Corfu Travel Blog: An Insider’s View of Corfu Greece

Last updated on August 14th, 2024 at 09:53 am

Marathias beach is another huge, golden beach with fine sand in southwestern Corfu near the village of Vitalades, at about 30 kilometers distance from the city of Corfu.

At the north, it begins where the beach of Agios Georgios of Argyrades ends and to the south ends at Santa Barbara Beach (yet I do not understand why they called it so) with which it has no clear boundaries and in fact, the two beaches form together a long sandy beach stretching for about 4 kilometers up to where the southern beach of Megas Choros begins.

If you are looking for a quieter spot away from the crowded central part, you have 4 km of endless sand to walk to the south.

The beauty and Vastness of the beach

Marathias is one of the larger beaches on the island and is well known for its tranquil atmosphere.

This beautiful destination offers a large stunning beach, crystal clear waters, and breathtakingly gorgeous views.

Marathias beach is a postcard-perfect paradise with its picturesque views and soft sandy shores featuring brown and golden sand, as well as a plethora of waterfront traditional restaurants with Greek cuisine, cafes, and beach bars, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the day.

There are also several watersports activities available, such as parasailing, windsurfing, and scuba diving.

The beach has plenty of activities to offer, from swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling to exploring the others nearby equally large and beautiful sandy beaches of the southwest Corfu coast.

Visitors can rent waterfront umbrellas and enjoy a fresh seafood platter while taking in the amazing views.

Marathias is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, or simply taking a leisurely stroll along the shore.

Despite that it can get very busy at times it never gets over-packed and is still romantic and quiet in some of its more remote parts, that is because of its vastness.

So, whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or just want to relax and unwind on brown and golden sand, Marathias is the perfect destination for you.

Of course, the waters are crystal clear due to the open sea and the sand is very fine, therefore it is no surprise that is awarded a blue flag.

It is also very good for families with children since it does not deepen abruptly.

With its stunning natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere, Marathias Beach Corfu is truly a paradise waiting to be explored.

How to get to Marathias

Inside the village of Vitalades, there is a sign on the right side of the main road showing the path to the beach of Marathia.

But Marathias is also reachable from another spot just after the village of Vitalades, you must look for a sign to the beach of Malta or Marta. Simply is it the same with a different name used by the locals?

Don’t get confused and follow them because it’s the same place with a different name.

Wrap it up

Marathias Beach is an ideal vacation spot for anyone seeking to get away from the crowds and be with other people at the same time.

With its crystal-clear waters, stunning sunsets, and endless opportunities for exploration, you’re sure to find something that suits your taste.

It’s no surprise that this beach has become so popular over the years. Don’t forget your camera as well, so you can snap some incredible photos and capture the stunning views of Marathias Beach for years to come!

So leave the stress behind and head off to Marathias Beach to experience it all in a perfect vacation!

See: The Best Beaches in Corfu

More in Southwest Corfu

The Cedar Forest of Korission Lake at the Beaches of Halikounas and Issos

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Next, to Korission lake, a small cedar forest between the large sandy beaches of Chalikouna and Issos.

Gardenos Large Sandy Beach at Vitalades Corfu

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Gardenos beach is situated in the southwest end part of Corfu, it is the beachside of the traditional village of Vitalades.

Golden Beach of Santa Barbara at South West of Corfu

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The wide golden sandy beach of Santa Barbara in the southwest of the island of Corfu.

Agios Georgios (Saint George South) Beach at Argyrades

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St George south in Argyrades, 33 km from Corfu town, It is a tourist resort with a vast sandy beach also known as Saint George south.

Marathias Beach – A Long Stunning Golden Sand in Corfu

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The large golden sandy beach of Marathias in southwest Corfu, many miles of sand stretching down south up to the cape of Arkoudilas.

Korission Lake in Corfu and its Protected Wetland

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The Korission Lake is located on the southwest coast of Corfu, about 20 miles from the airport, just behind the beach of Chalikouna and next to the beach of Issos.
It belongs to the wider area of ​​Agios Mattheos Village, which is located at the north.

Last updated on August 14th, 2024 at 09:53 am

Issos is a huge sandy beach that stretches for about 3 kilometers and is surrounded by Chalikounas at the north, the beach of Saint George at the south, and Korission Lake at the east.

