Guide to the top 20+ best beaches of Corfu island, Greece

Corfu island: where to find the most beautiful crystal-clear waters and long, sandy bays?

Ready to dive into a list of the best Corfu beaches? Corfu has welcomed tourist for decades, but became an even more popular Greek island over the past few years through social media. The lush vegetation with olive trees and cypress trees, and the stunning Corfu town, remind of Italy. The capital of Corfu unique in Greece, as it is the only remaining old town on an Ionian island after the 1953 earthquake in the Ionian sea. But apart from that, visitors obviously enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches with fine sand on the west coast and bays with pebbles and turqoise water, near Palaiokastritsa and on the east coast of Corfu. Every type of beach is present here, all with clear and clean waters. It is the perfect place for a beach holiday while still being able to visit a proper city with beautiful architecture! 

There are tons of beaches on the island of Corfu. And little of them are underwhelming. Although it is not possible to discuss all of them here, I will give you a list of the (according to me) +20 most beautiful beaches of Corfu island in this blog. And, to make it easy for you to find them, I included the Google Maps locations!

Now, let’s dive into the list of the +20 best beaches on Corfu island:

1. Porto Timoni beach

In recent years, Porto Timoni became one of the most photographed beaches of Corfu. So it is definitely not secret anymore, and full of people in summer. All because of the amazing view that this double beach presents from above. It is however still secluded. You can only reach it by (taxi) boat from Agios Georgios, or by hiking down from Zeus Throne restaurant (gorgeous views over Agios Georgios beach) in the village of Afionas. It is one of the cutest villages on Corfu.The small path leading down to the beach is doable for everyone (wear closed shoes for safety) but on the other hand, harder than you think. It is a proper hike! There however, little shade, so bring water, sunscreen and a hat. It should take you maximum 30 minutes. There is limited parking available.

2. Canal d’Amour

Canal d’Amour in Sidari is as beautiful as it is busy. On one hand the rock formations with tiny beaches with blue water between them are something you must see while visiting  Corfu. On the other hand, this natural phenomenon has been completely kidnapped by tons of hotels, bars, pools and other touristy stuff right on the cliffs. Sidari village is also a larger tourist resort with partying going on. So you got two choices  here: go early morning and enjoy the view before everyone wakes up. Or just be aware of it being busy, and sit down at one of the pool bars for the day (some of them ask for a fee), so that you can use their parking, sunbeds, pool and showers, while being free to go down and take a swim at one of the cove beaches whenever you want. Otherwise, sunbeds are scarce.  The rocks on the side of the beaches have clay on them, that you can use to create a natural mud mask. It’s a fun thing to do, both for kids and adults. Take caution of currents when jumping off the rocks!!

3. Glyfada beach

The west coast of Corfu has the best sandy beaches. One of which is Glyfada. Glyfada is popular for a day visit with everyone: locals and tourists. It is once again a large bay with a sandy beach and lots of umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as some parts you can stay on with your own beach gear. It’s a good place for water sports enthusiasts and you can ride inflatables here! There is a big free parking lot right behind the beach, which does fill up in summer. But it means there is very easy access to this beach. There’s always a place to park on the side of the road up the hill though. Pazuzu is the most fancy beach bar (make a reservation in high season), with an organized beach party now and then. On the back side of this beach bar they constructed a new food court, with food such as pizza, souvlaki and delicious ice cream for reasonable prices. Glyfada is a Blue Flag beach.

4. Issos beach & Agios Georgios (south)

Agios Georgios (south, Lakkies beach) and Issos are two beaches that are attached to each other, resulting in a very long beach with soft, golden sand. Agios Georgios is the organized part, with a bouncy castle as well. Issos is the quiet and mainly unorganized part, well known for the amazing sand dunes behind the beach, which are great for taking social media worthy pictures or having a romantic one-to-one. Both beaches have lots of free parking space. The organized part of Issos is a Blue Flag beach.

5. Halikounas beach

Halikounas is a spectacular, kilometers-long strip of sand with shallow waters on the southwest coast of Corfu. You can walk the whole length of the beach from Halikounas through Issos to Agios Georgios. There are a few beach bars open in high season, but considering the length of the beach, I’d call it mainly unorganized. Halikounas is well known for the ‘Lake Korission’ that lies right behind the beach. During the right season, you can spot a huge number of flamingos here. It is also the best (and only) place in Corfu for wind- and kitesurfing. One of the few beaches that sometimes gets some strong winds.

