The 15 Best Beaches in Corfu (2026 Local Guide)
With more than 200 km of coastline, Corfu has a beach for every mood – golden west-coast sand, sandstone coves in the north, dramatic cliffs and tiny hidden bays. Before you pack, one honest local tip: many Corfu beaches are pebbly rather than sandy, and a few have the occasional sea urchin in the rocks, so water shoes are genuinely useful. As a rule, the west coast has the sandiest beaches and the clearest water, while the northeast is all about pretty coves and waterfront tavernas. Here are the 15 best beaches in Corfu, ranked and grouped so you can find your perfect stretch of sand or shingle.
West coast – the sandiest beaches
1. Glyfada
A long, golden-sand Blue Flag beach backed by green cliffs, with sunbeds, beach bars and watersports. Lively, family-friendly and one of the island's best all-rounders. Full details in our west coast beaches guide.
2. Myrtiotissa
Once called "the loveliest beach in the world" by author Lawrence Durrell – a secluded strip of pale sand beneath steep wooded cliffs, reached by a steep walk. Wild, beautiful and partly clothing-optional.
3. Agios Gordios
A dramatic Blue Flag beach framed by towering rock formations, with a relaxed, slightly bohemian scene, tavernas and sunset views.
4. Kontogialos (Pelekas Beach)
A wide sandy beach below Pelekas, popular for paragliding and sunsets, with the Kaiser's Throne viewpoint on the hill above.
5. Agios Georgios Pagon
Five kilometres of sand on the northwest coast – shallow, gently shelving and ideal for families, with watersports and a string of tavernas.
Paleokastritsa & the northwest
6. Paleokastritsa (Agios Spiridon Beach)
The island's most photographed resort: a cluster of six coves of mixed sand and pebble beneath cliffs and a clifftop monastery, with boat trips to sea caves. The water is the clearest – and coldest – on Corfu. See our Paleokastritsa guide.
7. Rovinia
A small, green-framed cove near Paleokastritsa, far quieter than the main bays – one of the prettiest hidden beaches on the island. More secret spots in our Corfu hidden gems guide.
8. Porto Timoni
A spectacular double bay reached on a 20-minute walk down from the village of Afionas – two beaches back to back, with a sea on each side. No facilities, so bring water.
North coast
9. Canal d'Amour (Sidari)
Wind-and-sea-carved sandstone coves and a narrow channel wrapped in a romantic legend, alongside Sidari's three sandy Blue Flag beaches. Full details in our Sidari & Canal d'Amour guide.
10. Halikounas & Issos
Wild, dune-backed sands in the southwest beside Lake Korission – a windsurfing and kitesurfing hotspot with a beautifully untamed feel.
Northeast coast – coves & tavernas
11. Barbati
A long pebble beach with crystal-clear water below olive-covered slopes, popular with families and watersports fans.
12. Kassiopi coves (Bataria & Avlaki)
Small, clear-water coves around the harbour village of Kassiopi – Bataria is great for snorkelling, Avlaki for windsurfing.
13. Agni
A tiny northeast cove best known for three superb waterfront tavernas; come by boat and make a day of it.
South coast
14. Issos / Agios Georgios South
Vast, sandy and uncrowded southern beaches with dunes and shallow water – excellent for families and long walks.
15. Marathias & Santa Barbara
Wide, sandy, gently shelving south-coast beaches with sunbeds and tavernas, popular with families seeking room to spread out.
Sand vs pebble, and how to reach the beaches
If sand is your priority, head west (Glyfada, Agios Georgios Pagon, Kontogialos) or south (Issos, Marathias). For clear, calm snorkelling water, the northeast coves (Barbati, Kassiopi) win. Many of the best beaches need a car or a boat, though the green buses reach the major resorts – for example the green bus A9 to Paleokastritsa and the green bus A2 to Sidari. To explore freely, compare options in our getting around Corfu guide and browse car hire and transfers. Travelling with children? Our Corfu with kids guide picks the safest, shallowest beaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best beach in Corfu?
Paleokastritsa is the most famous for its turquoise coves and scenery, while Glyfada is the best sandy all-rounder. For families, Agios Georgios Pagon and the southern beaches at Issos offer shallow water and space; for seclusion, Rovinia and Porto Timoni are hard to beat.
Are Corfu's beaches sandy or pebbly?
Both. The west and south coasts have the sandiest beaches (Glyfada, Agios Georgios Pagon, Issos), while many northeast and Paleokastritsa beaches are pebble or mixed. Water shoes are a smart packing choice for the pebbly and rocky spots.
Which side of Corfu has the best beaches?
The west coast has the sandiest beaches, the clearest water and the best sunsets. The northeast is prettier for small coves and waterfront tavernas, and the south has the largest, most family-friendly sandy stretches.
Do you need a car to reach Corfu's beaches?
The major resort beaches are reachable by green bus, but a hire car gives you access to the hidden coves, the west coast and the wilder south. Several secret beaches are easiest by boat.
Are Corfu beaches good for families?
Yes – Agios Georgios Pagon, Issos, Marathias and Dassia have shallow, gently shelving water ideal for children. Avoid the steeper-access wild beaches like Myrtiotissa and Porto Timoni with very young kids.
