Greece › Corfu › Family Hotels
Updated: December 13, 2025 • By Santorini Dave
Corfu Family Hotels – My Advice
- Best Areas for Families:
• Corfu Town: The most beautiful island capital in Greece (Venetian architecture). Great for evening strolls and history, but you need to drive to the beach.
• Dassia & Kommeno: The “Resort Coast” on the east side. The water is calm and warm, and this is where the major luxury family hotels are located.
• Paleokastritsa: The most scenic spot on the island (West Coast) with stunning coves. Warning: The water here is significantly colder than the east coast.
• Glyfada: One of the best soft-sand beaches on the island. Perfect for sandcastles and sunsets, though limited dining options compared to town.
• Pelekas: A personal favorite. Perched high on a hill, it offers incredible views (don’t miss Kaiser’s Throne at sunset) and a relaxed, village-like vibe away from the crowds. It’s not beachfront, but the sandy shores of Glyfada and Kontogialos are just a short drive down the hill. - Popular Hotels for Families:
• Best All-Inclusive Splurge: Ikos Dassia. This is arguably the best all-inclusive in Greece. Michelin-starred menus included, a MINI Countryman for a day, and an incredible kids’ club. Expensive, but flawless.
• Best Family Resort: MarBella Collection (Agios Ioannis). A classic, high-end family resort with a water park, baby club (crèche), and excellent organized activities for teens.
• Best Boutique (Town): Cavalieri Hotel. Located right opposite the Old Fortress. The rooftop terrace has the best view in town. Great for families who want culture over pools.
• Best Value on the Beach: Delfinia Hotel (Moraitika). A solid 4-star option with expansive gardens leading right onto a private beach. Very relaxed and kid-friendly. - Must-Do Activity: Rent a Boat (No License Needed):
In Paleokastritsa or the North East coast (Agni/Kalami), you can rent a small motorboat for the day without a license. This is the absolute highlight of Corfu. You can pilot your family to hidden “boat-only” beaches for a private picnic. Kids love being the “Captain.” - The “Mosquito” Warning:
Corfu is the greenest Greek island, which means it has more standing water and vegetation than the dry Cyclades. Mosquitoes can be aggressive here in July and August. Pack strong repellent and plug-in deterrents for your hotel room. - Driving Tips:
Corfu is larger than you think, and the roads in the interior are narrow, winding, and often poorly lit. If you rent a car (which I recommend), rent the smallest vehicle that fits your family and luggage. You will thank me when trying to park in Corfu Town or navigating the hairpin turns down to Glyfada. - Aqualand:
Located in the center of the island, Aqualand is massive and often voted one of the best waterparks in the world. It’s a full-day commitment. Buy tickets online to skip the entrance queue.
My 9 Favorite Family Hotels in Corfu
1. Corfu Palace Hotel – Corfu Town
Old-time classic hotel with slightly dated, comfortable 2-bedroom suites (family of 6) with a lounge, marble bathrooms, mini-bars, and 2 balconies with panoramic bay and mainland views. Rooms on the higher floors have unobstructed sea views. There are lovely saltwater swimming pools, restaurants, bars, and a casino. A short walk takes you to the center of Old Town Corfu, with its shops, tavernas, bars, and charm.
2. Corfu Holiday Palace – near Corfu Town
Set in landscaped gardens, this lovely 4-star hotel has beautiful, modern villas with private pools and spacious 2-bedroom suites (both sleep families of 4) with complimentary breakfast, floor-to-ceiling doors, and balconies with picturesque sea views. Villas have living & dining areas, fully equipped kitchenettes, traditional fireplaces, furnished sun terraces and great views of Mouse Island and suites have living rooms, sofa beds, mini-bars & bathtubs. Has saltwater pools, a private beach, beach bar, multiple dining options, games room, and a bowling alley. Corfu town is a short ride away.
3. Sidari Water Park Hotel – Sidari
Includes free unlimited access to its own on-site water park (pools & water slides). Very family-friendly hotel with spacious, clean family rooms, bi-level maisonettes, and suites (all sleep a family of 5), with living rooms/lounges & furnished balconies (pool/garden/sea views), a kids’ playground, gardens, and entertainment programs. Some rooms have jacuzzis, sofa beds, and mini-fridges. It’s walking distance (or short drive) to the beach, the main strip, and tavernas/restaurants.
4. Filorian Hotel Apartments – Acharavi
Set right on the beach, this family-run hotel offers very clean, basic 2-bedroom apartments (family of 6) with sofa beds, kitchens, living rooms & lengthy balconies with garden/sea views. Has a small garden, private parking, good-sized pool, restaurant/bar by the beach and shops/bars and more are within easy walking distance.
5. Hotel Yannis Corfu – Ipsos
Pleasant, family-run hotel, set on top of a steep hill with simple, modest apartments (sleep family of 5) with sofa beds, bunk beds, coffee/tea facilities, fridges, complimentary breakfast & dinner and balconies with garden views. Has 2 dining options including a restaurant/bar by the pool & free parking. A small beach, shops and restaurants are located a few minutes walk downhill.
