D I S C O V E R A L Y K E S A N D A L Y K A N A S
Alykes and Alykanas are two resorts on the east coast of Zakynthos close to Katastari.
They are about 16km north of Zakynthos Town and 12km north of Tsilivi.
Despite being two resorts, they are barely 2km apart, so many people think of them as one resort. Taxi’s serve the resort and there are regular buses between both resorts and Zakynthos Town. The journey doesn’t take long, making it a great area to base yourself, whether you want to stay in resort or explore further afield.
Alykes and Alykanas are small villages famed for being a beautiful part of the island with captivating views out across the sea to the mainland and Kefalonia, and up into the lush green mountains. The sea is welcoming and washes up onto long sweeping sands. There is a relaxed vibe and locals are friendly and welcoming. There are excellent amenities including hotels and apartments, restaurants, and bars, as well as places to book day trips and excursions to popular Zakynthos sights. There are also shops, ATM’s and even a supermarket for those essential holiday items. Alykes and Alykanas are very family and couple oriented, making them perfect for relaxing. If you like life to be more adventurous, there is horse riding, paddle boarding and a variety of other water sports.
There are some great sights close to Alykes include St. John the Baptist Monastery, a defensive Byzantine Monastery that’s located in the mountains overlooking with an excellent view of the bay. It gives visitors a great opportunity to explore Zakynthos of the past. The well-known Pentokamoro Old Bridge spans the Skourtis River, it’s thought to date from the 15th Century, when the British ruled the island, and is one of only three original arched bridges on the island, another local glimpse of island history.
They are about 16km north of Zakynthos Town and 12km north of Tsilivi.
Despite being two resorts, they are barely 2km apart, so many people think of them as one resort. Taxi’s serve the resort and there are regular buses between both resorts and Zakynthos Town. The journey doesn’t take long, making it a great area to base yourself, whether you want to stay in resort or explore further afield.
Alykes and Alykanas are small villages famed for being a beautiful part of the island with captivating views out across the sea to the mainland and Kefalonia, and up into the lush green mountains. The sea is welcoming and washes up onto long sweeping sands. There is a relaxed vibe and locals are friendly and welcoming. There are excellent amenities including hotels and apartments, restaurants, and bars, as well as places to book day trips and excursions to popular Zakynthos sights. There are also shops, ATM’s and even a supermarket for those essential holiday items. Alykes and Alykanas are very family and couple oriented, making them perfect for relaxing. If you like life to be more adventurous, there is horse riding, paddle boarding and a variety of other water sports.
There are some great sights close to Alykes include St. John the Baptist Monastery, a defensive Byzantine Monastery that’s located in the mountains overlooking with an excellent view of the bay. It gives visitors a great opportunity to explore Zakynthos of the past. The well-known Pentokamoro Old Bridge spans the Skourtis River, it’s thought to date from the 15th Century, when the British ruled the island, and is one of only three original arched bridges on the island, another local glimpse of island history.
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Alykes also has salt flats – from which the village of Alykes originally got its name – they stretch back inland and Zakynthians have collected salt from them for centuries. They brought much needed income to the island, but sadly closed production of salt in the 1970’s so the area is now an environmental haven for wildlife and visitors. Some locals do still collect salt from them for their own use.
Neighbouring Alykanas is an area well known for its history and archaeology. Excavations have taken place in Alykanas in the past and some very interesting finds were produced that lead academics to believe that the ancient city of Arcadia was once situated there. More recently other underwater excavations were discovered off the coast of Alykanas, and many islanders believe it’s archaeological, possibly an ancient site/structure. Academics, however, believe it is merely a geological phenomenon, but many disbelieve this theory and discussions still continue as to whether it is manmade or natural. Alykes/Alykanas sit between two old Venetian watchtowers located at Mikro Nisi and the top end of Tsilivi. These watchtowers were extremely important to the island in the past to help protect Zakynthians from invaders.
Alykes/Alykanas is a great part of the island for visitors to base themselves, and there’s something for everyone, whether it be relaxing on the beach, participating in water sports, or going off the beaten track and exploring. There’s so much to see and do, and it’s conveniently close to the north of the island too, enabling visitors to visit the mountains and villages, as well as the shipwreck and blue caves at Skinari. It’s also close enough to Zakynthos Town in the south. Most of all, it’s a friendly place, full of vibrant and welcoming businesses and locals, who will make you feel right at home and leave you yearning to visit again.
Neighbouring Alykanas is an area well known for its history and archaeology. Excavations have taken place in Alykanas in the past and some very interesting finds were produced that lead academics to believe that the ancient city of Arcadia was once situated there. More recently other underwater excavations were discovered off the coast of Alykanas, and many islanders believe it’s archaeological, possibly an ancient site/structure. Academics, however, believe it is merely a geological phenomenon, but many disbelieve this theory and discussions still continue as to whether it is manmade or natural. Alykes/Alykanas sit between two old Venetian watchtowers located at Mikro Nisi and the top end of Tsilivi. These watchtowers were extremely important to the island in the past to help protect Zakynthians from invaders.
Alykes/Alykanas is a great part of the island for visitors to base themselves, and there’s something for everyone, whether it be relaxing on the beach, participating in water sports, or going off the beaten track and exploring. There’s so much to see and do, and it’s conveniently close to the north of the island too, enabling visitors to visit the mountains and villages, as well as the shipwreck and blue caves at Skinari. It’s also close enough to Zakynthos Town in the south. Most of all, it’s a friendly place, full of vibrant and welcoming businesses and locals, who will make you feel right at home and leave you yearning to visit again.
Enjoy your stay on Zakynthos, have a great time!