Laganas, Navagio, and the Blue Caves get most of the attention — and fairly so. But Zakynthos has plenty of quieter spots that don’t make the standard tourist lists, from a staircase-access cove to a monastery most visit[2]ors drive straight past. Here are some of the island’s genuine hidden gems.
Porto Roxa
A small, hidden cove near Kampi on the west coast, reached by a steep set of steps cut into the cliffside. It’s a proper workout on the way back up, but the payoff is clear water, dramatic rock walls, and a fraction of the crowds you’ll find at the island’s better-known beaches[3].
Askos Stone Park
Near Alikanas, this small nature reserve is built across hand-terraced stone hillsides, with free-roaming animals around the grounds. It’s a relaxed, low-key half-day that makes a genuinely nice change of pace from another morning on the sand — particularly good with kids who’ve had enough sun for[4] one day.
Anafonitria Monastery
Most visitors drive straight past this quiet monastery on their way to the Navagio viewpoint, but it’s worth the short stop. Historically associated with the island’s patron saint, it offers a peaceful contrast to the crowds at the clifftop viewpoint just down the road.
Mizithres Rock Formations
A pair of distinctive limestone stacks visible from a viewpoint on the west coast, sometimes called “the twin rocks” locally. It’s a quick, easy photo stop that most standard itineraries skip entirely.
Xigia Beach
A cliff-framed cove on the north coast known locally for its sulphur-spring water, believed by locals to be good for the skin. It has a distinctive smell that catches first-time visitors off guard, but it’s one of the more unusual swimming spots on the island.
Inland olive-grove backroads
Some of the best driving on Zakynthos isn’t along the coast at all. The inland routes[5] connecting the north and south of the island wind through olive groves and small villages that most coastal-focused itineraries never touch — a slower, quieter way to see a different side of the island.
Agios Nikolaos, Volimes Port
A small, quiet port in the north of the island connecting to Kefalonia, near the Blue Caves. Most visitors pass straight through on the way to a boat tour without realising it’s worth a slower look in its own right.
Damianos Cave & the wider Blue Caves area
The Blue Caves near Cape Skinari get plenty of attention, but the area includes several lesser-photographed sea caves and arches beyond the main, most-visited spots. A slower boat tour that explores more of the coastline here often reveals caves most day-trippers miss entirely.
Why these places stay quiet
Most of these spots share one thing in common: they’re a little harder to reach than the standard resort beaches, either by steps, narrower roads, or simply being off the main coastal route. That’s exactly why they stay quieter — and exactly why having your own vehicle makes such a difference if you want to see this side of the island rather than just the highlights everyone else visits.
Zaimi Rentals[1] offers cars, scooters, and ATVs with free delivery to your hotel, villa, or the airport anywhere on Zakynthos, no deposit required on most rentals, and 24/7 local support if you want route suggestions for a hidden-gems day of your own.
Book your car, scooter, or ATV with Zaimi Rentals →
Hidden Gems of Zakynthos: FAQ
What are the best hidden gems in Zakynthos?
Porto Roxa, Askos Stone Park, Anafonitria Monastery, the Mizithres rock formations, and Xigia Beach are all worth adding to an itinerary beyond the standard highlights.
Do I need a car to reach these hidden spots?
Most of them, yes. These places are quieter partly because they’re off the main tourist routes, so your own vehicle makes them far easier to reach than relying on public transport or organised tours.
Is Porto Roxa hard to get to?
It involves a steep staircase down to the cove, so it takes some physical effort, but it’s a manageable walk for most visitors and well worth it for the quieter water.
Are these places suitable for families?
Askos Stone Park is particularly family-friendly. Some of the others, like Porto Roxa’s steps, are better suited to visitors comfortable with a bit more walking.
