The Greek island of Corfu, a gem of the Ionian Sea, is renowned for its pristine clear water and amazing beaches, each with its own personality. Beaches can be found around the entire island, from secluded coves to popular beaches lined with tavernas. The 135 mile coastline of Corfu offers a variety of beaches to please everyone’s taste, including 30 of which have been awarded the Blue Flag. Many of Corfu’s beaches are formed of pebbles, especially on the east side of the island. Sand beaches tend to be located on the island’s western side. Visitors should make sure to bring water shoes to avoid sore feet when visiting the pebble beaches. With Corfu’s summer crowds and high temperatures, it’s also recommended to get to beaches early in the day to secure a parking spot and snag a lounge chair. Here’s a guide to some of Corfu’s most stunning beaches that I have visited from my several visits to the island, and the experiences that make them unforgettable. I’ve arranged the beaches clockwise, starting at the northeast part of the island.
Avlaki Beach – Avlaki Beach is located on the northeast corner of Corfu, midway between the villages of Kassiopi and Agios Stefanos. Avlaki offers a serene escape surrounded by undeveloped lush hills and olive groves. The pebbled beach is formed by a wide arch along the south end of Bolana Bay. The crystal clear waters are exceptionally calm and ideal for swimming. During the afternoon, winds make it popular for water sport activities. The beach includes lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent, and there are adjacent restrooms and shower facilities. There are a couple of tavernas located on the southwest corner of the beach, as well as water sport rentals. A fruit truck came by regularly, and we purchased a variety of delicious fresh fruits to snack on while beaching. Avlaki is accessible by both road and boat. Free car parking is along the road, and docks available for those reaching it by boat.
Kerasia Beach – Kerasia Beach is located south of the village of Agios Stefanos, and faces Albania, located only a couple miles to the east. The relatively secluded white pebble beach is located on pristine Kerasia Bay, characterized by its bright turquoise water. We enjoyed this beach so much that we visited it two days in a row. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available to rent, and there is a snack bar and a taverna on the north end of the beach. The beach is accessible by road or boat. Parking is located on the north end of the beach near the tavernas, and a boat dock is also located on the north end.
Kalami Beach – South of Kerasia is Kalami Beach located on Kalami Bay. The easy access to Kalami Beach makes it less secluded than Avlaki or Kerasia, and therefore brings more tourists. The beach’s beauty inspired famous English author Lawrence Durrell to write his novel L’île de Prospero (Prospero’s Cell)! His former residence, the White House, still stands at the south end of the beach. The house has been converted to a popular taverna offering traditional Corfiot dishes, including a variety of seafood options. Reservations are highly recommended, and the restaurant operates a boat transfer service from other nearby beaches. We used the boat service to get to and from nearby Agni Bay. Today, the beach is lined with tavernas, shops, and apartments. The beach has a large supply of lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent, water sport rentals, restrooms and showers, as well as an on-site beach bar, and a supermarket.
Faliraki Beach – For those staying in Corfu Town that are seeking a nearby beach, Faliraki Beach, also known as Alekos, is right in town and very accessible by foot. This small urban beach is located behind the Municipal Gallery of Corfu and offers an impressive view of the old citadel. It is also within walking distance of the Palace of St. Michael and St. George. The beach consists of a small sandy area, and a larger raised platform. There are tavernas, bars and coffee shops adjacent to the beach. Street parking is also available nearby, or at Spianada Square.
Chalikounas Beach – Chalikounas Beach is located in the southwest part of Corfu, on a narrow secluded isthmus between Korission Lagoon and the Ionian Sea. The beach boasts wide stretches of golden sand and is surrounded by protected dunes and wetlands to the east and the teal colored sea to the west. It’s the perfect spot for getting away from large crowds. Accessing the beach required driving a narrow dirt road off the main road. The area can get very windy, making it a great spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding. We walked to the nearby Tayo Beach Bar, a rustic but chic spot where we lounged under a thatched umbrella enjoying wine and the sunset.
