Published May 2023 | Updated Jan. 2026

Corfu is one of my favorite places in the entire world! It’s a charming small island with an abundance of things to do and lovely places to stay.

Looking for where to stay in Corfu and not sure where to start? I’ll help you find the best area based on your travel style and preferences.

Deciding where to stay in Corfu can feel overwhelming if you’re visiting for the first time. Want to be close to the best beaches on the island? Then stay in Paleokastritsa. Do you prefer a more central location for exploring the whole island? Dassia is my favorite area.

After multiple visits to this beautiful island, I’ve found the best areas to stay in Corfu for different types of travelers. Whether you’re looking for a romantic couples getaway, a family trip, or a luxurious vacation, this guide covers it all.

Best Places to Stay in Corfu

Short on time? These are my top picks for the best places to stay in Corfu!

Best Overall: Aloe Seaview Apartments in Dassia (most-booked by readers)
Best in Corfu Town: Mouragia Luxury Seaview Suite
Best 5-star Hotel: Saint Nicholas Beach Resort in Dassia
Best Villa: Odysseus Villa in Paleokastritsa
Best Budget: Q Apartments in Corfu Town

Where To Stay in Corfu: Best Areas & Hotels — Views from Anemomylos

Best Areas to Stay in Corfu

Dassia: Best for exploring the whole island by car from a convenient central base.
Paleokastritsa: Best for dramatic coastlines, turquoise water, and secluded coves.
Corfu Town: Best for travelers who don’t have a car and want to be in the heart of Corfu.
Agios Georgios Pagon: Best for long sandy beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, and west coast sunsets.
Kassiopi: Best for a laid-back seaside town with a charming harbor, restaurants, and easy swimming spots.
Barbati: Best for families and travelers who want a well-developed area by the beach with restaurants, activities, and services.
Sidari: Best for couples who want a lively beach town close to Canal d’Amour and local restaurants.
Ipsos: Best for nightlife, beach clubs, and a lively central location.
Anemomylos: Best for a quiet stay close to the airport with a local feel.

Dassia

Dassia is one of the best places to stay in Corfu if you plan to rent a car and explore multiple parts of the island. Located just 10 minutes north of Corfu Town, it offers a quieter atmosphere while still being close to restaurants, small beaches, and major roads.

What really makes Dassia my top pick is its central location on the island and access to larger roads. You can easily visit Corfu Town, drive west to Paleokastritsa, or head up to the northern coast for day trips.

Dassia itself is a mostly residential area without a major downtown or big attractions. There’s one main road lined with incredible restaurants and cafes, plus some smaller markets. I enjoyed staying here because it was a peaceful home base to come back to at the end of a busy day exploring.

We loved our stay at Petrinos Cottage, which is perfectly cozy for a couple. It’s within walking distance of delicious restaurants, has a private pool, and includes parking just steps away from the front door.

Where To Stay in Dassia

Petrinos Cottage (where we stayed)
Aloe Seaview Apartments by Konnect
Ikos Dassia (Luxury Resort)
Saint Nicholas Beach Resort (5-Star Hotel)

Things To Do in Dassia

Eat at the local restaurants (some of my favorites in Corfu!)
Swim at Agios Nikolaos Beach
Relax at Dassia Beach

Corfu Town

Corfu Town is the best place to stay in Corfu if you don’t plan to rent a car and want to be within walking distance of restaurants, shops, historic sights, and public transportation.

Located near the airport, it’s also a convenient option for your first few days in Corfu. The town is known for its Venetian architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, warm-colored buildings, and charming cafés (Favella No. 17 is my favorite).

Corfu Town isn’t ideal for longer stays if you plan to explore the entire island by car. Traffic can be congested, parking is limited, and driving through town every day can be frustrating.

However, there are plenty of buses and taxis in Corfu Town. Many day trip tours also pick up in Corfu Town, making it convenient for travelers visiting Corfu without a car.

I recommend staying here for the first few days of your trip (depending on how long you’re staying). It’s the perfect starting point for first-time visitors to get a sense of Corfu's history, culture, and cuisine before exploring more of the island.

