AtCorfu Travel Blog

Benitses Marina is located on the eastern coast of Corfu, in the seaside village of Benitses.

It sits directly on the village waterfront, which means the marina is not isolated or industrial in feel. Instead, it blends into a busy coastal settlement with restaurants, cafés, small shops, and hotels all within walking distance.

The setting is sheltered and central for exploring both Corfu’s east coast and the wider Ionian Sea.

Map of Benitses Marina

Distance from Benitses Marina to Corfu Town

The actual driving distance from Benitses center, where Marina is, to Corfu town is about 13 kilometers.

To Corfu Town Center (San Rocco Square): 12 km (precisely 11,700 meters), approx. 20-minute drive (depending on traffic)

To Corfu Port (Mantouki): 14 km (precisely 13,500 meters), approx. 25-minute drive (depending on traffic)

To Corfu International Airport (CFU): 11 km (approx. 20-minute drive)

Local Insider Tip: Many official marine websites and booking platforms mistakenly copy-paste an old typo claiming Benitses is only 9 km from the capital. As locals who drive this road daily, we can assure you it is a scenic, almost 13 km journey along the EO Kerkiras-Lefkimmis coastal road.

Location and Access

The marina lies on Corfu’s main eastern shoreline, facing the Ionian Sea.

Its position makes it one of the more convenient stops on the island:
– Close to Corfu Town
– Close to the airport
– Direct access from the main coastal road
– Easy access to southern cruising routes in the Ionian

Unlike more remote mooring areas, everything around the marina is immediately accessible on foot, including village services and transport links.

Size and Capacity

Benitses Marina is a mid-sized facility rather than a large commercial port.

Key specifications:
– Around 100 berths
– Yachts up to 25 metres in length
– Multiple pontoons and quay-side mooring areas
– Capacity for both visiting yachts and seasonal berth holders

The size keeps it relatively compact, contributing to a quieter, village-integrated atmosphere compared to larger marinas in Corfu.

Berthing and Technical Facilities

The marina is equipped for standard cruising and seasonal use, with utility and support infrastructure for yachts up to 25m in length.

Facilities include:
– Water and shore power connections at berths
– Mooring assistance
– 24-hour security and surveillance
– Wi-Fi access
– Sanitary blocks with showers and toilets
– Laundry facilities
– Slipway access
– Crane and lifting services
– Dry storage/wintering options
– Fuel availability on request

The layout supports both short-term stopovers and longer stays, including winter storage for visiting vessels.

Maintenance and Marine Services

A range of technical services is available either on-site or through nearby partners in the Benitses area and wider Corfu region.

Common services include:
– Mechanical and engine work
– Electrical and electronics repairs
– Hull cleaning and antifouling
– Polishing and detailing
– Rigging and sail repairs
– Carpentry and structural work
– Diving support
– High-pressure cleaning

This makes it suitable for yachts that require maintenance stops rather than just overnight docking.

What the Marina Feels Like

What stands out most about Benitses Marina is not its size or infrastructure, but its integration into the village.

Within a few minutes of stepping off a boat, you are in a functioning coastal community. Taverns, bakeries, cafés, and bars line the waterfront, and the village has a steady local rhythm that continues throughout the year.

This creates a different experience compared to isolated marina complexes: it feels connected to everyday life rather than separated from it.

Why Sailors Stop Here

Most visitors use Benitses Marina for practical and geographic reasons rather than luxury positioning.

It is used because:
– It sits on a central cruising route in the Ionian
– It is close to Corfu Town and transport links
– It offers reasonable protection on the East Coast
– It provides direct access to village services
– It works well as a short stay or turnaround stop

It is not a superyacht marina, and it does not try to be one. Its value is convenience and location.

Village Life Around the Marina

One of the defining features of Benitses Marina is its integration with the village.

Immediately outside the marina area, there is a working coastal community with:
– Traditional tavernas and seafood restaurants
– Cafés and bars along the waterfront
– Small shops and local services
– Seasonal tourism activity

This creates a mix of local life and visitor traffic, especially in summer.

From Local Harbor to Modern Marina

The waterfront at Benitses has changed significantly over time.

What was once a small fishing harbor serving the village has been gradually expanded into a modern marina facility. The transformation added berthing capacity and infrastructure while keeping the location anchored in the same settlement.

Despite these changes, the marina remains closely tied to the original village shoreline rather than existing as a separate development.

Summary

Benitses Marina is a mid-sized Corfu marina with around 100 berths and capacity for yachts up to 25 metres. Its main strengths are its location, village access, and practicality for cruising in the Ionian.

It is best understood not as a destination marina, but as a working, well-positioned stop where sea access and village life meet in the same place.

Attractions to See in Benitses – Visit the Sights of the Area

Benitses offers a wide range of attractions and activities, from historical sites and nature experiences to boat trips and local culture, making it one of the most diverse areas in Corfu for visitors.

