Harbors & Marinas in Corfu: Picturesque Ports & Fishing Villages
Corfu’s coastline is dotted with marinas, small harbors and traditional fishing villages that reveal the island’s long relationship with the sea. Some are busy with yachts, ferries and excursion boats, while others remain quiet places where fishing boats return with the day’s catch. Exploring them is a wonderful way to discover a more authentic side of Corfu beyond its famous beaches. Use our Corfu map to see where these ports and coastal villages are located around the island.
Harbors & Marinas to Visit
Corfu Town & Central East Coast
• Corfu Old Town – Mandraki Harbor and the New Port • Gouvia Marina • Benitses Marina and fishing harbor
North & Northeast Corfu
• Kassiopi Harbor • Agni Bay and boat moorings
West Corfu
• Paleokastritsa coves and small boat harbors
South Corfu
• Petriti fishing harbor • Kavos and the southern coastline
Corfu Old Town – Mandraki Harbor & the New Port
Just below the Old Fortress lies Mandraki Harbor, one of the most atmospheric small harbors in Corfu Town. Today it is mainly used by sailing boats and yachts, but its position beneath the historic fortifications gives it a distinctive maritime character. Walking around Mandraki combines views of the Old Fortress, the Ionian Sea and the historic center, making it one of the most scenic harbor walks close to town. The New Port, northwest of the historic center, has a completely different character. It is Corfu’s main ferry and cruise port and one of the busiest arrival points on the island. Ferries connect Corfu with mainland Greece and other destinations, while cruise ships regularly bring visitors directly into the town. How to get there: The New Port is only a short distance from Corfu Town and approximately 15 minutes from the airport by taxi, depending on traffic.
Gouvia Marina
Located around 7 km north of Corfu Town, Gouvia Marina is Corfu’s main organized marina and one of the island’s most important sailing centers. Hundreds of yachts and sailing boats use the marina during the summer season. The waterfront includes restaurants, cafés, boating services and facilities for sailors, giving the marina a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Walking along the quays, you are likely to hear several languages as crews and visitors arrive from across Europe and beyond. The bay also has a strong maritime history. Its sheltered position made the wider Gouvia area important during the Venetian period, and remnants of that history can still be found nearby. Even if you are not sailing, Gouvia Marina is a pleasant place for an evening walk, dinner or a drink beside the yachts. How to get there: Approximately 15–20 minutes by car or taxi from Corfu Town. Public buses also serve the Gouvia area.
Benitses – Marina & Traditional Fishing Village
South of Corfu Town, Benitses combines a traditional fishing village with a modern marina and lively waterfront. Fishing boats can still be seen around the harbor, while the seafront is lined with tavernas, cafés and restaurants. Although Benitses developed considerably with tourism, the older village and fishing traditions remain an important part of its character. One of the nicest ways to experience Benitses is simply to walk along the waterfront in the early morning or evening, watch the boats and then stop for seafood or a drink beside the sea. How to get there: Around 20–25 minutes south of Corfu Town by car, taxi or bus. 
Petriti – One of Corfu’s Traditional Fishing Villages
Petriti, on Corfu’s southeast coast, remains one of the island’s most characteristic fishing villages. Its small harbor is usually filled with fishing boats, and fishing continues to play an important role in local life. Waterfront tavernas serve seafood beside the harbor, while boats return from their trips and fishermen prepare equipment for another day at sea. Compared with Corfu’s larger resorts, Petriti feels quieter and more traditional. If you want to experience a genuine working fishing harbor rather than a marina created mainly for tourism, Petriti is one of the best places to visit. How to get there: Approximately 45–60 minutes by car from Corfu Town, depending on traffic. 
Kassiopi – A Beautiful Northeastern Harbor
Kassiopi has one of the most attractive small harbors in northern Corfu. Fishing boats, private boats and excursion vessels share the waterfront, while restaurants and cafés surround the harbor. Above the village stands Kassiopi Castle, adding a historical backdrop to the waterfront. During the summer, the harbor becomes lively in the evenings as visitors gather for dinner, drinks or a walk beside the boats. Kassiopi is also a popular starting point for boat rentals and coastal trips along northeast Corfu, where small coves and beaches can be reached from the sea. Outside the busy summer season, the harbor becomes much quieter and returns to the slower rhythm of a local coastal village. How to get there: Around one hour by car from Corfu Town. Green Bus services also connect Kassiopi with the town.
Agni – Tiny Bay with Boat Moorings
Agni is a small and beautiful bay on Corfu’s northeast coast, surrounded by olive-covered hills. Boats often anchor or moor offshore while visitors come ashore for a swim or a meal at one of the waterfront tavernas. Agni is not a marina in the conventional sense. Its appeal comes from its intimate setting and the feeling of arriving at a small coastal hideaway. During summer, many visitors reach the bay by boat from nearby resorts. Sitting beside the water while boats come and go is part of the experience. How to get there: Accessible by road from northeast Corfu or by boat from nearby coastal resorts.
Paleokastritsa – Natural Coves & Small Boat Harbors
Paleokastritsa is not a traditional fishing port but a collection of spectacular natural coves where fishing boats, excursion boats and small private vessels operate. The dramatic combination of turquoise water, caves, cliffs and green hills makes the area one of Corfu’s most impressive coastal destinations. Boat trips depart regularly during the tourist season, taking visitors to nearby caves, small beaches and otherwise inaccessible sections of coastline. Paleokastritsa is also a beautiful place to combine a boat trip with swimming and seafood beside the water. For more coastal ideas, explore our guide to the best beaches in Corfu. How to get there: Around 35–45 minutes from Corfu Town by car or Green Bus.
Kavos & the Southern Coast
Kavos is best known for nightlife and tourism, but the wider southern coastline also retains connections with fishing and small-scale maritime activity. Away from the busiest parts of the resort, small boats and local fishing activity provide a reminder that southern Corfu has a maritime life that existed long before tourism transformed Kavos. Visitors who explore beyond the main strip will discover a quieter side of the area and very different landscapes from those associated with the resort’s famous nightlife. How to get there: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Corfu Town by car, depending on traffic. Bus services also connect Corfu Town with southern Corfu and Kavos.
Which Corfu Harbor Should You Visit?
For yachts and marina life: Gouvia Marina. For history and scenery: Mandraki Harbor in Corfu Town. For traditional fishing life: Petriti. For a picturesque harbor village: Kassiopi. For a waterfront village close to Corfu Town: Benitses. For a tiny bay reached beautifully by boat: Agni. For boat trips, caves and dramatic scenery: Paleokastritsa.
Corfu’s Maritime Side
From the yachts of Gouvia and the ferries of Corfu Town to the fishing boats of Petriti and the intimate waterfront of Kassiopi, Corfu’s harbors reveal the island’s continuing relationship with the sea. Each has a different personality. Some are cosmopolitan and lively, while others remain quiet and traditional. Spend a little time around these waterfronts and you will see a side of Corfu that cannot be experienced from a hotel or beach alone. For planning your route, check our Corfu map and regions guide and combine these coastal stops with nearby villages, beaches and attractions.
