Alykes: Sandy Beach and Local History

Alykes lies on the northeast coast of Zakynthos and combines a golden sandy beach with local history closely connected to the village of Katastari. If you are looking for a hotel in Alykes, these two aspects of the town can shape your priorities: the coastal landscape or the historical development of the former village.

Sandy Beach and Shallow Water

Alykes Beach is a sandy beach with a sandy seabed that slopes gently into the Ionian Sea. The waters around the beach are described as shallow, warm, and clear; conditions may vary. From the shore, you can wade quite far out into these waters. Because of its gently sloping sand, Alykes Beach is also considered suitable for families with small children. This description reflects the character of the beach, not a guarantee of consistently unchanged water conditions.

Local natural features also include the former salt flats of Alykes. They remain undisturbed and provide a habitat for local wildlife. So, alongside the open beach, the former salt flats and their habitat are also worth noting when exploring the area's landscape.

Katastari and Pentocamaro Old Bridge

Alykes became a holiday resort relatively late. Before that, it was subordinate to the village of Katastari; the history of the two places is closely connected. The name Alykes also has a specific meaning: in Greek, it means “salt flats.” Together, these details offer insight into the place name and Alykes’ development, without establishing an exact founding date for the resort.

One architectural link to the area's history is Pentocamaro Old Bridge. The stone bridge spans the Skourtis River in Alykes and has five arches. It dates from the 15th century; the exact year it was built is unknown. Its stone construction, sequence of arches, and dating to the century provide a clear description of the structure, while the uncertainty about the precise year remains part of its historical context.

More places to explore on Zakynthos

Beyond Alykes, the destination of Zakynthos offers a range of natural and cultural attractions. The Blue Caves are located in the Aspros Vrachos area at Cape Skinari. Keri Lake is a wetland protected under the Ramsar Convention, a Natura site, and a nature reserve within the Zakynthos National Marine Park. These examples highlight different features: a striking coastal landscape on the one hand and a protected wetland on the other.

For those interested in art and history, the Museum of Zakynthos displays works of the Cretan School, Cretan-Ionian icons, and works of Ionian naturalism from the 15th to the 19th century. At the Museum of Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians, a mausoleum on the ground floor has housed the remains of the national poets Andreas Kalvos and Dionysios Solomos since 1968. Agios Georgios sta Gremna Monastery in Volimes was founded in 1535.

The regional landscape and everyday life offer further points of interest. The Keri Lighthouse is known for panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and the Myzithres rocks at sunset. In Volimes, Zakynthian Ladotyri cheese is made in dairies and home workshops and offered as a local product. The port of Agios Nikolaos in Volimes connects Zakynthos to Kefalonia by ferry. If this connection matters to your plans, check the current timetable before traveling.

Considering Alykes as a place to look for hotels

When looking for hotels in Alykes, you can begin by considering the town's own features: its golden sandy beach, the shallow waters described here, and its connection with Katastari. The examples from other parts of Zakynthos add context about the wider destination without replacing the description of Alykes. This can help you weigh whether your main interests are the beach and local history, or whether other cultural and natural attractions on Zakynthos should shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Zákynthos, Romiri, Agios Leon, Volímai, Askos, Skinaria, Agios Kirikos, Ampelokipoi

Go to the main travel guide: Zakynthos.