1) Visit The Sea Museum

Once home to one of the most impressive private marine collections in Greece, the Sea Museum showcased rare shells, fossils, and sea life exhibits before closing in 2018.
👉 Read more about the Sea Museum of Benitses. A historic article only.

2) The Ruins of Roman Baths

These Roman-era ruins include remains of a villa and preserved mosaic floors located just a short walk from the village center.
👉 Read more about the Roman Baths in Benitses.

3) Achilleion Palace (must-visit)

A landmark palace built in the 19th century, the Achilleion is known for its classical architecture, gardens, and statues dedicated to Achilles.
👉 Read more about the Achilleion Palace.

4) Old Historic Buildings of Benitses

Benitses features several traditional and historic buildings that reflect its long history as a coastal village.
👉 Read more in the Old Historic Buildings of Benitses.

5) West Coast Beaches

From Benitses, visitors can easily access some of Corfu’s most beautiful sandy beaches along the west and south coast.
👉 Read more in the West Coast Beaches.

6) Daily Cruises to the Greek Mainland

From the harbor, daily boat trips offer excursions to destinations such as Paxos, Sivota, and nearby coastal areas with swimming stops and scenic views.

Ask for tickets at your hotel.

7) Festivals and Celebrations

Benitses and nearby villages host seasonal festivals throughout the summer, offering traditional food, music, and local customs.
👉 Read more about the Festivals in Benitses.

8) Local Food and Corfiot Cuisine

The area is known for its Corfiot cuisine, blending Greek and Venetian influences with seafood, meat dishes, and traditional recipes.
👉 Read more about the Corfu food.

9) Swim on Benitses Beaches

Benitses has several beaches, including organized and quieter spots, suitable for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
👉 Read more in the Benitses beaches guide.

10) Nightlife in Benitses

The village offers a relaxed nightlife scene with small bars and seaside venues that provide a calm evening atmosphere.
👉 Read more in the Benitses nightlife guide.

Final words

With its mix of nature, history, beaches, and excursions, Benitses offers something for every type of traveler, whether you prefer relaxing or exploring.

This is a page dedicated to F.C. Benitses, the Athletics football club of Benitses Village.

The foundation of the Benitses football club

It was the early 70’s in Benitses when the first embankment in a portion of the old harbor with a view to transferring the old highway to its present location was almost completed. The huge space that was created was available for the first time to young people and many children of the time. This place transformed quickly into a football vacant lot. It was an area of about 60 by 40 meters, a large enough space for the children to exercise their football skills all day.

Then the idea for a football team dropped by some; it did not take much thought. Some people agreed, and after some discussions, they decided to establish a sports club with football as the main sporting activity.

The first general meeting of the founding members was 30 on January 1971, in which, among other things, they decided to establish an athletic club under the name: “ATHLETIC FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF BENITSES”. The statutes were also approved by the General Assembly on November 30, 1971
Also appointed that the club will celebrate on the 12th of December!
Validation of the Statute in the Court of Corfu took place the 10/5/1972!

The 25 founding members of the club were:

• KONTOS  NIKOLAOS of BASILEIOS

• KAPSOKAVADIS  MICHAEL of KONSTANTINOS

• KONTOS ANDREAS of ANASTASIOS

• SPINOULAS GEORGE of APOSTOLOS

• SPINOULAS GEORGE of ANTONIOS

• SPINOULAS SPIROS of ANTONIOS

• MEGALOGENIS THANASIS of NIKOLAOS

• GIANOULIS GERASIMOS of STEFANOS

• PAGRAKIOTIS PETROS of PISISTRATOS

• POULIS SPIROS of NIKOLAOS

• ZOHIOS KOSTAS of ALEXANDROS

• ZOHIOS SPIROS of MICHAEL

• ZOHIOS KOSTAS of NIKOLAOS

• ASPIOTIS ANDREAS of GEORGE

• MORAITIS JOHN of THEOFANIS

• MANESSIS STEFANOS of PETROS

• LITSARDOPOULOS THEODOROS of THEMISTOKLES

• ATSALIS ANTONIOS of ATHANASIOS

• ANDRIOTIS SOTIRIOS of SPIRIDON

• SPINOULAS GEORGE of THEOCHARIS

• STRATHGOS NAPOLEON of ANASTASIOS

• SPINOULAS KOSTAS of THEOCHARIS

• POULIS DIMITRIOS of CHRISTODOULOS

• KOK GABRIEL

• RALF AUGUST

We collect and will soon add historical details on the progress of the team from 1971 until today, in which categories have taken place, which persons have served as presidents of the team, what distinctions and championships the team has won, and how after several years of inactivity the club became active again in 2012, winning after an excellent performance during the first competitive year (2012-13) the anode to the local A division.

