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The best beaches in Corfu (our top picks with photos)
Creating a list of our favorite beaches in Corfu is not the easiest thing to do. Why? Because the island’s coastline is fringed with idyllic beaches and secluded coasts that never fail to seduce every type of traveler! Whether you’re a family searching for a kid-friendly beach with a plethora of facilities or a romantic couple seeking seclusion and privacy, we got you covered. All you have to do is keep reading!
Read also: The best beaches in Greece, Corfu Travel Guide
Sunset on Corfu island Barbati beach
The best sandy, pebbly & scenic beaches in Corfu in a nutshell
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Glyfada → Glyfada is one of the most popular beaches in Corfu! Located 16 km away from Corfu Town, this long sandy beach boasts a mind-blowingly gorgeous setting, as it is surrounded by hills covered with olive and pine trees! |
Ipsos → Situated on the island’s eastern coast, Ipsos is one of the most popular and touristically developed beaches in Corfu. It sits on a long sandy bay with crystal clear waters, which are shallow enough for little kids. |
Issos → Issos is one of the best beaches for watersports in Corfu! Located 30 km south of Corfu Town, Issos is an extensive sandy beach with many tourist facilities. It an ideal destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. |
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Pebbly |
Kalami → Kalami is a quiet Blue Flag-awarded beach located in the northern part of the island, 30 km away from Corfu Town. One of the most scenic beaches in Corfu, Kalami boasts an extraordinary natural setting. |
Liapades → Liapades is a scenic beach in the northern part of the island, 21 km away from Corfu Town. Nestled in a rocky cove hugged by white cliffs, the shingle beach of Liapades boasts a breathtaking natural landscape. |
Dassia→ Dassia is a long narrow beach located in Dassia resort in the southern part of Corfu. It is set on its own stretch of sand and pebbles and is lined by trees, which provide some shade. |
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Scenery |
Paleokastritsa → Paleokastritsa is one of the most beautiful beaches in Corfu! In fact, it consists of six postcard-perfect beaches: Agios Spyridon, Agios Petros, Alipa, Ambelaki, Agia Triada, and Platakia. Some of them are sandy and some of them are shingle. |
Porto Timoni → Porto Timoni beach near Afiones village is one of the most photogenic beaches in Corfu thanks to its unique shape. A double beach, Porto Timoni consists of two sandy beaches separated by a strip of lush greenery. |
Agios Gordios → Agios Gordios is a long sandy beach that lies on the island’s southern coast, 16 km away from Corfu Town. Insulated by olive groves and mountains bathed in golden light, this beach boasts a unique natural beauty that seduces visitors! |
The top 5 most popular beaches in Corfu
| Beach | Location | Highlights |
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Paleokastritsa |
West Corfu |
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Agios Gordios |
West Corfu |
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Canal d’ Amour |
Northwest Corfu |
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Porto Timoni |
West Corfu |
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Glyfada |
West Corfu |
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Paleokastritsa
Paleokastritsa is one of the most beautiful beaches in Corfu! In fact, it consists of six postcard-perfect beaches: Agios Spyridon, Agios Petros, Alipa, Ambelaki, Agia Triada, and Platakia. Some of them are sandy and some of them are shingle, but they all boast breathtaking scenery and clean, cold waters. After you have enjoyed swimming and sunbathing, head to Paleokastritsa village for a scrumptious seafood meal at one of the local taverns and then go to the village’s monastery to watch one of the most breathtaking sunsets in Corfu!
Barbati
Barbati is a Blue Flag-awarded beach located in Barbati village, a coastal settlement near Mount Pantokrator. Surrounded by verdant hills and forests, this beach boasts a beautiful natural setting. It is carpeted with shiny white pebbles and has enticingly clean waters, which are ideal for swimming. At Barbati beach, you’ll find umbrellas and sun loungers for hire, as well as water sports facilities and boats, which you can rent to explore the nearby coves. If you want a quiet spot to relax or prefer natural shade, you can opt for the olive trees behind the beach!
Agios Gordios
Agios Gordios is a long sandy beach that lies on the island’s southern coast, 16 km away from Corfu Town. Insulated by olive groves and mountains bathed in golden light, this beach boasts a unique natural beauty that seduces visitors! The beach’s trademark is Ortholithi, a rock formation that emerges from the sea right at the end of the beach. Agios Gordios beach is organized and has many tourist facilities, including water sports facilities, sun loungers, umbrellas, cafes, and restaurants.
