Car Hire Zante - Zakynthos: Gerakari Village

Helping you to get the most from your car hire.

Destination Gerakari villages
Type of place hill village
Island Zante, Zakynthos
Distance from Zante Airport 11km



A great day out for car hire on Zante is to explore the eastern flank of the island from Tsilivi through to Alikes. Along the the ridge of hills that form the backbone to this region are several villages of which Gerakari is one of the most stunning. The drive up to the top of Upper Gerakari with your hire car can feel a bit hair-raising but just take it slowly.
About the village

There are actually three parts to the village of Gerakari, Ano (lower) Meso (middle) and Apo (upper) Gerakari. Perched on the Kavellaris Hill, the church at the top of Apo Gerakari has spectacular views out northwards to the bay of Alikes and south across the whole plain of Zante, down towards the bay of Laganas. It is worth hiring a car just for these views of Zante.

All three parts of the village are traditional Zakynthian villages with old style houses, squares and churches. Throughout the village there are many pretty gardens bursting with the flowers of bougainvillea, hibiscus and succulants such as Hottentot Fig..

Things to see and do

You will need a Zante car hire to get up to Gerakari but the many small paths linking the villages with others on the Kavellaris Hill make this a great region to explore by foot. FoI is publishing a Character Map to help you explore this region which will help you explore this part of Zante on foot and by hire car.

Come to Gerakari for the views across Zakynthos or to have a drink in the local Kafeneon but don't forget to get out of your car. At least that way you can really get a fee; for the region as you wander around the lower villages. Click here for a great deal on Zante car hire.

There is a taverna right up at the top of the village just beaneath the church where you can get a drink or eat and admire the view. You can drive up but be careful of pedestrians and scratching your hire car in the narrow streets of this Zante village.

If you would like to explore further afield, you can take your Zante car hire to the villages of Kypseli and Tragaki. You could alternatively walk from Apo Gerakari square to these two villages along quiet country track. Ask a local for advice from the big main square in Apo Gerakari.

Friends of the Ionian are keen to help you get the most out of your Zante car hire. We want you to get the best value for money when you hire a car by having plenty of good idea for routes and excursions across Zante.Every car hire comes with a free map and DVD/CD Zante Explorer Pack. Just email with your car hire confirmation and address. Email us here

Friends of the Ionian are a not for profit company. For the past 17 years we have been working to bring about sustainable development in the Ionian islands of Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zante, Zakynthos.

We always encourage visitors to use public transport where possible though on Zante car hire to visit some of the remoter villages is essential. Friends of the Ionian offer competitive rates for car hire on Zante with free maps and Information packs included.