We stayed in a stunning seaside apartment at the beginning of our first visit to Corfu and felt it was the best place to start our trip.

Where To Stay in Corfu Town

Mouragia Luxury Seaview Suite (where we stayed!)
CASA VERDE
Vidos Seaview Suite
Budget option: Q Apartments

Things To Do in Corfu Town

Explore the Old and New Venetian Fortresses
Wander the old town streets and shops
Eat at traditional tavernas and cafés

Paleokastritsa

Paleokastritsa is one of the most popular and scenic areas to stay in Corfu, located on the west coast.

It’s a more touristy part of the island, but for good reason. Paleokastritsa is an ideal place to stay in Corfu if you want dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and swimmable beaches.

While Agios Spiridon is one of the better sandy beaches in Corfu, many of the others in Paleokastritsa are pebble beaches with clear, turquoise water. Bring some water shoes to protect your feet!

Paleokastritsa is hilly, spread out, and farther from the airport than other areas like Corfu Town, so I highly recommend renting a car if you stay here.

Paleokastritsa isn’t ideal if you’re looking for a walkable downtown or a low-key area without crowds. It’s best for boat trips, swimming, and visiting attractions like the famous La Grotta Beach Bar.

Where To Stay in Paleokastritsa

Thomas Beach Studios (Adults Only B&B)
Akrotiri Beach Resort & Spa (5-Star, Adult-Friendly)
Odysseus Villa (Two Bedrooms)
Aris Apartments (Beachfront)

Things To Do in Paleokastritsa

Jump off the diving board at La Grotta Beach Bar
Swim at the sandy Agios Spiridon Beach
Rent a boat or take a guided boat tour

Recommended: Book a private mini-bus tour that includes Paleokastritsa, Achilleion Palace, and a scenic drive along the west coast of Corfu.

Agios Georgios Pagon

Agios Georgios Pagon on the northwest coast is one of the best places to stay in Corfu for long, sandy beaches and swimmable seas.

Unlike many parts of Corfu, this area doesn’t have the usual pebble beaches. It’s home to a sprawling sandy beach lined with markets, restaurants, villas, hotels, beach chairs, and boat rentals.

Agios Georgios Pagon is best for travelers looking for a laid-back getaway with easily walkable areas, fewer crowds, and lots of beach time.

There’s not a whole lot to do in Agios Georgios Pagon itself, but it’s located near the popular dual bays at Porto Timoni and the charming town of Afionas. Some boat operators offer rides to Porto Timoni directly from Agios Georgios Beach, so you don’t have to hike it yourself.

This area is ideal for a restful, beach-focused trip with sunsets, early nights, and lazy beach days. If you stay here and want to explore the island, I recommend renting a car.

Where To Stay in Agios Georgios Pagon

Azure Mare Studios (Seaviews)
Eleana Apartments and Studios (Beachfront)
Villa Sofia (Two Bedrooms, Seaviews)

Things To Do in Agios Georgios Pagon

Enjoy the warm, sandy Agios Georgios Beach
Watch the sunset from a seaside villa
Visit nearby Porto Timoni

Kassiopi

Kassiopi is a charming fishing village on the northeastern coast, with a small harbor, vibrant turquoise water, and a laid-back atmosphere.

One of the main reasons to stay in Kassiopi is the peaceful, charming atmosphere. The center of town, beaches, restaurants, and the harbor are all within walking distance of each other.

However, if you want to explore other parts of the island, I recommend renting a car.

Kassiopi Castle is the main attraction here, which you can reach via an easy uphill walk through olive groves. Since Kassiopi is on a small peninsula, it has beaches facing east, north, and west, which is great for swimming throughout the day.

Accommodations in Kassiopi are typically good value, with lower prices than some of Corfu’s more popular areas. You get scenic beaches and views without resort pricing.

