Makris Gialos Beach, Zakynthos Island, Greece – Just don't tell anyone about this beach

Makris Gialos Beach is located in Greece, on the island of Zakynthos, 25 kilometers north of the capital Zakynthos. The beach is located in a picturesque mountainous area, in a quiet sparsely populated area of the island, at some distance from the promoted tourist routes, large hotels and tourist gathering points, which, in our opinion, makes this beach and the surrounding area an ideal place for a relaxing family vacation. The dizzying landscapes of the surrounding mountain nature, the clear water of the Ionian Sea and the fabulously beautiful coastline, all this is available in the Makris Gialos Beach area.

How to get there

As far as we know, there is no public transport from Zakynthos to Makris Gialos Beach, so you can only get there by taxi or a rented car. It is better to rent a car and travel around Zakynthos on your own, whenever and wherever you want. If you are traveling from the capital of Zakynthos, we do not recommend renting an ATV, because A 25-kilometer trip along mountain serpentines, on this type of transport, will be an ordeal for you.
If you do not like to travel on your own, or for some reason cannot rent a car, but you like this place and want to spend your whole vacation here, then this is also possible. There are mini-hotels not far from Makris Gialos Beach, there are very few of them in the vicinity of the beach, but they are still there.

Beach

Makris Gialos Beach is located under a rocky cliff. There is a road at the top and a beach at the bottom.
On the beach you can take a sun lounger with an umbrella (paid service). These sun loungers are located at the very beginning of the beach, right at the entrance. But on the beach you can easily do without umbrellas. The natural design of the beach is such that part of the beach, in some places, is in a narrow longitudinal shadow formed by the rock itself and the bushes on it. To do this, it is enough just to sit in close proximity to the rock, literally under it. The most important thing is that nothing should fall off the cliff and fall on your head.
And at some hours the shadow from the rock even reaches the water (see the photo above). At such moments, the natural landscape itself, which creates a lot of shade, becomes an excellent natural protection from unnecessary sun rays for vacationers on the beach.
Some tourists were at the beach with their own sun umbrellas. But we didn't have anything like that, we were without an umbrella, and we were fine with the natural shade of the rock.
The water at Makris Gialos Beach is clean and very clear with a greenish tint. As a rule, this color is found in small coves. The descent into the water is moderately gentle. The bottom is pebble, consisting of small pebbles. The pebbles are smooth without sharp corners, so it is convenient not only to go into the sea, but also to lie or sit on them on the bottom.
Unlike sandy beaches, where the sand always sticks to a wet body and it is difficult to shake it off without a shower, here on Makris Gialos Beach there are no such problems.
There are small but beautiful caves (grottoes) on the beach, they are located on the side of the road. Having a mask or swimming goggles, you can swim there and dive well.

Cafe

The nearest cafes are located a few steps from Makris Gialos Beach, directly in front of the beach entrance, but on the opposite side of the road. There are two of them - Restaurant ONIRO and Restaurant PILARINOS located just above.
The dining terraces of these establishments offer panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding mountains.
In ONIRO and PILARINOS restaurants you can find all the most famous dishes of Greek traditional cuisine like Moussaka, Pastitsio, rabbit in lemon sauce, a wide selection of snacks like Tzatziki, Taramosalata, and other fun Greek dishes. You won't leave here hungry.
By the way, these cafes are open not only during the day, while there are people on the beach, but also in the evening - until late, when in a more relaxed atmosphere you can have a delicious dinner enjoying a sunny order.

