Best Sandy Beaches in the Ionian Islands
We rank the 17 sandy beaches in the Ionian Islands. Navagio Beach (Greece) comes first with 4.9 / 5, followed by Egremni 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. 12 of the 17 have easy access, and 4 are hidden gems.
1Navagio Beach
Zakynthos, Greece · 4.9 / 5 · Moderate access · about 26 °CThe iconic Shipwreck Beach, enclosed by soaring white limestone cliffs — arguably the most photographed beach in the world.
2Egremni Beach
Lefkada, Ionian Islands, Greece · 4.8 / 5 · Challenging access · about 23 °CA long sweep of pale sand and vivid turquoise water below white limestone cliffs on the west coast of Lefkada.
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.
4Gerakas Beach
Zakynthos · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CA sandy bay on the south-east coast of Zakynthos below pale clay cliffs.
5Pefkoulia 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.
6Petani 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.
7Agiofili Beach
Vasiliki, Lefkada, Greece · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °CA beach about 2 km from Vasiliki on the south of Lefkada, with clear water and a sandy shore below dry hills.
8Agios Gordios Beach
Agios Gordios, Corfu, Ionian Islands · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CA Blue Flag beach of about 1 km on the west coast of Corfu, backed by steep green cliffs and a rock offshore.
9Dafni 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.
10Kathisma Beach
Lefkada, Greece · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CA long beach on the west coast of Lefkada with clear blue water, organised sunbeds and beach bars.
11Sidari Beach
Sidari, Corfu · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CSidari on the north coast of Corfu has sandy beaches and a maze of golden sandstone cliffs carved by the sea.
12Xi Beach, Kefalonia
Xi, Paliki, Kefalonia · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CXi Beach is a long stretch of reddish-gold sand on the Paliki peninsula of Kefalonia, south of Lixouri, backed by low clay cliffs.
13Glyfada Beach
Glyfada, Corfu, Greece · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CA broad golden beach on the west coast of Corfu, backed by wooded hills, with gentle water and a lively summer scene.
14Skala Beach, Kefalonia
Skala, Kefalonia · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CSkala is a long, gently shelving beach of golden sand and fine pebbles on the south coast of Kefalonia.
15Kalamaki Beach
Laganas Bay, Zakynthos · 4.2 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CA long stretch of golden sand on Laganas Bay and part of the protected loggerhead nesting area.
16Laganas Beach, Zakynthos
Laganas, Zakynthos · 4.2 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CLaganas is a long beach of fine pale sand at the head of Laganas Bay on Zakynthos, inside a national marine park where loggerhead turtles nest.
17Tsilivi Beach
Zakynthos, Ionian Islands · 4.2 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CA long sandy beach north of Zakynthos Town with gently shelving, warm water and a lively strip of beach bars and tavernas.
Quick comparison
| # | Beach | Country | Score | Water | Best season | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Navagio Beach | Greece | 4.9 | 26 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 2 | Egremni Beach | Greece | 4.8 | 23 °C | May–October | Challenging |
| 3 | Myrtiotissa Beach, Corfu | Greece | 4.6 | 24 °C | June–September | Challenging |
| 4 | Gerakas Beach | Greece | 4.5 | 24 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 5 | Pefkoulia Beach, Lefkada | Greece | 4.5 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 6 | Petani Beach | Greece | 4.5 | 23 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 7 | Agiofili Beach | Greece | 4.4 | 23 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 8 | Agios Gordios Beach | Greece | 4.4 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 9 | Dafni Beach, Zakynthos | Greece | 4.4 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 10 | Kathisma Beach | Greece | 4.4 | 24 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 11 | Sidari Beach | Greece | 4.4 | 24 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 12 | Xi Beach, Kefalonia | Greece | 4.4 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 13 | Glyfada Beach | Greece | 4.3 | 24 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 14 | Skala Beach, Kefalonia | Greece | 4.3 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 15 | Kalamaki Beach | Greece | 4.2 | 25 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 16 | Laganas Beach, Zakynthos | Greece | 4.2 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 17 | Tsilivi Beach | Greece | 4.2 | 24 °C | May–October | Easy |
How we picked these beaches
Included when the shoreline is mostly of this type, then ranked by our editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top-rated sandy beaches in the Ionian Islands?
Our top three are Navagio Beach (4.9 out of 5), Egremni Beach (4.8 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?
Gerakas Beach, Pefkoulia Beach, Lefkada, Agios Gordios Beach, Dafni Beach, Zakynthos, Kathisma Beach and 7 more have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.