Koufonisia Gala beach

General information

On your quest for unique experiences in Koufonisia, don’t miss the chance to witness the sublime beauty of Gala, a wild beach that can be found at the edge of the small peninsula lying east of Pori. In truth, Gala is nothing like our common conception of a beach; rather, it is a rare geological formation that looks like an open-air cave. A narrow opening at the foot of the rock allows the seawater to gush in, resulting in a tiny beach hugged by imposing cliffs. Its distinctive name —gala actually means “milk” in Greek— comes from the frothy waves one can see in the interior of the cave, as well as from the milky color of the limestone rocks.

Access to Gala is possible through a short trail starting from Pori Beach. The path leads right to the edge of the cliff, while, in order to get down, you will need to climb down the steep rocks on the left side. However, the descent is quite demanding and should not be attempted unless you’re fit enough. The strong winds that usually sweep the area add to the difficulty of the endeavor, but if you’re lucky enough to visit it on a windless day, you can even swim through the narrow passage to the open sea on the other side of the cliff. Even if you don’t feel up to going down, though, a visit to Gala is still highly rewarding, as the sight of the waves crashing against the rocks is one of a kind!

Bonus info: Gala is also known as Tripiti, because of the hole (tripa in Greek) that has led to the formation of this unparalleled beach.