Tours and excursions Corfu

Beach excursions on Corfu

Corfu is one of the places with the most beautiful beaches in the world and has been nominated several times for the World Travel Award as Europe's leading beach holiday destination. There are many beaches along the 217 kilometre-long coastline, where sun worshippers, water sports fans and families can find picture-perfect beaches and secluded bays. Particularly in the west and north-west of the island, there are plenty of wonderful sandy and pebble beaches in a dreamlike setting! We present some of the most beautiful beaches for a beach trip on Corfu - although you can hardly go wrong on Corfu!

• Porto Timoni Beach

ℹ️ Pebble beach,

📍 5 km from Agios Georgios

On the north-west coast of Corfu, at the mountain and artists' village of Afionas, lies Porto Timoni Beach, more rarely known as Afionas Beach. The beach can be reached via winding roads from Agios Georgios, but the last few metres have to be covered on foot or by boat taxi. Finally, you will reach "Butterfly Bay", which owes its name to its special shape, as the headland opens up on two sides like butterfly wings, creating two bays where you will have an unforgettable swimming experience.

• Arkoudilas Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, not organised, insider tip

📍 3 km south of Kavos

Arkoudilas Beach on the southernmost tip of the island is an insider tip among Corfu's dream beaches. Here you will find a secluded, sandy beach that is around a 25-minute walk from the next largest town, Kavos. Once you arrive, you can enjoy the peace and quiet with only a few other visitors, but above all the wonderful view of the rock formations and the expanse of the crystal-clear sea. Hiking trails also lead to Lake Tsilaria and the monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As the area is only visited by a few tourists, there are not the usual cafés and tavernas - instead, you have to cater for yourself at Arkoudilas Beach. If you want to explore the seclusion even further, you can walk to Mikro Nisi - Arkoudilas Beach. The path is a little adventurous as there is no paved road, but the view over the

• Canal d'Amour

ℹ️ Sandy beach, organised, touristy

📍 Sidari

A unique beach in the world is located in the north of the island in Sidari - the Canal d'Amour. The bay, which is enclosed by clay and sandstone cliffs, owes its name to a legend: if a girl swims through the strait while thinking of her beloved, he will soon ask her to marry him. This is certainly one of the reasons why the sandy beach is so popular with tourists (who want to get married) and is always well frequented. It's best to pack a mask and flippers to explore the caves of the channel.

• Pelekas Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, organised, family-friendly

📍 5 km south of Glifada

On the opposite side of Achilleion, just a 20-minute drive away on the west coast of Corfu, lies the sandy beach of Pelekas, which is several hundred metres long. As the wide sandy beach slopes very gently into the water, it is particularly suitable for families with children, who can spend a wonderful day on the beach and swimming in the calm waters. There are also a number of cafés with wonderful views of the coast, barbecue and cocktail bars as well as restaurants to round off your stay at Pelekas Beach. The area around Glyfada is the perfect place for a beach trip: there are many beaches around the town, including more secluded ones such as the small sandy beach of Paralia Mirtiotissa.

• Paleokastritsa Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, organised, touristy

📍 17 km south of Agios Georgios

On the north-west coast, not far from the popular sight of Angelokastro, there are many beaches, often in small bays. After visiting the sights - such as the Paleokastritsa Monastery or the Blue Eye Cave, which are located on the headlands - you should treat yourself to a break at Paleokastritsa Beach. The beach consists of six small bays, the most popular of which is the main beach below the monastery. Surrounded by green cliffs in incredibly blue water, you can spend a few wonderful hours under the Greek sun on the sandy beach. If it gets too boring, boat tours invite you to explore the rocky cliffs and their other hidden coves and mysterious caves.

