There are several nice hiking paths on the island of Folegandros which showcase this beautiful Island, and the hike from Agali Beach to Agios Nikolaos Beach is lovely. Like many of the hikes in Greece, this hike includes swimming in the sea and this is what we love; Hiking to the sea, swimming, hiking back and ending the day enjoying a delicious Greek dinner!
The hike from Agali Beach to Agios Nikolaos Beach is around 1 kilometer but it felt longer to me as you do climb up and down a bit. The hike should take about 15-20 minutes without stops. It is a beautiful coastal beach with lots to see along the way. We explored a hut along the way and swam at Galyfos Beach so it took us just under 2 hours to arrive at the beach. Even though there are tavernas at Agios Nikolaos Beach we brought our own food and water. Bring lots of water if it is hot out as during the hike there is not much shade and although the hike is short, the sun is hot and feels like it is directly targeting you! We also took along beach towels and water shoes. We wore trainers for the hike.
Location
Getting Here
Agali Beach is just a short drive from our hotel at Ano Meria. We followed the main road to the turnoff. The turn is well marked and once off the main road, it is a steep rough road down to the beach. We found a spot to park on the street and then walked excitedly towards the beach.
Starting at Agali
We actually did not swim at Agali Beach as people were starting to populate the beach and also we wanted to hike a bit first. We had to make a decision at Agali whether to go left of the beach towards Fira beach or right towards Agios Nikolaos Beach, both of which we heard are lovely beaches in Folegandros. The path to Agios Nikolaos is what we chose as we thought Galyfos Beach halfway along the trail would be a great spot to stop for a swim.
Just to the right of the beach you will see a wide pathway leading up the cliff which passes by a couple of buildings. This is where you want to start. I don’t remember seeing any signs pointing the way, but it was truly our only choice if we wanted to go in that direction.
The Hike
The hike up the hill is breathtakingly beautiful. You can see Agali Beach below. The contrast of the dark and craggy cliffs to the Aegean blue calm of the sea is amazing. Add the whitewash of the buildings in Agali and a couple of boats and you have a perfect picture! Once on top of the hill you will find an old hut and also a couple of domed shaped structures. I am not sure if the hut was some type of shepard’s hut, a Fisherman’s hut, or something else, but it was fun to explore. In addition, the views were amazing from here. I do not know what the domed structures are for so if anyone knows, I’d love to find out!
Galifos Beach
We continued on the path to Galifos Beach where we enjoyed a wonderful swim in the beautiful green blue waters. I can’t begin to describe the inner peace and calmness I feel when floating in the sea. To me it is almost a religious experience between me, nature and God. The water is so very clear here I could have stayed all day, but our destination was Agios Nikolaos, so after a refreshing swim we continued on our way. There are some abandoned buildings here and a couple of trees but not much for shade.
Galifos Beach is a pebbly and stony beach with no umbrellas or beach chairs. It is also a nudist beach but while we were here most everyone was wearing swimsuits.
Agios Nikolaos Beach
As we continued our hike over the cliff and down to Agios Nikolaos Beach we enjoyed the views of coastal Folegandros. It was very hot and once arriving at Agios Nikolaos Beach we made a bee line for the sea and enjoyed a great swim. The sea was cool enough to feel refreshing but warm enough to enjoy a good long swim. The crystal clear water here is very lovely and shallow for quite a way out. After swimming we ate our picnic lunch of snacks from the grocery store and pastries left over from breakfast. After a bit of a rest we decided to swim again before tackling the hike back under the hot sun.
Agios Nikolaos is a pebbly beach without loungers or umbrellas. There are shade trees close to the beach though and two tavernas are located close to the beach as well. If you prefer, you can take a boat from Agali instead of hiking.
The Way Back
We followed the path back the way we came. Back at the hotel we enjoyed a couple of freddos by the poolside and swam a bit. We ended the evening in Chora and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, ate dinner and also did a bit of shopping.
Conclusion
The hike from Agali Beach to Agios Nikolaos Beach is a fantastic way to enjoy Folegandros Island. Swimming in the beautiful Aegean Sea is a bonus and ensures the hike is even more fun.
Resources
Here is a great resource I found on the internet for Folegandros Beaches. Check it out when planning your trip.
Greeka.com is a site I use often when planning trips to Greece. They have a great data base with solid information.
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In Addition to this post, you can also check out my other posts from our 2025 trip to Greece and also previous years Itineraries by following these links!
Ano Koufonisi Island September 2025
Delos Island; A comprehensive Self Guided Tour September 2025
Mykonos One Day Itinerary Sept 2025
Great Places to Eat in Plaka, Athens and Nearby. Updated Sept 2025
Self Guided Tour to Acropolis Sept 2025
Tower of the Wind, Athens Sept 2025
The Roman Forum in Athens, Sept 2025
National Archaeology Museum Athens, Sept 2025
8 Days in Greece, Athens, Milos,Santorini. Oct 2018
10 Days in Greece Athens ,Crete, Santorini Sept 2019
14 Days in Greece Crete, Naxos, Santorini, Athens Sept 2021
2 Weeks in Greece, Delphi, Meteora, Corfu, Santorini Sept 2023
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