Where to Stay in Corfu: The Best Areas & Resorts
From the Venetian streets of Corfu Town to the turquoise coves of the north-east coast, discover the best places to stay in Corfu for couples, families, beaches, nightlife and first-time visits.
Suggested: Kassiopi harbour / Corfu coastline / premium aerial image
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The best areas to stay in Corfu at a glance
Corfu's resorts feel very different from one another. Use this quick comparison to narrow down the part of the island that best suits your holiday.
| Area | Best for | Atmosphere | Beach holiday | Car useful? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corfu Town | First visits, culture, short breaks | Historic & lively | Limited | No |
| Kassiopi | Best all-round resort | Relaxed & stylish | Very good | Helpful |
| Acharavi | Families & longer stays | Relaxed & practical | Excellent | Helpful |
| Paleokastritsa | Scenery & swimming | Scenic & romantic | Excellent | Helpful |
| Sidari | Families & nightlife | Lively | Excellent | Not essential |
| Gouvia | Exploring & boating | Marina resort | Good | Optional |
| Dassia | Easy resort holiday | Relaxed & developed | Very good | Optional |
| Barbati | Couples & quieter stays | Peaceful & upmarket | Excellent | Recommended |
| Agios Gordios | Sandy beach & sunsets | Relaxed | Excellent | Helpful |
| Benitses | Couples & car-free stays | Traditional resort | Good | Optional |
| Moraitika & Messonghi | Families & value | Easy-going | Very good | Optional |
| Kavos | Nightlife | Very lively | Good | No |
Where are Corfu's main resorts?
Use an embedded map here to help visitors understand how the north, north-east, west coast, Corfu Town and southern resorts relate to one another.
Pins: Corfu Town, Kassiopi, Acharavi, Paleokastritsa, Sidari, Gouvia, Dassia, Barbati, Agios Gordios, Benitses, Moraitika, Messonghi, Kavos
Which part of Corfu should you stay in?
Before choosing an individual resort, it helps to understand the island's different coasts.
North-east Corfu
Beautiful swimming spots, attractive villages, waterside tavernas and some of the island's best boating.
Explore the north-east →North coast
Larger, practical resorts with long beaches, restaurants, shops and plenty of family-friendly accommodation.
Explore north Corfu →West coast
Dramatic landscapes, sandy beaches, sunsets and some of Corfu's most photographed coastal scenery.
Explore west-coast beaches →East coast
Convenient access to Corfu Town with a strong mix of beach resorts, restaurants and hotel options.
Explore the east coast →South-east
Relaxed, easy-going resort holidays with a good range of accommodation for couples and families.
Explore south-east Corfu →Corfu Town
The best base for history, restaurants, sightseeing, short stays and holidays without a hire car.
Explore Corfu Town →12 of the best places to stay in Corfu
These are the main resort areas we'd compare first, with a clear reason to choose each one.
Suggested: Old Town rooftops / Liston / waterfront
Corfu Town - Best for first-time visitors and exploring without a car
If beaches are not your only priority, Corfu Town is one of the most rewarding places to stay on the island. Its historic centre is packed with narrow lanes, elegant buildings, squares, restaurants, bars and cafes.
It is also our strongest recommendation for visitors who do not want to hire a car, thanks to its transport links and central role in exploring the island.
Suggested: harbour / castle viewpoint / cove
Kassiopi - Our best all-round place to stay in Corfu
If we had to choose one Corfu resort that works for the widest range of travellers, we'd start with Kassiopi.
Set around a harbour on the north-east coast, it combines restaurants, cafes, bars, attractive swimming spots and access to one of Corfu's most appealing stretches of coastline.
Suggested: long beach / family resort feel
Acharavi - Best place to stay in Corfu for families
Acharavi is one of the easiest places to recommend for families wanting an uncomplicated Corfu holiday. It combines a long beach with restaurants, supermarkets, accommodation and useful everyday facilities.
Suggested: turquoise coves / monastery viewpoint
Paleokastritsa - Best for scenery
Few places capture the image of Corfu quite like Paleokastritsa. Green hills fall towards a collection of coves where the sea shifts between deep blue and turquoise.