• Saint Gordios Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, organised, touristy

📍 Agios Gordios

The beach of Saint Gordios is a popular place, not just for sunbathing. Although the beach, which is set against a picturesque rocky backdrop, is worth seeing in its own right, many tourists come here because of the famous shipwreck of Agios Gordios. The wreck is about a 10-15 minute walk from the main entrance to the beach - and is a breathtaking photo backdrop! The beach is a cool excursion destination, especially with children who love pirate stories!

Agios Stefanos

ℹ️ Sandy beach, organised, touristy

📍 Agios Stefanos, 35 km from Corfu town

The north-west of the island boasts beautiful sandy beaches, one of which is in the coastal town of Agios Stefanos. The three-kilometre-long sandy beach is particularly popular with windsurfers, but also with families with children thanks to the gently sloping beach. Excursion boats also leave from Agios Stefanos Beach to the Diapontian Islands of Othoni, Errikoussa and Mathraki, which can be seen from the coast in good weather. You can also reach the westernmost point of the island - Cape Kefali.

Arillas Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, quiet, suitable for families

📍 Arillas, 36 km from Corfu Town

Arillas beach is located between the bays of ST. George and St. Stefanos in the north-west of the island. If you want to escape the tourist hustle and bustle for a few hours, the beach, which is still little frequented, is just the place for you - and you'll find calm, impressively crystal-clear water. The surrounding area is also worth exploring, as Arillas, its tavernas and shops, as well as the surrounding landscape, have retained their original character.

Glyfada Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, organised, touristy, suitable for families

📍 16 km from Corfu Town

Just a short drive from Corfu Town is the popular Glyfada Beach - a wide sandy beach with shallow waters. Beach holidaymakers will find a clean, well-organised beach with sun loungers and parasols, trendy cafés and beach bars and numerous water sports facilities. The bay, framed by imposing rock formations, is particularly worth seeing at dusk when the sun dips into the sea directly in front of the beach.

Gardenos Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, quiet, well organised

📍 7km from Lefkimmi

There are also endless sandy beaches in the south-west - including Gardenos Beach. The sandy beach is still an insider tip, which is why there are only a few tavernas and bars. However, the quiet, long beach exudes a special flair, far away from the tourist hustle and bustle. Many locals also come here to sunbathe and snorkel.

Kavos Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, touristy, popular with party holidaymakers

📍 Kavos, 48 km from Corfu Town

Kavos is the southernmost tourist stronghold on Corfu and is particularly popular with young holidaymakers from the UK and Germany, who love the town for its bars, pubs and beach clubs. The beach of the same name is correspondingly lively, where people swim, sunbathe and party.

Porto Timoni Beach and Butterfly Bay

ℹ️ Pebble beach, touristy

📍 5 km from Agios Georgios

Porto Timoni Beach (often called Afionas Beach) is located on the north-west coast of Corfu, in the mountain and artists' village of Afionas. The beach can be reached in an almost adventurous way via winding roads from Agios Georgios and the last few metres on foot or by boat taxi. The bay is also known as "Butterfly Bay", as the headland opens up on two sides like two butterfly wings. This creates two bays - one framed by rocks and one open to the Mediterranean. An unforgettable swimming experience!

Arkoudilas Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, not organised, insider tip

📍 3 km south of Kavos

One of the insider tips among Corfu's dream beaches is Arkoudilas Beach on the southernmost tip of the island. Around 25 minutes from Kavos, it is a secluded, quiet sandy beach with a wonderful view of picturesque cliffs and the vastness of the Mediterranean Sea. As only a few tourists have visited the area so far, Arkoudilas Beach is still the original Corfu. You can explore the seclusion further via hiking trails to Mikro Nisi beach, Lake Tsiliaria or the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Sidari Beach and Canal d'Amour

ℹ️ Sandy beach, organised, touristy

📍 Sidari

Sidari is one of the tourist strongholds in the north of the island - also popular for its beaches and bays that stretch along the north coast. One of the most charming bays, which is surrounded by clay and sandstone cliffs, is called Canal d'Amour. The bay owes its name to a legend: If a girl swims through the strait while thinking of her beloved, he will soon ask her to marry him. This is no doubt why the sandy beach is very popular with tourists (who are looking to get married) and is always well frequented by those enjoying the sunset in the evening.

