offers many small bays but also long sandy beaches. All 96 large beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag for the quality of the sea water. The longest sandy beaches are west of the Chalkidiki peninsula on the Kassandra finger. The peninsula offers the best conditions for children, as the gently sloping beaches are also sheltered from the wind and there are hardly any waves. Yes, it is as if the sea were a large lake. Here you can get small children used to life by the sea. The choice of hotels on Chalkidiki is large, but there is also a large selection for self-catering in beautiful boutique hotels, apartments and holiday homes with a very high standard but also inexpensive accommodation and all-inclusive family hotels. The places are well developed for self-catering and have a good infrastructure with supermarkets, bakeries, taverns and of course the famous fast food stalls. A day trip to the Macedonian capital Thessaloniki should not be missed on your vacation. In Thessaloniki is one of the most important archaeological museums in Greece. The city's landmark is the "White Tower". Stroll through the long city promenade right by the sea to Aristotle Square. We always use the parking lot of the Hotel Makedonia Palace, which is close to the promenade and the archaeological museum. This parking garage is accessible to everyone and not expensive. Thessaloniki is a treasure trove and offers a large shopping center. And many old churches.

Corfu is part of the Ionian Islands group west of the Greek mainland of Epirus. With an area of ​​593 square kilometers and a population of 102,000, Corfu is the second largest island of the Ionian Islands. Corfu is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece.
Stroll through the winding cobbled streets, walk along the iconic Spianada and Liston, admire the two imposing fortresses and discover the sights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Corfu.
The best time to travel/swim is from the end of May to the end of October.

Diakofti is the small ferry port of Kythira. During the season, the ferry commutes up to twice a day to Neapoli in the southern Peloponnese. A good hour's drive. The place consists of a collection of houses, studios and apartments and mini markets. The reason for this is the very beautiful sandy beach, gently sloping. Of course there are also several taverns here.

Epidaurus, 4th century BC BC is the largest ancient theater in Greece. It is located on the west side of the Peloponnese, in the Argolis region. Epidaurus is about 25 km from Nauplia and 65 km from Athens. Epidaurus was not just a theatre, it was a place of worship and healing center, a mild microclimate since ancient times. The slightly elevated location and surrounding pine forests contributed to this. The religious center of the sanctuary was the "Asclepius Temple". Asclepius was the god of doctors, the god of healing.

Gerolimenas is located in South-Peloponnese. Here the mountains drop dramatically down into the sea and the scattered villages, with their inevitable towerhouses, get few visitors. Be prepared for endless driving around the beauties of the Mani peninsula. A dramatic coastline of sleepy fishing coves and fortified villages! Having a car at your disposal is a necessity and will enable off road trips and treasure hunting of wonderful Mani-Spots. Trademark for this region are the TOWER HOUSES made of large stones, acres of pasture land, clear blue waters and flavours which are typical of Mani-South Peloponnese.The natural beauty and tranquillity of Gerolimenas awaits you. Gerolimenas is set at the southern tip of the Mani peninsula in a small bay surrounded by steep slopes of the idyllic and southernmost fishing port Gerolimenas. In the past, when the modern road network did not yet exist and this part of the mani was not accessible, the inner mani was supplied from this small port. You can still see a few old warehouses in the small harbor today. It's an interesting stop before moving on to the Vathia towers.

Gythion is located at the foot of the Mani peninsula in the southeast of the Peloponnese. 142 km east of the airport and the city of Kalamata and 278 km south of the capital Athens. With 7,000 inhabitants, Gythion is the largest city in the southern Peloponnese with a large port with good ferry connections to the islands. The vibrant city and its port are well protected by the foothills of the mighty Taygetos mountain range. Until the end of May, this backdrop offers snow-white mountains in contrast to the blue of the Mediterranean, a true delight for the soul.
Neoclassical architecture and the building style of the German-Greek architect Erns Ziller (lived in Gythion from 1870 to 1914) determines the ambience of the city, such as the town hall and the girls' gymnasium. Hans Ziller designed over 500 private public buildings in Greece. The beautiful, long promenade with taverns and cafes surround the port of Gythion. From the promenade, a bridge leads to the small island of Kranai. Kranai with its pine forest is the landmark of the city and offers visitors a beautiful view of the city of Gythion and the tower of the Tzanetakas Museum. The ancient amphitheater of Gythio is also worth seeing. The citadel was located above the theater on the hill. Remains of its walls are still visible today. Gythio is a vibrant city in both summer and winter. Most of the bars and shops are open in winter and offer city dwellers from the capital Athens a good break from the hustle and bustle. Most of the establishments along the promenade are open in winter and summer.

