Last updated on May 14th, 2023 at 10:02 am
- 1. The Beaches on Corfu Island
- 2. Sandy Beaches in Northwest Corfu
- 3. Best Corfu Beaches on West Corfu
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4.
The Best Sandy beaches of Southwest Corfu
- 4.1. 15- Vagonaki, Paramonas, Prasoudi, Kanouli, Gardiki, Alonaki
- 4.2. 16- Chalikounas beach
- 4.3. 17- Issos Beach
- 4.4. 18- Saint George Beach South at Argyrades
- 4.5. 19- Marathias and Santa Barbara
- 4.6. 20- Megas Choros
- 4.7. 21- Vitalades beach of Gardenos
- 4.8. 22- Megali Lakka (Kanoula beach), or Agios Gordios of South
- 4.9. 23- Arkoudillas beach
- 5. Best Beaches in Southeast Corfu
- 6. Top Beaches of East Corfu
- 7. Beautiful Beaches in the Sinies area
- 8. Beaches on the North Corfu Coast
- 9. Map with Corfu beaches
- 10. Conclusion
The Beaches on Corfu Island
The beaches on Corfu island are countless, beautiful, and enormous. Most are sandy and crowded, although many peaceful and quiet remote beaches are not missing. Mainly those in the small bays of Erimitis on the northeast coast, and the beaches on the Northwest side of the island, south of the amazing Palaiokastritsa.
In Corfu, we have the endless long sandy beaches of the west coast and the tourist pebble beaches on the eastern coast.
Most of them were awarded blue flags due to their crystal and clear water.
The best beaches in Corfu are on the southwest coast, these are the largest sandy beaches on the island. You will be amazed by their enormous size, the purity of the sand, the beauty, and the sudden changes in the landscape.
Sandy Beaches in Northwest Corfu
1- Sidari and Canal D’amour beach
Sidari is a large Organised Sandy beach, family Friendly with Water sports and Diving, located on the northwest coast of the island, 35km from Corfu town
Sidari has a long sandy stretch that deepens softly and is good for families. It is fully organized with water sports and other amenities.
On the west side, we find Canal D’amour, a rocky formation ideal for romance as well as diving. It is equally good for young and older people.
It is said that whoever meets his or her beloved under these rocks, their love will last forever.
Beaches in Sidari and the Canal D'amour2- Peroulades and Loggas majestic beach
Loggas beach is Sandy, organized and narrow, but in a majestic landscape located on the northwest coast of Corfu, 37km from the town.
Below the cliffs, at Peroulades you can enjoy the wonderful sandy beach of Loggas, a rare geological phenomenon with very steep tall rocks that give a sense of majesty.
It is a fully organized beach with water sports but is quite narrow, when the sea is rough is almost lost under the waves.
It is aimed at romantics because of the fabulous sunsets, also good for the adventurous type of person.
See more about Peroulades and Loggas
3- Agios Stefanos
Agios Stefanos is a large organized Sandy Beach for families, located at a distance of 32kms from the airport on the northwestern tip of Corfu
The large sandy beach of Agios Stefanos on the northwestern end of the island attracts many people. There are often quite big breakers here, but the water stays shallow for quite a long way.
Therefore is an ideal Beach for families and relaxation.
More about San Stefanos and Arillas
4- Porto Timoni beach
Not organized, unique double-sided beach with pebbles, at the west side of Corfu, distance from the town is 30km.
Porto Timoni is an incredible double beach between the Gulf of Saint George of Pagoi and Afionas. The whole scene is a slimline land that connects Corfu with a small piece of land that otherwise would be an island. A downside is that it is accessible only by sea.
Still one of the best beaches for nature lovers, good for relaxing too.
More on Porto Timoni5- Agios Georgios of Pagoi
Large organized Sandy Beach with watersports for families. It is located in northwest Corfu and at a distance of about 30km from Corfu town.
The family resort of Agios Georgios of Pagoi is a spectacularly beautiful beach inside a huge horseshoe-shaped bay. Fringed with small hotels, bars, and tavernas along the length of the sand and shingle beach.
