Porto Timoni is arguably the most spectacular spot in Corfu, but reaching this famous “double beach” requires a bit of planning. Located below the village of Afionas, the trail offers iconic views that are worth every step of the steep, rocky descent. Read on for my essential guide on how to find the trailhead, what to pack, and how to beat the crowds at Porto Timoni.
Porto Timoni Beach is located in the north west of Corfu, near the mountain village Afionas. Its distinctive double beaches separated by a narrow strip of scrubland have made Porto Timoni an iconic viewpoint. It was definitely the highlight of my holiday to the Greek island of Corfu. Porto Timoni is only accessible on foot or by boat, so it takes a bit of planning to get there. I’ve added everything you’ll need to plan a visit to Porto Timoni below, including the hiking route as well as parking and transport.
The easiest way to get to Porto Timoni is the scenic trail from Afionas. This is a higgledy-piggledy hilltop village with narrow streets, so finding a place to park can be a challenge.
There are plenty of signposts in Afionas to direct you to the Porto Timoni trail route. From Afionas Parking, walk up past The Grill (I popped in here for a cheeky gyros first) and Anafoufou, and continue up the hill to the main square.
There are two options to reach the trail to Porto Timoni:
Both of these paths eventually merge into the same main scenic trail that heads down the cliffside.
The hike down to the Porto Timoni viewpoint and then on to the beach is a 30-minute descent over loose limestone and red earth. I occasionally had to use my hands for balance. You’ll be fine wearing trainers. There were plenty of people wearing sandals/flip-flops, but I wouldn’t recommend it!
Keep in mind that the hike back up to Afionas is significantly tougher in the heat. Allow at least 40-45 minutes for the return climb.
About halfway down the path diverges and there’s a wooden sign directing you to either the beach or the view point. This is the spot for the iconic “Double Beach” photo, so I recommend going there first, then doubling back and continuing on down to the beach.
You’ve never seen anyone get into the water as fast as I did after that sweaty walk down! You’ll find two beaches (Limni and Porto Timoni) separated by a narrow strip of land. I personally preferred the beach on the left as the sea there is more sheltered, making it perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
The beaches are pebbles rather than sand, and there are no sunbeds, umbrellas or anything like that, so come prepared. It has a busy, family vibe, which I enjoyed. If you’d rather have the beach to yourself, aim to get there early in the morning before the first water taxi arrives (around 8am I think).
There are no shops or facilities at the beach, so make sure to pack everything you’ll need for the day:
If the thought of the steep hike back up to Afionas under the Greek sun feels a bit much, there is an easier way out. Boat taxis frequently run between Porto Timoni and the nearby beach of Agios Georgios.
The best way to get to Porto Timoni beach will depend on what part of the island you’re staying in. Afionas, the nearest village, is located on the northwest coast of Corfu. It is about a 1-hour drive from Corfu Town or the airport. There are several main ways to get there:
I definitely recommend getting a hire car for your trip to Corfu, as it opens up the whole island. I found Corfu pleasantly easy to drive around, and this was my first time driving on the right.
Corfu gets busy over summer so I recommend booking your rental car in advance. Definitely get a small-sized car, it’s easier for wending your way through the narrow streets of the Greek villages. I personally use DiscoverCars to find and compare car hire options.
If you’re in a group then hiring a car can end up being the most affordable way to travel around Corfu.
North Corfu:
Central Corfu:
South Corfu:
I recommend getting an Airalo eSIM so that you have data for Google Maps. Enter the referral code ROWAN1271 for a discount.
Personally I found Corfu quite easy to drive around as the roads were generally quiet (with the exception of Corfu Town) and the locals are actually quite patient. You do need to be confident at navigating some tight spaces though, and I definitely recommend getting a small-sized car.
The roads can be very steep in places with hairpin bends. Watch out for potholes and be courteous to people driving scooters.
Hiring a scooter or ATV (quad bike) is a popular way to travel around Corfu, and makes parking easier! If you’re by yourself or if there’s just two of you then this will probably be cheaper than hiring a car. Bear in mind that Corfu has very steep, winding hills, so make sure that you’re a confident rider.
ATVs are legal in Corfu just for ordinary driving, so you’ll even see them in the centre of town. Driving an ATV is slower than being in a car, but it’s a very fun way to explore the island and get some sun at the same time. You can even do guided ATV tours around Corfu. The ATV rental shop will give you some basic instructions on how to drive them, which is not difficult.
The rules for rentals in Greece can be strict. You can hire an ATV with a standard car driving license, but most rental shops on Corfu will want to see a full motorbike license for scooters. Provisional licences are not accepted, for example the UK CBT is not recognised overseas in Greece. You need to wear a helmet by law in Corfu.
Hiring a taxi or private transfer is the most expensive way to get around Corfu, but it’s also the most stress-free. You accommodation or one of the tour agencies/ATV hire shops in town should be able to help you arrange transport.
You can agree a return pick up time with your driver to take you back to your accommodation from Afionas/Porto Timoni beach. Taxis on Corfu are quite expensive as the distances are large. Expect to pay €60-90 per ride.