6. Ermones

Ermones is a pebble beach with beautiful turquoise waters, where not many people go if they do not stay there. I would encourage you to go on a non-windy day, because the beach does not get as busy as the ones in the Liapades & Palaiokastritsa area, and it has the same waters and snorkeling opportunities. The taverna above the beaches serves nice traditional Greek dishes, so lunch or dinner isn’t a problem either. Because of the nearby Atlantica resort, there is a beach bar on the beach operating in summer, where you can rent sunbeds as well. It is  Blue Flag beach.

7. Gerakas Beach

The Palaiokastritsa area is filled with little bays with the bluest / most turquoise waters of Corfu. These are probably the most popular beaches of Corfu. It is next to Liapades, and both of these places are an ideal spot for renting a boat at to discover the coast full of secluded beaches and sea caves. This is one of the best things you can on Corfu if it is your first time on the island. You can also take a 45-minute boat tour of the stunning beaches and caves from from the pier at Agios Spyridon beach, which is a great family activity. Or visit the aquarium in case you have young children.

There are 2 beaches in the Palaiokastritsa area that I’d like to highlight.  The first one is La Grotta Bar. It isn’t technically a beach, but a rocky bay with a beach bar on the rocks spread out over several levels of terraces. There is a platform on the rocks that you can enter the sea from, and you can jump from the rocks with a rope as well. There are tables with chairs that you can sit at for free as a customer, and some beach chairs for rent. The place does get crowded during summer months, it’s a very popular spot nowadays. So I’d recommend going in the morning or at night for cocktails. It is not the  most quiet place in Corfu, they do play music quite loud.

Another great place in Palaiokastritsa is Akron beach bar. It is the only beach bar on Palaiokastritsa’s wonderful Agia Triada beach, which is a great spot for snorkling. The beach bar has a great restaurant and a pool too, although the pool is meant for a dip and unfortunately not for children. It is not the cheapest beach bar, but the quality of the food and amenities is excellent. You basically have to book sunbeds through the website ahead of time especially in summer months. The beach bar has its own (paid) parking. If you want to park for free, you can park anywhere next to the road at Palaiokastritsa. If you’re early you’ll surely find a place.

8. Liapades beach / Rovinia beach / Paradise beach

Liapades is a smaller and more authenthic version of Palaiokastritsa. It has a traditional, upper village and, just like Palaiokastritsa, multiple beaches with turquoise water. The main beach is Gefyra beach. You can snorkel here, rent a boat (see furtheron in this guide) to discover the secret beaches, or swim 100m up to Acapulco bar. Acapulco is a pool bar with a view over Gefyra beach, spread out over several terraces (free sunbeds when consuming). If you want to reach it by car, you have to go from Palaiokastritsa. From Liapades it is only possible to swim to it. But that is all the fun! Gefyra beach itself is the only organized one. The other three beaches of Liapades are secluded beaches you can reach by boat or via a short walk / hike. All are surrounded by lush greenery.

Rovinia beach is closest to the village. It is a 10-minute walk from the paid parking lot. Closeby is the Liapades Beach Viewpoint, one of the best spots in Corfu to photograph the turquoise waters. If you take the road down to Villa Pyrgos, you can make a beautiful 15-minute walk through an olive grove and down a staircase to the double Limni beach. These are two small coves so Limni has water on both sides! Next to it (separated by just a rock) lies the tiny beach Klimatia. All of them are pebble beaches, so water shoes are recommended.

9. Agios Gordios beach 

Agios Gordios is the first in line of 3 bays with a long sandy beach in West Central Corfu. It is one the most developed ‘seafront resorts’ of the three. But with a cosy local feeling to it! The beach has soft golden sand is full of beach bars (relaxed vibe, no loud music). Sunbeds used to be free for customers all year, but now they charge during high season. At night you can also dine at these bars while enjoying the sunset. There’s a parking lot near the entrance of the village. There’s no parking next to the beach. It’s a short drive from Corfu town (20 minutes).

