The inland village of Macherado (or Machairado) is one of the oldest villages on Zakynthos. It is situated at the foot of a low mountain, surrounded by a green landscape with the wonderful scent of pine trees. Macherado is a traditional village that remains untouched by the bustling tourism of the seaside holiday resorts. The villagers are mainly engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture, with many vineyards and olive groves in the surrounding area.

The village is dominated by the 14th century church of Agia Mavra (or Agios Timotheos Mavras) with its impressive Venetian bell tower. Inside the church, visitors can admire a collection of beautiful frescoes and icons, including the precious Agia Mavra icon. Every year on the first weekend in July, a great festival is held here.

Just outside the village (about 0.5 km to the south), the beautiful Eleftherotria Monastery rises in the hills among trees and olive groves, offering a stunning panoramic view not only of the adjacent villages of Macherado and Lagopodo, but also of the Bay of Laganas and the islet of Marathonisi. The monastery is a modern building, founded in the 20th century and still active.

Macherado is one of the villages that suffered great damage in the Ionian earthquake of 1953. However, its original beauty was quickly restored and today Macherado is a picturesque village full of Greek traditions and natural beauty. Even today it maintains a distance from the tourism developing on the island, but tourists can find a small number of accommodations and a few tavernas and shops, but otherwise Macherado is a very peaceful village.

More touristic destinations of Zakynthos

Close resorts: Kiliomenos, Mouzaki

Most favourite resorts of Zakynthos: Agios Nikolaos, Agios Sostis, Alykes, Argassi, Kalamaki, Laganas, Limni Keri, Zakynthos Town (Chora), Tsilivi, Vassilikos

Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Zakynthos.