Alykes Beach — Where the Salt Flats Meet the Sea

Alykes — the name literally means “salt flats” — is a gentle, unpretentious beach on Zakynthos’ northern coast that has quietly remained one of the island’s best-kept family secrets. While visitors pile into Tsilivi to the south, Alykes offers the same family-friendly conditions with a more relaxed atmosphere and a genuinely unusual backdrop: a lagoon of ancient salt workings that still fills in winter and turns otherworldly pink-gold at sunset.

What Awaits You

The beach runs for nearly a kilometre, a wide sandy shore with calm, shallow water that stays chest-deep for a remarkable distance from shore. This is ideal territory for young children and tentative swimmers. The bottom is sandy and soft, the waves minimal — this is protected by the curve of the coast. Water quality is consistently good.

Behind the beach, the old salt marshes (the “alykes” themselves) create a wetland ecosystem that attracts flamingos and wading birds in winter and early spring. Even in summer, the salt-encrusted landscape has an alien quality. A shallow road crosses the flats, passable on foot.

The village of Alykes has a good selection of tavernas and small hotels, without the full resort commercialisation of Tsilivi. There are sunbeds and a couple of watersports operators, but the scale is human.

Getting There

From Zakynthos Town, drive north approximately 16 kilometres on the main coast road. Alykes is clearly signposted. Travel time: around 25 minutes. Regular bus service from Zakynthos Town in summer. Free parking available near the beach.

The Salt Flats

The alykes are worth exploring beyond just viewing from the beach. In summer, the flats are dry and walkable (use the road track, not the fragile salt crust). Bring a camera for sunset: the combination of pink-tinged sky, shallow brine reflecting the clouds, and the occasional glimpse of distant mountains creates genuinely dramatic photography conditions.

In spring (March-April), flamingos sometimes use the salt marsh as a feeding stop during migration. Ask locally if there have been sightings — the birdwatching community usually knows.

For Families

Alykes is a genuine contender for the best family beach on Zakynthos. The shallow gradual entry is safe for toddlers. The village has everything needed without being overwhelming. Prices for accommodation and food are noticeably more reasonable than the main resort areas.

Best Time to Visit

May and June for the best combination of warmth and quiet. July-August is busiest but still manageable. September keeps the warm water while crowds thin. For the salt flat birdwatching, March-April is the time.