Best beaches in Corfu: 7 places to spend the day

A beach day in Corfu might mean soft sand and coffee a few steps away. Another could involve a rocky walk down to two small coves. Both look wonderful in photographs, but they ask very different things of your day. Before choosing the best beaches in Corfu for your trip, decide how you want to spend your time.

Choose Glyfada for sand and beach services, Barbati for pebbles, Paleokastritsa for a landscape of coves, and Porto Timoni when the journey is part of the outing. In the southwest, Chalikounas and Issos offer sandy shores beside the open landscape of Korission lagoon. Here is what makes each choice different.

Glyfada: soft sand and an easy place to settle

Glyfada lies on the west coast of central Corfu. A broad sandy beach sits below green hills, creating one of the island's recognisable coastal views. It suits a day spent in one place, with somewhere to buy a drink or sit down to eat without getting back in the car.

Beach businesses offer parasols and loungers. Ask what the charge includes and whether a minimum spend applies before settling in. If music is part of your ideal afternoon, choose a spot near a bar. If you want to read quietly, walk a little way along the sand before deciding.

Glyfada on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Pazuzu is one of the established beach-bar and restaurant options here, with music as part of its identity. Consider it for a sociable day by the sea. Check seasonal operation for your dates, and clarify table bookings separately from sunbeds. An old events calendar online does not tell you what is happening this week.

Pazuzu on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Paleokastritsa: choose a particular bay

Paleokastritsa is an area of bays and beaches, so navigating to the village name alone may not take you to the beach in the photograph. For a first visit, start with the central Agios Spyridon beach below the monastery. You can settle there or enquire about a coastal boat trip.

Rock, greenery and water are the attraction here. The water can feel cool, and depth varies between entry points. A sandy patch in a photograph is not enough to judge a beach for children. For a boat outing, confirm the route, boarding point, return arrangements and which stops depend on sea conditions.

Agios Spyridon in Paleokastritsa on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

There is also an Agios Spyridon beach in northern Corfu near Antinioti lagoon. Add Paleokastritsa to your map search to distinguish the two.

Barbati: pebbles beneath Mount Pantokrator

On the northeastern coast, Barbati offers a pebble beach with bars and places to eat nearby. The slopes of Mount Pantokrator rise behind it, giving the setting a very different feel from the southwest's sand and dunes.

Water shoes may make the pebbles more comfortable. Pay particular attention to the water entry: the sea deepens quickly at Barbati. Being close to beach businesses does not make every entry point suitable for every swimmer. If you want a swim, lunch and another afternoon beside the water, staying here can be more satisfying than adding a second beach.

Barbati on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Porto Timoni: twin coves with a journey to plan

Porto Timoni's two coves lie below Afionas in northwestern Corfu. The famous view shows a narrow strip of land with sea on both sides. These are small, popular beaches, so do not expect an empty hideaway in high season.

The land approach starts in Afionas and continues down a steep, rocky path. Allow roughly half an hour or longer for the descent, depending on your pace and conditions, and remember the climb back. Bring sturdy footwear, water and sun protection, and check access conditions on the day. The path is unsuitable for pushchairs.

Porto Timoni on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Afionas on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Alternatively, enquire about a boat transfer from nearby Agios Georgios Pagon. Agree on the return and cancellation arrangements before setting off. If neither the walk nor a boat suits your group, stay on Pagon's long beach and visit Afionas for coffee or a meal. There are places to eat in the village; do not rely on buying food and drinking water at Porto Timoni itself.

Agios Georgios Pagon on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Include Pagon in the map search. The Agios Georgios in southern Corfu is a different resort.

Chalikounas: sand, wind and Korission lagoon

Chalikounas, also written Halikounas, lies in southwestern Corfu beside Korission lagoon. Sand and low vegetation create an open landscape, with beach businesses more spread out than on a town beach.

Wind matters when choosing this beach. Stronger wind can bring blowing sand and waves that change the outing entirely. Check the forecast and actual conditions, and bring water and shade if you plan to settle away from the organised sections. Keep clear of watersports launch areas and equipment.

Chalikounas on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

The lagoon and surrounding vegetation are part of the appeal. Keep to existing roads and paths and protect the dunes. Flamingos and other birds are not guaranteed sightings, and the landscape is rewarding without pursuing wildlife.

Issos: the dunes of southern Corfu

Issos also sits beside Korission, with a sandy shore and dunes that offer a contrast to the rocky northern coves. Choose it when you want a beach day with some of southern Corfu's natural landscape around you.

Issos and Chalikounas are separate destinations with different approaches. Their proximity to the same lagoon does not mean you should plan a short beach walk between them based on the map alone. Choosing one is usually enough for the day. If beach services or somewhere to eat are essential, check the particular section you are heading for and seasonal business opening.

Issos on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Acharavi: a long beach with a town behind it

Acharavi, on the north coast, suits a day when you want a town within reach of the beach. Sand and pebbles vary along the shore. Look at the water entry before putting your things down, especially if a sandy entry is important to you.

The appeal is a straightforward day: beach, lunch, and more time by the water if you feel like it. You do not need to find a single famous viewpoint to make the visit worthwhile. Choose an access point near the restaurant or facilities you need, rather than relying on a general pin along a long coastline.

Acharavi on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

How to organise your beach days

For three contrasting outings, choose Glyfada for a sandy day with services nearby, Paleokastritsa for the bays, and either Issos or Chalikounas for the southwest. If you are already staying in the north, consider Barbati or Acharavi according to distance and your preference for sand or pebbles. Save Porto Timoni for a day when you are willing to spend time on the approach.

Avoid turning the entire list into one driving itinerary. Check the journey from your accommodation, sea conditions and return arrangements. Green Buses serve some destinations, but check the seasonal timetable and exact stop before deciding to leave the car behind.

For accommodation areas, explore our Corfu destination guide and selected stays. Families can also use our Corfu with kids guide, while a separate day can focus on Corfu Old Town, its market and places to eat.