The buses on Corfu are great. I hired a car for one day to get to Porto Timoni (last-minute planning!) but spent the rest of my trip exploring Corfu by bus, which is surprisingly easy. BUT – the bus does NOT go directly to Afionas. Instead, take the A10 bus from the main Green Bus station in Corfu Town to Agios Georgios (Pagon). You will be dropped at the beach level and will need to hike quite a long way uphill to Afionas village, or take a boat taxi directly to Porto Timoni from the bay.
It’s worth noting that Corfu Town is the main hub for all the buses, and you generally need to change buses there to get anywhere else on the island. There aren’t many buses connecting other towns directly without a detour to Corfu Town, which means you need to allow more time than the distance would suggest.
You can find bus timetables on the Green Buses website, and they also have paper copies at the Corfu Town bus station. The bus to Agios Georgios (Pagon) is line A7. Green buses go from Corfu Town to other destinations around the island, and Blue buses are just within Corfu Town itself.
Price: Corfu Town to Agios Georgios (Pagon) is €3.60 each way.
Agios Georgios (Pagon) is the closest larger resort town to Afionas and Porto Timoni. Getting a 5 minute boat taxi from Agios Georgios is a lovely way to get to Porto Timoni Beach. It’s also the best way to get to Porto Timoni if you have limited mobility or if you’re travelling with children. The sea around Corfu is stunning, and this is definitely the most relaxing way to travel. Just note that if you want to get photos at the famous viewpoint over Porto Timoni beach you’ll need to hike up the trail and back down again.
Price: the cost of a boat taxi from Agios Georgios to Porto Timoni Beach should be just under €30.
You can also visit Porto Timoni beach as part of a speedboat tour around Corfu island from Palaiokastritsa. This boat trip around the northwest coast of Corfu includes the famous Porto Timoni double bay as the first stop. You also get to explore some caves and quieter hidden beaches like Giali Beach, as well as having lunch at a local taverna.
There are loads of boat rental shops in the resort town of Agios Georgios (Pagon), where you can hire kayaks and pedalos. This is a great way to get to Porto Timoni beach as you have complete freedom to plan your own time. Rental shops open mid-morning around 9:30am.
Price: Renting a kayak or pedalo is about €15 per hour.
You can hire a motor boat for the day in either Agios Georgios or Palaiokastritsa. Just wander along the beachfront and you’ll find loads of vendors offering boat rentals. You do not need to have a boat licence or experience to hire a boat in Corfu (this applies to small boats 30hp or less).
Price: Prices for boat hire varies from €50-150+ per day depending on the season/size of the boat.
Separate from the popular walking trail from Afionas Village to Porto Timoni Beach, there’s also a longer hiking trail all the way from the nearby resort town of Agios Georgios (Pagon). This 6 mile (9km) hiking track is quite steep with an elevation gain of 1,178 feet (360 metres), but the views over the Ionian sea and nearby islands of Mathraki, Erikussa and Othoni must be fantastic!
Corfu is easy to get around if you have a car, but if you’re relying on public transport it can be a bit time-consuming. I recommend staying near to the areas you want to see most:
Definitely book accommodation in advance as Corfu gets super busy over summer. The best spots get snapped up early. Accommodation on Corfu can be eye-wateringly expensive, so this will be a big chunk of your travel budget.
Plane: There are plenty of flights to Corfu from all over Europe with airlines like easyJet and Ryanair offering budget fares. Corfu International Airport (CFU) is just outside Corfu Town. If you’re staying somewhere else on the island, you can arrange a private transfer with Welcome Pickups.
Ferry: You can take the ferry to Corfu from Igoumenitsa (1-1.5 hours). There are also ferries to Corfu from Italy (Bari and Brindisi). Book ahead with Direct Ferries.
To withdraw cash in local currency at the best rates, I highly recommend getting a WISE card before you go. This allows you to convert money into Euros (or any other currency!) at the best rates and then withdraw cash in Greece without hidden fees.
Wise is a UK-based financial services company (available in most countries worldwide) and is highly regulated in the various regions it operates in (in the UK it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority).
Get your WISE card here.
I highly recommend getting an eSIM with Airalo. You can set it up before you travel. The main advantages of purchasing an eSIM (enter the referral code ROWAN1271 for a discount) are:
Get your Airalo eSIM here. Enter the referral code ROWAN1271 for a discount.
Make sure that you have insurance to cover you for your trip. The type of insurance you need will depend on your personal circumstances and specific needs.
Option 1: I personally use Heymondo for all my trips, and it’s one of the easiest and most reliable travel insurance options I’ve found. Their app is incredibly user-friendly, allowing you to access your policy, make claims, and contact support directly from your phone. Heymondo offers excellent coverage, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and more.
Purchase Heymondo travel insurance.
Option 2: If you’re travelling for longer, SafetyWing offer Nomad Insurance with globally mobile individuals in mind. Whether you’re a short-term backpacker or a longer-term remote worker, they have something for everyone. SafetyWing‘s Nomad Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft.
Their Nomad Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. Find out more about SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance.
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