Xigia Beach
Xigia Beach
4.5
About
A beautiful stretch of gold sand beach and deep blue water.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Xigia Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
70 within 3 miles
Attractions
44 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- PlanethayleyWest Hythe, United Kingdom261 contributionsSteep walk but worth a visitWe visited just before the summer season starts in Zakynthos so it was very quiet with only a couple of visitors. We parked on the roadside as the parking was closed but there will be parking available when the season opens. It is a very steep walk down (and even steeper back up!). The smell of sulfur is strong in the air. The waters are not clear due to the mineral content but felt lovely on the skin.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 13 April 2024
- Diana AntonovaEpidavros, Greece30 contributionsJust the best beach in the island.I fell in love with this beach, very picturesque. It is small and crowded, I suggest you to go in the afternoon or early in the morning around 9 a.m. on your left hand you may find a fabulous cave where you can take amazing pictures. Don’t leave the island without visiting this place.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 17 July 2024
- Dacon74Danube-Auen National Park, Austria51 contributionsVery intyerestingXigia is a beautiful, but very small beach. It has only a few sunbeds, interesting being their price, which is 10 euros an hour! Obviously, no one gives you a receipt for those 10 euros. The sea water is wonderful, nearby there is a spring of cold water with collagen. A few days here will make your skin more beautiful. The water is deep, cold as I said, with rocks from which you can jump into the sea. The sun is very strong at noon, and the possibilities of sitting in the shade are reduced.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 30 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
1,168 reviews
Excellent
613
Very good
374
Average
125
Poor
39
Terrible
17
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
okyrhoe
Athens, Greece257 contributions
Jul 2021
As you drive along the coastal road to Xigia you will find signs to two separate swimming locations.
One is "Xigia Beaches" and the second one further north is "Xigia Beach." In this listing you will find photos and reviews of both locations, which are different experiences even though geographically they are next to each other.
See my review of Kantina Magda for a description of the first two beaches (known as Pelagaki and Lithari although the sign on the road says Xigia Beaches in large letters).
For this location, the proper Xigia Beach with the sulphur springs, here is my review:
This beach has a characteristically steep vertical gray stone cliff on one side.
Park on the coastal road for free, or use the parking lot recently created by the canteen owners (don't know what they charge for this).
Then walk down the road to the beach. It's a very narrow beach and fills up quite easily. The canteen is located on the left cliffside overlooking the small beach, accessible by steps to the left as you walk down to the beach.
On the beach itself the canteen has set up a bar where you can place your orders and have it delivered from the canteen above via a basket attached to a rope pulley. Unfortunately the canteen owners have also placed sunbeds on the beach making it even more crowded and cramped.
If you want to have a chance of enjoying the beach and not feel like you are piled on top of tens of other human beings as if we are scrambling sea lions in a scene from a National Geographic documentary, it's best to arrive here after 5pm when the crowd thins out and the guys running the canteen bar start to gather up the sunbeds as they empty providing more space for the bathers.
Kudos to the guys, they do clean up after the crowds, even raking the sand to remove cigarette butts and other refuse left behind.
The beach may be partly shaded by then but it is considerably more enjoyable when the beach is over maximum capacity during the day.
There is no shower facility on site, your skin and bathing suit may give off a whiff of sulphur until you are able to wash it off afterwards.
One is "Xigia Beaches" and the second one further north is "Xigia Beach." In this listing you will find photos and reviews of both locations, which are different experiences even though geographically they are next to each other.
See my review of Kantina Magda for a description of the first two beaches (known as Pelagaki and Lithari although the sign on the road says Xigia Beaches in large letters).
For this location, the proper Xigia Beach with the sulphur springs, here is my review:
This beach has a characteristically steep vertical gray stone cliff on one side.
Park on the coastal road for free, or use the parking lot recently created by the canteen owners (don't know what they charge for this).
Then walk down the road to the beach. It's a very narrow beach and fills up quite easily. The canteen is located on the left cliffside overlooking the small beach, accessible by steps to the left as you walk down to the beach.
On the beach itself the canteen has set up a bar where you can place your orders and have it delivered from the canteen above via a basket attached to a rope pulley. Unfortunately the canteen owners have also placed sunbeds on the beach making it even more crowded and cramped.
If you want to have a chance of enjoying the beach and not feel like you are piled on top of tens of other human beings as if we are scrambling sea lions in a scene from a National Geographic documentary, it's best to arrive here after 5pm when the crowd thins out and the guys running the canteen bar start to gather up the sunbeds as they empty providing more space for the bathers.
Kudos to the guys, they do clean up after the crowds, even raking the sand to remove cigarette butts and other refuse left behind.
The beach may be partly shaded by then but it is considerably more enjoyable when the beach is over maximum capacity during the day.
There is no shower facility on site, your skin and bathing suit may give off a whiff of sulphur until you are able to wash it off afterwards.
