Corfu Beaches, Coastline, Wind Surfing and Water Sports

(Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece)

When it comes to glorious soft stretches of sand, Corfu certainly comes with some of the finest and most alluring beaches imaginable, ranking amongst the best that the Ionian Islands have to offer. The beaches on Corfu vary greatly in size, popularity and appearance, with many summer holiday makers favouring the larger resorts of Almyros, Benitses, Ipsos (Ypsos) and Kassiopi, where facilities are extensive and accommodation is conveniently located close by.

Agios Georgios is one of the island's longest and most appealing sandy beaches, being based on the western side of Corfu. Many of the best resorts reside on the western coast, such as Pelekas, which is another extremely notable choice and is known locally as 'Kontogialos'. Tourists often choose Pelekas for its extensive choice of water sports, with water skiing being a popular pastime here. On the northern shores, Sidari Beach really stands out, offering peaceful coves and magical natural scenery.

List of the Main Beaches and Resorts

• Acharavi Beach - situated around 40 km / 25 miles from Corfu Town and on the island's far northerly tip. There is much more to Acharavi than first appears, with good facilities including various eateries and shops. This stretch of sand is close to Roda and around 3 km / 2 miles in length. Sun beds can be hired here and are very affordable
• Agios Georgios Beach - a rather isolated spot and certainly one of the island's most attractive beaches. Agios Georgios is sited some 30 km / 19 miles from Corfu Town, which stands directly to the north
• Agios Gordis Beach - it is worth coming here to see the wonderful rocky formations alone. Agios Gordis is very popular with visitors to the island and offers soft sand. The village of Sinrades is conveniently nearby
• Agios Stefanos Beach - a fair distance from Corfu Town, which is to be found just over 44 km / 27 miles to the east. Agios Stefanos is ideal for families and widely regarded to be one of the island's safest coastal spots. This sandy area is very much gaining popularity with tourists and becomes more developed every year
• Almyros Beach - this is a very lengthy expanse of sand and actually stretches for a staggering 8 km / 5 miles in total. The central part of Almyros features a highly developed tourist infrastructure, with lots of big hotel complexes and bars. This is a good place to come for water sports, since here you are able to water ski, windsurf, hire pedalos and even try your hand at parasailing high above the coastline
• Arilas Beach - around 35 km / 22 miles to the north of Corfu Town. Arilas is nice and long, very family friendly and near to Agios Stefanos. A number of gift shops are close by should you want to write postcards whilst you sunbathe
• Astrakeri Beach - one of the region's most popular resort beaches, known for its undeveloped nature. Astrakeri is situated alongside lush exotic vegetation, which includes lots of olive trees and tropical shrubs
• Barbati Beach - around 20 km / 12 km to the north of Corfu Town and near to Pyrgi. Barbati boasts a spotless beachfront and has deservedly been awarded an EU Blue Flag
• Bataria-Kassiopi Beach - situated just 20 km / 12 miles to the north of Corfu Town. The backdrop of Mount Pantokrator is quite splendid and the slopes are brimming with mature olive plantations and citrus trees
• Benitses Beach - on the island's southerly coast and one pebbly beach not to overlook. Benitses is outstanding and is extremely successful in its role as a leading resort. There are lots of lively night spots here, where you can enjoy live music and an unmistakable Greek atmosphere and influence
• Boukari Beach - a very tranquil resort known for its seafood restaurants and long expanse of small pebbles. Boukari is never crowded and can be found 25 km / 16 miles to the south of Corfu Town
• Canal d'Amour Beach - some 34 km / 21 miles to the north of Corfu Town. Sidari lies directly east of Canal d'Amour, which has become famous for its awesome coves
• Dasia Beach - to be found on the eastern side of Corfu, overlooking Albania and regularly overflowing with tourists in the summer. Dasia is mainly pebbly and next to a long line of hotels
• Ermones Beach - on the western side of the island, opposite Kerkyra and near to Ermones. The beachfront is backed by a steep cliff face, which is actually connected to the above hotel by a scenic cable car ride, affording superb views along the way
• Gialiskari Beach - lying some 15 km / 9 miles to the south-west of Corfu Town and next to Sinarades village. Gialiskari is one of the area's best beaches for water sports and provides a range of good facilities
• Glyfada Beach - on the western coastline and close to Pelekas. Glyfada really is amongst the island's most beautiful beaches and is known for its 'Blue Flag' award for cleanliness. The beachfront is a good place for playing volleyball, while water sports facilities include water skiing, jet-skiing and pedalo-type boats
• Gouvia Beach - located on the northern side of Corfu Town and also relatively near to Dassia and Pyrgi. If you are driving to this resort, you will most likely need to actually park on the adjacent road
• Halikounas Beach - this is a very lengthy stretch of sand, near to Agios Matheos village and roughly 24 km / 15 miles from Corfu Town, which stands directly to the north
• Imerolias-Kassiopi Beach - close to the village of Sidari and some 33 km / 21 miles to the north of Corfu Town
• Ipsos Beach (Ypsos) - enjoying a scenic easterly location, next to Ypsos. This really is perhaps rather too overdeveloped and touristy for some. The resort is overflowing with burger bars, gift shops and holiday makers, who come here to parasail and enjoy zooming around on inflatable banana boat rides
• Kalamionas-Kassiopi Beach - close to Sidari and around 30 km / 19 miles from Corfu Town, which is situated to the south
• Kalami Beach - a very wide and pebbly stretch which is really more of a bay than an actual beach. Visitors come here for the snorkelling and scenery, and close by is a large holiday complex suiting those wishing to cater. Interestingly, Kalami has a strong connection with Gerald Durrell and his family, who actually once lived in this part of Corfu. A number of other good beaches are in close proximity
• Kaminaki Beach - enjoying a very appealing setting alongside steep slopes brimming with olive trees. The beachfront here is comprised mainly of pebbles and has the advantage of being very secluded. Children will always enjoy paddling in the sea here. If you have a boat, then be sure to explore all of the coves and natural inlets. Kaminaki Beach features is own small grocery store should you fancy an impromptu picnic, although a couple of tavernas are also on hand




