Almost every guest who checks in asks the same question on their first evening: "Which beach should we do tomorrow?" And almost every time, depending on the weather and their mood, we end up pointing them west.
The west coast of Corfu is where you go for real sand under your feet, real waves in the water, and the kind of sunset that makes people stop mid-conversation. It's also where we've spent a lot of summers ourselves. So here is the honest guide — the eight beaches our guests come back raving about, with the things they don't always read about online.
Why We Send Guests West
The east coast (where many of our houses are) is the calm, sheltered side — perfect for swimming with small children, perfect for lazy mornings with a coffee on the terrace. But the west coast is where Corfu gets dramatic. The Ionian opens up to the horizon, the cliffs fall straight into the sea, and between May and October the sunsets are something like a nightly performance.
The trick is knowing which west-coast beach suits the day. A calm morning is perfect for Myrtiotissa. A breezy afternoon is better spent at Glyfada or Paleokastritsa, where the coves shelter the swimming areas.
Glyfada Beach
If a guest has one day and wants the whole west-coast experience, we send them to Glyfada. It's the widest strip of golden sand on the island, there are sunbeds and a beach bar if they want comfort, and three tavernas for lunch. Good for families, and the late-afternoon waves are just enough for a bodyboard without being dangerous.
Myrtiotissa
The one we only send people to when they ask for something wild. A small beach wedged between forested cliffs, reached down a steep track that everybody underestimates. One simple taverna above. No sunbeds, no music, no services. Parts of the beach are clothing-optional — we mention it beforehand so nobody is surprised.
Paleokastritsa
Six coves, one monastery on top of the cliff, and the most-photographed turquoise on the west side of the island. Our tip to guests: park in the upper village, walk down, and swim at Agios Spiridon or Ampelaki rather than the first cove you see. It makes all the difference.
Agios Gordios
Our most-recommended beach for families staying a full week. Long and shallow, sand rather than pebble, with a proper village behind — mini-markets, doctors, pharmacies, everything a family might need if they forgot something. The Ortholithi rock offshore is the postcard view, especially at sunset.
Pelekas (Kontogialos)
The one local families quietly keep for themselves. Long soft-sand beach below a pine-clad valley, organised in the middle and wild at the ends. The shuttle bus from Pelekas village square saves the 15-minute descent in the heat.
Ermones
Homer's beach. This is where Odysseus is said to have washed ashore. It's a pebble-and-sand bay surrounded by high cliffs, with a funicular down from the hotel above — the only way to combine a proper beach day with Greek mythology without breaking a sweat.
Liapades & Rovinia
Two hidden coves for guests who want to get away from everybody for an afternoon. Liapades is reachable by car; Rovinia either a 20-minute walk or a water-taxi from Paleokastritsa. The snorkeling at Rovinia is the best we know on the west side.
Prasoudi
For the guest who wants "a small beach where nothing happens". That's Prasoudi. Small pebble-and-sand cove, one little taverna for lunch, no music, no water-sports. Perfect for reading a book and swimming until you're hungry.
A Host's Tip
For the best sunset on the island, don't go down to the beach — drive up. Park in Pelekas village and walk five minutes to the Kaiser's Throne viewpoint. You'll see the whole west coast from Liapades to Agios Gordios glowing orange. Take a bottle of wine from the local mini-market. Nobody regrets this one.
Matching the Beach to the Day
If the wind is blowing from the west (you can check the ferry reports — when Corfu-to-Paxos is cancelled, it's a west-wind day), swap your west-coast beach for something on the east side. On calm days, head west for sunset.
Mornings are when the light is softest. Paleokastritsa before 10am is a completely different place from Paleokastritsa at noon — cooler, quieter, bluer. We always tell guests: if you want the photos, go early.
Getting to the West Coast
From our beach houses on the east side or our town residences in Corfu Town, the west coast is 20–45 minutes depending on which beach. The coastal road is beautiful but winding. We keep a small fleet of local recommendations for guests who want to skip the driving, but most people prefer the flexibility of their own car for beach-hopping.
★ Rent a Car with Herbie
Our long-standing rental partner on the island. They deliver the car to wherever you're staying — no airport queue. Ideal for west-coast beach days because the smaller coves are simply not on the bus map.
Book a car →Staying Close to the Action
If west-coast beaches are the whole reason you're coming to Corfu, it's worth staying somewhere within a short drive of the sand. A couple of our beach houses sit on this side of the island and put you ten minutes from three of the beaches above. For guests who want to combine a few Old Town evenings with beach days, a base in town also works — the drive is manageable.
★ Oikia 4 — Corfu Town Apartment
For guests who want the best of both: a central Corfu Town apartment, steps from the Liston and the Old Fortress, with the west coast a 25-minute drive away. Good for couples combining culture and beach time.
View apartment →Practical Things Our Guests Ask
Are there lifeguards? On Glyfada, Paleokastritsa and Agios Gordios in peak season, yes. On the smaller beaches, no — swim accordingly.
Is there parking? Paleokastritsa has a paid lot, the others have free roadside parking. Go early in August; it fills up by 11am.
Can I do all eight in one trip? Realistically two per day. Pair a lively organised beach with a quiet hidden one.
Luggage on arrival day? If you land before check-in, leave bags at Lock and Walk in Corfu Town and head straight for the sand.
Explore Further
For a completely different beach experience on the sheltered side of the island, see our east coast beaches guide. And if you want to skip the roads entirely, read about the hidden beaches only reachable by boat.