10. Agios Stefanos / Arillas and Agios Georgios Pagon beach

Agios Stefanos Northwest (San Stefanos) / Arillas / Agios Georgios Northwest Agios Stefanos, Arillas and Agios Georgios are 3 ‘neighboring’ settlements on the Northeast coast of Corfu. They are 1 hour by car from Corfu town. All with lovely, child friendly beaches with soft sand. Arillas is the most authentic and smallest resort of the three, with a small boulevard with traditional restaurants and beautiful cliffs with clay for a natural mud mask. No mass tourism here! Agios Stefanos beach and Agios Georgios are slightly larger, with a small port at Agios Stefanos that offers daytours to for instance the Diapontia islands (see the section on boat tours) Both are however still small scaled and will ensure you of a relaxing (family) holiday. There is no real night life at either of these places. Agios Georgios has the most spectacular sandy beach, and is close to the nowadays famous twin beach of Porto Timoni. All three are perfect for exploring the Northeast coast of Corfu, which has lots of beautiful sights to offer. San Stefanos, Arillas and Agios Georgios are connected to Corfu town by Green Bus.

11. Myrtiotissa beach

Myrtiotissa is the beloved nudist beachof Corfu island. It became well known with hippies in the seventies. Back then the beach was way bigger. Now a small part rests, which makes it really cosy. Of course you don’t have to go naked here, but most people do. Please respect people’s privacy and don’t take pictures or videos with nudists on it. The beach has a small stall that rents out beach chairs and umbrellas, and sells homemade sandwiches and drinks (coffee, soft drinks and alcohol). Youc an park your car at Elia taverna andwalk down in 5 minutes (you’ll pass by the amazing view point) to avoid going down the steep road with a vehicle.

12. Avlaki and Kerasia beach

Avlaki and Kerasia are two similar beaches, both located on one side of the Erimitis nature reserve. They are both long beaches with white pebbles and clear blue water that gets deep quite quickly. Fortunately (to date) they are organized but not planted full of sunbeds. This means there is moremthan enough space to sit down on your own towel, but it also means that in summer it is better to be there on time if you want a sunbed. Parking is available right behind the beaches. Both beaches have one/two tavernas to eat at. Unfortunately they are not priced super friendly. But I still love going to either of the beaches because they are the best choices if you are in favor of a large and not a small bay with pebbles, need the basic facilities but do not want the beach to be overorganized and overcrowded.

13. Marathias beach

Marathias is another sandy beach in South Corfu. This one however, has been very much developed over the past few years. There are a few very modern and good looking beach clubs such as Wave beach bar and Sirens Beach Bar. They sometimes offer live music or a party, mostly on Sunday afternoon/ evening! Check their social lmedia accounts for the agenda. Marathias is the perfect spot in South Corfu if you like a very lively sandy beach. In summer, you can also find warm waters here.

14. Logas beach & Cape Drastis

The North of Corfu is postcard worthy at almost every corner. Peroulades offers 2 of the highlights! One of the most amazing views in Corfu is Cape Drastis, an incredible rock formation surrounded by almost baby blue waters. There is a trail for hikers from the resort town of Sidari. You could also do a one way as boats are visiting the cape from Sidari. Otherwise you can park your car above the viewpoint and walk down. There are a few places from which the sea is easily accessible so you can enjoy a swim. Keep in mind: no facilities whatsoever. The cape itself (as in the rocks you see) are notaccessible as it is private property, under thename of ‘Cape Drastis thematic park’. It seems permanently closed (the last few years). After your visit of Cape Drastis you can go to the 7th Heaven cafe in Peroulades to watch the cliffs of Logas beach and the heavenly blue waters (between 12 and 3 PM they are at their bluest), or the amazing sunset while enjoying a cocktail.

15. Notos beach

Notos beach (Panorama Taverna) is a really special place in South Corfu, that everyone I know and everyone I advised to go, likes a lot. It is a taverna with a huge garden and terraces on multiple levels. There is an endless amount of flowers and plants. It looks like a fairytale jungle. The garden stretches into the sea. There is a little secluded beach, and the beachfront and garden are full of sun loungers ánd hammocks that are hanging from palm trees. Free of charge for customers of course! It is on another level of cool. Coming by boat? No problem, there is a small wooden dock for your vessel. The best timeto visit is in spring. At that time is not crowded yet and all the flowers are blooming. However, the layout of this place assures it is a peaceful place anyway even though it gets more discovered every year. There is a parking lot for customers just 150 meters after the entrance of the taverna.