The Island Hydra ( belongs to the Saronic Islands) with 3000 habitants is car free. The transportation of people is being made only by donkeys. The Island is located 76 km south of the port of Piraeus There are regular ferry and water taxi - connections from Piraeus, Peloponnese and Poros to the car free Island of Hydra. The town of Hydra island is built amphitheatrically around the port.
The port of the glamorous Island with its unique architecture looks like an art-paint and is an exemplar of architectonics and aesthetics. Bars, shops and restaurants circle the old picturesque harbour. Today, the port of Hydra is filled with yachts and cruisers.
The island's strictly preserved architecture, spectacular views and clear blue waters have inspired countless writers, artists and film-makers.

Kalamata is the capital of Messenia in the southwestern Peloponnese with 60,000 inhabitants. The landmark of the capital city of Messenia is the Franconian castle from the 13th century, which towers over the city of Kalamata. The castle has a small amphitheater where summer festivals take place. Below the castle is the old town, where there are several Byzantine churches. The monastery "Kalograion Monastery", which is located southeast of the castle, is well known. This monastery is known for its silk weaving. Today 23 nuns still live in the monastery.

Kalavrita is about 20 km in the inland from the coastal town of Diakopto (Northern Peloponnese, Achaia region). Kalavrita is now a holiday resort where the Greeks spend their winter holidays. There is a well-known ski area above the small town, in the "Helmos Mountains". The place is also reknown for hiking and winter tourism. A densely wooded region with streams that turn into waterfalls.

Kapsali: Kapsali is the port of the capital "Chora Kythira". It is the most beautiful places on the island and the biggest attraction. There are taverns, cafes, two bathing bays (sand-pebble beach) and a harbor. The Venetian fortress of Chora Kythira is enthroned above Kapsali.

Kardamili is a cozy coastal town on the western side of the Mani Peninsula, a foothill of the "Taygetus Mountains". Kardamili is an attraction for many hikers who want to hike through the "Viros Gorge" (20 km long!), But also for speleologists (the "Diros Cave" and the "Cave of Aeopoli"). The Taygetus Mountains are a varied hiking area. Hiking maps are available at: www.anavasi.gr.

Kefalonia is the largest of the western Greek islands in the Ionian Sea. Known and very popular with sailors from all over the world. Package tourism is just developing. The innumerable small bays of Kefalonia, one more beautiful than the other, surprise the visitor and captivate him. Kefalonia has a total of 40,000 inhabitants, most live in the capital Argostoli. The highest attitude is the Mount Enos with its 1628 m. This mountain was called "Monte Negro" by the Venetians because of its endemic fir trees. The port of Sami connects Kefalonia with the mainland and the port city of Patras in the Peloponnese. In the season there are 3 ferry connections (car ferries) of the shipping company Levante Ferries from Patras-Port. The crossing takes 4 hours from Patras and from Kyllini to the south of Kefalonia only 90 minutes, but with smaller boats. The coasts are mainly made up of limestone cliffs carved out by the sea. Sandy bays with small sea caves shape the landscape. The most famous beach on the Kefalonia island is Myrtos Beach (fine white gravel / sandy beach). The journey takes about 40 minutes from the capital Argostoli. Water sports are not allowed here, but paragliding. Well-known beaches of Kefalonia are also Lixouri, Skala, Svoronata, the red-sand XI-Beach, Lassi and the beach of Assos.

World Heritage Monastery Osios Lukas
The visit Osios Lucas can be easily combined with Delphi!
The foundation of the monastery is related with the presence of the local Osios Loukas, who was an ascetic here in the last years of his life, from 946/7 to 953. He was a gifted man, who made miracles and had the gift of prophesy. As a matter of fact he had prophesized the recapture by the Byzantines of the Arab occupied Crete, which was accomplished by Nikephoros Phokas in 961. He maintained close relations to the generals of the Theme of Greece, with Thebes as its capital, and one of them, Krenites, in 946, started to build in the area the church of Agia Varvara, which today is identified with the crypt on which they later built the catholicon. The completion and its decoration took place in 955, just after the saint’s death, by the monks, who also turned his cell into a cross-shaped church building and organized the monastery community.

