The best sandy beaches in Corfu

Corfu has long been a popular Greek island for relaxing holidays in the sun. It’s one of the greenest of all Greek islands, boasting some of the most captivating coastal scenery. What you may not know is that it also has some of the best beaches! We were shocked at the sheer number of beach coves on the island, some of which are better than others.

A good selection of Corfu’s beaches are sandy, whilst others are rocky, pebble or shingle beaches. If you’re like us and love nothing more than a soft golden-sand beach that’s soft to walk and lie on, continue reading. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of the best sandy beaches in Corfu. We’ve included resort towns with nice sandy beaches that are great places to stay, but also remote, harder-to-reach beaches, away from the tourist trail.

Put down your towel, kick back and relax on some of the best sandy beaches Corfu has to offer.

Glyfada Beach

We visited Glyfada Beach on our first day in Corfu and it was a great introduction to the beaches of the island. Located on the west coast between the towns of Ermones and Agios Gordios, Glyfada is a top place to visit for a relaxing beach day. One section of the beach has a couple of restaurants and plenty of loungers you can rent. The other section is quieter and more undeveloped.

Go for a long walk from one end of the beach to the other, relax on a lounger or go for a dip in the sea. You can also rent a jet ski or try parasailing. Glyfada Beach is one of Corfu’s best sandy beaches for those that want plenty of facilities to hand. It also suits those who just want a quiet spot on the sand, right next to the sea. It’s a long beach that caters to all kinds of beach days.

Agios Georgios

If you’re looking for a sandy beach with plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants, we don’t think there are many better options than Agios Georgios. The town has one of the best resort-area beaches on the island. Its secluded location to the north-west is a place where you can escape from the crowds and enjoy a week away in the sun. It has everything you need in one place.

Agios Georgios Beach has clean, crystal-clear, shallow water and soft white sand. It’s a very long beach with plenty of sun loungers, so it’ll never feel too crowded. As a place to stay, it best suits families and couples that just want to relax on holiday. There are a few excellent attractions nearby, but it’s far away from the likes of Corfu Town and the east coast attractions.

Agios Georgios is also a great place to visit for a beach day as part of a combined trip to the must-see Porto Timoni beaches.

Palaiokastritsa

Featured in our ‘best places to visit in Corfu’ guide, Palaiokastritsa is currently ranked as the top place to visit in Corfu on Tripadvisor. In our opinion, it’s the most picturesque beach cove on the island. A crescent-shaped main beach cove sits on one side of the town, looking out at two towering cliffsides. It then has a small shingle beach cove with shallow water and lots of sun loungers. On top of the hill at Palaiokastritsa, you’ll find a beautiful monastery and several scenic coastal walks.

We recommend visiting Palaiokastritsa for a full day. Its main beach is one of the best Corfu sandy beaches for the surrounding scenery and there’s plenty to do here if you fancy a break from the sun. Go for a swim in the refreshing turquoise water or stroll into town for some gift shopping. The main sandy beach only has a few sun loungers (which are expensive to rent), so we recommend bringing towels to lie on. Palaiokastritsa can get very crowded in the busier months, so we recommend arriving early.

Agios Stefanos Beach

Agios Stefanos is a small beach town just north of Agios Georgios, the beach we featured above. Its location is even more secluded than Agios Georgios, meaning less crowds and plenty of space on the beach. The sandy beach cove is a vibrant shade of blue and it features some of the most spectacular coastal scenery on the island. Rent a sun lounger and spend the day gazing out at the unique sea stack and crashing waves of the sea. A beach day in this town is pure bliss…

You can visit Agios Stefanos Beach on a north-east road trip. The entire area has some great beach hopping opportunities. Alternatively, stay in the town for the full duration of your holiday. It offers an authentic Greek holiday experience with fewer crowds than other resorts and all the facilities you need. The local tavernas here are excellent!

Rovinia Beach

Rovinia Beach is one of Corfu’s best sandy beaches for those that want a remote beach day away from the tourist crowds. It’s popular with locals that want to escape the tourists, and we can certainly see why! To get to Rovinia, you’ll need to drive to a forest-area just outside the town of Liapades. You’ll then need to park your car and walk the rest of the way on foot, crossing sand dunes and gravel paths down to the remote beach. Alternatively, rent a boat from a neighbouring town and head to the beach by sea.

Rovinia Beach is an untouched beauty of a Greek beach. It doesn’t have any loungers, bars or restaurants. You’re alone with the sand, sea and a handful of other tourists that have taken the trek to get there. Have fun relaxing in the sun and going for a swim in the sea; that’s all there is to do at Rovinia and its all you need. Be sure to bring a towel, plenty of snacks and a few bottles of water with you.

Yiali Beach

Yiali is another beach that’s quite difficult to get to. It’s a hidden gem of a Corfu sandy beach, though it’ll challenge you physically to climb down. As such, it’s one of the lesser-known beaches on our list. However, it could also be the prettiest. Like Rovinia Beach, you’ll need to park away from the beach and then climb down a sandy path to get there. It takes around 25-minutes to get down to the sand and you’ll need to climb down a few steep ladders.

