Zante Seaside Villa

Like all the best seaside houses, Zante Seaside Villa is simple and functional, with large openings that allow natural light in. 

The living room acts as the centre of the house, with direct connections to one of the bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen overlooking the courtyard. Accessed through the kitchen’s wooden door are the patio and the shady leafy vine pergola where guests can enjoy breakfast. Under the pergola, there is a smooth transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

From the living room, you can ascend to the first floor where you’ll find the second bedroom, another bathroom and a large, private veranda overlooking the bay of Ammoudi.

FEATURES

• 120 sqm of indoor living
• Accommodating up to 4 adults
• Ground floor bedroom with king-size bed (160cm x 203cm) with views of the stunning Ionian Sea through the window on the ground floor
• Charming bathroom with a walk-in shower, sink & WC
• Additional sofa bed in the living room which can accommodate an extra child
• Use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies that reduce the carbon footprint
• Elegantly crafted living room with views of the stunning shores of Zante and the adjacent kitchen, fully equipped with essentials like fridge, induction stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, etc.
• Second bedroom on the first floor with king-size bed (160cm x 203cm) and a private terrace to take in the stunning views of the Ionian Sea
• Bathroom with unique golden touches and a walk-in shower, sink & WC.

The kitchen is fully equipped with a microwave, an oven with an electric stove and a refrigerator/freezer, as well as a Nespresso machine. The bathrooms have shower gel and shampoo/conditioner. In the living room, there is a 50” Smart TV and streaming services, as well as board games and a Bluetooth speaker. The entire villa is air-conditioned and there is high-speed Wi-Fi, as well as a security alarm system. 

Our cleaner changes the sheets and towels twice a week and the kitchen is cleaned every other day. Breakfast or dinner can be arranged upon request at an additional charge and we have a grocery service available for guest arrivals.

The pool is 6x8 metres and is solar heated. It can be heated during the months of April, May, September and October for an additional cost. Pool cleaning is conducted early in the morning so as not to disturb guests and a gardener comes once a week to maintain the grounds. We have a vineyard on the property, as well as seasonal fruit trees. 

When guests book their stay at Zante Seaside Villa, they have access to a dedicated concierge service, which is available 24/7 and can assist with organising activities. Pets are allowed under specific conditions and with prior consultation. We also have a ping pong table, gym equipment and yoga mats available for guests to use. 

It depends on your interests. For cultural attractions, I would recommend the Museum of Post-Byzantine Art in the capital, which was built to house everything that could be salvaged after the devastating earthquakes and fires of 1953. The Museum of Solomos is also unique — it houses the mausoleum of the national poet Dionysios Solomos and the remains of Andreas Kalvos and his wife. It exhibits Cretan art from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as works by prominent figures of Zakynthos. The Venetian fortress of Bochali offers a wonderful view across Zakynthos while the Church of the Patron Saint Dionysios is a beautiful three-aisled basilica founded in 1764.

In the north of the island, you can visit the famous Shipwreck/Navagio Beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The Blue Caves are located in the same area and are a wonderful place to swim — the underwater world here is ideal for snorkelling. The only way to see Navagio Beach and the Blue Caves is by boat, so the wisest thing to do is to book a cruise that will allow you to admire some of the most beautiful landscapes in Zakynthos.

There are so many wonderful beaches on the island, that it seems wrong to highlight just a few. The beaches of Geraka and Dafni not only have fine sand and shallow blue waters but they are a protected nesting site for sea turtles. For a sense of discovery, head to Porto Limionas (more a lagoon than a beach) or Agios Nikolaos in Vassillikos, named after its small chapel. Porto Vromi is a secluded, narrow beach that is not as crowded as its more prominent neighbours.

Something not many people know about Zakynthos is the island’s passion for the cultivation of vines and its wineries. Viticulture was developed on the island during the Venetian period, originally for the production of raisins, which gained fame and commercial value thanks to their high quality. 

Today, there are over 19,000 acres dedicated to vine cultivation in Zakynthos and dozens of different grape varieties. A few have been closely associated with the island — such as the red Augustiatis (cultivated since the 14th century) and the yellow-gold Robola. At the villa, we organise wine tastings from nearby properties, accompanied by various local dishes. 

I’d also recommend exploring some of Zakynthos’ villages, which are scattered all over the island. There is Koiliomenos (famed for its historic bell tower) and Louha, with its stone houses and cobbled streets. For beautiful views, head to Kambi, which overlooks the bay of Schiza, or Kastari, overlooking the bay of Alykes. Definitely go up to Ano Gerakari (in the village where the villa is located) for wonderful 360-degree views. If possible, coincide your visit to the villages with a festival to hear the traditional chants accompanied by mandolins and guitars. 

Finally, don't forget to try some of the local sweet and savoury bites. There's mandolato (nougat and roasted almonds), pasteli (sesame and honey bars) and semolina-based fitura. If you want to take something home with you, you can find aromatic honey (from bees that feed on mountain herbs), peppery olive oil and cheeses (soft myzithra or spicy gruyere).