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Best Beaches in the Ionian Islands
35 hand-picked beaches in the Ionian Islands, ranked by our editors. Top pick: Navagio Beach (4.9 / 5).
Navagio Beach
Zakynthos, Greece · Sandy Beach · 4.9 / 5
Myrtos Beach
Kefalonia, Greece · Pebble Beach · 4.9 / 5
Porto Katsiki
Lefkada, Greece · Pebble Beach · 4.8 / 5
Egremni Beach
Lefkada, Ionian Islands, Greece · Cliff Beach · 4.8 / 5
Porto Timoni
Afionas, Corfu · Twin bays reached by a clifftop hike · 4.7 / 5
Mylos Beach
Agios Nikitas, Lefkada · Wild beach below Agios Nikitas, by foot or taxi boat · 4.6 / 5
Myrtiotissa Beach, Corfu
Myrtiotissa, Corfu, Ionian Islands · Golden sand below steep green cliffs on the west coast of Corfu · 4.6 / 5
Gerakas Beach
Zakynthos · Protected sandy bay below clay cliffs on Zakynthos · 4.5 / 5
Petani Beach
Paliki, Kefalonia · White cliffs and turquoise water on Kefalonia · 4.5 / 5
Paleokastritsa Beach
Paleokastritsa, Corfu, Greece · Cove beaches under green cliffs · 4.5 / 5
Kalamitsi Beach
Kalamitsi, Lefkada · Wild white-pebble coves under steep cliffs · 4.5 / 5
Gidaki Beach
Ithaca, Ionian Islands · Pebble cove reached by boat or footpath · 4.5 / 5
Dafnoudi Beach
Fiskardo area, Kefalonia · Hidden pebble cove down a pine-shaded path · 4.5 / 5
Pefkoulia Beach, Lefkada
Pefkoulia, Agios Nikitas, Lefkada · Golden sand and pebble beach below green cliffs on Lefkada · 4.5 / 5
Agios Nikitas Beach, Lefkada
Agios Nikitas, Lefkada, Ionian Islands · Pebble beach in a small fishing village on Lefkada · 4.5 / 5
Kathisma Beach
Lefkada, Greece · Sunbed-Lined Ionian Beach · 4.4 / 5
Antisamos Beach
Kefalonia · Green Hills and Clear Water near Sami · 4.4 / 5
Agiofili Beach
Vasiliki, Lefkada, Greece · Sheltered Lefkada beach near Vasiliki · 4.4 / 5
Agios Gordios Beach
Agios Gordios, Corfu, Ionian Islands · Long Blue Flag beach beneath steep green cliffs · 4.4 / 5
Sidari Beach
Sidari, Corfu · Sand coves and sea-carved cliffs on the north of Corfu · 4.4 / 5
Xi Beach, Kefalonia
Xi, Paliki, Kefalonia · Reddish-gold sand below low clay cliffs · 4.4 / 5
Marathias Beach, Zakynthos
Marathias, Keri, Zakynthos · Rock-framed bay with clear shallow water near Keri · 4.4 / 5
Dafni Beach, Zakynthos
Dafni, Vasilikos, Zakynthos · Quiet sandy bay on the Vasilikos peninsula · 4.4 / 5
Vasiliki Beach, Lefkada
Vasiliki, Lefkada, Ionian Islands · Windsurf bay with a long pebble beach on Lefkada · 4.4 / 5
Porto Limnionas, Zakynthos
Porto Limnionas, Zakynthos · Rocky inlet with deep clear water on the north-west of Zakynthos · 4.4 / 5
Glyfada Beach
Glyfada, Corfu, Greece · Golden Sand on Corfu · 4.3 / 5
Xigia Beach
Zakynthos, Ionian Islands · Sulphur springs and turquoise water under pale cliffs · 4.3 / 5
Skala Beach, Kefalonia
Skala, Kefalonia · Long golden sand beach on the quiet south coast · 4.3 / 5
Liapades Beach, Corfu
Liapades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu · Quiet pebble cove with clear water near Paleokastritsa · 4.3 / 5
Nikiana Beach, Lefkada
Nikiana, Lefkada, Ionian Islands · Quiet pebble beach with a view of the Ionian coast on Lefkada · 4.3 / 5
Kalamaki Beach
Laganas Bay, Zakynthos · Long sandy loggerhead nesting beach · 4.2 / 5
Tsilivi Beach
Zakynthos, Ionian Islands · Long family beach with water sports near Zakynthos Town · 4.2 / 5
Laganas Beach, Zakynthos
Laganas, Zakynthos · Long pale-sand beach in a marine park for loggerhead turtles · 4.2 / 5
Acharavi Beach, Corfu
Acharavi, North Corfu, Ionian Islands · Long pebble and sand beach in north Corfu · 4.2 / 5
Ipsos Beach, Corfu
Ipsos, Corfu, Ionian Islands · Long pebble beach below Mount Pantokrator on the east coast of Corfu · 4.1 / 5About beaches in the Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands on the west coast of Greece are known for green hills, limestone cliffs and clear turquoise water. Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Lefkada offer everything from long sandy beaches to small pebble coves reached by boat or a short walk.