Where To Stay in Kassiopi

Artheo Hotel (Sea Views)
Limani Apartments (Beachfront)
Nikoleta Kassiopi Apartment (Three Bedrooms)

Things To Do in Kassiopi

Relax at Engagement Bay, Bataria Beach, or Kanoni Beach
Walk to Kassiopi Castle
Enjoy the harbor and waterfront

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Barbati

Barbati is a popular beach town on the east coast of Corfu, known for its clear turquoise water, pebble beach, and lush mountain backdrop. It’s a good option if you want a lively beach area without an active nightlife.

The beach in Barbati is well developed for tourism with cafés, restaurants, beach chair rentals, water sports, and boat rentals along the shore. The water here is perfect for a dip in the sea on a hot summer day.

Many accommodations are within walking distance of the beach and sit just below the main road, while the apartments and villas above the main road overlook Barbati and the coastline below.

A highlight of staying in Barbati is Coffee Lovers, one of my favorite places to start the day in Corfu! It’s a popular brunch spot with excellent food that reminds me of upscale California brunch spots. The owners are lovely, and I love seeing them on each trip.

Barbati is ideal for travelers who want a built-up beach town with great swimming, easy access to restaurants and services, and a fun beach atmosphere without the busy nightlife.

Where To Stay in Barbati

Things To Do in/Near Barbati

Enjoy breakfast/brunch at Coffee Lovers
Relax at Barbati Beach
Rent a boat from Nissaki Rent A Boat (Danny’s Boats)

Sidari

Sidari is a small beach town on the northwest coast of Corfu and is a good place to stay if you want beaches, attractions, and local tavernas all within walking distance.

While the village itself is quaint with some shops and restaurants, the coastline is the main draw. Sidari has sandy beaches, boat rentals, beach bars, and easy access to the popular Canal d’Amour.

Sidari is a more lively area than Kassiopi, but has less nightlife than Ipsos. During peak season, it can feel crowded as tourists visit to swim through Canal d’Amour and check out nearby Cape Drastis.

We enjoyed a swim through the Canal d’Amour and an authentic Corfu lunch at Katarina’s Taverna afterwards. The town itself wasn’t too crowded when we visited, but Canal d’Amour was packed by midday.

Since Sidari is on the far northeastern coast, I recommend renting a car so you can easily explore other areas of the island.

Where To Stay in Sidari

Things To Do in Sidari

Visit Cape Drastis
Swim through Canal d’Amour and relax at d’Amour Beach
Rent a boat at Sidari Beach

Ipsos

Ipsos (also written as Ypsos) is a coastal town just north of Dassia, and is best for travelers who enjoy a thriving nightlife, especially in summer.

The beach in Ipsos runs along the main road and is lined with restaurants, cafés, and shops. During the day, locals and visitors lounge on the sandy beach and play at the in-sea amusement park, Water Adventure.

By night, the town becomes a hub for party-goers hopping between the bars and nightclubs.

Ipsos is the best option if you want nightlife and a central base for exploring other parts of Corfu by car. If you prefer somewhere more low-key where you can still be central, Dassia is the better choice.

Where To Stay in Ipsos

Seaview Stone Apartment
La Maison Corfu (Adults-Only Boutique Hotel)
Valentino Corfu

Things To Do in Ipsos

Visit the bars and nightclubs
Relax on the beach
Explore the local shops

Anemomylos

Anemomylos is best for travelers who want a quiet, local stay close to the airport and Corfu Town.

The biggest downside of staying in Anemomylos is having to drive through Corfu Town to reach other parts of the island. Since we like exploring the whole island during our trips to Corfu, staying in Anemomylos was a bit inconvenient for day trips.

Anemomylos is a peaceful area with a historic windmill (the only one in Corfu), a coastal park, and restaurants with outdoor seating near the water. It’s a lovely area to start and end each day, or come back to for a midday rest.

We stayed at a beautiful apartment here during our second trip to Corfu and really enjoyed the area itself. While the apartment we stayed in seems to no longer be available, the house next door is!

The locals are friendly, the restaurants are excellent, and the views of the sea and the Old Fortress are stunning.

Anemomylos is just a couple of miles south of Corfu Town, which you can walk to if you want to check out the town or get dinner (you can always get a taxi back).