6 Best Sights in Zakynthos Town, Zakynthos

This remarkable two-floor museum is a testament to the resiliance of the island. Most of the ecclesiastical artworks here date from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and were rescued from more than 100 churches across the island after the 1953 earthquakes tore through the land. Entire frescoes, woodcarvings, iconostases, and religious artworks by key artists from the Ionian School of painters (Doxaras, Koutouzis), who flourished in the post-Renaissance, all survive here. The only tragedy is the lack of English translation to give context to their past. Last entry is 3:30 pm.

This waterfront open-air cinema, on the road to Akrotiri, sees crashing waves and flittering bats compete with the roar of Hollywood blockbusters. It makes for an incredible setting. Films are usually screened in English with Greek subtitles (kids' cartoons are dubbed), and late-night, post--11 pm screenings turn up everything from little-known early Agatha Christie adaptations to the latest thrillers. Expect comfy deckchairs, cheap prices (€5), and a good snack shop.

A museum dedicated to the life of the island's literary greats, the poets Dhionysios Solomos and Andreas Kalvos. The former, in particular, is considered the father of modern Greek literature, championing the use of demotic Greek, a more colloquial form that had become the language of the people by the early 19th century, as opposed to the more conservative katharevousa form. Both are cherished sons of Zakynthos, whose bones are kept within the museum in a ground-floor mausoleum. Many of their letters and writings are on display, along with photographs and paintings, but little is explained or translated into English, so along with the rest of the local scholars and benefactors celebrated here, viewers without the benefit of a guided tour will gain little.

The largest and most impressive church on Zakynthos is named after the island's patron saint and bedecked in impressive frescoes and giltwork. It was completed in 1948 yet miraculously escaped significant damage during the earthquakes of a few years later. Locals naturally saw this as a sign. Its namesake saint, Dionysios, was born on Zakynthos but spent much of his life on a monastery on Strofades, some 40 km off its coast, where he was first buried. He is considered the saint of forgiveness, after lying to save his brother's murderer from retribution. His body is displayed here in the church and a procession of his relics is held on August 23 and December 17. Many other items rescued from the original Strofades monastery, ranging from paintings to muskets, can also be seen in a small, well-explained Ecclesiastical Museum to the rear (open 9 am–1 pm and 6 pm–10 pm).

For an island that doesn't really do public transport, Zakynthos makes a rare exception for its resort areas. There are regular buses between Tsilivi and Zakynthos Town, around 6 km away, during summer. That helps to make this one of the busiest stretches on the island, and you'll struggle to find an inch of its golden sands not subsumed by a sun bed or lobster-red British tourist. It also means it's well catered to, with umpteen bars, tavernas, and cafés surrounding the shore. Its waters accommodate Jet Skis, kayaks, banana boats, and paragliders. It's busy but you know what you're getting, and it's a good spot for those with little children, who will want for nothing. Amenities: food and drink; toilet; lifeguard; showers. Good for: families; watersports; resorts.