Corinth is located about 80 km southwest of the capital Athens. The third largest city in the Peloponnese has about 35,000 inhabitants today. Old Corinth lies at the foot of the Acro Corinth mountain cone. Unfortunately, almost only the Roman buildings are still well preserved. Acro Corinth, the rock cone at 575 m, is very interesting. It was the Acropolis of Corinth. The city wall reflects different epochs. It is the oldest castle fortress in the Peloponnese. The temple of Aphrodite was also on the summit. The Dorians saw an advantageous place for their trade here and built the city of Corinth "Korinthos" in the 1st millennium BC. 1858 An earthquake destroyed the settlement of Corinth, the new Corinth had developed in and around the site of ancient Corinth.

Koroni is a small town in the southern Peloponnese and belongs to the district region of Messenia. The city is about 55 km from the city of Kalamata away and has 5100 inhabitants. Koroni is a former fishing village that extends on a slope. You should take a look at the small, pretty harbor promenade. The Franconian fortress wall towers above the city, the small town below the fortress has many small mansions. The castle is still alive, there is a nunnery in the upper castle. There is a Byzantine and a post-Byzantine church in the castle. Worth seeing in Koroni are the Mycenaean dome tombs at Rizomylos, only 2.5 km east of the coastal road. Koroni is only 30 km from the Palace of the Nestor.

Limeni is a really small coastal town on southern Mani peninsula. It was once the port of Areopolis, which is located 3 kilometers inland on a plateau. The symbol of Areopolis is the tower church "Taxiarchis".

Methoni is a small tvillage with 2700 inhabitants in the southern Peloponnese on the Messinian peninsula. The distance to the city of Kalamata is 65 km. In antiquity and byzantine times the southern cape of rock was an important anchorage due to the natural harbor. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Venetian conquerors had built a magnificent city wall built, which is still very well preserved day. The port of Methoni was used as a transhipment port for goods from the Orient and Italy.

Top tip: Monemvasia ( ancient Malvasy) is a small town in the Southeast Peloponnese with about 5000 inhabitants, a world cultural heritage monument and a major attraction for every traveller in the Peloponnese. The city consists of the new town of Monemvasia and the old Monemvasia wich is built on a peninsula. Many travel guides state that the new Monemvassia is not as attractive as the old one. I can not confirm. The new town has its own charm. I saw both places as one, especially since they are connected by a dry moat.

Mycenae is about 20 km in the inland south of Corinth and 20 km north of Nafplion (Nauplia), also exactly halfway between Corinth and Nafplion (Nauplia). Mycenae is a ruined castle from the 14th century BC. This castle ruin was hidden for 2000 years until Heinrich Schliemann made the great discovery: golden masks, weapons, cups and jewelry are the most valuable finds that can now be admired in the National Museum of Athens. In contrast to the gigantic, massive walls and minimalist sculptures of the castle, the jewelry and ceramics of the Mycenaeans appear very elegant and fine. Mycenae has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It has been found from the finds that there were relationships with Crete. The shaft tombs are similar to the Minoan tombs. The Mycenaeans imported goods and handicrafts from Crete. At the main entrance of the castle hill you pass the famous lion gate to the treasury. It is believed that the two lions at the entrance to the castle symbolize the sign of power. It is one of the earliest European monumental sculptures. The heads of the lions are missing, it is believed that they were made of metal.

Get to know Mykonos - best ideas from experts kreta.com Unmask the island Mykonos with Kreta.com and our island-hopping program you'll get to see the hotspots while living in it. The cosmopolitan Island Mykonos is famous for its nighlife. Whitewashed paradise in the heart of the North- Cyclades. A fascinating world where glamor meets simplicity. Luxury Hotels of highest level and small boutique - Hotels. You have to know that Mykonos is the Hotspot for Students and rich Greek families they come together to celebrate. In the Summertime Mykonos is a Dream-World for Party seekers. Celebrities come to Mykonos to celebrate on high level. The capital town of the island spreads out over a wide area. It is one of the best examples of Cycladic architecture and a spellbinding attraction for visitors. Whitewashed houses with colourful doors, bougainvillea trees and hidden churches. Pay a visit to the church of Panayia Paraportiani, the Town hall and the castle situated above the harbour. Don’t forget to visit the Archaeological, Folklore and Maritime Museums to take in a little history. The archaeological site of the Island Delos is easily accessible with the ferry from Mykonos.

