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The Best Beaches on Corfu

Greece › Corfu › Beaches
By Santorini Dave

A wooden pier with boats moored at the end in a picturesque cove in Greece

Tour operators and water taxis offer excursions to some of Corfu’s more secluded swimming spots and sea caves from Agios Spiridon Beach in Paleokastritsa.

See Also
• Where to Stay in Corfu

Corfu Beach Basics

Corfu, one of Greece’s most beautiful Ionian islands (and known as Kerkyra in Greek), is renowned for its stunning beaches, each offering unique landscapes, atmospheres, and activities. Whether you’re looking for golden sandy shores, pebbled coves, or dramatic cliffs meeting the sea, Corfu has something for every beach lover.

On Corfu’s west coast, the beach resort of Paleokastritsa is very scenic and boasts six beaches in its three main bays. It’s just 22 km from the island capital of Corfu Town, with frequent (hourly) bus service between the two. La Grotta Beach Bar is built into the cliff and is a fun spot to laze away the afternoon, have a quick dip, or sunbathe on the rocks.

  • The best family beach on Corfu is Glyfada Beach.
  • Corfu’s best beach in a remote location is Stellari Beach (south of Paleokastritsa).
  • The best beach for water sports on Corfu is Dassia Beach.
  • Corfu’s most famous beach is Paleokastritsa Beach.
  • Some beaches on Corfu’s south coast, in particular Kavos, are best known for their lively, sleepless, party atmosphere.
Sunbathers on a golden sandy beach

Agios Spyridon Beach, also known as Paleokastritsa Beach

Accessible Beaches on Corfu

Corfu has a few beaches with Seatrac equipment, which provides sea access for people with mobility difficulties: Ipsos Beach, Dassia Beach, and Paleokastritsa Beach.

As this equipment is routinely removed and refitted every summer season and wooden beach boardwalks can sometimes fall into disrepair, we recommend checking in with hotel staff or locals about the conditions before heading out – especially if traveling toward the beginning or end of the tourist season.

Seatrac mobility-assist equipment at Dassia Beach.

Seatrac mobility-assist equipment at Dassia Beach.

9 BEST BEACHES ON CORFU

1. Agios Spyridon Beach (Paleokastritsa Beach)

Wide beach in a protected cove with red cushioned lounge chairs

A pretty and picturesque beach in a cozy bay with turquoise waters, fine golden/white sand, and a charming wooden dock for easy access to the rental boats. It’s a great beach for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. Water taxis are available to and from Paleokastritsa Beach, or hire a boat to explore the island’s many remote beaches, coves, and caves.

Above Agios Spyridon Beach sits the clifftop Paleokastritsa Monastery (first built in 1228), boasting fantastic views and featuring a collection of artifacts. The church is closed to the public for a few hours every afternoon, and visitors should note that there is single lane vehicle traffic to the monastery from the beach area (or you can walk). 35 min drive from Corfu Town.

Bus stop: Next to the beach.

2. Agia Triada Beach (in Paleokastritsa)

Sunbathers sit on rocks and lay on towels on the sand at a picturesque beach in Greece

Agia Triada is one of the best beaches in Paleokastritsa, located in a beautiful cove with turquoise waters and shingle/sand mix. The beach is relatively small with two nice beach bars: Akron Beach Bar and Poseidon Restaurant. At one end of the beach the fantastic Akrotiri Beach Resort is perched atop the cliff above.

Paleokastritsa is one of the best areas on the island for snorkeling and scuba diving. 35 min drive from Corfu Town

Bus stop: 5-minute walk from beach, at entrance to Akrotiri Beach Resort.

Sunbathers and swimmers on a wooden pool deck shaded by pine trees and overlooking the sea

Akrotiri Beach Resort, one of our favorite hotels in Corfu, sits right on lovely Agia Triada Beach – the hotel is visible in the beach photo above.

3. Agios Gordios Beach

Rows of umbrellas line a beach on a sunny day

A beautiful setting and long stretch of golden sand, accented by soaring craggy bluffs and the famous ‘Ortholithi’ formation (which means ‘standing rock’). The beach has a laid-back atmosphere and is surrounded by a lush green forest of cypress trees and olive groves. Amenities include sunbeds and umbrellas, and rentals of boats, canoes, and pedalos provide an opportunity to experience Ortholithi Rock up close. Beach tavernas and bars are at the south end; the north end is quieter with large black rocks and is a good area for snorkeling. 30 min drive from Corfu Town.

Bus stop: We do not recommend taking a bus to this beach, if you don’t have a rental car, take a taxi.

Sail-like canopies over a beach resort terrace in Greece.

The wonderful and modern facilities of Agios Gordios Beach Resort are mere steps from the sand.