A very laid-back, relaxed resort, not overly commercial, and appealing to those wanting a quiet holiday, but with things going on that you can join in if you choose.
At the northern end, the cliff rises and a village can be seen at the top. Afionas, with spectacular sunset views and some excellent tavernas- but a steep climb.
Click for more of Agios Georgios
Best Corfu Beaches on West Corfu
6- Beaches inside Paleokastritsa
Paleokastritsa with its beaches is located on the northwest side of the island and is 25km far from Corfu town.
There are seven beaches, inside the Paleokastritsa settlement, separated by round-shaped capes.
All with cool and crystal clear waters, ideal for swimming and water sports. On most of the beaches, there are taxi boats, sunbeds, umbrellas, as well as motorboats, and canoes for rent.
Beaches inside paleokastritsa
- Ampelaki beach is the first on the line starting from West.
- Agios Petros beach, very close to the first, inside the first cove.
- Palaiokastritsa or Agios Spiridon, the central beach, in between the two capes. Voted inside the 10 best beaches in Corfu.
- Alipa beach, where there is a small harbor, is the Alipa port, suitable for small yachts, speed, and fishing boats. From this port, you can hire a boat to visit the neighboring isolated beaches and remote caves south of Paleokastritsa.
- Platakia beach.
- Agia Triada beach.
- Beach of La Grotta, the easternmost. Opposite the beach of Liapades a couple of miles to the East.
7- The group of Beaches south of Paleokastritsa
7 Secluded Beaches with clear and emerald waters with sand and pebbles, accessible by the sea. They are located south of Palaiokastritsa on the west side of the island, 20km from Corfu town.
These secluded beaches of Liapades, Rovinia, Limni, Liniodoros, Paradise or Chomi, Stelari, and the small Stelari respectively are unspoiled, with no tourist infrastructure or unregulated tourist development.
Beaches are awarded by nature with majestic landscapes. They have the cleaner and most crystal waters on the island. If you have a boat you shouldn’t miss them.
See the Corfu paradise beaches under Paleokastritsa8- Rovinia beach
Remote and beautiful beach, one of the most beautiful in Corfu according to many.
Rovinia Beach is a small petal-shaped beach with fine pebbles, little sand, and a turquoise crystal clear sea in a landscape of exceptional natural beauty, surrounded by tall rocks on both sides.
There is a small but spectacular cave on its south. It is perhaps the most beautiful beach in this area according to tourists’ opinions and is small, remote, beautiful, and unspoiled, accessible from the sea as well as from the land through a small path with steps, about 600 meters long.
More about Rovinia beach9- Ermones
Organized Family Friendly beach with shingle and a little sand, on the west coast, and 15km from the town.
The beach of Ermones is made up of sand and shingles and can be found on the edge of the Ropa Valley.
This dramatic cove on the west coast of Corfu is one of the places claiming to be where Odysseus landed. Here he found the lovely Princess Nausika and her ladies washing their clothes.
More about Ermones
10- Myrtiotissa Nudist Beach
Sandy and Partly Organized, Nudism Friendly, at the center of the west side of Corfu and 16km from the town.
Myrtiotissa is one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Also known as “the only beach on the island of Corfu where nudism is officially tolerated“.
The beach is reached by a steep path or by the sea. A rather small sandy beach is difficult to spot that lay just north of Glyfada which is separated by a thin but high rock. Also one of the best beaches in Corfu.
No hotels, apartments, or restaurants are on the beach. So it remains natural and unspoiled by progress.
See more of Mirtiotissa beach11- Glyfada Beach
Organized cosmopolitan beach with sand and water sports. Located on the west Corfu coast, just 15km from the town center.
Glyfada is a cosmopolitan beach suitable for young, old, and people who love to meet new friends. Definitely one of the best Corfu beaches.
There are plenty of hotels, apartments, and restaurants here, also some of the island’s most famous nightclubs, so the beach is aimed for nightlife too.