Glyfada
Glyfada beach in Corfu
Glyfada is one of the most popular beaches in Corfu! Located 16 km away from Corfu Town, this long sandy beach boasts a mind-blowingly gorgeous setting, as it is surrounded by hills covered with olive and pine trees! Glyfada is particularly popular with young people, who love it because of its bars and facilities that include water sports and a volleyball court. At Glyfada beach, you’ll find sun loungers, umbrellas, washrooms, restaurants, and cafes where you can sit and enjoy a refreshment after spending a couple of hours laying under the sun.
Agios Georgios Pagon
Agios Georgios Pagon beach in Corfu
Agios Georgios is a beautiful coastal settlement located 30 km away from Corfu Town. The village’s Blue Flag-awarded horseshoe-shaped beach is carpeted with sand and pebbles and has very clean water. Surrounded by olive and cypress trees, it boasts an idyllic and peaceful setting. Agios Georgios Pagon is popular with families, as it is safe for little kids and has a selection of facilities, including umbrellas, sun loungers, and restaurants. What’s more, Agios Georgios Pagon beach offers spellbinding sunset views, so we suggest that you stay on the beach until sunset time to enjoy the magical spectacle!
Ipsos
Ipsos beach in Corfu
Situated on the island’s eastern coast, Ipsos is one of the most popular and touristically developed beaches in Corfu. It sits on a long sandy bay with crystal clear waters, which are shallow enough for little kids. Ipsos beach is organized, has water sports facilities, and offers a beautiful view of Mount Pantokrator. Above the beach lie some restaurants, where you can enjoy a delicious seafood meal with a panoramic view of the bay and the natural surroundings.
Canal d’Amour
Canal d’Amour beach in Corfu
Not many beaches are as romantic as the Canal d’ Amour (Channel of love) in Sidari. This paradisiacal beach is particularly popular with romantic couples thanks to an interesting legend. According to legend, the couples that swim through the beach’s canals stay together forever. Taking a dip at Canal d’Amour is a unique experience to have with your spouse and a fun opportunity to check if the legend is true! Canal d’Amour lies in Sidari, a village located on the northwest coast of Corfu, 38 km away from Corfu Town. Sidari sits in a verdant area full of lush forests, which makes it a great option for nature lovers as well!
Issos
Issos beach in Corfu
Issos is one of the best beaches for watersports in Corfu! Located 30 km south of Corfu Town, Issos is an extensive sandy beach with many tourist facilities. Thanks to its position, Issos is battered by strong winds, making it an ideal spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. One of the best things about Issos beach is its natural landscape. Korission Lake, a protected wetland located at Issos beach, and the cedar forest next to it are beautiful places to explore. Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for flamingos hanging out in the lake!
Kalami
Kalami beach in Corfu
Kalami is a quiet Blue Flag-awarded beach located on the northern side of the island, 30 km away from Corfu Town. One of the most scenic beaches in Corfu, Kalami boasts an extraordinary natural setting, as it is surrounded by lush hills and has crystal clear waters and shiny white pebbles. The beauty of this beach inspired the famous author Lawrence Darell to write his novel, Prospero’s Cell! Kalami beach is one of the best beaches in Corfu for outdoor activities, including hiking in the nearby forest and watersports. Hidden into the lush greenery you’ll also find some hotels, which offer peaceful accommodation in nature!
Porto Timoni
Porto Timoni beach in Corfu
Porto Timoni beach near Afiones village is one of the most photogenic beaches in Corfu thanks to its unique shape. A double beach, Porto Timoni consists of two sandy beaches separated by a strip of lush greenery. It is surrounded by forested hills and has crystal-clear waters that boast all the majestic shades of turquoise and azure. The natural setting of this beach is truly stunning! Porto Timoni beach is not organized, keeping its unspoiled charm and virgin natural beauty, so we suggest that you bring some water and an umbrella with you.
Liapades
Liapades beach in Corfu
Liapades is a scenic beach in the northern part of the island, 21 km away from Corfu Town. Nestled in a rocky cove hugged by white cliffs, the shingle beach of Liapades boasts a breathtaking natural landscape. The beach is organized with umbrellas and sunbeds for hire, as well as water sports facilities. One of the best things to do in Liapades is snorkeling, as the beach’s seabed is home to numerous interesting marine species. Another must-do is to hire a boat and embark on a guided tour to the hidden coves around the beach. Trust us: there’s a lot to see and explore!
Gardenos
Gardenos beach in Corfu
Gardenos is a long sandy beach located on the island’s southwest coast, 40 km away from Corfu Town. Surprisingly remaining under the radar, Gardenos is a quiet beach with shallow waters, which make it a great choice for families with little kids. On the beach, you’ll find umbrellas and sunbeds for hire, as well as some tavernas, where you can sit and enjoy an authentic Corfiot meal with a sea view.