4. Glyfada Beach

A wooden boardwalk stretched between beach chairs on a golden-sand beach in Greece

Relaxation is key at Glyfada Beach, set in a secluded and quiet area on Corfu’s west coast surrounded by dramatic cliffs and leafy hills. this Blue Flag beach features soft sand and a gradual slope into the sea. There are a handful of beach tavernas and restaurants here, but no other shops at the beach and no adjacent village. Water sports are available, with paddle-boarding and kayaking being the most popular. Note the drive into the village/beach is along a winding and mountainous road. The closest village is Pelekas – a 10-minute drive, or 30-minute drive to Corfu Town.

Bus stop: 5-minute walk from beach.

View from a hotel balcony over an expansive lawn leading to a pool terrace and the sea beyond.

The luxurious Domes of Corfu hotel on Glyfada Beach features four restaurants, four bars, and designated family and adult-only swimming pools.

5. Dassia Beach

The late afternoon sun shines on a row of cushioned lounge chairs on a beach, with umbrellas folded down for the day

A Blue Flag beach on Corfu’s east coast that’s lined with olive trees (so there’s lots of shade) and boasts shallow calm waters; ideal for families. Dassia derives its name from the Greek word meaning forest. The beach is 200 m long, composed mostly of sand with some pebble, and waters are crystal clear. Hotels and tavernas surround the picturesque bay. Watersports are popular here: water-skiing and wake-boarding rentals and lessons are available, and other options include parasailing, fly-fishing, inflatable rides and tubes. 25 minute drive north of Corfu Town.

Bus stop: 5-minute walk to beach.

View over a stone hotel pool terrace overlooking the sea.

Family-friendly and all-inclusive, Grecotel LUXME offers rooms, villas, and bungalows over a quiet, sandy Blue Flag beach.

6. Myrtiotissa (Myrtidiotissa) Beach

View from above of a small golden sand beach in a protected cove with cliffs rising sharply all around.

High cliffs practically rise straight upwards out of the water at this stunning location with emerald-colored waters. This natural setting offers swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing (clothing optional). A snack bar sells drinks and rents beach chairs and umbrellas. 30 minute drive from Corfu Town. Note that there is no designated parking lot here, only a few spots on the dirt road high above the beach, and the 500-meter walk down to the beach is on a steep and very narrow road.

Bus stop: None.

  • Recommended Myrtiotissa Beach Hotel
    No hotels at this beach.

7. Ypsos (Ipsos) Beach

Bright red sun beds with thatched umbrellas on a golden sand beach in Greece

A lively beach, especially in the evenings, with a string of karaoke bars, and plate-smashing Greek style tavernas. Known as the Golden Mile, the beach is long (3 km) and fairly narrow, composed of a mix of shingle and sand that runs parallel to the road. There are a large selection of cafes, tavernas, bars, and small motels that front the scenic waterfront. It’s a great spot to see the sunrise, and for swimming and renting a pedalo; there’s a children’s water playground, too. A small harbor on the south side provides boats to rent. Seatrac mobility-assist equipment is available, as well as handicap car parking, and a beach boardwalk track. 30 minute drive north of Corfu Town. (Note that Ypsos Beach is on the east coast, and is different from Issos Beach on the southwest coast.)

Bus stop: At the beach.

8. Liapedes Beach (aka Gefyra Beach)

Rows of thatched umbrellas protect beachgoers from the sun on a beautiful day on a Greek beach

Find crystal-clear waters below striking cliffs at this small pebbly beach. This location is one of the quieter easy-to-reach beaches near Paleokastritsa with good swimming and snorkeling (the water deepens fairly quickly). The tiny, relaxed village of Liapades offers two quaint cafés overlooking the beach and a few small hotels built on the hillside, near the beach. Parking is limited, with street parking only. 35 min drive from Corfu Town.

Bus stop: None.

9. Gouvia Beach

A narrow strip of sand with shaded sun loungers

Located on the east coast, close to Corfu Town (7 km), Gouvia is a low-key village with a large marina. The beach is small and the water can be murky at times. It’s a convenient place to relax by the water, though there are somewhat lackluster amenities on the beach – the sun loungers could use a refresh. 20 min drive from Corfu Town.

Bus stop: 3-minute walk to beach.

A woman on a motor scooter drives past a small hotel with shady landscaping.

Molfetta Beach Hotel offers charm, comfort, and affordability on Gouvia Beach.

Summary: My Favorite Beach Hotels in Corfu

My Favorite Corfu Beach Hotels

• Agia Triada: Akrotiri
• Agios Spyridon: Zefiros
• Agios Gordios: Agios Gordios
• Dassia: Grecotel LUXME
• Glyfada: Domes of Corfu
• Gouvia: Molfetta
• Ypsos: La Maison (adults-only)
• For Couples: Akrotiri
• For Families: Grecotel LUXME

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave I’m Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a quick guide on visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my small team and I provide guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece - as well as favorite places to stay in some of my favorite cities - like London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Florence. Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.