Thinking of booking a trip to Agios Georgios Pagon on Corfu?
Here’s what to expect from this scenic beach resort.
Where is it?
Agios Georgios Pagon is on Corfu’s north-west coast, in between Arillas and Paleokastritsa (though cut off from both by steep headlands).
This resort in the north of the island goes goes by a multitude of names – Agios Georgios Pagon (or Pagi), San George, Agios Georgios NW, Agios Georgios North, or just Ag. George.
Don’t get it confused with the other Agios Georgios which is in the south of the island!
What’s the vibe like?
Agios Georgios NW is a small and quiet beach resort in a scenic bay with a long sandy beach.
The beach itself has both organised and unorganised sections with a variety of sunloungers (including daybeds).
There’s plenty of space on the beach, even in the summer the beach doesn’t feel too crowded.
There are tavernas, restaurants, accommodation and mini-markets spread out along the beach but very few play music. If you hate rowdy beach bars playing then you’ll like it here (there are 1 or 2 but the beach is so long you’ll have no trouble avoiding them).
The tavernas are mostly Greek with the occasional pizza/pasta dish. Cafes serve international fare and salads.
Compared to other resorts in the north west, Agios Georgios has a bit of a euro vibe with plenty of Germans, Swedish and Polish patrons as well as Brits. There is some low-key package tourism but most business are run by local families. There is no entertainment strip.
During the day the beach attracts day-trippers including locals and younger groups from the surrounding areas who come to play volleyball and enjoy the watersports on offer (and the fantastic sunsets), but come evening it empties out.
Agios Georgios NW tends to attract older visitors (including many returnees) who enjoy the evening peace and quiet. Dinner here is early and by 10pm most restaurants are empty.
Thanks to its geography it can feel quite isolated, particularly if you don’t have car. It’s difficult to visit other resorts by public transport.
What’s the beach like?
The beach is west-facing with a golden sand – the sunsets are fantastic.
The sand consists of large soft granules which are a striking golden colour. There are a few parts with bigger round pebbles and seagrass. The northern end is more pebbly.
Depending on sea conditions, the water can be a bit cloudy but is a lovely shade of blue.
It can be divided into roughly 3 sections and you will find cafes, sunloungers, and watersports in each part. There are a few small bridges where streams run down from the mountains to meet the sea. The central section is the busiest with the most sunloungers, cafes, watersports, and a volleyball net.
There are large parts of unorganised beach though. The clothing-optional crowd can sometimes be found at the southern end of the beach, beyond the main road. The far ends of the beach are more sheltered from both waves and sun.
Activities and Amenities
There’s plenty to do for such a small place – notably the many watersports and boat rentals on offer. Agios Georgios NW has the best selection of watersports of all the resorts in the north-west.
There are several boat trips on offer to beaches in the wider area, including the popular Porto Timoni. This is the only way to see Porto Timoni without the hike. Both private and group boat trips are available.
Jetskis, dinghies, kayaks, pedaloes, and paddleboards are also available.
One of the key attractions in the area is the pretty hilltop village of Afionos on the northern headland. To reach Afionas you can walk up the hill (a steep 30 minutes) along the road or drive. There are no buses from Agios Georgios Pagon (unless you travel back towards Corfu Town). From Afionas you can take the scenic hike down to Porto Timoni.
The coastal section Corfu Trail begins at Agios Georgios Pagon. The first section is the path along the southern headland to the tavernas Akrogiali and the Fisherman’s Cabin, an easy and pleasant walk.
There are also lots of nice walks around the village of Pagi which is up in the hills overlooking the beach. It’s known for its views and 007 connection and the bus stops here before Agios Georgios.
For a longer walk you can continue up a donkey trail as far as Angelokastro. The Ciccerone book Walking & Trekking Corfu is useful for details of day walks.
There are several travel agencies offering excursions around the island and beyond by bus or by boat.
There’s even a Bowling Bar, ideal for days when the weather isn’t so great.
Agios Georgios has a handful of well-stocked mini-markets with a good selection of food, actually some of the best on the island. There are no large supermarkets in the area though.
The downside is that the number of tavernas feels relatively small. There are enough to eat somewhere different every night for a week, but not for two. Same for cafes and bars. It can feel a bit restrictive if you like to have variety in where you eat.
The restaurants are mostly Greek and the crowds overwhelmingly flock to the ones that have a good reputation (such as Delfini which is known for seafood). At busy times you might find the good tavernas booked up in advance, or certainly the tables with a view.
There are several ATM machines but none attached to a bank. There is no pharmacy or doctor.
Prices
Prices in Agios Georgios Pagon are reasonable, particularly at the start and end of the season when it’s quiet. It has less package tourism than neighbouring resorts Paleokastritsa, Arillas, and San Stefanos.
You will pay a premium for beachfront accommodation, but prices for food, drinks, and sun-loungers are on the cheaper end for Corfu (although not as cheap as the north coast resorts).
Transport and accessibility
From the airport:
Agios Georgios is a 40-minute drive from Corfu Airport and just over 1 hour on the bus from Corfu Town. The roads around Agios Georgios are narrow and hilly.
A private transfer from the airport is around €50-60. Hoppa is available for shared transfers.
Public transport:
Agios Georgios NW is served by Corfu’s Green Bus system. There are daily buses from the KTEL bus station just outside Corfu Town. Buses are less frequent on Saturdays and don’t always run on Sundays. Tickets are 3.60 one way.
Sometimes during peak summer season there are extra bus routes available linking popular resorts but check before you go as these aren’t always operating.
Accessibility:
There’s only really one road in Agios Georgios and development sprawls intermittently along the length of it. The road doesn’t run the whole way along the beach though, only a few small sections. Parking is available along the road but there is no dedicated car park.
The walk along the beachfront consists of a variety of surfaces including wooden boardwalks on sand, concrete roads, soft dirt paths that wind up around the back of restaurants, and a narrow wooden bridge. Some surfaces are uneven and there are a few big steps. If you require an even surface you may find it a challenge.
There is no Seatrac.
Where to stay
The beach is relatively long, it takes over 20 minutes to walk, something to bear in mind when booking your accommodation. Most of the attractive beachfront places are at the northern end, whereas at the southern end development follows the main road back uphill. You may find that your favourite taverna or cafe ends up being the opposite end of the beach to your accommodation.
Where the road heads inland there are two clusters of accommodation where it may be a 5-10 minute walk to the beach.
Accommodation is mostly in family-run guesthouses, apartments, and hotels, with several of the hotels also serving to package tour operators.
Good-value studios and apartments are easy to find on Booking.com.
Popular accommodation includes:
- Belle Hellene Hotel (beachfront 3-star)
- Cosmos Beach House (beachfront villa)
- San Georgio Boutique Hotel (3-star hotel)
- Porto Demo Boutique Hotel (4-star hotel)
- Costas Golden Beach Hotel (TUI beachfront 3-star)
Read more:
Where to Stay on Corfu: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
Corfu – A Quick Island Overview
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