Buses from here go to Corfu Town, passing Aqualand, the largest water park on the island. Also going near the golf course in the Ropa Valley.
More about Glyfada beach
12- Pelekas and Kontogialos Beach
Organized Sandy beach with Water sports and family-friendly. At the center of the west coast, in close proximity to the town at a distance of 15km.
Kontogialos beach is below the famous village of Pelekas. During the ’60s the hippies had it as their favorite resort.
It’s a large organized beautiful sandy beach, good for relaxing moments.
At the top of the hill where Pelekas village is there is a viewpoint. Said to have been a favorite spot of Kaiser Wilhelm 2nd who used to walk across from Achilleion Palace in Gastouri.
From here you can look across to Corfu Town, the bay of Gouvia, and right up to the coast to Nissaki. While in the foreground is the lush meadows of the Ropa Valley.More about Pelekas and Kontoyalos beach
13- Gialiskari Beach
Sandy, Remote but organized. At the center of the west coast, close to Glyfada and 15km away from Corfu town.
Gialiskari is further south. A small yet quiet sandy beach, well-organized with sunbeds and umbrellas. A place surrounded by woods that keeps the temperature low, especially in the summer. Rather like natural air conditioning.
Nice beach for nature lovers and relaxing, with water sports facilities for the more adventurous types.
The background is rocky and magnificent. It offers natural shade and the wider area guarantees peace. Just behind the beach, there are several hotels and restaurants.
14- Agios Gordios Beach
Large Sandy, family-friendly, water sports, organized, situated south of Glyfada and at a close distance from Corfu, only 15km.
The huge and very busy beach of Agios Gordios is a sandy beach that ends at a high rock called Ortholithi.
It looks like Glyfada. A bit less cosmopolitan though but still good enough for young people and families, surely one of the best beaches in Corfu with plenty of restaurants and small bars for nightlife too.
All about the beach of Agios GordiosThe Best Sandy beaches of Southwest Corfu
It is certain that on this side of the island, you have many options. You can arrange to visit all of the best sandy beaches. For this purpose, it is advisable to choose a place of residence to be close to them. Benitses or Moraitika look like the ideal places for that.
Staying in Benitses means that you have quick access to the best beaches on the west and south side of the island.
15- Vagonaki, Paramonas, Prasoudi, Kanouli, Gardiki, Alonaki
Not organized, 6 small remote sandy beaches. All of them lay north of Chalikouna on the southwest coast and 16km from the airport.
Vagonaki and Paramonas follow further south, then Prasoudi, Kanouli, Gardiki, and Alonaki, the last one before the vast beach of Chalikounas.
All small peaceful beaches in small bays. Some are hard to reach and many are quiet, on the west to the South part of the island, good for relaxing.
16- Chalikounas beach
Semi-organized Huge sandy beach in southwest Corfu, prone to wind. Special for paragliding and Water sports. The distance from the town is about 20 km.
Probably, one of the best Corfu sandy beaches is Chalikounas, Followed by the sand of Issos in the south.
Chalikounas is enormous, and endless, with variations in the landscape, with a forest, and a lagoon behind the sand dunes. Above all, it is pristine – no hotels or uncontrolled tourist development.
This part of the island may remind you of the Sahara desert in Corfu.
17- Issos Beach
Large sandy beach in southwest Corfu, between Chalikounas and St. George. The distance from the town is about 20 km.
Issos sandy large beach is in continuation and equally large and beautiful. It is considered among the best beaches in Corfu.
The beach has another access from the main road, just after the long straight road of Linia. We hope the place will always remain as it is today, photos illustrate the uniqueness of the landscape.
Both Issos and Chalikounas sandy beaches together stretch more than 10 kilometers long. Golden sand and permanent waves make them ideal for surfing, windsurfing, and paragliding.
Luckily they are next to the lagoon of Korission, and the 3 km long cedar forest, so it’s a protected area, along with the habitat, no hotels or restaurants here.
