With a coastline of over 200 km, the Ionian island is perfect for a beach holiday. The dreamlike Corfu Beaches and bays are mostly made of light sand or gravel and have something to offer for every taste.
Fine golden sand today and a dip amongst small, light-coloured pebbles tomorrow? For us personally, Corfu, along with Kefalonia, has the most beautiful beaches in the Ionian Islands.
Tom & Ella
The west coast has the most beautiful beaches on the island, while the east has more pebble beaches. Some beaches in the north and west are miles long, so that even in the high season everyone will find a quiet place. However, a certain mobility is a prerequisite on Corfu.
The beaches in the north near Sidari, e.g. on the Canal d’Amour and in Acharavi, as well as in the west at Glyfada and Paleokastritsa are very busy in summer. Partly untouched paradise like beaches and relatively quiet bathing opportunities on Corfu can be found around Agios Georgios in the southwest.
Enclosed we present our 10 Beach Favorites in Corfu that we discovered during our stay on the island:
🏖️ Dream beaches & hidden bays
🍽️ Restaurants, tavernas & cafés
🏛️ Must-see highlights & ancient sites
🗺️ Worthwhile spots & insider tips
🚘 Practical info like rentals & parking
♾️ Lifetime access & updates
#1 Agios Georgios Beach (North)
Long curved bay with brown sandy beach and clear sea water in the resort of Agios Georgios (Armenadon) in the northwest of Corfu. Many restaurants and bars as well as supermarkets are located directly on the beach. Sunbeds and umbrellas are provided on site, but there are also many natural sections.
Due to its spaciousness, the beach is hardly frequented, especially in the low season. Boat rental and transfer to Porto Timoni Beach (see beach #10) are also offered from here.
Discover coastal activities around Corfu, from boat tours to watersports. You can book the tour here*.
#2 Agios Stefanos Beach (Avliotes)
The resort of Agios Stefanos (Avliotes) offers miles of golden sand beach. Due to its spaciousness, the beautiful Corfu beach is particularly suitable for long walks. In the northern section there is an offshore sandbank where the sea is very shallow. Further back, nudists feel at home.
Agios Stefanos (Avliotes) is one of the most popular holiday villages in Corfu, with excellent hotels. You can compare and book hotels here*.
Agios Stefanos Beach is ideal for a relaxing day at the beach, even with small children. Recommended for a snack or cool drink in between is the Mango Lounge Bar-Restaurant owned by the Delfino Blu Hotel. In a cozy atmosphere you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea and the offshore Diapontian Islands.
💡 Corfu hotel tip on the beach: Just above Agios Stefanos Beach is the family-run Delfino Blu Hotel. Friendly host Kostas (speaks German), chic pool area and sumptuous breakfast offerings. More information can be found on Holidaycheck*: Delfino Blu Boutique Hotel & Spa*
#3 Bataria Beach
Fantastic bay in the north of the resort of Kassiopi. The bright pebble beach makes the sea sparkle in the most beautiful shades of blue. Beach loungers are provided on site, but you can also spread out your towel on the rocks.
Due to the fish-rich waters, the bay of Bataria (also Mpataria) is a popular snorkeling spot on Corfu. Above the Bataria beach there are only a few parking spaces. Alternatively, you can park in the beautiful coastal town of Kassiopi and walk about 15 minutes along the waterfront to the bay. Bathing shoes are recommended for visiting the beach.
If you’re looking to explore the north of Corfu, it’s best to choose Kassiopi for your holiday. You can compare and book hotels here*.
#4 Erimitis: Corfu Beach Insider Tip
You can enjoy an undisturbed day of swimming in the natural paradise of Erimitis in the north-east of Corfu. Several picturesque bays are located on a lushly wooded headland east of Kassiopi.
Along the road to Avlaki Beach you can park your vehicle and follow the small paths to the paradisiacal Corfu beaches of Vrachli, Tzoufaka, Arias and Akoli. White pebble and sandy beach form a magnificent backdrop with the turquoise blue, crystal clear sea water in the bays.
Part of the former protected area has now been sold to a private investor who wants to build a luxury resort here in the middle of untouched nature. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen how long the beautiful bays of Erimitis will still be accessible from land. More information about the protection of Erimitis can be found here: SaveErimitis
🗺️ 10 road trip routes with maps
🏖️ Beautiful beaches & swimming spots
🏛️ All top sights & attractions
🤫 Unpublished insider tips
🍽️ Accommodation, tavernas & cafés
#5 Gardenos Beach
Kilometre-long beach of golden fine sand near the hamlet of Gardenos. The crystal clear sea drops very gently in the shore area, which makes the Paralia Gardenos popular with families with children. On weekends, numerous locals also come to Gardenos Beach.
In the front area, umbrellas and loungers are offered for rent, the rest of the beach is natural. For a simple lunch break or a snack in between, we recommend the Meltemi Beach Bar.