Paleokastritsa Beach

ℹ️ Several bays with sandy beaches, organised, touristy

📍 17 km south of Agios Georgios

There are six small bays with beaches near the monastery of Paleokastritsa, which is a popular excursion destination on a headland on the north-west coast - the most popular is Agios Spiridion Beach. Surrounded by green cliffs in incredibly clear, turquoise-coloured water, divers in particular can explore the underwater world. Those looking for more adventure can take a boat tour along the rocky cliffs, dive into the mysterious Blue Eye Cave, visit the monastery or the Corfu Aquarium.

Boat trips on Corfu

On Corfu, you should definitely go on a boat trip from beach to beach to discover fabulous dream beaches, mystical caves or quiet bays. It is simply the best way to explore as much of the natural beauty as possible. At the same time, Corfu's location in the Ionian Sea is perfect for visiting the neighbouring islands of Paxos and Antipaxos in the south or the Diapontian Islands of Othoni, Erikousa and Mathraki in the north. We have three tips for unforgettable boat trips on Corfu.

• To Paxos and Antipaxos

You can take a short day cruise from the harbour of Corfu or Lefkimmi to Paxos and Antipaxos. Both islands, which are about three hours from Corfu, are known for their picturesque beaches, historic rock caves and traditional villages where you can enjoy unique wines in tavernas surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The boat tours usually take you to one of the many caves of Paxos, which you can explore by swimming, before you have time to eat or shop in the island's capital Gaios. On Antipaxos, the golden sandy beach of Voutoumi is usually the destination, where you can sunbathe to your heart's content before heading back to Corfu.

• To the Diapontic Islands

To the north-west of Corfu are Mathraki, Othonoi and Erikousi, the three largest Diapontian Islands. Hardly any people live on the islands, which is why you will find a traditional, quiet atmosphere in the small, picturesque villages, where hotels and tavernas can be counted on one hand. Mathraki is the smallest of the islands, with only one main road running through it, from which you can branch off to small beaches, bays and harbours where picturesque fishing boats are moored. Erikousi, which is characterised by its rocky coastline, is the northernmost.

The sandy, mostly shallow beaches, which merge gently into the sea, make it a favourite with families. You can explore the green island and its small villages along small paths. The hilly island of Orthonoi is the westernmost. The island's numerous coastal villages are only inhabited in summer, although a tour of the island is worthwhile. You can reach beautiful white beaches such as Aspri Ammos Beach or Kalipso Cave via paths and gravel roads. If you want to take a boat trip on one of your holidays, you should definitely consider a trip to one of the Diapontian Islands.

• To the blue lagoon at Syvota

Blue Lagoon Beach is located off the west coast of the Peloponnese on an offshore island belonging to the village of Syvot. You can reach this unique setting by boat from the New Harbour in Corfu Town or the harbour of Lefkimmi - after a long boat trip with fantastic views. Many of the boat trips don't just head for the Blue Lagoon, which looks like a natural pool with its crystal-clear, bright blue water. Stops are also often made at the historic cave of Papanikolis and Bella Vraka beach. Here you will have time to explore the natural beauty by snorkelling or simply relax in the sun in a secluded bay. Finally, you will head for the village of Syvota on the Greek mainland, where you will have time to stroll around the harbour, eat or go shopping!

Pantokrator

The Corfiots call the highest mountain on the island Pantokrator, which translates as "all-ruler" and is also used as a word for God. The 911 metre high mountain is a popular excursion destination, especially among nature lovers and hikers. If you want to make a day trip out of your visit to the Pantocrator, you can start in Acharavi. From here, a signposted road leads via Agios Martinos and Lafki to the foot of the mountain.

