The Venetian castle is one of best things to do in Zakynthos thanks to its proximity to the island’s capital, Zante Town.
After numerous earthquakes damaged similar sites around the island of Zakynthos, the Venetian Castle still stands as a good example of Ionian Venetian architecture and is an interesting sight to see.
We spent about 10 days on the island of Zakynthos and although it was difficult to get away from the sandy beaches, we are glad we made the trip to Zante town to see the Venetian castle.
In this article, I’ll shed some light on this lesser-visited site of Zakynthos, including how to get there, how long to stay there, and how much it will cost (spoiler alert, it’s free).
See also: The ultimate guide to traveling to Greece
Where is Zante located?
Zakynthos is a small island located about 20 kilometers from the westernmost tip of the Greek mainland Peloponnese and just under 250 kilometers west of the capital, Athens.
This island is one of the best places to visit in Greece thanks to its vibrant tourist scene, excellent restaurants, nightlife and spectacular Ionian beaches.
The island is accessible by ferry from Kyllini (7 crossings per day), or by direct flight from Athens. There are also a few direct flights from major European cities like Amsterdam, Rome and London (where we departed from).
The island of Zakynthos is perhaps most famous for the nightlife of Laganas and the superb Navagio Beach (aka Shipwreck Cove), which is one of the the most beautiful beaches in Greece.
See also: The best time to visit Greece and the Greek Islands
About the Venetian Castle of Zakynthos
Opening hours:
- From November 1 to June 30: every day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. except Sunday and Tuesday
- From July 1 to October 31: Every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. except Monday
Opening hours change frequently, so be sure to ask a local before heading there to avoid disappointment. Or try calling them: +302695048099
If you are staying in Zante Town (the capital of Zakynthos), it would be a shame not to climb the hill and visit this 15th century castle.
The castle itself is set in a beautiful pine forest on a high hill above the town and harbor below and not only offers spectacular views of Zakynthos and the Ionian Sea, but it is also an excellent example of Venetian Ionian architecture.
The location is quite tranquil and very quiet compared to the busy port town below.
History of the Venetian castle
The castle was almost completely destroyed by the Turks in 1460 but was repaired and finally completed by the Venetians in 1646 AD.
As you pass through the main entrance, notice the winged lion of St. Mark on the arch above the old door. It is a symbol of The Venetian Empire and their rule under the Ionians.
The castle was once the central capital of the island, but today you’ll see plenty of earthquake damage and a history of wartime attacks and pirate raids on the fortress.
In 1812, when the British Empire captured the Ionian Islands, they used this castle and its fortified position to build barracks and powder magazines. It was once the seat of the British Parliament in the Ionian Islands.
Inside the castle walls were the remains of many Byzantine churches, such as the Church of the Savior (San Salvatore) which dates back to the 12th century AD. There is also the 14th century Church of St. Francis and the Church of Santa Barbara.
How to get to the castle
The Venetian Castle of Zakynthos is located at the top of Bohali, approximately 2 kilometers from Zakynthos Town. The easiest way to get there is by car.
If you rented a car For your stay in Zakynthos, you can then drive from Zante town to the castle in about 5 minutes, drive around it for an hour or two, and then continue exploring the island.
If you don’t have a car, it’s only about a 20-minute walk from town, but you’ll climb about 125 meters (410 feet), so be sure to bring water.
If you are visiting Zakynthos in summer, I recommend going early in the morning or late afternoon as it gets extremely hot in Zakynthos during the middle of the day in summer.
Entrance cost to the Venetian Zakynthos Castle
Entrance to the Venetian Castle of Zakynthos is free. There is no one to guard the entrance and it is open until 3:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. (depending on the season). It’s not a major site in Zakynthos and because it’s so easy to get to on foot from the town, you probably won’t find the Venetian castle on many tourist routes.
Instead, come here at your own pace early in the morning or late afternoon.
How long should you visit the castle?
The castle itself only covers an area of a few hundred meters, so you don’t need a lot of time to visit it. Although there are some beautiful carvings on the walls and the remains of a few collapsed churches, much of the main structure has been significantly damaged.
An hour or two will be more than enough to visit the Venetian castle of Zakynthos. The view from the top of Bohali Hill is spectacular, so you may want to bring a picnic and have a snack while admiring the Ionian Sea and Zakynthos Town from the castle’s viewing platform.
There are a few English signs explaining the main parts of the castle, but there’s not much else to bring the place to life.
Top Areas to See in the Venetian Castle
The Venetian Castle isn’t a huge place to visit, so there aren’t many main points of interest to stop and look at. It’s mainly about walking around and enjoying the peace and nature on Bohali hill and of course the view. Here are some points to check during your visit to the castle:
The Venetian entrance: At the entrance to the castle you will see the 17th century Winged Lion of St. Mark, a symbol of Venice and its rule over the Ionian Islands at that time.
The visualization platform: There is a large open space that overlooks the cliff overlooking Zakynthos Town and the beautiful Ionian Sea below. It’s a great place to take photos, relax and enjoy the view. This castle has historically protected the island from numerous attacks and pirate raids. This platform would therefore have been an excellent vantage point allowing the Venetian army to monitor the invaders.
Prison cells: Inside the castle there are still remains of some structures (albeit damaged). Some of the more confined spaces you see are old prison cells, while other rooms were used as ammunition storage areas.
Hotels near The Venetian Castle of Zakynthos
If you want to stay close to the castle, you will want to stay in Zante Town. When looking for where to stay in Zakynthos, you will likely find that Zante Town is one of the best areas to stay, along with the Laganas beach area and Tsilivi. Here are some of the top-rated hotels in Zante Town.
Hotel Phoenix: One of the largest hotels in Zante Town, Pheonix Hotels offers beautiful double rooms with private bathrooms from around $50/night (depending on the season). They get 8.7 stars out of 10 based on reviews on Booking.com and the hotel is very close to the center and all the main tourist sites in Zakynthos Town. See prices on Booking.com.
Hotel Yria: This small, picturesque hotel is located in the center of Zante Town, about 70 meters from the beach. The rooms are all air-conditioned with private bathroom and balcony. The cost starts at around $33/night (depending on season) and they get 8.5 out of 10 on Booking.com reviews. See prices on Booking.com.
In conclusion
Although it would be nice if the town of Zakynthos would make a little more effort to restore and bring back to life this fine example of a castle from the era of Venetian rule in the Ionian Islands, it is still worth a visit.
Due to the lack of audio guides and detailed information you will have to use a little imagination, but the view from the hill and the peaceful nature around the castle make it one of the best things to do in Zakynthos.