Mystras is a well-preserved Byzantine ruined city. One hour's drive from Kalamata. It is a World Heritage Site and is protected by Unseco. The journey through the Taygetos Mountains alone is a stunner. The serpentines wind around mountain after mountain. It goes up and down all the time, which makes the trip quite exhausting. But the stunning scenery compensates for that strain on every kilometer driven. This is where nature and culture meet and forms a unit. One of our most captivating impressions of our tour.
Mystras was built as a result of martial events in the years 1245-1278 during the time of the Franconian crusaders. In the battle for supremacy in the Peloponnese with Byzantium, Prince Guillaume II de Villehardouin succeeded in conquering Laconia ( This region of the Peloponnese).

The city of Nafplion or Nauplia and Tolo (district of Agolis-Peloponnese), Nafplion (Nauplia) was the capital of Greece in 1831/1833. 1822-1828 war Nafplion (Nauplia) was the basis of the Greek freedom fighters. Nafplion (Nauplia) is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece today. The German King Otto was relocated to Athens. Due to its multicultural past, Nafplion (Nauplia) has a beautiful historical city center with house facades from the Venetian, Franconian, Turkish and Hellenic times. Most of the house facades have been extensively renovated. The historic city center is now closed to traffic. Here you can stroll through the alleys and enjoy the coffee house atmosphere under balconies full of flowers. From the harbor promenade, the offshore island "Bourtzi" with its fortress "Palamidi" is a romantic setting at sunset.

Olympia should actually be a place of pilgrimage for all athletes! A fascinating place not only for athletes! The archaeological site of Olympia, the sanctuary of Zeus, is located on the west coast of the Peloponnese. Patras in the administrative district of the Region Elis (Ilia), a chain of hills in the Alfios valley, approx. 50 km south of the city 18 km inland. The region is still very forested today (apart from the traces of some forest fires) and the microclimate has been pleasant since ancient times. Numerous cult buildings on the site of Olympia was finally included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

The port city of Patras is the third largest city in Greece after Athens and Thessaloniki with 180,000 inhabitants. The port of Patras is the most important port in Greece after Piraeus. It is a modern commercial port with ferry connections all over the world. From here, the freighters bring Greek wine, currants and Greek olive oil all over the world. Patras has a military airport that is also used for civilian purposes. The medieval town of Patras was completely burned down by the Turks in 1821. For quick reconstruction, the city was built in a checkerboard pattern. The attraction of Patras is not the port region, but the inner city with its squares and shopping streets and the upper town with the Venetian castle and the Roman Odeon. From the Venetian castle you have a beautiful view of the strait, the Rio bridge and the Panachaikon mountains. The church "St. Andreas" in the upper town is also worth a visit. It is the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, it can accommodate 5500 visitors.

Get to know Peleponnese - best ideas from experts kreta.com
We are offering a wide range of Peloponnese Hotels, Apartments and Villas on the most beautiful places of Peleponnese like the Mani Peninsula, Monemvasia, the Western Peloponnese Costa Navarino and East Peloponnese Nauplia. Monuments from every period of the eventful Peloponnesian history, great archeological sites such as ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Tirynth, Mystra, the fortress city at Monemvasia, and the tower houses in Mani, such as the Diros caves, Mt. Taygetos, the cape Tainaros and Byzantine churches are waiting to be discovered. Rich vegetation, unique settlements and natural beauties such as mountains and long sandy beaches, forests, rivers and caves, make this part of Greece ideal for roundtrips, sports and connecting to the history and culture. Discover the first Greek Civilization of the Mycenaeans (2000 B.C.)

Pylos is a small picturesque port city with approx. 5400 inhabitants in the southwestern Peloponnese in the administrative district of Messenia. Pylos has a small harbor promenade and a beautiful platia (village square) with large plane trees. The city is built on a slope like the nearby villages Methoni and Koroni. In the upper town of Pylos you can see the fortresses built in the 16th century. There is also a mosque within the walls, which was later converted into a church by the Venetians.