Rovinia
Rovinia beach in Corfu
A wonderful alternative to the nearby (and often very crowded) Paleokastritsa, Rovinia boasts a beautiful natural setting that attracts vacationers who seek tranquility and privacy. The bay is carpeted with a mix of sand and pebbles and has crystal-clear, but a bit cold waters. Rovinia doesn’t have any tourist facilities, but you can find natural shade under the slope that borders the beach.
Dassia
Dassia is a long narrow beach located in Dassia resort on the southern side of Corfu. It is set on its own stretch of sand and pebbles and is lined by trees, which provide some shade. But, you don’t have to depend on the trees to protect you from the sun, as Dassia beach is equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, and other facilities, like water sports, restaurants, and cafes. In the middle of the beach, there is a diving platform, from where you can jump straight into the enticing waters of the Ionian Sea!
Agios Stefanos
Located 38 km away from Corfu Town, Agios Stefanos was originally a quiet fishing village, but it has been transformed into an idyllic resort over the last years! The village’s beach, Agios Stefanos beach, is a long sandy shore with shallow waters, making it a great option for families with younger offspring. The beach is backed by verdant hills and is lined with many restaurants, hotels, and cafes. It’s the perfect spot for an all-day beach experience, plus it offers unparalleled sunset views!
Peroulades
Next up on our list is Peroulades, a rocky and narrow beach close to Sidari village in Corfu. Boarded by steep white hills, this beach boasts a breathtaking and super-photogenic setting! Unlike the neighboring Canal d’Amour, which can get pretty crowded, Peroulades has a serene ambiance. If you want to switch off and relax at the beach surrounded by natural beauty, then Peroulades is your best bet!
Arillas
Arillas is a long sandy beach situated on the northwest corner of the island. Its shallow waters, fine sand, unspoiled charm, and natural beauty attract families with little kids and people who want to spend a quiet day at the beach away from the crowds. But Arillas is a must-visit beach in Corfu for one more reason: clay. On both sides of Arillas beach lie clay cliffs, from which you can grab some clay and treat yourself to a natural treatment! What’s more, Arillas is one of the best beaches in Corfu for sunset watching. We highly recommend that you stay at the beach until the afternoon to savor the gorgeous sunset views.
Marathias
Marathias is a golden sandy beach with clean waters nestled in a cove near Marathias village on the northwest side of Corfu. Stretching for about 2 km, this Blue Flag-awarded beach offers visitors plenty of space to relax and find their own secluded spot away from the crowds. Marathias beach is organized with straw umbrellas and sunbeds for hire, while on the one side of the beach there are also some restaurants.
Pelekas
Also known as Kontogialos, Pelekas is a beautiful sandy beach that lies 13 km away from Corfu main town, on the island’s west coast. Pelekas beach is organized with umbrellas and sunbeds for hire, while there are also some restaurants and cafes behind the beach. What’s more, Pelekas is one of the best beaches in Corfu for sunset-watching. Watching the sun sinking into the horizon spraying the beach and the hills with its warm golden light is a wonderful experience!
FAQs about beaches in Greece
Although Greece is full of fantastic beaches and coasts, the areas where you can find a great number of amazing beaches are Crete, the Peloponesse, Halkidiki, and the Ionian islands.
The Greek islands that are famed for their beaches are Crete, Lefkada, Paros, Naxos, Paxos, Corfu, and Rhodes, among others.
Summer seems to be the best season to visit Greece, but it’s not the only option. Although in summer the weather is hot, the sun shines, and the water is warm enough for swimming, It’s also the most crowded season in Greece. To skip the excessive crowds and enjoy the good weather, opt for late spring (May), early summer (June), and early fall (September). But, if you want total isolation and peace, your best bet lies in early spring and late fall.
Yes, Greece has many white sand beaches! Some of the best ones are Voidokilia in Messinia, Balos in Crete, Myrtos in Kefalonia, Koukounaries in Skiathos, and Simos in Elafonisos.
Some of the best sandy beaches in Greece are Mylopotas (Ios), Elafonisi (Crete), Plaka (Naxos), Simos (Elafonissos), Balos (Crete), and Golden Beach (Paros).
Swimming in Greece is safe for the most part. However, for your own safety, you need to follow some general safety rules, like not drinking alcohol or eating a heavy meal before swimming and swimming parallel to the shoreline. As for sharks, they are rare and harmless most of the time, but you should be aware of the scorpionfish and jellyfish, which are much more frequent.
To sum up…
Sandy, pebbly, isolated, cosmopolitan, romantic, family-friendly… Corfu beaches come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. From the unique landscape of the Canal d’Amour to the exotic setting of Porto Timoni, beaches in Corfu are as diverse as the island itself!
What are your favorite beaches in Corfu? Write your answers and suggestions below!
Sidari area Canal d Amour
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