According to Homer, the son of Dardanos, king of Troy was the founder of Zakynthos Island.  Leaving the city of Psofida with his fleet, he arrived at the island and founded its citadel.  Zakynthos remained neutral during the Persian Wars, and it was when the Romans realized that Zakynthos is a strategic point for the development of trade and the expansion of their conquests that they claimed control over it. From 1492, the government of Venice initiated a campaign aimed at moving many of its nationals to the province of Zakynthos. In less than three centuries, the Venetian rule flourished and was known as the “Florence of Greece.  After the second world war, in 1953, the island suffered a terrible blow: an earthquake that demolished the entire city.  Thanks to the help of the government and the will of the residents, the city was gradually rebuilt and from practically nothing being left, it became one of the first Greek islands to open to tourism. 

Before you begin sailing in Zakynthos, you might like to visit several ruins and historical sites. The town of Zakynthos is the capital and main harbor on the east side of the island and was once governed by the Venetian Castle. You can also visit the bridge of Argassi, built in 1800. Half of it rests on the sand while the other half is submerged in the sea, it is an important icon in Zakynthos. You will find some of the most famous beaches of Greece in Zakynthos. These include Navagio, Laganas, and Volimes with the Blue Caves. You can rent a sailboat, with or without a skipper, and tour the beaches of the island that are difficult to access by car or on foot. If you want to extend your sailing itinerary in Zakynthos for two or three days, you can visit Kefalonia or nearby seaside destinations such as Kyllini and Katakolo.