Zakynthos, popularly referred to as Zante by holidaymakers and the travel industry, is the third-largest of Greece’s Ionian Islands and one of the country’s most popular summer vacation destinations. Besides offering glorious Mediterranean sunshine for a good five months of the year, the island’s chief appeals include its wealth of historic and cultural treasures, and its gorgeous family-friendly beaches.

Much of the island is dedicated to tourism, with major resorts to be found at Zakynthos Town (the capital), Laganas, Tsilivi, Argassi, Alykanas and Agios Nikolaos. Irrespective of where you decide to stay, getting to see the chief attractions is easy as the island is quite compact. Renting a car is the ideal way to get around during your holiday.

For beach lovers and sun worshippers, Zakynthos promises golden sandy strips with picturesque Mediterranean scenery and plenty of nearby amenities. For those who prefer to be more active, water sports, boat trips and hiking are just a few of the pursuits on offer.

Sightseers will find plenty to please their eyes, including several splendid old churches, a number of important landmarks and interesting natural attractions. The island is also home to an excellent selection of museums offering in-depth information on key aspects of its history and heritage.

Zakynthos’ visitor infrastructure is extremely well developed and provides holiday makers with an abundance of options for transportation, accommodation and dining. Places to stay are especially prevalent and visitors can choose between everything from simple self-catering properties to luxury four-star hotels.

Getting here is easy, as the island has its own international airport. If there aren’t any direct flights from your starting point, you can fly into a Greek mainland airport and then take a connecting flight. Alternatively, there’s a regular ferry service from Kyllini on the Greek mainland. Once on the island, public buses and taxis provide options for getting around, but a hire car comes out tops in terms of convenience.

The climate in Zakynthos is predominantly Mediterranean in nature, bringing hot dry summers, mild wet winters and spring and autumn seasons that are typically transitional. July and August are the hottest months of the year and the time when the city is busiest with tourists.

If you don’t mind temperatures of up to 33°C at the peak of the season, then the summer is a good time to take a holiday in Zakynthos. June and September are slightly cooler but only by a few degrees so if you prefer things a little less steamy, then May and October are ideal months for a holiday.