The administration of the team is always in direct contact with the supporters who love the team, also the team maintains websites on social networks (Facebook, etc. ) with which those who live away from home are informed about the results and the efforts of the club.

The history of Benitses begins when it was first inhabited. This was in ancient times and was because of the abundant freshwater springs with which the area was favored.

It is estimated that 80% of the water in Corfu is in the hills here, stemming from the limestone rocks of the mountains of Stavros and Agioi Deka, which surround the valley.

The ruins of Roman baths and other finds demonstrate that not only was it inhabited, but that it was also a particularly important part of the island.
During the period of the British domination of the island, the water springs here were channeled, and an aqueduct was built to provide Corfu Town with water, but the Romans, almost two thousand years earlier, had created something similar. Their persistence in building projects such as aqueducts, roads, etc. is famous.
In 1269CE, Charles Anjou, the French King of Sicily, occupied the whole island of Corfu; hence followed the ‘period of Anjou.’ It was then that the island was divided into four departments-regions called Gyrou, Orous, Mesis, and Lefkimis, respectively – names that are still in use today.

In the battles that took place then were also ships from Genoa.
One of them sank off the old fortress, and all the surviving sailors swam ashore.

The conditions of the time did not allow them to return home, and so they remained on the island.
One detail, the Genoese captain was called Spinoula, and all the sailors were named after him by the local people, and finally, they all ended up with the surname Spinoulas.
This is a story regarding the origin of the many Spinoulas families around the island, which we have no reason to doubt because it was told to us by a member of the Spinoulas family!

In 1537, the Turks, in one of several failed attempts to seize the town of Corfu, took 20.000 men from the rural areas prisoners and sold them as slaves in the slave markets of Egypt and Constantinople.

This was a massive humanitarian disaster and nearly caused the extinction of the island population. The countryside was devastated, and there were not enough people to cultivate the land and tend the olives, which were the main product of the island.

The Venetians saw the danger and gave privileges and land to those from the Ottoman-occupied Greece who wanted to come and settle in Corfu.
So a wave of immigration was created, mainly from Epirus, mainland Greece, the Peloponnese, and even Crete.

The vast majority of residents of Benitses come from those who settled here at that time, the names with two syllables, such as Zochios, Bellos, Boikos, Kontos, Nastoulis, etc, come from Epirus and especially an area called Souli.
The name Moraitis is from the Morea (Peloponnese).

Many others whose names end in ..opoulos came from the Peloponnese, and others from the island of Crete.

Most of the present inhabitants of Benitses (about 70%) have their distant origins in Epirus.

Origin of the name Benitses

There are several theories about the origin of the name, and many resemble the folk tales told by older people.
One of them says that the name belonged to a pirate who came to admire and loot the village, while others say that the pirate’s boat was called Benitses!
This theory is more like a legend that has little to do with reality, but it adds color to our history.

The true origin of the name Benitses is clearly shown in official government documents from the period of the Angevins and before the Venetian period, when even in the 13th century, the area was referred to as Penitisai, a word derived from the Ancient Greek word “Penio” that means a place that has rivers and is generally rich in water.

Indeed, Benitses is rich in water and used to have two small rivers that reached the sea where the harbor is now.
Later, the name Penitisai changed over the years into Penitsai and finally into the current Benitses.

Benitses in the 20th century

So the people settled on the banks of the river during the Middle Ages, and this river and its sources helped them survive and flourish.
Millstones were built near the springs, and the river was used for the boats that went to the Mills carrying flour and olives from all around the coast of Corfu.

Much later, in the early 20th century, conditions changed, the mills did not produce enough, and they were not able to feed the growing population.

So residents turned to fish, and the river passing through the village was a hindrance, so they blocked the flow in the riverbed, and the river followed another direction and now flows to where the hotel Potamaki is today.

The old riverbed was turned into a road, which is now the main street of the old village.
It’s not possible to see the mouth of the river (Trafos in local dialect) today because it has shrunk that much that you pass it without noticing.

The life and habits of inhabitants changed radically with the advent of mass tourism that began in the 60s and reached a peak in the 80s.

Benitses today

Today, Benitses is in a transitional period, trying to attract discerning visitors by upgrading the infrastructure whilst preserving the traditional style that it has never lost.

Most residents are involved in tourism, but do not forget the tradition of fishing, especially in winter.

The young people today have a very different professional approach because they see that tourism is not the only option; they have traveled and studied, many abroad, and come back with a wide range of qualifications, a world is open to them that their grandparents could not possibly have foreseen.

In Benitses, there will always be fresh fish sold, often still alive as they come out from the sea …
The sea here is full of the sea plant “Posidonia”, which might not be liked by the swimmers, but the plant is responsible for the abundant supply of especially delicious fish, as well as the great clarity of the sea.

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