Written 23 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ευθύμιος Καραπιστόλης
Ilioupoli, Greece237 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Ok beach. Unfortunately it is very small so you have to go very early or very late or they are literally stuck to each other. The beach smells because of the sulfur so it is ideal for a short time. I expected more based on what I had read but it is an honest beach for a swim and a little time.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celux
Rivoli, Italy9,697 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
It is advertised as a Natural SPA.
We knew it was very busy, so we went late in the afternoon.
Still too many people.
The place is beautiful and original, with the sulfur springs that can be perceived by the smell. The water is cold, probably due to the springs.
However it is an absurd place impossible to come to, there will be maybe 30 meters of beach, you can't let hundreds and hundreds of swimmers in.
If you want to visit it, go towards sunset or in the morning at dawn.
We knew it was very busy, so we went late in the afternoon.
Still too many people.
The place is beautiful and original, with the sulfur springs that can be perceived by the smell. The water is cold, probably due to the springs.
However it is an absurd place impossible to come to, there will be maybe 30 meters of beach, you can't let hundreds and hundreds of swimmers in.
If you want to visit it, go towards sunset or in the morning at dawn.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Myriam S
18 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
The water is beautiful but the beach is very crowded in high season even in the morning. The beach is really very small so the pitches are hard fought for, .Parking costs for 2 hours five euros for the whole day seven euros. We drove again after 1 hour as it was too much for us and we hardly had space .Furthermore, the sulfur smell is to be noted.
Automatically translated
Written 22 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoPlaces60929161784
6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Only dealt with a single member of staff but ruined the experience for us.
There are 5 places to sit on the beach, each with two loungers (comfortable), an umbrella, and a small table.
After being sat for 20 mins, a member of the staff asked us if we needed any help, I said no, thank you. The reply was it's €10/hour to sit here, I said okay, no problem, do you accept a card or mobile payment?
I'm not sure how that was translated, but I feel he took extreme offence to this. As the response was a frown huff puff and a grunt. He then approached others who sat on lounger beds.
He then returned and said, "How long are you staying with a card machine in hand?"
When making the payment, the card machine failed 3 times (signal issue), which he implied was a fault of mine.
Eventually, he managed to complete the transaction.
Handed me the receipt, I said thank you, and he ignored my gratitude. Also offered zero gratitude for my custom or anything.
Then dragged my lounger 3" so it was hit with water, no issue to me but everyone was just rolling eyes as I was now closer to the chap on my right, than my wife and daughters to my left.
The beach itself is extremely rocky, and if you don't get there early you won't get a bed. Without a bed it isn't a great beach to settle.
That said, it's crazy busy as it's promoted locally.
Dropped off by coaches frequently and nowhere to go once dropped.
We arrived at 08:30 and got the last loungers.
We had to pay from 09:30 when they officially opened, however by 11:30 it was unbearably crowded.
At peak times, there's more wriggle space in a tin of sardines.
There are 5 places to sit on the beach, each with two loungers (comfortable), an umbrella, and a small table.
After being sat for 20 mins, a member of the staff asked us if we needed any help, I said no, thank you. The reply was it's €10/hour to sit here, I said okay, no problem, do you accept a card or mobile payment?
I'm not sure how that was translated, but I feel he took extreme offence to this. As the response was a frown huff puff and a grunt. He then approached others who sat on lounger beds.
He then returned and said, "How long are you staying with a card machine in hand?"
When making the payment, the card machine failed 3 times (signal issue), which he implied was a fault of mine.
Eventually, he managed to complete the transaction.
Handed me the receipt, I said thank you, and he ignored my gratitude. Also offered zero gratitude for my custom or anything.
Then dragged my lounger 3" so it was hit with water, no issue to me but everyone was just rolling eyes as I was now closer to the chap on my right, than my wife and daughters to my left.
The beach itself is extremely rocky, and if you don't get there early you won't get a bed. Without a bed it isn't a great beach to settle.
That said, it's crazy busy as it's promoted locally.
Dropped off by coaches frequently and nowhere to go once dropped.
We arrived at 08:30 and got the last loungers.
We had to pay from 09:30 when they officially opened, however by 11:30 it was unbearably crowded.
At peak times, there's more wriggle space in a tin of sardines.
Written 23 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PSHZ83
Veneto, Italy129 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Very small inlet of the sea between the rocks, sulphurous water, you can also smell it, full of people coming and going, the disgusting thing is that buses of tourists arrive every 10 minutes and are dumped in this little corner of nature, they launch their things everywhere they take a thousand selfies a noisy bathroom and then they get back on the bus and on to the next one, all day like this! Terrifying!!! Few fish because they are not stupid with all those screaming humans soaking they go elsewhere! It should be limited to a certain number of people, so it just looks like the bathtub of a thousand tourists!
It's a shame how on this island there are natural places to be preserved as well as turtles being sponsored and used only for commercial tourism purposes!
It's a shame how on this island there are natural places to be preserved as well as turtles being sponsored and used only for commercial tourism purposes!
