Hidden Gem Beaches in the Ionian Islands
We rank the 15 hidden gem beaches in the Ionian Islands. Porto Timoni (Greece) comes first with 4.7 / 5, followed by Mylos Beach, Myrtiotissa Beach, Corfu.
The sea reaches about 24 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from June to September. 7 of the 15 have easy access, and 15 are hidden gems.
1Porto Timoni
Afionas, Corfu · 4.7 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °CTwo back-to-back coves on the north-west coast of Corfu, separated by a narrow strip of land.
2Mylos Beach
Agios Nikitas, Lefkada · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °CA wild, mostly pebbly beach south of Agios Nikitas, framed by steep green hills and bright blue water.
3Myrtiotissa Beach, Corfu
Myrtiotissa, Corfu, Ionian Islands · 4.6 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °CMyrtiotissa is a long golden beach on the west coast of Corfu, backed by steep green cliffs and a small monastery above.
4Agios Nikitas Beach, Lefkada
Agios Nikitas, Lefkada, Ionian Islands · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CAgios Nikitas is a small village on the north-west coast of Lefkada, with a beach of pebbles and clear turquoise water.
5Dafnoudi Beach
Fiskardo area, Kefalonia · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °CA small, sheltered pebble cove on the north tip of Kefalonia near Fiskardo, with calm turquoise water and a pine forest behind it.
6Gidaki Beach
Ithaca, Ionian Islands · 4.5 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °CA remote pebble cove on the east coast of Ithaca, backed by pale cliffs and clear blue water.
7Kalamitsi Beach
Kalamitsi, Lefkada · 4.5 / 5 · Challenging access · about 23 °CA string of pebble coves on the west coast of Lefkada below the village of Kalamitsi, with clear water under steep cliffs.
8Pefkoulia Beach, Lefkada
Pefkoulia, Agios Nikitas, Lefkada · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CPefkoulia is a long beach of golden sand and pebbles on the west coast of Lefkada, below steep green hills near Agios Nikitas.
9Petani Beach
Paliki, Kefalonia · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °CA long beach of pale sand and pebbles beneath white limestone cliffs on the west coast of the Paliki peninsula, with clear water and a relaxed atmosphere.
10Dafni Beach, Zakynthos
Dafni, Vasilikos, Zakynthos · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CDafni is a long sandy beach on the Vasilikos peninsula in the south-east of Zakynthos, close to the Gerakas beach where sea turtles nest.
11Marathias Beach, Zakynthos
Marathias, Keri, Zakynthos · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CMarathias is a small bay near Keri on the south-west coast of Zakynthos, framed by white limestone rocks and shallow turquoise water.
12Porto Limnionas, Zakynthos
Porto Limnionas, Zakynthos · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °CPorto Limnionas is a narrow rocky inlet on the north-west coast of Zakynthos, with clear deep water and no sand.
13Vasiliki Beach, Lefkada
Vasiliki, Lefkada, Ionian Islands · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CVasiliki is a village at the head of a long bay on the south of Lefkada, famous as one of the best windsurfing spots in Greece.
14Liapades Beach, Corfu
Liapades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CLiapades is a small village beach on the north-west coast of Corfu, just south of Paleokastritsa.
15Nikiana Beach, Lefkada
Nikiana, Lefkada, Ionian Islands · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CNikiana is a small seaside village on the east coast of Lefkada, with a long beach of pebbles, calm water and a view of the mainland hills.
Quick comparison
| # | Beach | Country | Score | Water | Best season | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porto Timoni | Greece | 4.7 | 24 °C | May–October | Challenging |
| 2 | Mylos Beach | Greece | 4.6 | 24 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 3 | Myrtiotissa Beach, Corfu | Greece | 4.6 | 24 °C | June–September | Challenging |
| 4 | Agios Nikitas Beach, Lefkada | Greece | 4.5 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 5 | Dafnoudi Beach | Greece | 4.5 | 24 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 6 | Gidaki Beach | Greece | 4.5 | 24 °C | May–October | Challenging |
| 7 | Kalamitsi Beach | Greece | 4.5 | 23 °C | May–October | Challenging |
| 8 | Pefkoulia Beach, Lefkada | Greece | 4.5 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 9 | Petani Beach | Greece | 4.5 | 23 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 10 | Dafni Beach, Zakynthos | Greece | 4.4 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 11 | Marathias Beach, Zakynthos | Greece | 4.4 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 12 | Porto Limnionas, Zakynthos | Greece | 4.4 | 24 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 13 | Vasiliki Beach, Lefkada | Greece | 4.4 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 14 | Liapades Beach, Corfu | Greece | 4.3 | 24 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 15 | Nikiana Beach, Lefkada | Greece | 4.3 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
How we picked these beaches
Included when we flag the beach as a hidden gem, meaning it is quieter than the headline beaches nearby, then ranked by editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top-rated hidden gem beaches in the Ionian Islands?
Our top three are Porto Timoni (4.7 out of 5), Mylos Beach (4.6 out of 5), Myrtiotissa Beach, Corfu (4.6 out of 5). Scores are editorial ratings from the EuroShores team.
When is the best time to visit these beaches?
Most are at their best from June to September. Water temperatures average about 24 degrees C in season. Each beach page lists its exact season.
Which of these beaches are easiest to reach?
Agios Nikitas Beach, Lefkada, Pefkoulia Beach, Lefkada, Dafni Beach, Zakynthos, Marathias Beach, Zakynthos, Vasiliki Beach, Lefkada and 2 more have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.