Fridge magnets, mugs, olive oil and alcohol – these are the typical grabs many of us bring back from our holidays, adding them to a whole wall of fridge magnets, mugs and olive oils. What if we mixed it up for a change? Delicious local honey? Handmade olive bowls? Turtle merch? Let’s take a look at what you can find in Zakynthos.
Handicrafts
Souvenirs from Zakynthos
You’ll find plenty of handicrafts on Zakynthos, ranging from hand-woven lace, clay, stone and also olive wood. We especially recommend the last option.
Olive products will serve you for many, many years. The wood is extremely durable, does not absorb odours and has a beautiful honey colour. And each one is always unique due to the natural patterns in the wood. You can find all sorts of things, from spoons, bowls and cutting boards to chess boards, mortars and more.
Of course, you can also opt for clay or ceramic products, like bottles for olive oil, which would go perfectly with wooden accessories.
Olive oil
Olive oil and olives from Zakynthos
Of course, we can’t go without olive oil, even if we call ourselves out for it. It’s best to buy it from a local producer who can also show you how the olive oil is made. If you’re buying them in a shop, we’d recommend you opt for canned olive oil. You can also check the label to see where exactly it comes from and how it was made.
Olive soap
Soaps with different additives
A good olive oil soap is great for your skin: it nourishes, moisturises and protects it. It should consist of only saponified extra virgin olive oil. You can also find plenty of other local soaps on Zakynthos and it’s a great treat or gift.
Honey
Orange honey from Zakynthos
You can also stock up on some delicious local honey. You’ll find various flavours here, including the very popular orange honey. There’s also thyme honey and honey with almonds. It’s best bought from a local beekeeper if you can find one.
Sweets
Baklava, nougats…
If you have extra room in your luggage, make sure to fill it up with sweets! The available variety is quite huge, though we’d recommend traditional baklavas and nougats that have been traditionally made here for generations. There are also plenty of sweets with honey and sesame and they’re all fantastic.
Cheeses
Kefalotyri from Zakynthos
Greece is also known for its delicious cheeses. Zakynthos in particular has Kefalotyri (hard, salty white cheese from goat or sheep milk) and Mizithra (similar to ricotta). Make sure to keep the cheeses in a cold spot and to buy them as close to the day of your departure as possible.
Wine
Retsina from Zakynthos
While Zakynthos is not a large island, it grows over 110 varieties of grapes. You can visit the vineyards yourself to see the entire wine-making process and even have a taste of the local goods. The most popular wines are Retsina, a wine flavoured with Aleppo pine resin, and Verdea, a dry white wine with a crisp taste produced since the Venetian era.
Spirits
Ouzo, Tsipouro…
If you still have room in your suitcase, be sure to stock up on some stronger stuff too (if you’re into that). You can choose from the traditional ouzo, tsipouro (with honey) and various homemade goods.
Komboloi beads
Greek ‘rosary’
Komboloi beads are a staple in Greece – it’s a string of beads knotted together into a ring, often with a tang at the end. The beads are strung loosely enough to be flipped around the string, kind of like a rosary. It’s widely believed that it’s useful as a stress-relief tool or just a good way to pass the time. Traditionally, they’re made from natural materials, such as amber, coral, horn or gemstones. You can also find them on Corfu.
Caretta turtle merch
Souvenir from Zakynthos
What else can you buy on Zakynthos? Turtle souvenirs! You can find them everywhere, from plushies, clothes, turtle-shaped ashtrays, dishes, magnets and dishes with turtle patterns.
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