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fabrizio F
Castellamonte, Italy361 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Beautiful series of three very pretty beaches. The first one you encounter when arriving from Zakynthos Town is the most famous for having thermal currents that flow into the sea. Absolutely a day of relaxation and tranquility. Paid parking but well maintained. Before arriving at the beach you can climb to an open space where there are bars, restaurant and gift shop and enjoy the view
Automatically translated
Written 27 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike
184 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
What a amazing little space , free parking at top of the road there is also a carpark which is only about 3€ per day . The walk down to it is not too bad quite steep but safe , it is really small and does get very crowded if you can cope with that it’s definitely worth the venture out . There is a sulphur smell but you get used to it after 5 mins , the water is slightly colder but not unbearable, lovely clear water and it gets to a gradual depth , a very short swim and your in the caves , all Ages swimming there so I’d say no restrictions. A spot on few hours can be spent there , a taverna at top steps for refreshments
Written 15 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rotterdam0892
Bath, UK1,180 contributions
Aug 2020
Apparently this is an amazing beach - it is very pebbly and tiny. Another reviewer said that it was small and completely crowded and should be closed during a pandemic and I have to agree with him. We felt we had to at least pop in to the water but it felt like a scrum and was very unpleasant. The cliffs above look like they may collapse and some areas are roped off to stop people walking under the rocks and some individuals think it's the best place to put their towels - that gives you an idea of how crowded it is. Overall, an unpleasant experience.
Written 31 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ame3699
Six-Fours-les-Plages, France18 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
Tiny pebble beach where the world accumulates as much as it can around 8 paid deckchairs. Towels pile up so well that it is difficult to walk. The water, although very blue, is quickly disturbed by the world swimming in it. A strong lingering garbage smell reigns all over the beach, even in the water. It has a paid parking: 5€ for 2h and 7€ for the whole day.
Automatically translated
Written 11 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello! Can you please tell me if there is a bus from laganas to the near point of Xigia beach or can you provide me with the bus schedule and the time that takes to get there? We do not have a car and would like to go with the bus because it is cheaper
Written 12 April 2020
Dobrý den, prosím o radu. Jak se dopravíme na Xigia Beach z Alykes. Mistni doprava, autobus. Dekuji moc
Written 30 August 2019
Dobrý den, na místní dopravu bych asi nespoléhal. Doporučuji půjčit si skútr nebo auto. Doprava na Zakynthosu je klidná a parkování u pláže je v pohodě.
Written 1 September 2019
Hola! Iremos en familia en unos días a Zakynthos y estoy investigando un poco acerca del lugar. En tu post decís "después de rutas, senderos... llegamos a esta playa". Ustedes hicieron una caminata para llegar hasta aquí? Si bien alquilamos auto, también nos gusta hacer senderismo. Me puedes dar alguna recomendación del lugar?
Gracias!
Written 22 June 2019
Que yo se no hay rutas adecuadas para senderismo en relación con las playas la isla es montañosa pero hacia el centro de la misma. Tal vez la costa norte que es más alta tenga senderos pero ojo que es bastante peligroso como el navagio que se derrumbó un trozo el año pasado
Written 23 June 2019
Hi,
Anyone know if there are buses that go from the main towns to the sulphur-beach?
Written 21 May 2019
How much a transport rentals ?
Written 16 February 2019
BarbieMegaTraveller
6,905 contributions
I'm not sure what you mean by "transport rentals" - are you referring to a hire car? While I hired a vehicle for a couple of days, I wasn't staying in this part of the island so my car hire was from elsewhere. I booked a tour that included this beach.
Written 17 February 2019
Ciao!
da Laganas ci si può arrivare con bus/navette oppure piccoli traghetti?
Grazie
Written 1 March 2017
A
Ferragosto saremo lì? A che ora si può venire per prenotare un ombrellone? E si può pagare oggi per domani l'ombrellone?
Written 26 February 2017
Nella Xygia sulphur beach non vi sono ombrelloni da prenotare: è una piccola spiaggia, fatta di ciottoli, e la particolarità, come dice il nome stesso, è data dal forte odore di zolfo e dal colore del l'acqua
Written 1 March 2017
I would like to know how can I get tour from everywhere in zakynthos, if i Come in zante I will be without car
Written 12 August 2016
There are lots of rentals all over Zante. You can rent a scooter for 15€/day, quad for 25€/day or a car (Suzuki Jimny for 45€/day). I have rented a quad for one day and it is enough to see the whole island. I wish you a great stay there :)
Written 21 August 2016
Hi my sister and I are disabled and travel around the island on our mobility scooters.. We have traveled to Tsivili etc would we be able to find an easy route from Kalamakinwhere we are staying.. Many thanks.
Written 20 June 2016
Hi!
From the road level to the beach is about 50 m of steep stairs.
I'm afraid I didn't notice any assistance on the spot...
Written 24 June 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 12
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing