Gjipe Beach is a secluded, pebbly cove tucked at the end of a dramatic limestone canyon, famous for its deep turquoise waters and towering 70-meter cliffs
Insider Tips
Most people drive to a designated parking lot near the Monastery of St. Theodore ("Gjipe Beach Parking" on Google Maps). Expect to pay 400 LEK for parking. From there, it is a 30 min hike down a rocky, unshaded red-dirt path. The trail's uneven with all sorts of stones, so sturdy sneakers are highly recommended. The uphill climb back will feel tougher, plan extra water and time
The road leading to the parking is well-paved but a single-track route. There are a few pull-off spots are few but they’re quite spread out. You might need to reverse to let others through. Alternatively, you can park on a small lot alongside the main SH8 road but the hike to the beach will be much longer
Did you know?
During the Cold War, Gjipe was a strictly off-limits military zone used as a strategic lookout point to guard against a sea invasion. This forced isolation is the only reason the canyon and beach remained completely undeveloped while the rest of the Mediterranean coast was being paved over with concrete