Click to go to Chalikounas beach Take me to Issos beach18- Saint George Beach South at Argyrades
Organized large Sandy, family-friendly, with Water sports, on the west coast, about 20 km from Corfu airport.
Saint George in Argyrades is very pleasant and still among the best beaches of Corfu.
A very large sandy beach with fine sand, organized with umbrellas, sunbeds, and water sports.
Visit it if you prefer the comforts of the shops and restaurants.
Read more about St George beach19- Marathias and Santa Barbara
Organized Sandy beaches with Water sports, on the west coast close to the southern tip, the distance from Corfu center is about 30km.
Marathias and Santa Barbara to the south of Saint George. Two adjoining sandy beaches, about four kilometers long, make them a beautiful shore included in the top 10 beaches on the island.
Good for relaxing, families, and couples. The northern part is called Marathias, and the southern Santa Barbara.
If you see a sign on the main road showing the way to Malta or Marta Beach just remember that it is the same place with a different name used by the locals.
Read more about Marathias beach20- Megas Choros
This remote sandy beach is called Megas Choros. The name means Great Dance(Choros=Χορός=Dance), after the dance of the pirates in this huge place celebrating their success in looting as the legend says.
Another version is that the name means Great space, from the word Choros=Χώρος=Space.
In any case, it is another lovely, huge, sandy beach, completely unspoiled. Managing to get there through a small dirt road across the village of Vitalades you will get rewarded by the tranquility of the landscape and the absolutely unspoiled virgin sandy beach.
21- Vitalades beach of Gardenos
Organized Sandy large beach with Water sports, located at south Corfu at a distance of 38km from the airport.
Then there is the beautiful large sandy beach of Gardenos at Vitalades. Ideal beach for sand lovers, couples, and families too.
The region took its name from a small river that flows on the beach.
Read more about Gardenos
22- Megali Lakka (Kanoula beach), or Agios Gordios of South
Not organized Sandy remote beach. About 44 km from Corfu town
The beach of Lakka or Agios Gordios of South or else Kanoula is under the traditional villages of the Lefkimi area, Paleochori, Neochori, and Dragotina. But there is only a narrow road to drive down there. Another way to get to it is to walk from Gardenos.
It’s a remote beach with golden sand. There is absolutely no tourist infrastructure there. To be honest, someone can not separate this beach from the next beach of Arkoudillas down to the South.
23- Arkoudillas beach
Partially organized, and sandy, the largest part is unspoiled in a spectacular landscape between the two southern capes of Corfu, Arkoudillas, and Asprokavos, 44km from the airport.
Arkoudila is the most remote, largest, and most majestic beach in the most dramatic and wild landscape of Corfu.
Literally, it’s an exotic paradise in a dramatic landscape with towering cliffs, bare on the seaside, but green on the other, combined with the huge golden beach shaped and painted by nature, make it, in our opinion, the best beach in Corfu, without any exaggeration.
Due to the difficulty of access but mainly the large distance from the center of the island is not so well known, therefore it has remained untouched by humans, and this is fortunate.
Nature creates masterpieces on the sand and rocks, with galleries and strange erosions, away from human interaction.
You should visit Arkoudila if you want a correct and objective image of the unique Corfu landscape.
Read more about ArkoudillasBest Beaches in Southeast Corfu
24- Kavos
Organized, sandy, Cosmopolitan, youth-friendly resort, at the southeast tip of Corfu, the distance from the town is 45km.
Kavos, one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island has a large sandy Beach for parties and young British tourists, not recommended for relaxing or families thought.
In Kavos due to intense nightlife, nobody sleeps before 06-07 in the morning.
Discover more about Kavos
25- Messonghi
Organized sandy, the cosmopolitan beach on the east coast, with many Water sports. It is located about 20 km south of Corfu airport.
The Messonghi beach is sandy with some shingles. Very well organized with showers and changing huts, many restaurants and Bars, sunbeds, and parasols as well as plenty of water sports.
The sea is clean and calm, perfect for water activities. Suited to families, couples, and especially small children as the waters are very shallow even at large distances from the shore. Therefore very safe.
