Arillas Corfu is a wonderfully laid-back resort on the north-west coast, with a long, sandy, family-friendly beach, locally run tavernas and a genuine village feel, about 38 kilometres from Corfu Town. This guide covers the beach, the relaxed atmosphere, the activities and how to visit this unspoilt corner.
Arillas is the unspoilt, friendly end of the north-west, a peaceful base in the wider Corfu tours and travel guide. It lies between Agios Stefanos and Agios Georgios Pagon. The sections below cover the resort.
What is Arillas beach like?
Arillas beach is a long, wide stretch of fine golden sand, over two kilometres curving between green headlands, that rarely feels crowded. The water is calm and shallow for a good distance, safe for children and relaxing for nervous swimmers.
The beach is Arillas’s pride. A broad sweep of fine golden sand runs for over two kilometres, curving gently between green headlands and backed by low-key development, so even at the height of summer there is space to spread out. The sea shelves slowly and stays shallow and calm a long way from the shore, which makes it especially safe for young children and reassuring for nervous swimmers. Sunbeds and tavernas line the central stretch, while the ends stay quieter. The combination of size, sand and gentle water makes it one of the most family-friendly beaches on the north-west coast, set within the wider Corfu beaches. The atmosphere is famously relaxed.
What is the atmosphere like?
Arillas is the picture of a laid-back resort, with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and a village feel. There are no big hotels; almost all the accommodation, tavernas, bars and shops are run by local owners, giving it a warm, authentic character.
Arillas charms visitors with its genuine, unspoilt feel. Unlike the larger, built-up resorts, it has kept development low-key, with no big hotels dominating the bay; instead, almost everything, the studios and apartments, the tavernas, the bars and the shops, is owned and run by local families. This gives the resort a warm, personal atmosphere where staff and returning guests know each other, and a real sense of a working Greek village rather than a package destination. The pace is gentle and the welcome friendly, which is exactly why many visitors come back year after year, set out alongside the guides to San Stefanos and where to stay in Corfu. Dining is a highlight.
What is there to eat and do?
Dining is a great pleasure, with locally run tavernas, cafés and bars along the beach road serving fresh seafood, grilled meats and Corfiot dishes on vine-shaded terraces. Water sports, boat trips and the signposted Arillas Trail add activity.
Eating and gentle exploring fill the days at Arillas. The beach road is dotted with locally owned tavernas, cafés and bars serving fresh fish, grilled meats, crisp salads and classic Corfiot cooking, their vine- or umbrella-shaded terraces perfect for a slow lunch or a romantic dinner with a sunset view. On the water, sunbeds, water sports and boat trips along the scenic coast keep things active, while inland the hills and olive groves rising behind Arillas are crossed by lanes and footpaths gathered into a signposted walking route, the Arillas Trail, that passes old olive presses and lookouts above the bay, set out alongside the guide to walking the Corfu Trail. It is also a fine base for the north-west.
Why is Arillas a good base?
Arillas is a good base for exploring Corfu’s north-west corner, with Agios Stefanos to the north and the bay of Agios Georgios Pagon to the south, both within easy reach. Its village feel, sandy beach and friendly tavernas suit families and couples.
Arillas makes a peaceful springboard for the north-west. The lovely sandy beaches of Agios Stefanos lie just to the north and the magnificent horseshoe bay of Agios Georgios Pagon to the south, both a short drive away, while boat trips reach Porto Timoni and the wider coast. Inland, traditional villages and the green hills invite drives and walks. For visitors who want an unspoilt, family-friendly resort with a real Greek atmosphere, a great beach and easy access to the north-west’s highlights, Arillas is an excellent choice, set out alongside the guides to Agios Georgios Pagon and Corfu car rental. Getting there is straightforward.
How do you get to Arillas?
You reach Arillas in about 50 to 60 minutes by car from Corfu Town and the airport, around 38 kilometres north-west on a scenic route. Green Buses also serve the area, though a hire car helps for exploring the north-west.
Arillas sits in the far north-west, so the drive is part of the experience. By car it is roughly a 50 to 60 minute journey from Corfu Town and the airport, around 38 kilometres on scenic roads through the green interior and down to the coast, with parking in and around the resort. Green Buses connect Corfu Town with the north-west, so the area can be reached without a car, though services are limited. Given the resort’s spread and the appeal of touring the surrounding bays, villages and beaches, a hire car is the most flexible option, set out alongside the guides to how to get to Corfu and a Corfu itinerary. Accommodation is the next planning point.
Where should you stay in Arillas?
Arillas offers family-run studios, apartments and small hotels rather than large complexes, most within a short walk of the beach and tavernas. Beachfront rooms suit those who want the sand on their doorstep, while quieter options sit on the slopes just behind the resort.
Arillas keeps its accommodation small-scale and personal, which is central to its village character. Visitors choose between studios, self-catering apartments and modest family-run hotels, most of them a level stroll from the sand, the beach road tavernas and the handful of shops. Rooms near the front trade a little quiet for instant beach access, while those set back on the green slopes behind the bay reward guests with sea views and calm evenings. Because owners often live on site, service tends to be warm and repeat guests are common, which is why many families and couples return each year. The choice pairs with the wider guide to where to stay in Corfu. Sunsets are a further draw here.
Is Arillas good for sunsets?
Arillas faces west, so it is one of the best places on Corfu to watch the sun set over the Ionian Sea. Beachfront bars and taverna terraces fill in the early evening as the sky colours over the water and the offshore islets.
Arillas’s west-facing bay turns each clear evening into a quiet event. As the sun drops towards the horizon, the light spreads gold and pink across the water and silhouettes the small islets offshore, and the beach bars and taverna terraces along the front fill with visitors settling in for a drink or an early dinner with the view. This gentle, scenic ritual fits the resort’s unhurried mood and is one reason couples favour it. The same west coast delivers celebrated sunsets a little further along at Logas beach and Cape Drastis, both within a short drive, and it sits alongside the guide to Logas beach at Peroulades. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arillas Corfu known for?
Arillas is known for its long, sandy, family-friendly beach with calm, shallow water, and for its blissfully relaxed, village-like atmosphere. With no big hotels and locally run tavernas and shops, it is one of the most unspoilt and friendly resorts on the north-west coast.
Is Arillas good for families?
Arillas is excellent for families, thanks to its long sandy beach with calm, shallow water that is safe for children, its relaxed pace and its friendly, locally run amenities. The gentle, low-key nightlife also suits couples seeking a quiet, authentic holiday.
How far is Arillas from Corfu Town?
Arillas is about 38 kilometres from Corfu Town and the airport, a scenic drive of roughly 50 to 60 minutes through the north-west. Green Buses also serve the area, though a hire car is the most flexible way to explore the surrounding bays and villages.