Working a summer season in Zante (Zakynthos) means you'll have plenty of time to discover what lies beyond the tourist hotspots. After long shifts serving holidaymakers, you deserve to find your own special places to relax, recharge, and experience the authentic island. This insider guide reveals local secrets that most tourists never discover – perfect for making your summer work experience truly memorable.
1. Porto Limnionas: The Canyon Oasis
Why It's Special: While tourists flock to Navagio Beach, seasonal workers in the know head to Porto Limnionas, a stunning inlet carved into a dramatic canyon on the west coast.
Insider Tip: Visit on your mid-week days off when it's quietest. The small taverna perched above the water offers staff discounts to other hospitality workers if you bring your work ID. The deep, crystal-clear waters between the canyon walls are perfect for cliff jumping and snorkeling, with underwater caves to explore if you're a confident swimmer.
How to Get There: About 30 minutes from Laganas by car or scooter. No public transport reaches here, so organizing a ride-share with other workers is your best option.
2. Ampelaki Beach Bar, Alykes
Why It's Special: This laid-back beach bar sits at the quieter northern end of Alykes beach, far from the package tourists. It's become an unofficial industry hangout where summer workers from across the island gather on their days off.
Insider Tip: Sunday evenings feature impromptu jam sessions where workers bring instruments and perform. The owners often provide free mezze plates for hospitality staff, understanding the summer worker's budget constraints. The sunset views here rival any on the island.
How to Get There: Walk past the main Alykes beach strip and continue another 10 minutes along the shoreline until you see the simple wooden structure with hammocks.
3. The Secret Pools of Korakonissi
Why It's Special: Located on the southeastern peninsula, these natural rock pools fill with crystal-clear seawater, creating perfect natural swimming pools protected from waves.
Insider Tip: The western pool becomes magnificently illuminated during sunset, creating an ethereal swimming experience. Bring underwater lights for night swimming on full moon evenings when the marble-like rocks reflect the moonlight.
How to Get There: About 40 minutes from Laganas. Take the road toward Vassilikos and look for the small sign to Korakonissi. The final approach is a dirt track, so scooters should proceed with caution.
4. Yianna's Kitchen, Keri Village
Why It's Special: While tourists pay premium prices for mediocre meals in resort areas, local workers know that this family-run taverna in the hills offers authentic home cooking at honest prices.
Insider Tip: No menu exists here – Yianna cooks whatever her family harvested or caught that day. Tell her you're a summer worker, and she'll likely add extra portions. The homemade wine is dangerously good and costs just €5 for a liter.
How to Get There: Located in upper Keri Village (not Keri Beach), look for the blue door with grape vines. Open only Thursday–Sunday from 7pm until the food runs out.
5. Damianos Cave, Near Argassi
Why It's Special: Unlike the touristy Blue Caves in the north, this hidden sea cave can only be accessed by swimming through a narrow channel, ensuring few tourists ever discover it.
Insider Tip: The cave opens into a cathedral-like space with an air pocket and a small beach inside. Bring a waterproof headlamp to fully appreciate the stalactites. The bioluminescent plankton sometimes visible at night makes for an unforgettable swim.
How to Get There: Located along the rocky coastline between Argassi and Vasilikos. Ask locals for precise directions as it's intentionally kept off tourist maps.
6. Workers' Wednesday at Banana Beach Club
Why It's Special: Every Wednesday night during the summer season, this beach club hosts an industry-only party after closing to the public. It's where summer workers from all resorts come to let loose without tourists around.
Insider Tip: Show your staff ID or work contract for free entry and drinks discounts. The party often continues until sunrise, with many workers sleeping on the beach afterward. The unofficial swimming race at dawn has become a tradition for the truly committed.
How to Get There: Located on Banana Beach in the Vassilikos peninsula, most workers organize ride shares or split taxi costs to attend.
7. The Abandoned Monastery Viewpoint
Why It's Special: High in the central mountains sits a partially abandoned monastery that offers the most spectacular panoramic views of the entire island – and you'll likely have it all to yourself.
Insider Tip: The elderly monk who still lives in one section welcomes respectful visitors and sometimes offers homemade olive oil or honey. The sunset view from here shows both the east and west coasts simultaneously, a truly magical perspective of your summer home.
How to Get There: Take the mountain road toward Anafonitria and look for the weathered sign pointing up a dirt track. The final approach must be done on foot for about 15 minutes.
8. Dennis Bar Staff Afterhours, Laganas
Why It's Special: While tourists know Dennis Bar as a popular nightspot, few realize that after the 4am closing, it transforms into an afterhours haven exclusively for other bar and restaurant workers finishing their shifts.
Insider Tip: Enter through the back door after 4:30am and show your staff ID. The owner Dennis (a former season worker himself) offers heavily discounted drinks and a safe space to decompress after work. The unofficial support network for summer workers often meets here, sharing job opportunities and accommodation tips.
How to Get There: Located in the middle of Laganas strip, but access after hours is via the service alley behind the main buildings.
9. Olive Grove Beach, Near Tsilivi
Why It's Special: This unnamed beach sits hidden behind ancient olive groves between Tsilivi and Planos. Too small and difficult to access for tour operators, it remains pristine even in peak season.
Insider Tip: The grove owner allows workers to hang hammocks in the trees overlooking the beach – an ideal spot for recovery on your day off. The salt-crusted rocks at the northern end have natural depressions that fill with water, creating perfect relaxation pools.
How to Get There: Walk north from Tsilivi Beach for about 20 minutes, then look for a narrow path cutting through the olive groves. If you reach Planos, you've gone too far.
10. Kaminarata Fresh Water Pool
Why It's Special: Hidden in the northwestern mountains, this naturally occurring freshwater pool fed by mountain springs offers the perfect antidote to saltwater fatigue and chlorinated apartment pools.
Insider Tip: The water maintains a cool temperature even in August heat, making it ideal for rejuvenating tired muscles after long shifts. Local elders claim the mineral-rich water has healing properties. The small clearing nearby is perfect for hammocks and overnight camping if you need to escape resort life completely.
How to Get There: Located near the village of Kaminarata. Ask for directions to "the old water source" from any village resident, who will likely be surprised to see working visitors seeking out this local secret.
Making the Most of Your Zante Work Season
Summer working in Zante can be exhausting, with long hours and demanding tourists. These hidden gems offer essential escapes that will transform your experience from merely working abroad to truly living like a local.
Form connections with other seasonal workers to share transport costs to these spots, and always respect the local environment by taking all trash with you and keeping noise levels reasonable in residential areas.
While tourists come and go each week, as a summer worker, you have the privilege of watching the island change through the season – from the busy heights of August to the mellower, authentic atmosphere of the shoulder months. These hidden spots will become your personal sanctuaries, offering memories that last long after your contract ends.
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