Discover Skinaria: Coast and History

Explore Skinaria through a range of different interests: the Blue Caves and lighthouse are at Cape Skinari, Volimes is known for its churches and local production, and the wider destination of Zakynthos offers museums and protected landscapes. These themes are spread across the village, the nearby cape and other places on Zakynthos. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider whether coast, history, culture or regional products should shape your stay.

Location and orientation

Skinaria is 28 kilometres southeast of Zakynthos Town and five kilometres east of Ano Volimes. These two distances relate the village to clearly named reference points and help you understand its location. When looking for a holiday rental, you can connect this orientation with the kind of trip you have in mind: nearby Cape Skinari brings caves and lighthouse history into focus, while churches and handicraft production make Volimes a distinct cultural highlight. This lets you compare the village’s location with the themes that matter to your trip.

Blue Caves and boat trips

The Blue Caves of Volimes are in the Aspros Vrahos area on the east coast of Cape Skinari. Small boats travel from the port of Agios Nikolaos in Volimes to the caves. If you’re planning a boat trip, check departure times locally for your travel dates. A coastal visit is therefore a distinct option for your plans; it doesn’t need to be treated as the same thing as the cultural attractions in Volimes. The caves and port also provide specific place names to help you plan what to see in the surrounding area.

The history of Skinari Lighthouse

Skinari Lighthouse stands at Cape Skinari and has a documented operating history. It began operating in 1897, powered by petroleum. It remained out of service during the Second World War after its lighting equipment was stolen. In 1945, it resumed operation as a supervised lighthouse powered by petroleum. In 1980, it was electrified, its petroleum equipment was replaced, and it operated as a supervised electric lighthouse. These milestones show a clear progression: from petroleum lighting, to its return to service after the war, and then to electric operation. Those interested in maritime history will find a specific historical connection to the cape here.

Churches, a monastery and handicrafts in Volimes

The churches of Agia Paraskevi, Agios Theodosios and Agios Spyridon are in Lower Volimes. The nearby area also includes the Monastery of Agios Georgios sta Gremna, founded in 1535. The churches in Lower Volimes offer a different focus from the coastal destinations at Cape Skinari and give a visit there its own cultural and historical context. Regional products are also part of the community’s character: the well-known Zakynthian ladotyri cheese is made in cheese dairies and home workshops. Home workshops also produce wine and honey, as well as handmade lace and kilims. Food products and textile crafts are distinct forms of local production.

More highlights on Zakynthos

Zakynthos, the wider destination, offers other distinct themes. The Museum of Zakynthos displays works from the Cretan School, Cretan-Ionian icons and works of Ionian Naturalism dating from the 15th to the 19th century. A mausoleum is located on the ground floor of the Museum of Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians; since 1968, it has housed the remains of national poets Andreas Kalvos and Dionysios Solomos. The wider destination therefore offers both art collections and a specific place of literary remembrance.

Zakynthos also offers a range of nature and coastal attractions. Lake Keri is a wetland protected under the Ramsar Convention, a Natura site and a nature reserve within the Zakynthos National Marine Park. Keri Lighthouse is known for panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and the Myzithres rocks at sunset. The port of Agios Nikolaos in Volimes is a seaport access point and connects Zakynthos to Kefalonia by ferry. If you’re planning a crossing, check the timetable for your travel dates.

Choose a holiday rental to match your interests

When looking for a holiday rental, you can match your interests with the places mentioned here. If you’re planning a boat trip to the caves, departures from Agios Nikolaos are a practical point to consider; the churches, monastery and local production draw attention to Volimes. Museums, protected areas and the ferry connection are among the other highlights on Zakynthos.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Chartata, Korithi, Askos, Anafonitria, Keri, Tragaki, Kalamaki, Kampíon.

Back to the main travel guide: Zakynthos.