Gardenos Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Corfu for us personally. From here you can even see the small neighboring island of Paxi, which is reachable on day trips.
Take a day trip to the neighboring island of Paxi from Corfu. You can book the tour here*.
#6 Halikounas Beach
The dune-like headland behind Korission Lake offers plenty of space for a relaxing day at the beach. The fine sandy beach is very spacious and still natural except for a simple canteen and a beach bar that provides loungers and umbrellas. In the remote places, nudism is also tolerated.
Since there are no shady trees, you should bring your own umbrella. The atmosphere is particularly beautiful in the evening at sunset. Parking is available along the gravel road behind the beach.
#7 Megas Choros Beach
Lonely long sandy beach in the southwest of Corfu without tourist infrastructure. The shore area slopes gently into the crystal clear sea.
The unpaved approach down to the beach is only suitable for all-terrain vehicles. All others can park their vehicle in a parking area above the Beach of Megas Choros and have to walk down the bumpy gravel road for about 20 minutes.
Due to the arduous journey, you are usually alone on the golden sandy beach, even in the high season, and can swim undisturbed. Due to its isolated location, the beach is also suitable for nudists.
💡 Nudist beach in Corfu: Not far from the Mirtiotissa Monastery is a popular nudist beach. The narrow Mirtiotissa Beach is nestled between high rocky cliffs and offers a magnificent sandy beach and crystal clear shallow waters. In season, there is a canteen with simple snacks and drinks.
#8 Notos Beach
Quiet bay with pebble beach and crystal clear water in the southeast of Corfu. Expect a real beach oasis on Corfu at the coastal section of the Panorama Tavern, featuring a botanical garden!
The path down to the coast leads through banana trees, palm trees and exotic plants to a long wooden walkway. To the south of it, lounging areas have been set up. The sea in the shallow bay is crystal clear. The tavern serves simple food and drinks at a fair price-performance ratio.
For Corfu’s most beautiful beaches, a rental car is worth it so you can move freely from coast to coast. You can Compare prices.
#9 Corfu beaches at Paleokastritsa
The coast around Paleokastritsa in the northwest of Corfu with its meter-high bright rocky cliffs is a real postcard motif and for us personally one of the most beautiful corners of the island. Due to the rugged coastline, there are numerous beautiful bays and beaches here.
Staying overnight right in Paleokastritsa is worth it for exploring its many coves at leisure. You can compare and book hotels here*.
Unfortunately, due to the cliffs in the northwest, most of the beaches cannot be reached by car or on foot. You can only reach the following Corfu beaches by car: Rovinia, Liapades and Agia Triada. However, the last two are very crowded during the season.
A tour by motorboat from Alipa Port is the best way to discover the beautiful bays and caves around Paleokastritsa. For boats up to 30 hp, no license is required. An extensive briefing takes place before the tour, even for beginners the motorboats are easy to steer thanks to their automatic.
→ Book our motorboat recommendation directly here: Corfuexploreboats
The beautiful bays around Paleokastritsa are almost all made of light gravel, which makes the sea sparkle beautifully turquoise blue. Since there are numerous freshwater springs on this stretch of coast, the water is ice-cold even in midsummer and it takes a lot of effort to jump in.
Particularly worth seeing are the beaches of Limni, Iliodoros, Chomi and Stelari south of Paleokastritsa. On the Chomi Beach anchoring is temporarily prohibited due to the risk of landslides and falling rocks. The beach Kastelli below Angelokastro west of the village was one of our favorites and worth a detour by boat. A boat tour along the coast of Paleokastritsa is a must on the island of Corfu!
#10 Porto Timoni: Butterfly Bay of Corfu
The dreamlike butterfly or Twin Bay of Corfu is located north of Agios Georgios. Crystal clear water and light sand-pebble beach, as well as green hills round off the postcard motif. The beach can only be reached on foot or by boat. Parking spaces are rare in the centre of Afionas, it is advisable to park at the entrance to the village.
In Afionas above the bay you can park your vehicle. With a narrow small car you can drive up to the Porto Timoni Restaurant and you are directly at the starting point of the hike. For the Porto Timoni Parking a 5 € daily fee applies.
Below the Porto Timoni Restaurant, a steep trail leads down to Porto Timoni Beach in about 20 minutes. Due to the very rough terrain, we recommend sturdy shoes. Just before you reach the beach, you will arrive at the »Porto Timoni Viewpoint«, from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the bay.
The two opposite beaches are quite narrow and usually very busy in season. We recommend visiting before 11 a.m. in the morning to avoid being overrun by crowds.
There are no sanitary facilities or rubbish bins on site. Please help to keep this beautiful spot clean. Also remember to bring enough water, which you will need especially for the arduous way back up to Afionas.