Pelekas Beach – Pelekas Beach (also known as Kontagialos Beach) sits midway on the west side of Corfu, at the bottom of a steep hill. I first visited Pelekas while I was backpacking through Europe during my college years, where I rented a room at a pensione in the nearby village of Pelekas. At the time, the beach was fairly secluded and allowed nude sunbathing. Today, it is much more built up, surrounded by beach bars and restaurants, hotels and apartments, and nudity is no longer permitted. The beauty of this beach is its fine golden sand, crystal clear water, shallow seabed and stunning sunsets. The large beach is surrounded by rugged cliffs. To access the beach, visitors must drive down a series of narrow twisty roads before reaching parking areas. From there, stairs lead to the various beach bars. We rented lounge chairs from Naftis, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch and drinks.
Rovinia Beach – About ten miles north of Pelekas is Rovinia Beach, a hidden gem on Corfu’s northwest coast. The secluded beach is located at the bottom of a hill, surrounded by rocky cliffs, dense olive groves and beautiful turquoise water. The beach contains a mixture of sand and pebbles. Because of its remoteness, the beach does not provide lounge chairs or umbrellas for rent, and there are no tavernas, but a boat canteen sells drinks and snacks. It’s recommended to arrive early, as the limited paid parking lot fills up quickly. From the parking lot, a path leads down to the beach. Another note – don’t necessarily trust google maps for directions. On the way out, google maps steered us up a narrow road toward the village of Liapades that was impassable, and it took us awhile to maneuver the car back down the road. Leaving the beach, as the road climbs, make sure to veer to the left at the fork.
Paleokastritsa – A few miles west of Rovinia is beautiful Paleokastritsa Bay, nestled amid green hills and striking cliffs. The teal colored bay consists of a series of smaller bays and beaches, each offering stunning views and a tranquil, inviting atmosphere. The crystal clear water and rocky seabeds make Paleokastritsa ideal for snorkeling and diving. Nearby is Agios Spiridon Bay and Agios Spiridon Beach, the largest of all of the area beaches. Its fine sand and easy access makes it a popular spot. The area offers numerous tavernas offering fresh seafood and Corfiot cuisine, and small boats available for exploring nearby coves for those seeking a more private experience. Parking is generally located along the main road that follows the bay.
Porto Timoni Beach – On the northwest side of Corfu is Porto Timoni, which actually consists of two beautiful beaches facing different bays separated by a narrow strip of land. Both beaches are pebble, and offer a secluded spot to swim in teal colored water. Getting to the beaches requires a long hike down a rocky path or by boat. The nearest place to catch a boat is Agios Georgios Pagon to the south. The beaches are unorganized, and do not offer lounge chairs, umbrellas or restrooms.
By foot, the beaches are accessible from the village of Afnios. Upon entering the village, we stopped at a café perched on a hill named Anafoufou. The café has an outdoor patio offering an amazing view of the sea. By parking in the restaurant’s free lot, we were able to keep the car there while we hiked to the beach. Otherwise, there is on-street parking as well as a pay lot in town. It is recommended to arrive early to find a parking spot, as well as a spot on the beach. Arriving early will also reduce exposure to the high temperatures during summer. We walked into town, then followed the signs to the beach. Along the way, there are separate view points to both Porto Timoni and nearby Agios Georgios Beach. Both view points offer stunning views. The hike to the beach takes about 30 minutes. The return hike is all up hill, and Porto Timoni restaurant at the top offers spectacular views and cold drinks to quench the thirst.
Sidari Canal d’Amour Beach – Further north, Sidari is home to the unique Canal d’Amour, a natural formation of sandstone cliffs and narrow channels. This very popular and picturesque destination is also known as the “Channel of Love.” According to legend, couples who swim together in the Canal d’Amour are destined to stay together forever, adding a touch of mystique to its beauty. The natural sandstone cliffs have eroded over time to form narrow inlets, hidden coves, and small caves. The inviting turquoise waters are perfect for swimming and exploring the nooks and crannies of the surrounding cliffs. The beach is also ideal for photography, with dramatic rock landscapes and breathtaking sunsets that make it one of Corfu’s most unforgettable spots. It’s also fun to just watch the activity from the cliffs above, including capturing photos of the many divers. You can park in town along the road, or at any of the pay parking lots located near the coves. There are numerous restaurants, coffee shops and bars located nearby.
