Giolos

Gialos Beach lies on the southwestern coast of Lefkada, about 35 kilometres from Lefkada Town and just below the village of Athani, in the same stretch of coastline as the better-known Egremni and Porto Katsiki. Stretching for roughly 4 kilometres, it ranks among the longest beaches on the island, backed by pale cliffs that rise steeply from the shoreline and give the whole area its dramatic, almost sculpted look.

The seabed is a mix of small pebbles and sand, and the water stays clear and shallow well off the shore, deepening only gradually. Only part of the beach is organised, with sunbeds, umbrellas and a small canteen or two catering to day visitors; the rest remains open and undeveloped, which keeps Gialos noticeably quieter than the crowds that gather at Porto Katsiki in high season. Its partially sheltered bay also gives yachts a reasonably calm spot to anchor off the cliffs and row ashore.

Reaching Gialos still means a narrow road down from Athani, a route that was substantially rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake damaged much of the area's infrastructure, but the improved access has made it a popular stop for gulet charter guests exploring Greece.