Best Beaches on Corfu's West Coast

1 Glyfada Beach - The Golden Jewel

Consistently ranked among the best beaches in Greece, Glyfada is the crown jewel of Corfu's west coast. A wide sweep of golden sand sits at the base of lush green cliffs, creating a scene that looks almost tropical. The beach has been awarded a Blue Flag for its clean water and excellent facilities.

The sand here is genuinely golden - not the grey or white you find elsewhere on the island. The water transitions from turquoise shallows to deep blue within a few metres, making it stunning to look at and wonderful to swim in. Beach bars play chilled music, sun loungers line the shore, and the whole atmosphere is effortlessly cool.

Best for: Sunbathing, swimming, sunset cocktails, photography. The beach faces directly west, making it one of the best sunset-watching spots on the island.

2 Myrtiotissa Beach - The Wild Beauty

Lawrence Durrell called Myrtiotissa "perhaps the loveliest beach in the world," and while that claim might be debatable, there is no denying its raw, untouched beauty. Nestled beneath towering cliffs and dense olive groves, this small beach feels like a secret that nature tried to hide from the world.

The access path is steep and unpaved, which keeps the crowds manageable even in peak season. Once you arrive, you are rewarded with crystal-clear water, a mix of sand and smooth pebbles, and a sense of wilderness that is increasingly rare in the Mediterranean. A small monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Myrtiotissa) sits on the cliff above.

Note that Myrtiotissa is known as a naturist-friendly beach. The northern section is typically used by naturists, while the area closer to the monastery is more conventional. Everyone is welcome, and the atmosphere is relaxed and respectful.

Best for: Nature lovers, solitude seekers, adventurous swimmers. Bring water shoes for the rocky path.

3 Paleokastritsa - The Postcard Paradise

Paleokastritsa is not just one beach - it is a collection of six stunning bays carved into the coastline, each with its own character. The area is widely considered one of the most beautiful spots in all of Greece, with dramatic green headlands, hidden sea caves, and water so clear you can see the bottom at 10 metres depth.

The main beach (Agios Spyridon) has full facilities including sunbeds, restaurants, and water sports. Further along, smaller beaches like Platakia and Alipa offer more seclusion. Glass-bottom boat trips depart regularly, taking you to the famous blue caves and secret grottos along the coastline.

The 13th-century Theotokos Monastery perched on the headland above adds a layer of cultural significance. The views from the monastery gardens are arguably the best panorama in Corfu. Read our complete Paleokastritsa guide for detailed information.

Best for: Snorkeling, boat trips, photography, sightseeing. The water is cooler here due to underwater freshwater springs - refreshing on hot days!

4 Agios Gordios - The Family Favourite

If you want a west coast beach with the amenities and ease of the east coast, Agios Gordios is your answer. This long, wide beach of fine sand stretches for 1.5 kilometres, backed by dramatic rock formations including the famous Ortholithi - a towering needle-shaped rock that rises from the sea at the southern end.

The beach has a gentle slope into the water, making it suitable for children, though parents should be aware that waves can pick up on windy afternoons. Several tavernas and beach bars line the shore, and water sports including jet skiing and paragliding are available during summer.

The village behind the beach has a relaxed, traditional feel with small family-run hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants serving fresh seafood. It is one of the few west coast resorts where you can stay right on the beach and walk to everything you need.

Best for: Families, beach walks, water sports, long stays. The 1.5km length means you can always find a quiet spot.

5 Pelekas Beach (Kontogialos) - The Hidden Valley

Tucked into a valley below the hilltop village of Pelekas, this beach (also known as Kontogialos) combines golden sand with a dramatic setting. High cliffs on either side create a natural amphitheatre effect, and the beach benefits from sunshine from morning until sunset.

Pelekas Beach has good facilities with sunbeds, a couple of beach bars, and a restaurant, but it maintains a more local and authentic feel than Glyfada. The sand is soft and the water entry gradual, making it a good choice for swimmers of all levels.

After your beach day, drive up to the village of Pelekas and visit Kaiser's Throne (Kaizer's Bridge) - a viewpoint on the hilltop where Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany used to watch the sunset. The 360-degree panoramic views across the island are breathtaking.

Best for: Beach lovers who want a more authentic atmosphere, sunset viewing from Kaiser's Throne above.

6 Ermones Beach - The Mythical Bay

Legend has it that Ermones is where Odysseus was washed ashore and discovered by Princess Nausicaa in Homer's Odyssey. Whether or not the myth is true, the bay is certainly dramatic enough to inspire epic poetry. Steep, forested hillsides sweep down to a curved beach of mixed sand and pebbles.

The water at Ermones is exceptionally clear and the swimming excellent, though the beach shelves more steeply than others on this list. A small river meets the sea here, creating an interesting ecosystem. The Corfu Golf Club sits on the plateau above, and a funicular railway takes hotel guests down to the beach - quite a unique feature!

Ermones feels more upmarket and peaceful than some of the busier west coast beaches. There are fewer facilities directly on the beach, but the nearby hotels have restaurants and bars with terrace views over the bay.

Best for: Mythology enthusiasts, golfers, couples seeking a quieter upmarket atmosphere.

7 Liapades & Rovinia - The Secret Coves

The small village of Liapades guards access to some of Corfu's most spectacular hidden beaches. Rovinia Beach, accessible only by a 20-minute walk through olive groves or by boat, is a pristine crescent of white pebbles with water so clear it looks like a swimming pool. This is the beach used in the music video for the famous song "Forever Young" and has appeared in several travel publications.

From Liapades, you can also hire small boats (no license required) to explore the dramatic coastline between Paleokastritsa and Ermones. The sea caves, hidden coves, and overhanging cliffs along this stretch of coast are truly spectacular. Paradise Beach, another hidden gem, is accessible by these boat trips.

The village itself is charming and largely untouristy, with a couple of traditional tavernas where locals and visitors mix over grilled fish and village wine.

Best for: Adventure seekers, couples, anyone who wants to discover beaches most tourists never see.

8 Prasoudi Beach - The Quiet Escape

Between Agios Gordios and Agios Matthias, Prasoudi is one of those beaches that even long-time Corfu visitors often miss. A small sandy bay sheltered by low cliffs, it has just one taverna and no sunbed rental - the kind of simple beach experience that is becoming increasingly rare.

The water is clean and relatively calm for the west coast, and the lack of development means you might share the beach with just a handful of other visitors, even in August. The taverna above the beach serves excellent traditional food at local prices.

Access is via a narrow road through farmland, which is part of its charm. If you are staying in the Skripero area at a villa like Ef Zin Villa, Prasoudi makes for a wonderful day trip to an authentic, uncrowded beach.

Best for: Solitude seekers, traditionalists, anyone wanting an authentic Greek beach experience.