Along the way, you will enjoy wonderful views of the north coast of Corfu until the road finally leads to the mountain peak in the village of Petaleia. If you park your hire car here, you can hike the rest of the way to the viewpoint. At the summit you will also find the monastery of Ypsilos Pantokratoras, which was rebuilt by the inhabitants of the surrounding villages after its destruction in the 17th century.

To this day, believers make pilgrimages to the monastery, especially for the consecration of the church on 6 August. But one thing above all awaits you at the summit: a panoramic view to the east as far as the coast of Epirus and Albania, to the north-west as far as the Diapontian Islands and to the south as far as the tip of Corfu.

Coastal road from Petriti to Sidari

A wonderful excursion is to drive from Petriti in the south-east up to Sidari in the north-west - by hire car on the coastal road or by boat along the coast. However, it is better to travel by car and stop off in the quaint villages, the capital Kerkyra and the many impressive viewpoints.

Although you drive from one end of the island to the other, there are only around 60 kilometres to cover, which means you can take plenty of breaks, even longer ones, along the route, which would only take around 1.5 hours to drive - for example to refresh yourself on one of the beaches. This is precisely the highlight of the tour, which runs alongside the sea the whole time: the many idyllic bathing bays that hardly any other tourists get to see.

Hiking tours

Corfu's unique evergreen natural landscape is perfect for extensive cycling and hiking tours. Hikers will find the Corfu Trail, which runs from south to north across the island, and old stone paths between mountain villages, while cyclists can explore the island on small side roads.

Along the Corfu Trail

The Corfu Trail is a long-distance hiking trail of around 190 kilometres that leads off the beaten track across the entire island - from the white cliffs at Arkoudillas in the south to the north coast at Cape Agia Ekaterini. You walk through rural areas that show the unique, evergreen landscape of the island in all its facets. You can stop again and again in picturesque mountain and coastal villages to visit traditional tavernas, monasteries from the 12th century or Byzantine and Venetian monuments. Many of Corfu's most beautiful beaches can also be found along the trail. Without breaks, the route takes 4 to 8 hours.

Walk to the Kanoni peninsula

A long footbridge takes you on foot or by bike from Corfu Town to the Analipis peninsula - also known as Kanoni because the British are said to have left their cannons here when fleeing from the French. But it's not just the cannon on the viewing terrace that can be seen, there are also several other sights that can be reached from here. A popular excursion destination is Vlacherna Monastery: another long footbridge takes you to the snow-white former nunnery, where you can marvel at impressive frescoes and visit a souvenir shop. From here, you can take a ferry to the so-called mouse island of Pondikonisi, which is uninhabited and almost completely overgrown with cypress trees - but still harbours an impressive Byzantine chapel. Another highlight is the Mon Repos castle and museum, in whose park you can marvel at the excavations of an Artemis temple, which are rare for Corfu.

From Ipsis to Pantokrator

One of the most popular hiking trails leads from Ipsos to Pantokrator, the highest mountain on the island (911 metres). It takes around ten hours to hike from Ispos on the east coast to Pirgi and Strinilas in the direction of Pantokrator. The hiking trail leads uphill through the varied landscape of Corfu, through olive groves on the one hand and charming mountain villages on the other. The route is quite challenging with an ascent of 840 metres, but can also be covered by bike or scooter on the asphalt roads. Either way, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the turquoise-blue Ionian Sea at the summit of the Pantocrator.

As far as Cape Asprókavos

While Kavos is one of the best-known tourist and party resorts, it is idyllic and quiet just a few kilometres outside. It is worth exploring the outer southern tip of Corfu - on a hike from Kavos to Cape Asprókavos. The approximately 8-kilometre-long tour boasts secluded, dense forests, high cliffs and the ruined monastery of Panagia. At the secluded Arkoudilas Beach, you can enjoy the sun on the sandy beach before taking the hiking trail back to Kavos.