The sand on the beach is soft and golden, making it perfect for sunbathing and relaxing. The water is shallow but not calm due to the winds, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling but also for sailing.

Visitors to Issos can also enjoy a variety of water sports, including windsurfing and kitesurfing. The beach is easily accessible by car, with plenty of parking available nearby.

It is one of the best Corfiot beaches and belongs to the village of Chlomos, about 20 km from Corfu town on the Southwest side of the island.

In terms of tourist exploitation, it remains a virgin because it belongs, along with neighboring Halikounas, to the protected “NATURA” area of Korission Lagoon.

So there you will not find hotels or numerous bars and shops, but only endless sand with dunes and crystal clear waters.

How to get there following the shortest road

The shortest road to Issos Beach from Corfu Town is approximately 23 kilometers long and takes around 40 minutes by car. Here are the driving directions:

It’s important to note that the last part of the road to Issos Beach is narrow and winding in some areas, so it’s important to drive carefully and follow the road signs. Additionally, during peak season, the road can become congested with traffic, so it’s best to plan accordingly and allow for extra time to reach the beach.

The Dunes of Issos Beach

The sand dunes in Issos Beach are one of its most unique features. The dunes are formed by the wind blowing the sand from the beach inland, creating hills of sand that are several meters high.

The dunes in Issos Beach are not only visually stunning, but they also play an important ecological role. They act as a barrier between the sea and the land, protecting the delicate ecosystem behind them from erosion and saltwater intrusion. The dunes are also home to a variety of plant and animal species, some of which are rare or endangered.

Visitors to Issos Beach are encouraged to respect the dunes and the environment they protect. Walking or climbing on the dunes can damage the delicate ecosystem and lead to erosion. Visitors should also avoid littering and follow the Leave No Trace principles to help preserve the natural beauty of the beach.

Overall, the sand dunes in Issos Beach are a beautiful and important part of the beach’s ecosystem, and they are well worth exploring and admiring from a respectful distance.

The nearby cedar forest

Between Issos and Chalikounas there is a small cedar forest next to Korission Lake, on a narrow strip of land joining the two beaches, see more about the cedar forest in Korission Lagoon

Overall

Issos Beach is not spoiled, yes there are some umbrellas and sunbeds but no uncontrolled development. Because of the open sea and continuously blowing winds, there are permanent waves making it ideal for surfing and sailing.

Issos is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Corfu. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, admire the African-like landscape, or participate in water sports, Issos has something for you.

More in Southwest Corfu

The Cedar Forest of Korission Lake at the Beaches of Halikounas and Issos

| | |

Next, to Korission lake, a small cedar forest between the large sandy beaches of Chalikouna and Issos.

Gardenos Large Sandy Beach at Vitalades Corfu

| | |

Gardenos beach is situated in the southwest end part of Corfu, it is the beachside of the traditional village of Vitalades.

Golden Beach of Santa Barbara at South West of Corfu

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The wide golden sandy beach of Santa Barbara in the southwest of the island of Corfu.

Agios Georgios (Saint George South) Beach at Argyrades

| | |

St George south in Argyrades, 33 km from Corfu town, It is a tourist resort with a vast sandy beach also known as Saint George south.

Marathias Beach – A Long Stunning Golden Sand in Corfu

| | |

The large golden sandy beach of Marathias in southwest Corfu, many miles of sand stretching down south up to the cape of Arkoudilas.

Korission Lake in Corfu and its Protected Wetland

| | |

The Korission Lake is located on the southwest coast of Corfu, about 20 miles from the airport, just behind the beach of Chalikouna and next to the beach of Issos.
It belongs to the wider area of ​​Agios Mattheos Village, which is located at the north.

Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 08:07 pm

Chalikounas is located in southwest Corfu near the village of Agios Mattheos, at a distance of about 17 miles from Corfu town and 16 miles from the airport.

It has brown fine golden sand and permanent waves, perfect for sailing and water sports, and is the largest beach in Corfu as is enormous, and endless, with variations in the landscape, with a forest, a lagoon behind the dunes, and above all, it is pristine – no hotels or uncontrolled tourist development.