There is a school for scuba diving run by a friendly Anglo-Greek couple. It’s the Nautilus Diving School on the shore of the Messonghi beach hotel. Also recognized as British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) school.
They also organize trips for qualified divers and equipment for hire is also provided.
Find more about Messonghi
26- Moraitika
Organized sandy, cosmopolitan beach with many Water sports. On the southeast coast of Corfu and 18 km from the airport
The busy resort of Moraitika has perhaps the best beach on the East Coast for children. A mixture of sand and pebbles, getting deeper very softly indeed, so it is very safe.
Families return again and again, renewing friendships with Corfiots they have known over the years. Relaxing in the bars and tavernas lining the beach.
Learn more about Moraitika
Top Beaches of East Corfu
27- Beach at Agios Ioannis Peristeron
Organized shingle beach with Water sports three kilometers south of Benitses and 15km from Corfu town.
Agios Ioannis Peristeron (St John of the Pigeons) has a seacoast that is a mix of sand and pebbles similar to that of Benitses. It’s a very popular beach among the Corfiots, especially at the weekends.
28- Benitses
Organized shingle beach with Water sports. The old tourist resort on the east side of Corfu and very close to the town, only 8 miles from the airport.
Benitses offers several beaches, all lined up across the main road, in order from north to South, there is Laopetra beach, with shallow and warm waters, followed by the central beach of the Skaloma out of the port and close to most shops and restaurants.
The busier beach with water sports is the Chontrakia or Loutrouvia. It extends from the Potamaki Hotel up to the bay of Koutsomaroula, which is a natural fishing port.
Finally, small peaceful beaches can be found all the way down to Tsaki settlement.
Find out all about Benitses29- Perama
Organized shingle beach with Water sports. opposite the airport and Kanoni, 8 miles from the town center.
Beaches in Perama are basic with pebbles. But still a good choice for those who love to relax and watch the plane’s landings and take-offs at the nearby airport.
Perama has the privilege of having the best possible view of Mouse Island and the monastery of Vlaherna. Some restaurants and bars at the beginning of the bridge to Kanoni are the best places to watch plane landings and take-offs to and from Corfu Airport.
Read more about Perama
30- Beaches in the Town of Corfu
Corfu Town is not the best place for swimming. Although there are a few smaller beaches in the town that are a bit cramped and maybe not the most kid-friendly.
Faliraki, The NAOK Facilities, Anemomylos, and Mon Repos Beach to name the 4 most known.
Find more details about Corfu town beaches on the page for Corfu Town
31- Dassia
Organized shingle beach with Water sports. 8km north of Corfu town on the east coast.
The sand and pebble beach of Dassia is popular with families as it is lined with hotels, taverns, and bars to suit all tastes. Swimming is very safe with the beach going very gently into the sea, there are also plenty of water sports for everyone.
See more about Dassia
32- Ipsos
Organized shingle beach with Water sports. It is located 9 km north of Corfu town on the east coast.
Ipsos is a lively resort with a long pebble beach preferred mostly by English tourists. With water sports and a diving school. Dolphins are often spotted frolicking out at sea.
Read more about IpsosBeautiful Beaches in the Sinies area
33- Barbati and Nissaki
An organized pebble beach with Water sports. The distance is just 12 km from Corfu town.
Barbati is a stony beach beloved by Corfiots who came to picnic in the olive groves at weekends. A sudden building craze has turned it into a lively, vibrant resort that has become very popular with holidaymakers.
This beach has mainly pebbles with crystal clear waters
Read more about Barbati
34- Agni
An organized pebble beach with Water sports and some restaurants situated on the North East Coast inside a small bay about 30 km from Corfu town.
Agni is a quiet bay site in northeast Corfu with olive groves on either side of the bay.
There are only three tavernas on the beach, each with its jetty for mooring. And some houses for the locals. So you cannot say that it is a tourist destination rather than a peaceful location.
The beach is with pebbles and the waters are crystal clear. It is a good place for relaxing and eating during the day.
