Marathias Beach stretches for approximately four kilometres, making it a clear starting point when choosing where to stay. Water sports are available at the beach; the water gradually gets deeper, and the beach is considered suitable for families with children. Conditions can vary. Its length, water profile and activities give you concrete points to consider when deciding how much of your stay you want to spend by the water.
Finding your way around the beach
The beach scene includes organised sections with sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as several restaurants along the beach. As these offerings may change, check what is available during your stay before you visit.
Corfu as the wider regional setting
The wider destination of Corfu offers cultural and landscape experiences in addition to its beaches. Corfu Old Town has preserved almost all of its historic urban fabric; its buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Together with its two fortresses, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This offers a different focus from a beach holiday in Marathias and may appeal to travellers who also want to include urban history in their plans.
The Museum of Asian Art in Corfu Old Town houses more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia. From Corfu port, you can reach the museum on bus route 2, which runs between Mantouki and Kanoni; check the timetable before travelling. The Archaeological Museum of Corfu offers another perspective: it was built primarily to display the Gorgon Medusa pediment from the great Temple of Artemis. The pediment dates from 585 BC and was excavated in 1911 near the Monastery of Aghioi Theodoroi.
You can also explore other historical themes in the wider destination of Corfu. The Achilleion summer palace was built in Gastouri in 1892 in the Pompeian style. At the Kapodistrias Museum, the permanent exhibition uses significant artefacts and documents to explore the history of Corfu, Europe and Greece through the life of Greece’s first governor. The two sites therefore offer different perspectives: architectural history on the one hand, and an exhibition with a broader historical focus on the other.
Hiking and events are also part of what the region has to offer. In the municipal unit of Achilleion, ancient paths wind through the wooded mountains of Agii Deka, Stavros and Garouna and are suitable for hiking. The 180-kilometre Corfu Trail passes through several settlements; Benitses is one of its 13 overnight stops. The villages in the municipal unit of Achilleion also host numerous festivals and folk festivals, as well as cultural events organised by the municipality. Individual event programmes vary. Check dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Velianitatika, Kanakades, Gaios, Mparmpati, Othoni, Perouládes, Argyrades, Agios Gordios.
Back to the main travel guide: Corfu.
