15 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Corfu for Travel Snobs

Corfu was once one of the world’s hidden gems, but it has become quite the hot spot for tourists! If you’re not a fan of busy resorts and crowds, there are still some gorgeous hidden gems on the island. Here are some of my favourite spots on this beautiful island…

1. Kalami Beach

This place is seriously stunning! Kalami is where the famous Durrells lived from 1936 to 1939, in a house called the White House at the south end of the beach.

Despite the publicity, I love that the place has remained quiet and unspoiled! The pebble beach here is dominated by two small fishing taverns in its north part and the large white house (former residence of the Durrells) in its south part.

The house is renovated and white, although it had another colour during the Durrells era. The lovely beach here does get busy at times, but it remains a tranquil and low-key spot, which I personally loved!

My favorite highlights…

• Exploring the magnificent underwater world on a snorkelling trip.
• Kayaking along the crystal-clear turquoise waters.
• Cooling off with a dip in the picturesque ocean.

My Hotel Choice for Kalami Beach – San Antonio Corfu Resort

• To book, check prices or dates for San Antonio Corfu Resort

2. Liapades

This is a small, pretty, and traditional village on the west coast of Corfu. Although it has a lovely beach and is a gorgeous Greek beauty spot, it doesn’t attract many tourists. 

Several restaurants and snack bars offer authentic Greek cuisine here. I highly recommend renting a boat (or even a canoe) and exploring the clear blue waters. Many small, hidden Corfu beaches in Liapades can only be reached by canoe or motorboat.

It has the vibe of an authentic Greek village, which I loved! My favourite highlights included driving along the roads with very little traffic, the lovely beaches, walking trails, wonderful views, and friendly locals.

My must-do highlights…

• Check out the beach and wander along to explore the beautiful coves.
• Rent a boat to discover the other spectacular unspoiled spots such as Paradise Beach.
• Enjoy a short walk to the petite Goulis Winery for a local island tasting.

My Hotel Choice for Liapades – Rokamare

• To book, check prices or dates for Rokamare

3. Paleokastritsa

Paleokastritsa is another tranquil spot near Liapades village. Rocks and mountains surround it, which is about 25 km from Corfu town.

Paleokastritsa Beach is perfect for families and is also a place for snorkelling and scuba diving because of its clear blue waters. 

You can also rent a canoe, pedal boat, or stand-up paddle board or hire a boat and explore the caves close to the beach. I recommend seeking out the secluded and breathtaking Paradise Beach, which can be reached by boat.

My must-do highlights…

• Discover one of the village’s iconic and stunning architectural landmarks, the Monastery of Paleokastritsa.
• Rent a car to explore the area at your own pace and admire the picturesque landscape.
• Relax along the perfect sand-filled beach with beautiful clear blue waters.

My Hotel Choice for Paleokastritsa – Akrotiri Beach Resort Hotel

• To book, check prices or dates for Akrotiri Beach Resort Hotel 

4. Rovinia Beach

I personally think this is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island! It’s located on the west Corfu coast just a mile from the main resort of Palaiokastritsa, but it has remained unspoiled because it is difficult to reach.

It can be reached via a small path with hundreds of steps, but mostly by boat from the nearby Palaiokastritsa. The trip is worth it, though, as the waters here are extraordinarily crystal clear!

The beach is white and made up of sand and fine white pebbles. There’s a cave on its south end, where usually a small boat sells water, refreshments, and sandwiches for the swimmers! Pure bliss!

My must-do highlights…

• Admire the exceptional landscape surrounding the petal-shaped beach.
• Have a stroll along the shore and grab an ice cream at the canteen boat which visits daily.
• Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this deserted, idyllic spot.

5. Porto Timoni

Porto Timoni is an exotic double beach in a thin strip of land that connects Corfu with a piece of land that would otherwise be an island. It is located at the island’s northwestern tip, a few kilometers north of Paleokastritsa.

The beach isn’t easy to access, so it’s visited only by people determined to discover the island’s most mysterious parts. Hence, it’s on my list!