35- Kalami
An organized pebble beach with Water sports and restaurants, it is located in northeast Corfu while 29km separate it from the airport.
Kalami is the village where Lawrence Durrell and his family lived in the 1930s. It has grown into a small resort, with several tavernas. One of which is in the house where Durrells lived– the White House.
It is an attractive bay and a nice shingle beach with water deep enough in the middle for yachts to moor.
36- Kouloura
Round-shaped port, a nice landscape. At the northeast of Corfu and a distance of 31km from the city of Corfu.
Kouloura is probably the prettiest cove in Corfu. It is not really a beach but a picturesque spot. Its ancient fortress house protects the horseshoe-shaped harbor. A settlement with just one taverna.
There is a viewpoint on the main road looking down on the bay and over to the Albanian coast. There, another fort, identical to Kouloura’s, has been allowed to fall into decay.
37- Kerasia beach
Semi-organized pebble beach, at a distance of 32km from the airport and close to the northeastern tip of the island.
Kerasia is a long beach fringed by trees with several simple bars and tavernas. A place to visit during the day though rather than a resort offering accommodation.
38- Agios Stefanos of Sinies
A port for small yachts and fishing boats, at northeast Corfu, 34km from the city.
Agios Stefanos is a lively yacht harbor, with tavernas along the waterfront.
As you understand, we are not talking about a beach, but about a small harbor from which you can find a boat that will take you to the neighboring deserted beaches of Erimitis!
Read more about Sinies
39- Corfu Beaches of Erimitis area
Remote beaches with pebbles and wild beauty at the northeast tip of the island, and the distance from the town is about 37km.
There are 11 small isolated and pristine beaches in the area of Erimitis.
We mention them briefly here:
To the east of Kassiopi and in order: Avlaki, Vouvalomantria Beach, Vrachli beach, Tzoufaka, the Arias Beach, Akoli, Vromolimni, Kaminakia Beach, Korfovounia, Aspalathras, and Xylokeratia beach.All beaches on Erimitis area
Beaches on the North Corfu Coast
40- Kassiopi
Organized shingle and sandy mixed beaches, water sports, and restaurants, at the most northeastern resort of the island, 38km far from Corfu airport.
There are many beaches in Kassiopi, not inside the settlement but all within walking distance from the port.
Small but beautiful, with shingles and a little sand, in order from East to West Bataria, Kanoni, Pipitos, Kalamionas, and Imerolia.
See all Kassiopi beaches41- Acharavi
Organized Sandy huge beach with Water sports. In the middle of the north coast of Corfu, quite far from Corfu as you need to drive 41km to get there.
Acharavi sandy beach is very long, it covers about 30% of the north coast of Corfu. Therefore in some parts, it is sandy, and in other parts shingle. It is suitable for families and relaxing holidays.
There are many tavernas, bars, and shops here. So many local people no longer need to make trips to Corfu Town. Almost everything can be found on their doorstep!
Discover Acharavi beach
42- Roda
Organized Sandy Beach with Water sports in the north Corfu seaside, 38,5km from the airport.
Roda is one of the older villages on the north coast where tourism has been well-established for many years.
The heart of the village is, of course, the sandy beach which is lined with shops, bars, and tavernas. A large sandy beach, good for relaxing and families.
More about Roda beach
Map with Corfu beaches
Below there is a Map showing where are almost all the well-known beaches in Corfu.
Conclusion
The number of Corfu beaches is endless, and anywhere the sea meets the land in Corfu you will find a beach for swimming
We presented only the largest and most well-known to the general public. But there are many more, as every small cove at the east, north, and west of the island is a beach.
Overall, The best sandy beaches in Corfu are the beaches on the west and north side of the island. With exceptions, the secluded beaches under Paleokastritsa consist mainly of pebbles.
The beaches on the east side are mainly pebbles due to the calm waters. Another exception here is the area of Messonghi and Alykes of Lefkimi, where beaches are sandy.
See also 7 paradise beaches under Paleokastritsa, not included here.
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