Alternatively, you can also take a water taxi from Afionas to the beach. The boats shuttle at regular intervals between Butterfly Bay and Agios Georgios Beach (approx. €10 p.p. with shuttle to Afionas).
Prefer it comfortable? Book a guided boat trip to Porto Timoni, including swim stops and snorkeling. You can book the tour here*.
The 5 most beautiful beach hotels in Corfu
Are you still looking for a suitable beach hotel on the island of Corfu? Enclosed we have listed a personal selection of Corfu hotels and apartments directly on the beach, which have received top ratings from other holidaymakers on portals such as Booking, TripAdvisor and Google.
🛏️ Find hotels in Corfu
All hotels at a glance, check prices & availability directly:
You can get more information on our personal favorites via the links to Booking.com*:
Thalassa Suites (Acharavi)
4-star hotel in a quiet location right on the beach of Acharavi. Friendly hotel staff, well-kept grounds with large pool area and comfortable rooms.
Agios Gordios Beach Resort (Ag. Gordios)
Popular Corfu hotel above the beach of the same name. Fantastic location including a beautiful sunset from the hotel room and good value for money.
➲ To book Agios Gordios Resort*
Glyfada Sea Blue Menigos Resort (Glyfada)
Spacious apartment complex above Glyfada beach. Great view from the balcony to the sea, modern studios and good facilities, perfect for self-catering.
➲ Book Glyfada Menigos Resort*
Casa del Mar (Boukaris)
The warm hostess Athina rents out cosy studios for up to 4 people, including a chic terrace and some even with a pool. Good location for island exploration.
MarBella Nido Suite Hotel & Villas (Messongi)
Luxurious hotel above the sea on the east coast of Corfu. Professional and helpful staff, modern rooms and high quality of food offered.
➲ Book MarBella Nido Hotel (Holidaycheck)*
Corfu Beaches Youtube Video
The filmmaker Thomas Polasek has created a very nice video about Corfu, in which you can also see the most popular beaches in Corfu. Have fun watching:
More Corfu Travel Tips and the most beautiful sights of the island of Corfu can be found here: Corfu Island Overview
FAQ for Corfu beaches
Where is the most beautiful sandy beach on Corfu?
Our favorite is Gardenos Beach in the southwest. It offers a long, golden beach, clear, shallow water, and a beautiful view of the neighboring island of Paxi. Large parts of the beach are unspoiled and perfect for long walks and families. Agios Stefanos Beach in the northwest and the beaches around Halikounas Lagoon are also beautiful.
Which side of Corfu is the most beautiful?
For us personally, the west coast has the most beautiful beaches. Paleokastritsa, Gardenos, Glyfada, and Porto Timoni are just a few examples. There are rocky cliffs, turquoise blue water and lush greenery everywhere, framing the bays. There are more pebble beaches on the east coast, but there are also beautiful bays such as Bataria Bay in the northeast near Kassiopi. In the southwest, you will find peace and quiet and miles of beige sandy beaches.
Are there white sandy beaches on Corfu?
There are no real white sandy beaches on Corfu like those on Lefkada or Chalkidiki. The sandy beaches on Corfu have golden to brown sand, for example Halikounas beach. The pebble beaches in the north and east are light in color and make the sea sparkle in picturesque shades of turquoise.
Does Corfu have sandy or pebble beaches?
Both! The west and north coasts mainly have sandy beaches, such as Gardenos, Agios Georgios, Agios Stefanos, and Halikounas. There are more pebble beaches on the east coast (Bataria, Notos, or Moraitika). Almost all the bays around Paleokastritsa are made of light-colored pebbles. With a total of 200 km of coastline, Corfu offers a good mix for every taste!
Which Corfu beach is best for children?
Gardenos Beach, Agios Georgios North (Arillas Beach), and Agios Georgios South are perfect for families: gently sloping, crystal-clear water, fine sandy beaches, and bays that are fairly sheltered from the wind. All three beaches are spacious, have natural sections, and restaurants on site. At Agios Stefanos, there is even an offshore sandbank with shallow water.
Which Corfu beaches are good for snorkeling?
Bataria Beach near Kassiopi is the best snorkeling spot: crystal clear water teeming with fish and a light-colored pebble beach. The bays around Paleokastritsa (Limni, Iliodoros, Chomi) are also fantastic for snorkeling. The best way to reach them is by motorboat. Tip: Bring bathing shoes because of the pebble beaches!
Which Corfu beaches can be explored by boat?
The coast of Paleokastritsa is a must for boat trips: gorgeous bays such as Limni, Iliodoros, Chomi, and Kastelli, caves, and turquoise blue water await you. There is a motorboat rental service at Alipa Port – no license is required for boats up to 30 hp! The Erimitis bays (Vrachli, Tzoufaka, and Arias) are also beautiful from the water. However, due to the freshwater springs and the deep sea off the west coast, the water is freezing cold.
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