To reach it, you need to go to the ravines of the settlement of Afionas, located at an altitude of 130 meters, or you can take a boat from the port of Agios Georgios.

My must-do highlights…

• Soak up the most Instagrammable and enchanting landscape surrounding the two beaches on the walk there.
• Hike up to the viewpoint for a different view overlooking the lush vegetation and magical ocean.
• Enjoy the exotic color contracts between the beaches which are both perfect spots for snorkelling.

6. Kouloura

The little settlement in the Sinies area of northeast Corfu looks like a painting. It has very few houses and a cycle port where fishermen moor their boats.

There is no nightlife and no hassles, but there are some rooms to rent in guest houses. If you visit, I promise you won’t regret it—it’s a joy!

My must-do highlights…

• Enjoy some delicious food at one of the few Tavernas.
• Go for a walk to see the famous Villa Anieli, well known as the mansion by the sea.
• Rent a deck chair at the beach and spend the afternoon relaxing along the shore.

7. Arkoudilas Beach

If you’re a fan of deserted beaches, you will love this place! It is located on the southern tip of the island, and the huge sandy beach beneath is used only by some locals, but it is almost empty most of the time.

I think it’s a magical place with very dense vegetation up in the rocks, fine golden sand, and clear waters on the coast.

There are no sunbeds, bars, or restaurants on the beach; only nature and the rocks surround it! 

My must-do highlights…

• Wander along the trail surrounding the beach to view the wild beauty and breathtaking landscape.
• Make sure to stop and see the clay deposits which are known to be filled with healing powers.
• Take a picnic to enjoy whilst sunbathing along the sand-filled shores.

8. The Island of Vido

This tiny, idyllic island, only 540 acres big, is located opposite the port of Corfu town and easily reached by boat.

It’s home to many trees, a Serbian war cemetery, camps for children, and the historic restored church of Saint Stefanos.

The island has no roads, only trails, a restaurant, and a bar. Its very pleasant beach is popular among the locals but not many tourists. 

My must-do highlights…

• Visit the historic landmarks, the church of Agios Stefanos and the monument of the Serbian military.
• Check out the live Greek music that happens on an evening, whilst indulging in traditional food dishes.
• Explore through the trails spread over this paradise island covered in lush greenery.

9. Arillas Agiou Georgiou

If you like unspoilt beaches, then, in my opinion, this is the place to go! Located in Arillas Agiou Georgiou in the north of the island, some beaches are surrounded by scenic cliffs.

While you can swim at the cape, there are smaller beaches nearby where people dive into the water from one of the cliffs.

The clear blue waters here allow sea animal enthusiasts to explore underwater by snorkelling. I would also recommend looking for sea stars, sea urchins, and seashells on the shoreline (but please don’t touch or take them)!

My must-do highlights…

• Go snorkelling the the vibrant blue ocean to discover the underwater world.
• When the weather is nice, drive up the road for an overlooking view of the cape and its turtle-like rock formations.
• Rent a boat to explore the coastline from a small cave located between Cape Drastic and Sidari.

10. Roda Beach

This is one of the widest beaches on the island! The shallow waters make it a great choice for families with younger children. You can also enjoy scuba diving and other water sports here.

The area is bustling between May and October when locals and tourists gather to enjoy the local cosmopolitan village, so this place is busier than some of the other places I’ve mentioned on this list, but it’s still far from a brash, overdeveloped resort.

Nearby the beach are bustling bars, restaurants, and other local shops. 

My must-do highlights…

• Enjoy a stroll across the shore whilst watching a spectacular and vibrant sunset going down over the Mediterranean Sea.
• Take a boat trip to explore the coastline and other small islands that feature Caribbean-style beaches.
• Kick back and relax with some sunbathing along the golden sands to soak up the dazzling sun rays.

11. Barbati Beach

This idyllic spot stretches 1 km along the northeastern coast, and you can enjoy scenic views of the Pantokratoras mountain during your stay.