The beach is known for its natural beauty and unspoiled environment, making it a favorite destination for nature lovers and those seeking a serene beach experience.

This strip of sand in southwestern Corfu stretches for several kilometers between the open sea of ​​the northern Ionian Sea and the Lake of Korission, in some spots, it tends to thin, and in others, it becomes quite wide.

About the Beach of Chalikounas

This part of the island looks like the Sahara desert in Corfu, that is because of the dunes and the lack of mountains, at least nearby.

Because the Korission Lagoon, is a protected nature area, it has no hotels or restaurants. There is a canteen in the middle of the beach for those who want to spend some unforgettable hours, but nothing beyond that.

Therefore is better to bring with you all the equipment you may need.

This beach caters to adventure enthusiasts, those who love sailing, and surfing, and are not bothered by winds and waves.

Adventure can occur all of a sudden even on the bumpy alley that runs alongside and behind the beach, for example, your car can be stuck in the sand.

It happened to us many years ago, but we managed to get out of it by using rocks under the wheels, rocks that happily are not missing.

The landscape is wild, virgin, and does not look like the rest of Corfu, it is like a desert on the most fertile island of Greece, There are cacti and dunes reminiscent of the Sahara.

In addition to water sports such as water skiing and paragliding, mini-motocross races are often organized, and the ups and downs of the ground are helping.

Key Facts about Chalikounas Beach

Photos from Chalikounas Beach

Chalikounas Beach

Chalikounas – The mouth

Chalikounas Beach

Chalikounas Beach

Chalikounas Beach

Chalikounas Beach

Chalikounas Beach

Chalikounas Beach

Chalikounas Beach

Summary

Chalikounas Beach is known for its tranquil and untouched natural setting, making it a peaceful escape for those looking to relax and enjoy the beauty of Corfu’s coastal landscape.

Visitors are encouraged to respect the beach’s natural environment and follow local regulations to protect the delicate ecosystem.

Chalikounas is a beach that you definitely must visit, you will feel closer to nature and you will easily leave behind your flat everyday life.

More in Southwest Corfu

The Cedar Forest of Korission Lake at the Beaches of Halikounas and Issos

| | |

Next, to Korission lake, a small cedar forest between the large sandy beaches of Chalikouna and Issos.

Gardenos Large Sandy Beach at Vitalades Corfu

| | |

Gardenos beach is situated in the southwest end part of Corfu, it is the beachside of the traditional village of Vitalades.

Golden Beach of Santa Barbara at South West of Corfu

| | |

The wide golden sandy beach of Santa Barbara in the southwest of the island of Corfu.

Agios Georgios (Saint George South) Beach at Argyrades

| | |

St George south in Argyrades, 33 km from Corfu town, It is a tourist resort with a vast sandy beach also known as Saint George south.

Marathias Beach – A Long Stunning Golden Sand in Corfu

| | |

The large golden sandy beach of Marathias in southwest Corfu, many miles of sand stretching down south up to the cape of Arkoudilas.

Korission Lake in Corfu and its Protected Wetland

| | |

The Korission Lake is located on the southwest coast of Corfu, about 20 miles from the airport, just behind the beach of Chalikouna and next to the beach of Issos.
It belongs to the wider area of ​​Agios Mattheos Village, which is located at the north.

Last updated on August 14th, 2024 at 09:52 am

At the southern edge of Corfu, opposite Paxos, we find the cape of Asprokavos and a little further north on the west coast the cape Arkoudilas.

These are virgin areas without tourist development, thus unchanged for hundreds of years a natural landscape consisting of a series of high cliffs parallel to the sandy beaches at the edge of southwest Corfu.

More interesting is Arkoudilas (the name means bear-area), which now is an uninhabited large forest area of ​​about 250 acres with cypresses, lawns, and shrubs, some olive trees are not missing though.

Some hundreds of years ago there was a kind of tree called bear tree as it was mentioned in old contracts of the area.
So it is speculated that this tree gave its name to the area since bears never existed on the island.

The area was inhabited once, there were buildings right on the top of the hill, that is, at the highest point of the forest area that belonged to the owners of the houses.

