10 Best Beaches Near Corfu Town, and Where to Swim in Town
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Corfu Town has no real beach of its own, but some of the island's best swimming is less than half an hour away. We took every beach on our map within 15 km of town as the crow flies that you can reach on a paved road, and ranked them by Google rating, counting only beaches with at least 150 reviews.
If you just want a swim without leaving town, you have four options on foot or a short bus ride away. Faliraki, below the Old Fortress, is a lido with concrete platforms and ladders into deep, clear water, a bar and a small entry fee. At the south end of the Garitsa seafront, about 20 minutes' walk from the Spianada, Anemomylos by the old windmill is a free pebble spot with a jetty, and Mon Repos beach, a few minutes further on, has a café below the Mon Repos estate. Further south at Kanoni you swim off the rocks facing Mouse Island while planes land at the airport next door; blue bus 2A goes there.
The blue city buses leave from San Rocco Square and serve the nearer resorts; the green KTEL buses cover the rest of the island. Timetables change with the season, so check them at the stop or on the operators' websites, and look at the live map for today's crowds before you set off.
1. Kaminaki
Northeast Corfu · 4.7 Google (382 reviews)
Kaminaki is a small, sheltered pebble bay on the northeast coast, framed by olive groves and cypresses, with some of the calmest, clearest water on this stretch of coast. The rocks at either end are full of fish.
You can also hire a small boat here, no licence needed, to explore the coves further north.
Good to know: By car, park by the main road and walk down the steep lane; green buses to Kassiopi pass the top of it.
Kaminaki: crowds, parking & wind today →2. Pelekas (Kontogialos)
West Corfu · 4.6 Google (2,830 reviews)
Kontogialos, the beach below Pelekas, is a sandy cove between green cliffs on the west coast, with beach bars and watersports.
Before or after your swim, drive up to the Kaiser's Throne above the village, where Kaiser Wilhelm II came to watch the sunset: the view takes in half the island.
Good to know: Blue bus 11 runs from San Rocco Square to Pelekas village; the beach is a steep walk down from there.
Pelekas (Kontogialos): crowds, parking & wind today →3. Barbati
Northeast Corfu · 4.5 Google (3,223 reviews)
Barbati is about 1.5 km of small white pebbles at the foot of Pantokrator, Corfu's highest mountain, 19 km from town. The water, cooled by the current in the strait, has a Blue Flag.
It's fully organised, with sunbeds, tavernas and watersports, so it's easy to spend the whole day here.
Good to know: Green buses towards Kassiopi stop on the main road above the beach.
Barbati: crowds, parking & wind today →4. Myrtiotissa
West Corfu · 4.5 Google (1,605 reviews)
Lawrence Durrell called Myrtiotissa perhaps the loveliest beach in the world, and it's still undeveloped: soft sand under steep green hills, with the small Myrtiotissa monastery above.
It's about 16 km from town, but getting down takes some effort, which keeps it peaceful.
Good to know: There's no handy bus; drive and leave the car in the car park partway down, then walk the last steep kilometre.
Myrtiotissa: crowds, parking & wind today →5. Glyfada
West Corfu · 4.4 Google (5,666 reviews)
Glyfada is a wide sweep of golden sand under pine-covered cliffs on the west coast, 16 km from town, with Blue Flag water and a row of beach bars.
It's big enough never to feel full, and the tavernas and facilities make it an easy choice with children.
Good to know: Green buses run to Glyfada from Corfu Town in summer; parking gets tight by late morning.
Glyfada: crowds, parking & wind today →6. Agios Gordios
West Corfu · 4.4 Google (1,516 reviews)
Agios Gordios is a 1.5 km golden beach on the southwest coast, framed by high cliffs, with the tall Ortholithos rock rising out of the sea at its southern end.
It's a lively resort beach with tavernas and watersports, and one of the best places on the island to watch the sunset.
Good to know: Green buses run from Corfu Town; the stop is about 400 m from the beach along a flat street.
Agios Gordios: crowds, parking & wind today →7. Nissaki
Northeast Corfu · 4.4 Google (1,230 reviews)
Nissaki is a small pebble cove below the village of the same name on the northeast coast, sheltered from wind and waves, with water clear enough to see the fish from the rocks.
A couple of tavernas sit right on the beach, and boats can be hired to explore the coves nearby.
Good to know: Parking is limited; green buses towards Kassiopi stop on the main road above the village.
Nissaki: crowds, parking & wind today →8. Kardaki (Mon Repos)
East Corfu · 4.4 Google (274 reviews)
Kardaki is the closest wild beach to town: a small rocky bay inside the woods of the Mon Repos estate, where Prince Philip was born. The clear water is full of fish.
On the way down you pass the Kardaki spring, where water pours from a stone lion's head. Legend says anyone who drinks from it will never leave Corfu.
Good to know: Blue bus 2A stops by the Mon Repos gate; from there it's a 10–15 minute walk through the park. Check the park's closing time.
Kardaki (Mon Repos): crowds, parking & wind today →9. Agni
Northeast Corfu · 4.4 Google (214 reviews)
Agni is a tiny pebble bay on the northeast coast. People come mainly for its three waterfront tavernas, where yachts and rental boats stop for lunch.
The water is calm and clear, and a short coastal path leads to neighbouring Kalami.
Good to know: Come by boat from Nissaki or Kalami for lunch, or drive down the narrow lane from the main road.
Agni: crowds, parking & wind today →10. Kalami
Northeast Corfu · 4.4 Google (163 reviews)
Kalami is a crescent of white pebbles in a green bay on the northeast coast, with calm, clear water that's good for swimming and snorkelling.
On the rocks at the end stands the White House, where Lawrence Durrell lived in the 1930s and wrote Prospero's Cell. It's now a taverna with rooms, with tables right by the water.
Good to know: Walk the coastal path over the headland to Agni for lunch, then swim back at Kalami.
Kalami: crowds, parking & wind today →