Corfu Hotels: Where to Stay, Area by Area

Corfu is more spread out than people expect, with winding coastal roads and hidden mountain villages, so your base shapes the whole trip. Corfu Town suits first-timers and anyone without a car. The north and northeast coasts suit beach lovers and families, and the quiet hilltop villages suit couples who want calm.

Where should you stay in Corfu for the first time?

Corfu Town is the easy answer. It's the island's main hub, on the east coast and a short drive from the airport, so arrivals, departures, buses and tours are all simple from here. Venetian-style buildings, faded pastel shutters, cobblestone alleys and a lively food scene give it a slice-of-Italy feel, and the Old Fortress, the Liston promenade and Spianada Square are all close at hand. There are no massive resorts. Expect boutique hotels, family-run B&Bs and apartments.

The downsides are traffic and limited parking. Both matter far less if you skip the rental car, since the center is very walkable. One or two nights covers sightseeing, shopping and long dinners before you move on to a beach base.

Bella Venezia is a restored neoclassical mansion near Spianada Square, with garden views and breakfast served in the garden. New York Luxury Suites has beautifully renovated modern apartments in the heart of town; if you can, pick one with a terrace. For boutique charm, Siora Vittoria sits near the Old Fortress and The Calliston is in the heart of the old town. Ionian City is a clean, central budget pick a short walk from the New Fortress and the port.

Which area is best for beaches and swimming?

Four bases stand out for swimming, and each has a different kind of beach.

Kalami and the northeast coast

Kalami is peaceful, with boutique hotels, villas and a string of small coves you can walk between. The water is clear and calm, and the villages stay small enough that you rarely feel crowded.

Farther along the coast, Agni Bay is a hidden little cove with a tiny beach and a handful of tavernas right at the water's edge. It has no big hotels and no nightlife, so look for a guesthouse or apartment nearby and settle in for a slow couple of nights. Atlantica Nissaki Beach, a little before Agni, suits travelers who prefer all-inclusive.

Agios Georgios Pagon

On the northwest coast, this long sandy beach stretches about 1.2 miles (2 km), with gentle, shallow water and plenty of room to spread out. Sun beds and umbrellas are inexpensive, the tavernas are relaxed, and Porto Timoni, the most famous beach on Corfu, is next door. Many places to stay here are self-catering apartments: Kostas Studios has very comfortable beds, and Katoi Studios sits closer to the sand.

Acharavi

Acharavi is a beach town on the northern coast, about 22 miles (35 km) from Corfu Town and 25 miles (40 km) from the airport. The beach is pebbly with crystal-clear water, and a row of tavernas lines the waterfront. Big resorts are few and family-run apartments and holiday homes are many, so it feels pleasantly local. Karavos Apartments has a pool, and its apartments come with a kitchen and living area, which suits families who want extra space.

Kontogialos

Kontogialos is a calmer, less touristy stretch of pebbles and shallow water, with mountains wrapped around it. It's close to Corfu Town and just a short hop from Pelekas. Beach bars and loungers run a little pricey. Quieter bays are within walking distance, and a scooter or car gets you to Glyfada Beach. Villa Takis and Tolis Apartments both offer lovely sea views and a quick way down to the beach.

Where should families stay?

Kassiopi, on the northeastern tip, is a favorite with families for its calm, shallow swimming and horseshoe-shaped harbor ringed with tavernas. The village is compact and easy to wander with little ones, and a gentle uphill walk leads to the ruins of Kassiopi Castle. Many hotels sit away from the center, so choose one close to the action. Porto Kassiopi Apartments is close to all amenities, and Kassiopi Luxury Suites has spacious family rooms a short walk from Kalamionas Beach.

Dassia has about 1.2 miles (2 km) of beach between Gouvia and Ipsos, and Dassia Beach holds a Blue Flag. The restaurants are excellent, the setting is relaxed, and nightlife is limited, which many parents count as a plus. The drive into Corfu Town usually takes 25 to 40 minutes. Saint Nicholas Beach Resort sits right on the water's edge with a swimming pool and its own private beach.

Along the northeast coast, Nissaki and Kouloura are quiet villages with family-friendly beaches and cafés, still within easy reach of Corfu Town. Nissaki Bay, which offers family rooms, and Krouzeri Beach Apartments sit right on the waterfront.

Where should couples stay?

Pelekas sits on a hilltop with elegant boutique stays, timeless Corfiot charm and wonderful sunset views, and it's quieter than the resorts. Sokraki is tucked into the mountains among olive groves, with restored traditional homes serving as guesthouses. Corfu Sokraki Villas has a pool with big views and an excellent taverna. Both villages suit couples and small groups who want to escape the tourist hotspots.

Paleokastritsa on the west coast is the dramatic choice, with cliffs, clear water and five main beaches. It can be touristy and crowded, the hills make walking a workout, and reef shoes help on the mostly pebbly beaches. Akrotiri Beach Resort is a five-star retreat on a peninsula with views over Agia Triada Beach and the Ionian Sea, well suited to a romantic stay. Golden Fox Studios and Suites sits up in the village of Lakones with sunsets over the sea.

For a splurge, look in and around Gouvia, just north of Corfu Town, home to some of the island's best five-star hotels. It's convenient from the port, which also means cruise-ship crowds at times.

Where should you stay on a budget?

Book three to four months ahead, since good places go quickly and beachfront budget rooms go first. June and September can offer great deals compared with peak summer.

Southern Agios Georgios has simple apartments and affordable tavernas along the beach, and Agios Georgios Pagon has good-value studios for couples and solo travelers. Lefkimmi, a larger southern town with a local feel, has budget hotels, supermarkets for self-catering and tavernas that cost less than elsewhere on the island. Alexandra Studio 8 sits on its outskirts near the beach, a bit of a walk from town. Ilena Hotel in Acharavi is small, affordable and set around a garden with a pool.

Ipsos suits younger travelers, with cocktail bars, easy transport links and good-value apartments such as the Golden Mile studio. It can run lively. Benitses is a lower-priced resort with plenty of evening options for drinks and dinner, and day trips to Corfu Town and the northeast bays, where rates climb, are easy from here. Flora Studios is set back from the road, and Fiorado is closer to the beach. Sidari, in the northwest, is known for wallet-friendly prices, sandy beaches, rock formations like the Canal d'Amour and a lively nightlife. Sidari Beach Hotel is a modern, comfortable option.

Where should you stay without a car?

Corfu Town is the best bet. Green and Blue buses fan out from here, and San Rocco Square is the main hub for routes into town. The New Port is roughly 1 to 1.2 miles (1.5 to 1.2 miles (2 km)) from the old town, about a 20 to 30 minute walk, and taxis and buses wait about 50 yards from the port. Taxis from town or the airport get you there fast.

Kassiopi and Benitses have strong bus links, Dassia has buses into Corfu Town, and Agios Georgios Pagon is well connected to other parts of the island. Online tickets are available for several routes, among them A2 Sidari, A3 Roda to Acharavi, A4 Kassiopi, A9 Paleokastritsa, B10 Agios Gordios and B17 Glyfada. Roads wind and the island takes longer to cross than the map suggests, so pick one section and explore it well. To reach hidden beaches and some of the more than two hundred mountain villages at your own pace, a rental car is the better tool.

Before you book, check the current timetable for your base; next departures from the Corfu KTEL Central Bus Station can be tracked in real time. If you're staying in Pelekas, note that temporary changes apply to Route N11 because parked vehicles in Pelekas Square were causing frequent delays.