Corfu is one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world. This beautiful island is part of Greece. Corfu is also known as Kerkyra. This beautiful island lies in the Ionian Sea. It is one of the main cities of the Ionian Island chain. Corfu lies east of Italy and southwest of Albania. The island was ruled by the Romans, Venetians, French and British before it became independent and a part of modern-day Greece. Today, Corfu’s Old Town is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greece.

Corfu’s north side is wider and mountainous in nature with plenty of scenic beaches while the south side of the island has powdery beaches and a more relaxing ambience. The island is famous for its scenic beaches, boutique hotels, restaurants serving authentic Greek food and plenty of sunshine and a pleasant round-the-year Mediterranean climate. It has a coastline boasting crystal-clear blue waters that are perfect for sunbathing, snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming. Corfu’s legendary beaches of Paleokastritsa, Glyfada, Rovinia, Sidari and Canal D’Amour are some of the iconic beaches in the Mediterranean. In this article, TravelUp presents a list of the top 10 best beaches to visit in the Corfu Holidays!

Top 10 Best Beaches to visit in Corfu Holidays

1. Paleokastritsa
2. Glyfada
3. Rovinia
4. Sidari and Canal D’Amour
5. Agios Gordios
6. Issos and Chalikounas
7. Agios Georgios Pagon
8. Porto Timoni
9. Marathias
10. Dassia

1. Paleokastritsa

Paleokastritsa is a village in Corfu that for several decades has been the queen of Corfu tourism. It is believed that this village is Scheria, the home of the mythical Phaeacians of Homer’s classic, The Odyssey. The village of Paleokastritsa is full of ruins of monasteries and historic ruins. However, its main charm is the six different beaches of Agios Spiridon, Alipa, Ampelaki, Agios Petros, Agia Triada and Platakia. These scenic beaches are popular for their beauty and amazing views of the local mountains. These beaches are some of the best places in Corfu for diving, snorkelling, and swimming. There are plenty of beachside cafes and restaurants serving delicious Greek cuisine and cocktails and drinks.

Agia Triada is famous for its deep waters with a rocky and sandy seabed. Visitors can enjoy parasailing, boat rentals, and water skiing. Alipa beach is full of clean and crystal-clear blue sea and a sandy beach with plenty of sunbeds and activities on offer. Agios Spiridon is the most picturesque and popular for its stunning cliffs and natural beauty. Agios Petros beach is sandy and pebbly and is ideal for water sports. Ampelaki beach is peaceful with deep water and rocky seabed. Platakia beach is pebbly with a restaurant and plenty of parasols and sunbeds for hire.

2. Glyfada

Glyfada is one of the famous beaches in Corfu. It lies 16 kilometres away from Corfu town and is easily accessible. Glyfada beach is one of the best sandy beaches in Corfu and is a Blue Flag award-winning beach. It is a sandy beach which is surrounded by lush green vegetation of cypress and olive trees and offers plenty of facilities like umbrellas, sunbeds, and ample water sports. The beach also has space for beach volleyball.

There are plenty of cafes and tavernas serving delicious fresh seafood and cocktails. After sunset, the cafes and tavernas of Glyfada beach turn into partying hotspots and attract plenty of young travellers. There is also the Corfu Golf Club and the Corfu Horse-Riding Club for travellers to enjoy and lies 4 kilometres away from the Glyfada beach. There is also a popular Aqualand Waterpark which is extremely popular among the locals and travellers with kids.

3. Rovinia

Rovinia Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Corfu and it lies in the area of Liapades in western Corfu, south of the famous Paleokastritsa. This beach is small, remote, scenic, and unspoilt of any commercial activities. To reach the beach, visitors have to climb down a small path with steps for 600 metres. The beach is free of the crowd and has a stunning blue crystal-clear sea and a beach of fine pebbles and sand.

This small beach is surrounded by tall rocky cliffs on both sides and also has a natural cave at its southern end which also provides shade from the bright sun. The waters are cold due to the cold streams from the Adriatic that reach the coast. However, Rovinia Beach doesn’t have fully developed facilities yet meaning there are no sunbeds, parasols, or beachside cafes. Instead, during the summers, a canteen boat brings refreshments, cold drinks, and ice creams to Rovinia Beach.

4. Sidari and Canal D’Amour

Sidari is a highly popular resort that lies in the northern section of Corfu. This amazing resort is home to the world-famous natural bay of Canal D’Amour, also known as the Channel of Love. Sidari Beach is small in size and is considered a hidden gem of Corfu beaches. It has bright turquoise blue water and is full of colourful umbrellas and sunbeds. Sidari’s prime attraction is Canal D’Amour. This stunning natural channel has a small beach sandwiched between two natural cliffs extending into the sea and forming a natural canal.

According to local legend, if one swims through the passageway of the Canal D’Amour, that person will surely meet his or her true love within a short amount of time. The small beach in Canal D’Amour is often frequented by travellers and can get crowdy. However, despite that, the dramatic cliffs and turquoise blue waters make it a must-visit beach in Corfu. It has also been awarded a Blue Flag for its quality of water.