16. Giali beach

Giali beach once truly was a secret beach. You could have it to yourself all day. Now more people know about it, but it’s still a gem. It is a true, 30-40 minute hike with a little climbing involved. Wear sneakers! Locals attached ropes and ladders to the rocks tomake it easier to climb down. Even the starting point of the hike is in the middle ofnowhere. You won’t just ‘find it’ coincidentally. But I have linked it in my Corfu Guide. From the place where you can park you’ll have to walk and climb down. But I can assure you: when you are hiking down, turn around the corner and see the view of the beach for the first ime, you forget about all of it. And the moment you can touch that soft, cooling water: so rewarding. It is a beach with large pebbles by the way. Bear in mind: there’s no phone service, so calling and messaging isn’t possible.In case you don’t want to hike but still enjoy this beach: rent a boat at Ermones beach or ask use the rental companies’ boat taxi service!

17. Yaliskari beach, Pelekas

Below the village of Pelekas, there are two amazing beaches. The larger and well-known one is Kontogialos. It is similar to Agios Gordios and Glyfada, with soft sand and beach bars. The second beach of Pelekas is one of my favorite beaches in Corfu: Yaliskari. The beach isquite secluded and not the easiest to reach. It is relatively small and full in summer but nomassive crowds which is great! Going to the beach you have to pass through a taverna,which makes for really nice views of the beach while you are eating. And they serve amazing seafood. When you go here you have 2 choices for parking: park on the side of the road (wherethe road ends) and walk down for 5 minutes or drive down the very steep road to the beachand hope there is parking space available.

18. Syki Bay

On a 5-minute drive from Kassiopi there is another hidden gem that not many people have discovered yet: Syki beach. It is easy to miss this beach as it lies far below the road. But you should consider going to this quiet bay with large white pebbles and just a few sunbeds for rent. Refreshments can be bought at the taverna on the road (no service on the beach), and parking is available both on the right and left side of the bay on the side of the road.

19. Barbati beach

Barbati is a beautiful beach with big pebbles and clear waters, on the East Coast between Dassia and Kassiopi. It has some nice, modern beach bars such as Bahia Mare and Verde Blue.From Barbati up to Kassiopi, there are countless bays surrounded by green, with white pebbles and clear (emerald/blue) waters.

20. Akoli beach

Akoli beach is located on the north coast and is part of the Erimitis nature reserve. Erimitis is a nature reserve in Northeast Corfu, which is full of secluded beaches you can only reach on foot and sometimes even only by boat. It is green oasis full of small beaches and also bigger ones. There is a coastal path between Agios Stefanos and Avlaki. You can start from Agios Stefanos.Then it will take you about 40 minutes of walking up and down along the beautiful path to reach the (in my opinion) most beautiful beach of Erimitis: Akoli beach. White pebbles and crystal clear waters! There are no amenities. However, during the day some organized boat trips dock here for a swim stop, which makes it more crowded for a while. If you don’t like that, there are plenty of other beaches to choose from on the way, like Vromolimni.

21. Dafnila bay

Dafnila bay is the place to be for watersports in Corfu. The sandy beach has shallow waters and is never windy because the bay shields it from the open sea. It is however mostly occupied by sunbeds of the resort, which others are not allowed to use. But there is space to sit down with your own towel and umbrella. And buying drinks and snacks from the resort’s bar is possible as well. It is on this beach that Corfu Ski Club Watersports is located. The best watersport company in Corfu. They offer literally every form of waterspors: inflatable rides, waterski, jet ski, flyboard, parasailing, etc. I’d highly recommend them!

Thank you for reading this blog with a list of the best beaches in Corfu island. If you want to know more about Corfu, read my other blogs or get my Corfu Travel Guide. Enjoy my personal favorites and enjoy your stay on Corfu ! Happy Travels! 🌊🌞.