Vassilikos is not only a village but an area, and one that is renowned for its natural beauty. The resort lies in the south of the island only ten kilometres from Zante Town and has a transfer time from the airport of forty minutes. It is a resort popular with those looking for peaceful relaxation in harmony with nature. Vassilikos has some of the beast beaches on the island, a wide range of accommodation including luxury hotels, and restaurants and tavernas catering for most tastes. Vassilikos is as relaxed by night as it is by day with evenings spent enjoying good company over a meal and a glass of wine.
A Vassilikos holiday offers a relaxing break in one of the most unspoilt areas of Zante where the scenery and the views are breathtaking. The golden beaches invite sunbathing and sand sculpting followed by a cooling dip in the clear blue waters of the Ionian Sea. There are a range of water sports for the more energetic holidaymaker.
Vassilikos is very popular with both families and couples. The beach is the main attraction for parents of young children with its fine sand and safe waters. Ramblers can enjoy the many scenic routes through the forests and into the hills, as well as along the coastal route.
The most popular time to visit Vassilikos is in the summer, although the season extends from Easter to the end of October. The temperature range is from 20 to 30 degrees.
Vassilikos, on the south coast of Zante, is the perfect spot for beach lovers looking for a relaxed break in guaranteed sunshine surrounded by beautiful nature. Vassilikos lies in a fertile area enclosed by olive groves and vineyards, with green hills rising up behind. Tourist development has been sympathetic and is largely in keeping with the surroundings.
There is a choice of beaches in Vassilikos and all of them are good. These include St. Nicholas, Banana and Gerakas. These soft sandy beaches are ideal for young children with their buckets and spades and as they shelve very gently into the sea, providing safe bathing for children and less confident swimmers. There are water sports from only some of the beaches. Others are restricted as the protected loggerhead turtles arrive each year to lay their eggs in the sand.
Vassilikos has a wide range of accommodation including luxury hotel complexes with excellent facilities. Its restaurants and tavernas serve a wide variety of cuisine and cater for most tastes. Naturally, fish is always near the top of the menu. Nightlife is low-key reflecting the resort’s popularity with families and couples and centres around the hotels, the restaurants and the tavernas. Mini-markets supply holiday essentials and there are regular buses to Zante Town for those who enjoy a little retail therapy.
Those who like walking will find many delightful tracks and trails in the surrounding countryside. Here you can stroll among the olive groves and vineyards or wander along the coastal paths. The area can also be explored on horseback.
It is worth taking a trip inland to the picturesque villages with their whitewashed houses swathed in climbing blossom and fertile vineyards where the authentic spirit of Greece is found. The tavernas here serve good wholesome food and wine.
A Vassiliki holiday would be incomplete without a trip to Smuggler’s cove. It is the most photographed cove in the whole of Greece with its tall cliffs, golden sands and wrecked ship half-buried in the sand. Although it can be viewed from above, the best place to see it is from out at sea.
Vassilikos nightlife is often centred around the larger hotels which provide live entertainment and the ever popular Greek evenings. The restaurants and tavernas offer good food and drink in a friendly atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy the company of friends. There are a couple of discos for those wishing for livelier entertainment.
Vassilikos has a good number of mini-markets where you can purchase your essential provisions. The usual numbers of gift shops are absent from this resort. Those who like to shop on holiday are advised to take the bus to Zante Town with its maze of streets filled with shops of every description. Popular souvenirs include leather goods, jewellery, ceramics and embroidered linens.
Vassilikos has restaurants and tavernas providing a wide range of food catering for almost all tastes. There are, of course, many tavernas serving traditional food. As in all Greek islands, fish features prominently on menus and locally caught fish, simply cooked, is always satisfying. Moussaka is another Greek favourite made from minced lamb, aubergines and a béchamel sauce. A good way to try traditional food is to order Mezedes, the Greek equivalent of the Spanish tapas, which includes a variety of bite-sized fish, meat and vegetables.
Local wines are inexpensive and very palatable.
Children are always made very welcome in restaurants and their tastes and portion size are usually accommodated.
