Zeri Beach, Syvota: The Small Bay 1.2km North of the Harbour, Where a Path Around the Headland Leads to a Quieter Stretch Past the Waterpark

Greece | Syvota | Thesprotia, Epirus

Zeri is a small bay overlooking the Syvota harbour and the green islets scattered just offshore — the kind of beach where anchoring a rented boat for lunch at the taverna, or simply spending the day reading under an umbrella in calm, wave-free water, defines the entire experience rather than any single standout feature. The water is consistently described as clean, clear, and calm, the entry gradual and easy for swimmers of every level, with a light mix of sand and pebble underfoot comfortable enough for barefoot walking.

The honest picture, assembled from genuinely mixed independent reviews rather than promotional copy, is more nuanced than a simple recommendation. Some visitors rate Zeri as the best beach they found around Syvota — warm water, plenty of sunbeds, pleasant staff, and reasonable pricing around €5 per sunbed including a litre of iced water. Others describe a beach so densely packed with rented loungers that finding bare sand for a towel becomes genuinely difficult, with signage discouraging food or drink not purchased on-site, and extra charges for showers that some find at odds with the prices already paid for seating. The children’s waterpark, while a specific draw for families, is noted by at least one visitor as detracting somewhat from the natural scenery rather than enhancing it. The practical takeaway: Zeri rewards visitors who arrive with realistic expectations of a busy, commercially organised small bay rather than a pristine hidden cove.

The specific tip worth knowing in advance: a small path at the end of the main beach leads around a headland to a second, smaller stretch backed by a large hotel — its own sunbeds occupy a slightly raised terrace, but the beach itself remains open and free for anyone to use, shaded by trees that the main bay largely lacks.

Getting There: 1.2km North of Syvota Centre (2-Minute Drive or 10–15 Minute Walk), 25 Minutes From Igoumenitsa

From Syvota village, Zeri sits approximately 1.2 kilometres north along a well-paved, olive-grove-shaded road — a 2-minute drive or a pleasant 10-to-15-minute walk. From Igoumenitsa port, the drive covers roughly 24 kilometres and takes approximately 25 minutes, following the coastal signs for Syvota and watching for the Zeri turn-off as the village limits approach.

A dedicated parking area sits directly behind the beach, though it fills quickly on July and August weekends — arriving before 10:30am is the sensible target for securing a space without circling.

The Beach: Light Sand and Pebble Mix, Gradual Entry, Sunbeds and a Beach Bar, Children’s Waterpark, Showers Cost Extra

The beach itself is narrow rather than expansive, the calm bay geometry sheltering it from open-sea conditions and keeping the water mirror-flat on most days. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent at the prices noted above, a beach restaurant and bar serve food and drinks throughout the day, and toilet facilities are provided — though showers, several reviewers note, carry an additional charge that catches some visitors by surprise.

The children’s waterpark with slides is the specific family draw that distinguishes Zeri from several quieter neighbouring beaches, though as noted, its presence changes the character of the bay for visitors hoping for an entirely natural setting.

Boat and Bike Rentals: Exploring the Syvota Islets From Zeri

Rental boats are available directly at Zeri for visitors wanting to explore the nearby islets independently, alongside sea bikes for both children and adults. This makes the beach a practical launching point for day trips to the green, uninhabited islands scattered just offshore from Syvota — including the wider island complex covered in Blue Lagoon Pisina Syvota Greece and Gallikos Molos Beach Syvota Greece.

The Quieter Alternative Around the Headland

For visitors who find the main Zeri bay too densely organised, the path around the headland to the smaller, tree-shaded beach behind the nearby hotel offers a genuine alternative within a few minutes’ walk — free to use, with natural shade that the main bay does not provide, even if its own sunbed terrace belongs to hotel guests.

Zeri Beach at Syvota is a small bay 1.2km north of the harbour — light sand and pebble mix, calm gradual entry, sunbeds and a beach bar (around €5 including water), a children’s waterpark, showers that cost extra, and genuinely mixed visitor experiences ranging from “best beach near Syvota” to crowded and somewhat commercially insistent depending on timing and expectations. A quieter, tree-shaded stretch lies around the headland past the main beach. Boat and sea bike rentals on site for exploring the nearby islets. 2-minute drive or 10–15 minute walk from Syvota centre, 25 minutes from Igoumenitsa, arrive before 10:30am on summer weekends for parking.

Walk or drive the short distance from Syvota. Decide for yourself whether the main bay or the quieter path around the headland suits your day better.