5. Agios Gordios

Agios Gordios Beach lies in the southern section of Corfu. It takes only 20 minutes to reach the beach by car from Corfu town and is 15 kilometres from the town. Agios Gordios is one of the most popular beach destinations in Corfu and lies near many resorts, shops, restaurants, and vineyards. There is also the beautiful Sinarades village, a popular summer resort on the hills overlooking the beach of Agios Gordios. The beach of Agios Gordios is full of olive trees and towering mountains full of green vegetation. There is also a nearby rock formation, Ortholithi, that juts out of the sea.

The nearby villages of Agios Gordios are amazing to take a stroll and check out the traditional Greek architecture. The beach is huge and sandy with crystal-clear water and offers plenty of amazing activities like boat tours, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and water sports. There are several restaurants and cafes available at the beach for enjoying snacks and cocktails. The nearby areas of Agios Gordios have ample restaurants and small bars for charming nightlife as well. This amazing beach destination is a must-visit in Corfu.

6. Issos and Chalikounas

Issos and Chalikounas beaches are considered among the best beaches in Corfu. These two long and huge sandy beaches are more than 10 kilometres long and are located in the protected area of Korission Lagoon. The golden sand beaches are home to some of the best windsurfing and paragliding and plenty of water sports. There are no hotels or restaurants on these two beaches as it lies in a protected area.

However, there is a simple bar on Issos Beach where visitors can get something to eat and drink. Issos Beach is a large sandy beach that lies next to Korission Lake and is famous for its natural sand dunes and is the widest beach in Corfu. Chalikounas Beach is long in size with a forest, a lagoon and sand dunes. Both these beaches are ideal for adventure and water sports with strong winds. These two beaches are raw and unspoilt and are perfect for adventure seekers looking to enjoy water sports in windy conditions.

7. Agios Georgios Pagon

Agios Georgios Pagon is a beautiful beach that lies in a horseshoe-shaped bay. The beach lies in an area which is full of small hotels, bars, restaurants, and tavernas along the length of the sandy and pebbly beach. The beach lies in a resort town and is considered one of the best beaches in Corfu due to its crystal-clear blue water and is surrounded by olive and cypress trees and cliffs and historic villages.

At the northern end of the beach, there is a cliff with a village that offers stunning sunset views and some of the best tavernas serving delicious fresh seafood and Greek cuisine. Visitors can do several activities in Agios Georgios Pagon like swimming, sunbathing, boat rides to see the nearby uninhabited islands and water sports. There are also plenty of diving centres and enjoy snorkelling and diving in the water under the watchful eyes of professionals. The beach has a very laid-back ambience and is comparatively less commercial.

8. Porto Timoni

Porto Timoni lies on the west coast of Corfu. It is famous for its dramatic landscapes comprising crystal-clear blue waters, green vegetation, rocky cliffs, and a peaceful atmosphere. Porto Timoni is a double beach that lies between the Gulf of Saint George of Pagoi and Afionas. This double beach can be reached by boat or by hiking down a trail for around 25 minutes. Porto Timoni is a slim stretch of land that connects an island with two beaches on each side of the green, hilly stretch of trail.

The two beaches form two bays, one facing the resort of Agios Georgios and another one facing Mathraki Island. It is one of the best beaches for nature lovers and a great place for relaxing and enjoying peace and tranquillity. There are several small coves and sheltered bays where visitors can relax and enjoy a swim. However, there are no beach bars at Porto Timoni, so make sure to carry water, packed juices, and light snacks. Afionas has a few tavernas and cafes where visitors can get good food and drinks. Pro tip: – the top of Afionas offers panoramic views of the entire area of Porto Timoni including its two beautiful beaches.

9. Marathias

Marathias Beach is a long and wide beach that lies in the southwest of Corfu. It lies around 30 kilometres from Corfu town. The beach had crystal-clear blue water and fine golden sand. This scenic beach is perfect for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and plenty of other water sports. Marathias beach is well managed with plenty of facilities comprising restaurants, cafes, and bars. It also has a small parking area for people who prefer to drive down to this beach.

Marathias is home to several good quality restaurants and bars which allow plenty of light snacks and refreshing drinks. The beach also has plenty of sunbeds, parasols and other facilities that allow visitors to relax and soak up the sun and enjoy the wonderful Mediterranean climate. The beach is perfect for families and couples. Marathias Beach is a Blue Flag award-winning beach with plenty of restaurants, cafes, villas, studio apartments, and a mini shopping market.

10. Dassia

Dassia Beach lies in southern Corfu and is famous for its sweeping views of the mountains and the Monastery of Pantokrator. This beach lies just a 10-minute drive from Corfu Town. This is one of the first beaches to be developed in Corfu as a resort town. This iconic beach has a mixture of sand and pebbles and is full of umbrellas and sunbeds. The beach is surrounded by ancient trees that provide shade during the warm summer days. The area around the beach is full of hotels, tavernas, bars, cafes, and restaurants that cater to the tastes and budgets of all categories of travellers.

Dassia beach is ideal for swimming and the beach has gently sloped into the sea with calm waters and plenty of water sports. This beach is ideal for families with kids and is also popular for its lively nightlife, bars, and discos. There are several attractive villages around the beach that visitors can visit and check out the Greek architecture, eat in traditional restaurants and do a bit of shopping. Don’t forget to check out the National Gallery, which is housed in one of the largest mansions in Corfu and is a great place for art lovers.

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