When to go
May to October is the beach season, with the warmest sea in August and September. June and September give warm days with fewer visitors.
Getting around
A rental car makes it easier to reach the quieter coves, and boats serve beaches with no road access. Parking at the best-known beaches fills early in July and August.
Easiest beaches to reach
Gerakas Beach, Pefkoulia Beach, Lefkada, Agios Nikitas Beach, Lefkada, Kathisma Beach.
Quieter hidden gems
Porto Timoni, Mylos Beach, Myrtiotissa Beach, Corfu, Petani Beach.
All beaches at a glance
- Navagio Beach: best June–September, water about 26 degrees C, access moderate.
- Myrtos Beach: best June–September, water about 27 degrees C, access moderate.
- Porto Katsiki: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access moderate.
- Egremni Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access challenging.
- Porto Timoni: best May–October, water about 24 degrees C, access challenging.
- Mylos Beach: best May–October, water about 24 degrees C, access moderate.
- Myrtiotissa Beach, Corfu: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access challenging.
- Gerakas Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Petani Beach: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access moderate.
- Paleokastritsa Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access moderate.
- Kalamitsi Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access challenging.
- Gidaki Beach: best May–October, water about 24 degrees C, access challenging.
- Dafnoudi Beach: best May–October, water about 24 degrees C, access moderate.
- Pefkoulia Beach, Lefkada: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Agios Nikitas Beach, Lefkada: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Kathisma Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Antisamos Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Agiofili Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access moderate.
- Agios Gordios Beach: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Sidari Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Xi Beach, Kefalonia: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Marathias Beach, Zakynthos: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Dafni Beach, Zakynthos: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Vasiliki Beach, Lefkada: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Porto Limnionas, Zakynthos: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access moderate.
- Glyfada Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Xigia Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access moderate.
- Skala Beach, Kefalonia: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Liapades Beach, Corfu: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Nikiana Beach, Lefkada: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Kalamaki Beach: best May–October, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Tsilivi Beach: best May–October, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Laganas Beach, Zakynthos: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Acharavi Beach, Corfu: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Ipsos Beach, Corfu: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the beaches in the Ionian Islands?
May to October is the beach season, with the warmest sea in August and September. June and September give warm days with fewer visitors.
Which beaches in the Ionian Islands are easiest to reach?
The easiest access is at Gerakas Beach, Pefkoulia Beach, Lefkada, Agios Nikitas Beach, Lefkada, Kathisma Beach. Check each beach page for parking and facilities.
Do I need a car for the beaches in the Ionian Islands?
A rental car makes it easier to reach the quieter coves, and boats serve beaches with no road access. Parking at the best-known beaches fills early in July and August.
Best-of lists for the Ionian Islands
Best Sandy Beaches in the Ionian Islands · Best Pebble Beaches in the Ionian Islands · Best Family Beaches in the Ionian Islands · Easiest Beaches to Reach in the Ionian Islands · Hidden Gem Beaches in the Ionian Islands