of the most famous spots on the island. A
attracts the lion part of activity. The Mpoxali
lake sea, which is an aquatic habitat for rare
narrow strip of land leads to Vlaxerna con-
area, under the castle, can easily charm eve-
breeds of birds. Apart from the city of Lefka-
vent, from where one can catch a boat and
ryone with its little, quiet streets and its old
da, also reputed parts of the island are Ligia,
visit Pontikonissi. Opposite to that, on the
houses with the characteristic «bougarinia».
a really busy village, Agios Nikitas, a tradi-
side of Gastourion hill, there is the unique
Of course, apart from the city, Zante’s visitors
tional fishing village, Nikiana, an ideal place
Achillion, which used to be the summer
are also attracted by the island’s pictoresque
for surfing fans, Perigiali, a village crowded
residence of Austrian Empress Elisabeth,
villages with their tiled streets and the lit-
with tourists with astonishing beaches, as
more known as «Sissy».
tle tavernas, where one can taste original
well as Vassiliki, the center of the southern
Being called through the centuries, even
Zante cuisine. Of cousrse, one of the most
part of the island, with its sandy beaches. It is
from the period of the Venetian rule, as «The
well known touristic attractions of Zante is
also worth mentioning that around Lefkada
Levante’s Flower», Zante is one characteris-
the famous «shipwreck» in the west part of
there are little and big islands developping
tic case of island where rare natural beauty
Zante, abandoned in the middle of the sandy
continuously, whereas the most famous of
meets the unique ecological significance,
beach and surrounded by steep rocks. It is
them is the island of Skorpios, also known
along with the history and the rich cultural
also known that on Zante’s sandy beaches
as «the island of Onassis».
and artistic tradition. Obviously, the island of
there are many other touristic resorts, such
Zante presents a landscape full of contrasts.
as Laganas, Argasi, Gerakas, Porto Zoro,
While the most part of the island is moun-
Vassilikos, Tsilivis, Alikes and Alikanas.
tainous, there are also visual variations with
When we talk about Lefkada, we can not
short pine-clad mountains and fertile valleys.
help pondering about quiet or cosmopoli-
However, Zante is globallly known mostly
tan beaches with «golden» sand, seashores
from its emerald and crystal clear seas, as
under the impressive shadow of high and
well as its unique ecosystem. It is widely
steep rocks, serene bays, hospitable ports
known that in the south coast of Zante there
to every boat, crystal clear waters and other,
is one of the most important natural habitat
equally beautiful images. Lefkada is sur-
of Caretta - Caretta turtle. Furthermore, in
rounded by unique sandy beaches with their
the same island we can also find the habitat
characteristic «dove egg» shaped grains of
of Monachus - Monachus turtle, a species
sand, as Lefkada’s famous poet Aggelos
which can be found mostly in the southwest
Sikelianos had put it. The island is connected
coasts of the island. The aristocratic city of
to the rest part of the country through a float-
Zante is the capital of the island, a city built
ing bridge of continuous circulation, a fact
on the southeastern side with really impres-
that ensures the benefit of an easy access. In
sive mansions, well reputed churches and
the city of Lefkada, there is one of the larger
pretty squares like the famous «Rouga», or
and most modern sea marinas in Europe,
the tiled central square of St Mark, which
whereas the island is also known for its
Money & Tourism 93