Get to know Santorin - best ideas from experts kreta.com

Experience Santorin with Kreta.com and our island-hopping program you'll get to see the hotspots while living in it. Crescent-shaped Santorini (or Thíra), the precious pearl of the Aegean, in the southern part of Cyclade. The last big eruption occurred 3,600 years ago during the Minoan. This eruption destroyed the thriving local prehistoric civilization, evidence of which was found during the excavations of a settlement at Akrotíri causing the collapse of the central part and the creation of today’s Caldera with a size of 8 x 4 km and a depth of up to 400m below sea level.
Santorini is considered to be the most romatic getaway in Greece. Whitewashed cliff-top towns affording amazing views out over the Aegean Blue. Santorin is a very rewarding experience! There are not many places in the world where you can enjoy exquisitely panoramic sea views while perched on the rim of a massive active volcano in the middle of the sea! The island has a growing reputation as a “wedding destination” for couples not only from Greece but from all over the world.
A trip to Santorini is for couples the ultimate romantic experience!

The island of Skiathos belongs to the archipelago of the Northern Sporades, just off the magical Pelion on the mainland.
Skiathos is known for its gorgeous sandy beaches, some of them are among the most beautiful beaches of Greece. The island is about 11 kilometers long and 4 km wide. The northwest is hardly populated. Tourist life takes place in the south with the capital town of Skiathos. In contrast to many other islands of Greece, the Northern Sporades are densely forested. The pines grow to the beach.
The most popular beaches are located on the southern side of the island, including the famous bay of Koukounaries. Impressive is the beach of Lalaria, accessible only by boat trip that also goes to the Medieval Castle of the island.
Skiathos Town is the centre of activities on the island, where visitors head in the evenings to enjoy a relaxing drink in the beach clubs. From Skiathos island, visitors can make day excursions with the ferry to the islands Skopelos and Alonissos. The most famous organised beaches with water sports, parasols and sunbeds are: Troulos, Koukounaries, Agia Eleni, Banana and Achladias The most quiet beaches with turquoise waters are Megas Gialos and Mikri Asselinos. This beaches are free from beach furniture and water sports. Skiathos comes with a variety of restaurants, cafes and pubs. Worth to see is the Agios Georgios lagoon, an oasis of aquatic fauna, and winding along a pine-covered peninsula.

Skopelos hasn´t an international airport. There is something about arriving by ferry at a picturesque Greek port that has an relaxing mood. Since the famous film musical Abba "Mama Mia" with Meryl Streep, the small islet has been famous with its dream beaches. You can get there by ferry from Skiathos or from the main land Pelion ( Volos). The islet has maintained a refreshing authenticity. Skopelos is a holiday destination for unspoilt island life quiet beaches, walks through green and mountainous inland, far away from all.

A special highlight is the rock by Agios Giannis, where the popular musical film "Mamma Mia" by Abba was filmed with Meryl Streep. The climb was a bit difficult for us, we wondered for an entire film crew with equipment?

South-Peloponnese, Stoupa is located on the southwestern side of the Mani Peninsula and has around 500 inhabitants. The coastal town is about 7 km south of Kardamili. The long, gently sloping sandy beach makes Stoupa as one of the most attractive location of the Mani Peninsula. Around Stoupa there are small bays with underground fresh water sources coming down from the Taygetus Mountains. Numerous restaurants, bars and taverns surround the long bay. Water sports are offerde offered. Stoupa is still very tranquil, the small beach promenade is closed to traffic in the evening.

World Heritage Delphi, the spiritual center of antiquity, has not lost its importance even today. The era of god cults, worship and oracle, which once decided here about war and peace, is over. But the impression and the mythical atmosphere are still attached to the ruin. Located on the slope of the Parnass Mountain, the cult site has a panoramic view of the valley of the Pleistos River. In addition to the fascinating landscape and the legendary Temple of Apollo, other well-preserved parts of the ruin are such as the stadium and the theatre, are also worth to see. World-famous testimonies from past cultures, such as the charioteer will be exhibited in the new Delphi museum.

The island of Zante ( Zakynthos) is one of the Ionian Islands in opposite the mainland Peloponnese. The port city and capital city Zakynthos, with around 10,000 inhabitants, stretches like a sickle around the waterfront Solomos Square and is the most important trading center on the island. The natural harbor is west of the city. The Venetian fortress and the Bochali district are located around the harbor hills. Zakynthos is located 10 km west of the mainland Kyllini (Peloponnese).