You will literally smell Xigia before you reach it. There is a strange (and unpleasant) smell in the air around the beach due to the sulphur springs in the surrounding sea caves. Despite this, people there easily get used to it, especially due to the healing properties of the water. The place is known as a natural sulphur bath and helps with bone, joint and skin diseases.
Xigia (Хygiа) is located in a tiny bay on the northeast coast of Zakynthos. It is between Alykes and Аgios Niκоlaοs. The road runs across it, but the beach is not visible until you turn. Xigia is covered with smooth white pebbles and has transparent blue waters that quickly become deep. The beach is small, but in summer there is a beach cafe that offers a dozen sunbeds.
There are two more small coves near Xigia, known as Little Xigia, although they are larger. You can reach them via short, narrow paths and they have no facilities, but there is a tavern above one of them.