Boat agency, parking, and fresh water shower

On the road, in front of the descent to the beach, there is an open-type booth, which looks like some kind of provincial village public transport stop (see the photo below). Sometimes a man sits in it, who offers paid services - private boat trips. You can negotiate a boat with him. But you should not flatter yourself too much. This is not a full-fledged boat rental point, as we used to perceive. You cannot take a boat without a captain here, as it can be done in other rental locations. Here, only with the local captain. But besides you and the captain, there will be no other tourists on the boat. And if that suits you, you can organize yourself a private boat trip. The captain will take you along the coast, with stops for swimming near the sea grottoes, or wherever you want.
Walks are carried out on small but comfortable boats, several of which are moored in a separate area - at the very beginning of Makris Gialos Beach.
Regarding parking near Makris Gialos Beach, we can say the following.
We were on this beach two times, when we drove past it - we stopped to have a little rest, swim in the sea, and then go further.
The first time we did not know where to leave the car, we parked it right on the road, on the side of a mountain serpentine, which, in principle, cannot be done. But in Greece, in particular on the island of Zakynthos, everyone, both locals and guests of the island, parks in this way. This is certainly not correct, but you get used to it very quickly. As the saying goes: Bad example is contagious.
And having arrived at the beach for the second time, we noticed a sign with information about parking (see the photo above). It turns out that on the opposite side of the road, opposite the entrance to the beach, there is an entrance to the parking lot, which is not visible from the road. it is located behind restaurants.
And further. The information plate also shows the symbol for the presence of a fresh water shower. But, to be honest, we do not remember whether there was a shower in the parking lot or not, and if there was, where exactly, and which one, paid or free?

Hotels nearby

If you are planning to stay in this area for a few days, then we recommend the Makris Gialos Suites. It is 250 meters from Makris Gialos Beach. Perhaps this is the closest hotel to the beach. But this is not its only advantage.
The hotel is beautiful in every way! The hotel was built in the Greek style, of stone. It is small, and this is its beauty! There are only 7 apartments for living in it: 4 suites on the ground floor, and 3 superior suites on the second floor. And in one more room - the owners themselves, Ivana and Dionisis Pyromalis. All apartments have a separate entrance from the back of the building.
Each room on the ground floor has its own terrace, and on the second floor it has its own balcony. All terraces and balconies with sea views. And besides, they are comfortable for a comfortable pastime.
Each suite has everything you need for a comfortable stay.

The full name of this property is Makris Gialos Suites & To Petrino Gastronomia. The fact is that on the side, outside the hotel, but just five steps away, there is To Petrino Gastronomia restaurant, architecturally executed in the same style as the hotel, and also owned by the same owners.
The restaurant serves both hotel guests and all tourists passing by. But do not worry, there is no crowding and unnecessary noise in it, tk. this object is geographically distant from the major tourist areas of the island of Zakynthos. And the village itself, in which this restaurant and hotel is located, is not crowded.

Even in the dark, Makris Gialos Suites & To Petrino Gastronomia does not look boring. Thanks to their architecture and proper lighting, these buildings look simply excellent, attract attention, there is a desire to go to this cozy restaurant, eat and have a good time, in a calm atmosphere, to the live sounds of evening nature.
At this restaurant you can enjoy Greek cuisine. Taste the delicious Moussaka, a traditional Greek stew of beef, baked rabbit, here. Many visitors order homemade wine here, which Ivana and Dionisis make themselves.
There is always great food, great selection and very affordable prices.

VIDEO: We're going to the beach

The video shows both Makris Gialos Beach itself and a fragment of the path to the beach, by car, which is no less interesting. On the way to the beach, in addition to the amazing natural landscapes of the island of Zakynthos, you come across beautiful Greek villages with narrow paths, along which it is sometimes even difficult for two oncoming cars to pass. And through such small, but very beautiful settlements, you have to pass from time to time to get to Makris Gialos Beach. The road to the beach, the very process of a trip around the island, when the route is so beautiful around it that it takes your breath away - it's a pleasure!

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:
• amazingly beautiful beach
• stunningly beautiful natural landscape
• no unnecessary fuss (not crowded)
• availability of parking near the beach
• there are cafes-restaurants with panoramic sea views

Disadvantages:
• there is no fresh water shower directly on the beach

Makris Gialos Beach coordinates on the interactive map • Get directions

Summary

Makris Gialos Beach on the island of Zakynthos, Greece is the ideal place for a relaxing holiday, surrounded by divinely beautiful nature. We do not regret at all that we have been here. We liked this beach.
Due to its remoteness from the city of Zakynthos, the beach is quiet and very cozy because there are few tourists. And that is great! Just don't tell anyone about this beach 🤫

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