6. Pegasus Hotel – Roda
Laid-back, 3-star family-run hotel offering basic, good value, superior family rooms (up to 5 people) with fridges and balconies with garden views. There’s a large pool, water slide, pool bar, kids playground, games room, free parking, and breakfast buffet. The beach and many bars and restaurants are within walking distance.
7. Mediterranean Blue – Kavos
Excellent family-run hotel, offering 2 types of spacious 2-bedroom family apartments (family of 5) with fridges, toasters & kettles and balconies/patios. The first type has a mezzanine floor, pool views, a communal furnished balcony and 2 rear balconies, while the second type is a bungalow (with sea views) located in an annex away from the main building, set on the beach. Has live entertainment in the evenings, gardens, kids’ pool & play area, and a breakfast buffet.
8. Molfetta Beach Hotel – Gouvia
Relaxed family-run hotel, set right on the beach, with quadruple rooms (family of 4) and a two-bedroom apartment (family of 5 or 6). Larger rooms have a refrigerator, coffee/tea facilities, bunk beds, and sea views while the lone apartment features wooden beams, stone walls, a living room, floor-to-ceiling windows, private jacuzzi, and a huge balcony overlooking the bay/church. There’s lively entertainment in the evenings, but lacks a pool.
9. Levant Hotel – Pelekas
This charming, neo-classical hotel offers arguably the best views on the entire island. Perched on the peak of Pelekas hill, next to “Kaiser’s Throne” (the famous sunset observatory). It feels more like a private country estate than a commercial hotel; it’s quiet and family-run, making it perfect for families seeking a relaxed base rather than a high-energy resort. The location allows for an easy walk into Pelekas village for dinner at local tavernas, and the sandy beaches of Glyfada and Kontogialos are just a 10-minute drive away (but beaches are definitely not walkable).
Why is Corfu great for kids and families?
Corfu is the “Emerald Isle” of Greece – the greenest, most lush, and arguably the most culturally distinct island. For families, it offers a perfect mix: you have the sandy beaches and dramatic scenery of the west coast, the calm, toddler-friendly waters of the east coast, and a capital city (Corfu Town) that feels more like Venice or Naples than a typical Greek village. The Italian influence runs deep here, which means excellent pizza, pasta, and gelato are everywhere – an easy win for feeding picky kids. A short drive from the busy resorts lands you in quiet olive groves and sleepy villages that haven’t changed in decades.
The “Island Hopping” Reality Check: The one thing you generally don’t get with Corfu is the opportunity to island hop. Unlike the Cyclades, where islands are clustered close together, Corfu is relatively isolated in the Ionian Sea. The nearby islands (Paxos and Anti-Paxos) are great for day trips, but they don’t offer easy connections for a multi-island itinerary. If you have visions of taking the ferry from one island to the next every few days, you are best focusing on the Cyclades. Naxos, Paros, and Santorini are the best destinations for that style of trip.
Attractions for Kids and Families
- Corfu Town & The Old Fortress: The capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site and fantastic for kids. It’s largely pedestrianized, so children can safely explore the maze of narrow streets (cantounia). Do not miss the Old Fortress; it requires crossing a moat to enter and offers tunnels, battlements, and old cannons to climb on. The large park in front (The Esplanade) is often filled with local kids playing cricket or soccer.
- Rent a Motorboat (No License Required): This is the #1 activity I recommend for families in Corfu. In Paleokastritsa or the northeast bays (like Agni or Kalami), you can rent a small motorboat for the day without a boating license. You can captain your own ship, find hidden coves that are inaccessible by car, and drop anchor for a private swim.
- Aqualand Water Park: Located in central Corfu (Agios Ioannis), this park dubs itself one of the most amazing in Europe, and it largely lives up to the hype. It’s massive, with specific zones for toddlers, a lazy river for parents, and extreme slides for teens. Plan to spend a full day here.
Best Beaches for Families with Children
- Glyfada and Kontogialos: These are the premier sand beaches on the west coast. Glyfada is a massive, golden stretch of soft sand, while Kontogialos (often called Pelekas Beach) is slightly smaller but equally beautiful. Note that like many west coast beaches, the tranquil seas can turn choppy quickly. Just above the coast sits the friendly and unassuming village of Pelekas, perched high on a hill. A free bus often runs between Pelekas and the beaches below, making it a great, quiet base.
- Paleokastritsa: Famous for its breathtaking scenery of cliffs and turquoise bays. It is visually stunning, but parents should note that the water here is notoriously colder than the rest of the island. It is excellent for older kids who want to snorkel or rent paddleboats to explore the caves.
- Sidari (Canal d’Amour): Located on the north coast, Sidari is known for its unique sandstone rock formations and the “Channel of Love.” Kids love swimming through the coves and climbing on the rocks. The water is generally shallow and warm. The town itself is a bit touristy/resorty, but the landscape is unique.
- Agios Gordios: A dramatic sandy bay on the west coast guarded by a large rock rising from the sea (the Ortholithi). It has a great selection of family-friendly tavernas right on the boardwalk, a small playground, and a very laid-back atmosphere.
- Dassia & Ipsos: On the east coast. These beaches are pebbly (bring water shoes), but the water is exceptionally calm, warm, and shallow for a long distance out. This is the safest area for toddlers and non-swimmers.
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