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The churches, palaces and squares with their fountains and surrounding arcades, which were built during the Venetian occupation, have made the town one of the most picturesque in the Adriatic after Dubrovnik. Although much of the town was destroyed in an earthquake in 1953, it has been rebuilt in the Venetian style.

Soft nougat (mandolato) is a speciality of this place. Kastro is the old Venetian citadel, set on a hill, 100m (361ft up) survived the earthquake and provides an extended view of the town, the bay and the coast of the mainland from Messolonghi (NE) to Pylos (Navarino) (SE) and including Chlemoutsi Castle.

The Art Museum located at Solomou square offers many items recalling old Zakynthos as model of the theatre, paintings and engravings and furniture. There is a rich collection of icons from the 16C to the 19C by Damaskinos. Tzanos etc., and religious paintings by the 17C and 18C lonian School like massive iconostasis from the church of the Pantocrator, frescoes and murals from the churches of St George in Zakynthos and St Andrew in Volimes.

Another worth visiting church is the one of Our Lady of the Angels (Kiria ton Angelon) located behind the Hotel Xenia with elegant Venetian Renaissance facade and 17C iconostasis.

Solomos Museum is located at Agiou Markou square. You will find there the Tombs of Solomos and Kalvos on the ground floor, icons and souvenirs of famous citizens (portrait of Foscolo) on the first floor.