Suggested: Canal d'Amour / sandy coastline
Sidari - Best for an easy, lively resort holiday
Sidari is one of northern Corfu's best-known resorts and a strong choice when you want beach, restaurants, entertainment and plenty of accommodation in one place.
Suggested: marina / bay / boats
Gouvia - Best base for exploring Corfu
Gouvia's biggest advantage is location. It gives you useful access towards Corfu Town, northern Corfu and the west of the island, while also offering hotels, restaurants and a major marina.
Suggested: beach / watersports / resort frontage
Dassia - Best for an easy resort and beach combination
Dassia is a convenient east-coast base with a long beach, established hotels, restaurants and watersports. It is a practical choice for families and couples who want resort facilities without being too far from Corfu Town.
Suggested: clear water / Mount Pantokrator backdrop
Barbati - Best for couples and clear water
Barbati sits beneath the slopes of Mount Pantokrator and is one of our favourite choices for couples who want a quieter, more scenic base with exceptionally clear water.
Suggested: sandy beach / sunset / Ortholithi rock
Agios Gordios - Best for a classic sandy beach holiday
If your version of a Greek holiday begins with a long sandy beach, Agios Gordios deserves serious consideration. The resort has a relaxed atmosphere, dramatic green hills and beautiful sunset views.
Suggested: waterfront / marina / traditional village
Benitses - Best for couples who want beach and exploring
Benitses offers a useful middle ground between a traditional coastal village and a modern resort, with restaurants, beach access and easier connections towards Corfu Town.
Suggested: calm beach / family resort / waterfront
Moraitika & Messonghi - Best for relaxed family holidays
These neighbouring south-east resorts are a good fit for families who favour an easy beach holiday, useful facilities and a relaxed atmosphere over sightseeing every day.
Suggested: beach / nightlife strip / sunset
Kavos - Best place to stay in Corfu for nightlife
If your holiday is built around bars, clubs, late nights and a younger atmosphere, Kavos is Corfu's clearest nightlife choice.
Find the right Corfu base for your holiday
For couples
Kassiopi, Barbati, Paleokastritsa, Agios Gordios and Benitses all work particularly well.
Best Corfu hotels for couples →For families
Acharavi, Dassia, Sidari and Moraitika or Messonghi offer some of the easiest family bases.
Best family hotels in Corfu →For beaches
Agios Gordios, Paleokastritsa, Barbati and Acharavi are strong options depending on the kind of beach you prefer.
Best beaches in Corfu →Without a car
Corfu Town is the easiest base, with Gouvia, Dassia and Benitses also worth considering.
Corfu without a car →For nightlife
Kavos is the dedicated nightlife resort. Sidari and Ipsos offer lively alternatives.
Corfu nightlife guide →For luxury
Look towards the north-east coast, premium resorts and villas around Barbati, Nissaki, Kalami and Kassiopi.
Best luxury hotels in Corfu →Split your stay between Corfu Town and the coast
For a trip of seven nights or longer, consider spending two or three nights in Corfu Town before moving to a beach resort. It gives you two very different sides of the island and can be an excellent way to experience Corfu properly.
Our favourite combinations
Corfu Town + Kassiopi - best overall first trip
Corfu Town + Paleokastritsa - culture + scenery
Corfu Town + Agios Gordios - culture + sandy beach
Corfu Town + Acharavi - culture + family resort
Corfu Town + Barbati - culture + relaxing couples' stay
So, where is the best place to stay in Corfu?
If we had to reduce the entire guide to a few recommendations:
Kassiopi
Our favourite all-round resort.
Corfu Town
Best for a first visit, culture and no-car travel.
Acharavi
Best for families and longer stays.
Paleokastritsa
Best for spectacular scenery.
Agios Gordios
Best for a classic sandy beach holiday.
Barbati
Best for couples wanting a quieter stay.
Where to stay in Corfu: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Corfu for the first time?
What is the nicest part of Corfu?
Where should couples stay in Corfu?
Where should families stay in Corfu?
Where should I stay in Corfu without a car?
Which side of Corfu has the best beaches?
Where is best for nightlife in Corfu?
Should I split my stay in Corfu?
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