Owners during the Middle Ages were the Quartano family, Latin nobles written in the Libro d’oro, and this area was granted as a timario by the then Venetian administration of the island. Timario was a piece of land given as a price to a wealthy family to protect it from the frequent raids of pirates and others.

Quartano family had built at around 1700 A.D. the monastery of Panagia of Arkoudila and next to it a tower with loopholes and all the necessary buildings both for the protection and defense of the monastery and the area.

There were residences for the owners and monks, warehouses for items like oil and wine, stone wells, and secret emergency exits with stairs leading to the beach when they had to escape pirate raids.

The old people remember that the monastery was celebrated on the fifteenth of August when a great feast was held here,  the faithful climbed the hill on trimmed horses and in the afternoon a feast and popular dances were followed.

The point where the buildings existed had the best view, from there they could see both Paxos and the entire area of ​​Lefkimi up to the old fortress of Corfu.

From all these buildings there are only traces left today, due to the isolation and ferocity of the area, and despite the efforts of the owners, the buildings and the monastery were looted several times until they eventually collapsed.

Arkoudila beach

The beaches between Asprokavos and Arkoudilas are not easily accessible due to the high cliffs that cut them off from the inside and simply constitute a wild and beautiful landscape, they are golden sandy beaches visited mostly by the locals from the surrounding villages.

But let’s focus a little on this beach of Arkoudila.

It is the most remote, the largest, and most majestic beach in the most dramatic and wild landscape of Corfu. It’s an exotic paradise.

Due to the difficulty of access but mainly the large distance from the center of the island, it has remained untouched by humans, this is fortunate.

Therefore, here nature creates masterpieces on the sand and rocks, with galleries and strange erosions, away from human interaction.

The dramatic and majestic landscape with the 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.

And one of the nicest beaches in Greece.

However, it is not so well known as the Navayio(shipwreck) beach of Zakynthos because it did not have the luck (or the misfortune), I would say, of a smuggling ship to sink here.

The Beach of Arkoudila, however, existed for centuries and will still exist when the Navagio of Zakynthos, due to the landslides, will disappear.

In conclusion, I would say that anyone who has not visited Arkoudila beach, will not get a correct and objective image of the unique Corfu landscape.

Asprokavos

Asprokavos is the southernmost cape(Kavos) of the island, named after the steep and tall white(aspros) rocks that can be seen from far away as someone approaching Corfu from the South.

In Arkoudilas, the waters abruptly descend while in Asprokavos more abruptly.

Throughout the area and due to the open sea waters are almost always tinged and some strong underwater currents are present, so some attention is necessary.

Let’s make clear that the beaches here are not suitable for families but only for adventure enthusiasts.

Some photos from the area

Remains of Quartano property in Arkoudila

Quartano family remnans

Paxos island from Arkoudilas

Most human friendly part of Arkoudila Beach

Panagia of Arkoudila monastery remains

Asprokavos

Arkoudilas and Asprokavos on map from Google

Arkoudilas and Asprokavos on map

Arkoudila bay Beach with majestic rocks

More in Southwest Corfu

The Cedar Forest of Korission Lake at the Beaches of Halikounas and Issos

| | |

Next, to Korission lake, a small cedar forest between the large sandy beaches of Chalikouna and Issos.

Gardenos Large Sandy Beach at Vitalades Corfu

| | |

Gardenos beach is situated in the southwest end part of Corfu, it is the beachside of the traditional village of Vitalades.

Golden Beach of Santa Barbara at South West of Corfu

| | |

The wide golden sandy beach of Santa Barbara in the southwest of the island of Corfu.

Agios Georgios (Saint George South) Beach at Argyrades

| | |

St George south in Argyrades, 33 km from Corfu town, It is a tourist resort with a vast sandy beach also known as Saint George south.

Marathias Beach – A Long Stunning Golden Sand in Corfu

| | |

The large golden sandy beach of Marathias in southwest Corfu, many miles of sand stretching down south up to the cape of Arkoudilas.

Korission Lake in Corfu and its Protected Wetland

| | |

The Korission Lake is located on the southwest coast of Corfu, about 20 miles from the airport, just behind the beach of Chalikouna and next to the beach of Issos.
It belongs to the wider area of ​​Agios Mattheos Village, which is located at the north.