The reward at the end of the small hike is a tiny sandy beach with towering cliffs on either side and a narrow passage to the sea. It has soft white sand and is sheltered from the wind and waves. A half-day of relaxation and swimming on Yiali Beach will leave you feeling rejuvenated. If you don’t fancy the hike down and back up from the beach, consider renting a boat to get there from the town of Ermones.

Issos Beach

Issos Beach is one of the only Corfu sandy beaches on our list that’s located to the south of the island. The less visited southwest is where you’ll find fewer crowds, untouched beaches and windy shores that are perfect for windsurfing. Issos Beach and neighbouring beaches Halikounas and Chalikounas are untouched beaches that stretch for miles. The raw beauty of this trio of beaches gives you the impression you’re on a dessert island!

The location of Issos Beach is secluded and there isn’t a lot around. However, it’s a short drive away from a couple of smalls towns, which both have some nice bars and restaurants. You’ll also find a scenic nature walking route and plenty of water sports booths by the beach. Hire a boat or jet ski, have fun on the beach inflatables, or try wind surfing.

Agios Gordios

Agios Gordios is another great place to stay in Corfu if you want a resort town with a beautiful sandy beach. It sits on the west coast of the middle of the island, well located for both exploring the beautiful west coast, but also the sites around Corfu Town. Agios Gordios Beach is a long, golden sand beach with a wooden walkway leading behind it. It has plenty of sun loungers you can rent too.

A beach day in Agios Gordios is perfect for those that want plenty of beach facilities all in one place. Relax on a comfortable lounger, go for a swim, or take a break from the sun in a nice taverna. The town is quiet, relaxing and very picturesque. If you want to visit a couple of beaches in one day, we recommend starting off at Glyfada beach, then visiting Agios Gordios for a beachside lunch.

Canal D’Amour

Canal D’Amour is one of Corfu’s most unique sandy beaches. It’s a very narrow cove that almost looks like a river channel. It features unique cliffside rock formations on either side, and warm turquoise waters. It’s said to be a place where lovers go at sunset to enjoy the beautiful scenery. As Canal D’Amour is such a small beach, located right next to the popular tourist resort of Sidari, it’s almost always busy. Most people come to see the cool scenery and then leave.

Therefore, we recommend visiting Canal D’Amour very early on a morning if you want to relax. It’s also a good place to visit at sunset when most people are heading back to their hotels. The beach is tiny, so you’ll need to be one of the first ones there to grab a spot on the sand. Oh, and be sure to bring towels.

Mirtiotissa Beach

Mirtiotissa Beach is probably the smallest beach on our list, and not many tourists know about it! The tiny patch of sand is practically empty if you arrive first thing on a morning. You’ll be greeted by vibrant turquoise water, a shallow swimming area and soft, golden sand. Even though the beach is small and secluded, you’ll still find loungers available to rent, though there aren’t any other facilities.

Mirtiotissa Beach is a unique beach right next to a towering cliffside. Its scenery is unlike any of the other sandy beaches on our list and we highly recommend checking it out if you’re staying on the west coast of the island. It’s also a nudist beach, though this is not mandatory when visiting.

Our top tips for visiting Corfu’s sandy beaches

• Consider whether you want a secluded, remote beach with not many tourists, or an accessible beach with easy access to toilets, drinks, food, sun loungers and other amenities. The type of beach day you want will narrow down your choice of beaches.
• Use Google Maps to pinpoint nice beaches close to where you’re staying. Amazing sandy beaches are scattered around Corfu, and some will take a longer time to get to than others.
• If you’re a beach lover, consider staying on the north-west coast. The west has the best selection of sandy beaches in Corfu.
• Corfu’s beaches are in amongst many great attractions, including castles, monasteries, quaint villages and nature trails. We recommend planning an action-packed morning of sightseeing. You can then relax on the beach in the afternoon.
• Aim to arrive at the beach first thing on a morning for less crowds and a higher chance of securing a sun lounger.
• Sun loungers on Corfu’s sandy beaches can vary dramatically in price. In popular tourist areas, you could be charged up to 30 euros for two loungers and an umbrella. 10 – 15 euros is more common. Be sure to ask the price of sun loungers before renting them.
• Bring a cooler bag full of drinks and snacks. Some beaches on our list are in remote, hard-to-reach locations and you may struggle to find refreshments.
• Consider hiring a car. Car hire is quite affordable in Corfu outside of the peak summer months and it really gives you the flexibility to explore the island at your leisure. You can visit most of the beaches on our list with ease.
• If you don’t plan on renting a car, some of the beaches on our list are easily accessible by local bus. Research the timetables for your chosen beach town before setting off.

What to pack for a beach day

Are you planning a beach day in Corfu? Consider packing the following items:

• Sun cream (face and body)
• Sand-free towel or beach mat
• Water shoes. Although many beaches are sandy, there can still be sharp rocks in the sea. Water shoes will reduce your chance of injury.
• Snacks
• Bottled water
• A sun hat
• Snorkelling mask and snorkel
• Beach bag
• Flip flops

Frequently asked questions

Thanks for reading our guide on the best sandy beaches in Corfu. We hope we inspired you with some excellent options for a relaxing beach day and you can now experience some of the island’s most stunning shores. If you have any questions about any of the beaches we’ve featured, be sure to post a comment below.

Are you looking for a great place to stay with a sandy beach? Check out our where to stay in Corfu guide.

BY RICKY

Author bio:

An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.