Giali is a beach you earn. A small cove of fine shingle on the west coast, with deep, crystal-clear water and steep cliffs all around, so cut off that you forget you are in Corfu. It is one of the guide's five-star beaches, and usually quiet, because the way down keeps most people away.
Getting there
It is less than half an hour's drive from Corfu Town, and the last stretch is a good but steep dirt road. You park by the roadside where it ends.
Then you walk: about 2.6 km each way, roughly an hour down and a little more back, with about 180 metres of climbing and 270 of descent on the way there. The end of the path is so steep that you go down on ropes, almost climbing. We rate it extreme: you need closed shoes, stamina and some hiking experience. Bring water and snacks, as there is nothing at the bottom.
Or take the easy way in: Giali can also be reached by kaiki.
The beach
About 60 metres of fine shingle with deep, crystal-clear water: a beach for swimmers, and for anyone who likes a place to themselves.
Photo: Romanos Kalamatianos, CC BY 3.0
The beach faces the open sea to the west, so check Swimming today on the Corfu page before you go, especially if you are coming by boat.
Nearby
- Giali beach view: the cove from above, also five-star, for the view without the descent. The last stretch is on foot.
- Ermones waterfall, 11 minutes by car: a quiet waterfall near Ermones.
- Saint George Pareklisi (Ermones), 12 minutes: a small chapel of Saint George, quiet.
- Mirtiotisa, 16 minutes: a small sandy beach with deep water and sunbeds, a nudist beach and very popular.
- Glifada, 18 minutes: the opposite of Giali, with sand, service and a lively crowd.
Our take: whatever we say falls short. Only go down if you are fit and sure-footed; otherwise take a kaiki, or enjoy it from the viewpoint above.