• Kanoni-Kassiopi Beach - around 33 km / 21 miles directly north of Corfu Town and one of the island's more trendy spots. Lots of hotels and similar accommodation can be found close by and around the Sidari area
• Kassiopi Beach - a major tourist resort in this area, with a pebbly beachfront and countless neighbouring karaoke bars. However, there seems to be a successful compromise and in most places its not at all tacky or overdone. Watch out for the sea urchins, which often seem to lurk around the rocks in the sea
• Kerasia Beach - sited on the far north-easterly side of Corfu and alongside Plagia. Kerasia features some rather impressive views across Albania. There are always plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas available for hire here. The water is fairly shallow for the first few metres, becoming quite deep a little further out and therefore ideal for swimmers. Countless olive trees and pine trees surround the beachfront and complete the main attractions. Prince Charles is known to come here from time to time, staying at a nearby estate
• Kouloura Beach - found on the north-eastern side of the island, close to Kalami and also Vigla. The stretch of sand here is really rather narrow and small, although the undeveloped setting is just lovely. There are lots of interesting rocky coves around Kouloura, which are just begging to be investigated
• Krouzeri Beach - a truly spectacular spot awarded the EU Blue Flag for its overall cleanliness and excellent facilities. Krouzeri can be found some 25 km / 16 miles to the north of Corfu Town. Visitors can expect to see lots of colourful flowers, historic groves of olive trees and small white pebbles. The surrounding waters seem to shimmer and exude a rich emerald colour
• Liapades Beach - a very natural and undeveloped spot approximately 20 km / 12 miles from Corfu Town and located to the north-west. Liapades is bounded by some rather picturesque mountain slopes and is near to Palaiokastritsa
• Marathias Beach - around 200 metres / 655 feet long and some 10 metres / 33 feet deep. Facilities next to Marathias are very good and it is even possible to hire bicycles here. There are several notable hotels close by
• Messonghi Beach - directly 20 km / 12 miles to the south of Corfu Town. Messonghi is highly suitable for families with young children and also offers a choice of fun water sports activities
• Myrtiotissa Beach - situated on the western coastline and directly beneath the Monastery of Myriotissa, near to Pelekas and close to a number of vineyards. The views around Myrtiotissa are awesome and you may possibly encounter some nudists if you come here
• Paleokastritsa Beach - a very pretty spot famed for its extreme natural beauty and stunning rocky coves. Islanders like to believe the romantic story that Paleokastritsa was once home to the palace of King Alcinous
• Pelekas Beach (Kontogialos) - enjoying a scenic westerly location, in close proximity to Pelekas village, which is well worth exploring if you have the time. This is a highly recommended sunny spot for tourists to frequent. Kontogialos is lined by a good variety of Greek-style tavernas and bars, while those looking to indulge in water sports will find they can water ski, hire motorboats and more besides
• Perama Beach - found on the island's easterly shore, with charming sandy coves connected alongside the town of Benitses. Perama is amongst the most scenic beaches in the area
• Pipitos-Kassiopi Beach - situated around 37 km / 23 miles to the north of Corfu Town and close to Sidari
• Roda Beach - lying some 35 km / 22 miles to the north of Corfu Town and alongside a scenic fishing harbour. Roda is very much an up-and-coming tourist resort, with lots of palm trees and clear shallow water, being perfect for families holidaying with young children
• Sidari Beach - one of the most famous beaches on the northern side of the island and simply a must-see for everyone. This resort is around 30 km / 19 miles from Corfu Town and home to some wonderful eroded rocks, which appear almost like sculptures shaped by nature. There are lots of small and secluded coves, where you can swim or simply just enjoy the views
• Yaliskari Beach - backed by mature pine trees and boasting beautiful fine sand. Yaliskari is located on Corfu's western coast and whilst it may not be one of the biggest beaches on the island, it does have a lot of appeal and good facilities, which include snack bars, pedalos and a nearby car park. Guests at the Yaliskari Palace Hotel will find regular buses laid on for their sole use