It’s a smooth pebble beach with a few sun loungers and not many crowds. The unbelievable crystal clear water here is why it’s made my list!

You can go scuba diving, jet skiing, or boating trips here. I would also recommend grabbing a drink at the local beach bar, Verde Blu Bar, and just sitting back and relaxing! You can rent one of the fixed beds or set up your mats and umbrellas in the open area. 

My must-do highlights…

• Hire a boat to spend some time out on the beautiful waters, or go scuba diving the explore the underwater world.
• For those looking to have fun, try out wakeboarding and other water sports at this 5-star beach.
• Stop for a drink at 7 Sins Bar and taste a delightful handcrafted cocktail.

12. Stavros

Stavros is a traditional mountain village at an altitude of 400 meters, almost in the island’s centre, without any tourist development. I love that the fife here flows slowly according to Greek manners and customs! 

In addition to the locals’ houses, there are some houses and rooms for rent if you venture here. There is also a traditional Greek cafe, a restaurant, fantastic views of central and southern Corfu, and paths to explore on the mountain slopes connecting the two different villages.

I would suggest trying to spot the hidden buildings and small churches that sit alongside the lush vegetation on the path, which is very close to the aqueduct of Corfu.

My must-do highlights…

• Take a trip to see the second largest lake in Greece, Lake Volvi, surrounded by great hiking trails.
• Check out the famous rock on the beach which was used as a background for the film ‘Zorba the Greek’.
• Stroll along the peninsula to admire ruins from the historic Venetian quarry.

13. Boukari

If you follow the coast road from Messonghi, after 3 miles, you will find the tranquil fishing village of Boukari. There is a small pier where fishing boats moor, and two restaurants are on the other side. I love that this scene has remained almost unchanged for 50 years! 

These restaurants are small fish tavernas and if you’re lucky, you might spot a dolphin at sea! This is not a busy resort with nightlife, but a spot where you can relax and forget your worries.

There is also a small beach here (a mix of rough sand and pebbles), and there are apartments and studios for visitors to stay in near the beach.

My must-do highlights…

• Taste some delicious and fresh seafood from Kalami Taverna, overlooking the water.
• Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere along the pristine and quiet beach, a favourite for couples.
• Take a walk to one of the most beautiful villages in Greece, the charming Chlomos.

14. Petriti

Petriti is a small village on the eastern coast of Corfu, close to Lefkimmi. Tourists don’t usually spend more than a couple of hours in Petriti, as it’s fairly far from the main town and is only a small fishing village.

So, if you want to stay in an area away from the crowds, I highly recommend it!

I suggest just kicking back and watching the colourful boats come and go while enjoying a glass of local wine!

There is a small beach where you can relax on the sunbeds, which are available for a price, and there are a few bars and restaurants, mostly serving fresh seafood.

It also makes a great base to explore nearby beaches, such as Halikounas Beach and Agios Georgios Beach, which are about half an hour away.

My must-do highlights…

• Gaze at the array of unique fishing boats docked along the harbour with a glass of wine in hand.
• Indulge in traditional Greek delicacies at one of the Tavernas.
• Hire a sun lounger and laze around on the beach whilst enjoying the sounds of the ocean.

15. Paralia Acharavi

Paralia Acharavi offers clear crystal waters and uncrowded sands, probably because the beaches here are pebbly, which puts people off.

Also, be careful, as the waves here can be high. I’ve mentioned it because it’s an uncrowded spot, and you can enjoy views of the Albanian mountains.

When you have finished your beach day, I recommend grabbing a bite at Woody’s Restaurant for a British, European, and Greek twist on popular dishes, including tzatziki, vegetable meze, and stifado.

You can access the beach directly by booking your stay at the Almyros Beach Hotel.

My must-do highlights…

• On a hot day make sure to have a refreshing swim in the beautiful crystal-colored waters.
• Have a go at an array of water sports such as kayaking, water skiing or paddleboarding.
• Hire an E-bike to take a tour around the area and discover some hidden gems.